Non-Contact Seal Assembly With Threaded Removal Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrostatic non-contact seal assemblies for rotational equipment face challenges in effectively sealing annular gaps between static and rotor structures, particularly in maintaining a reliable seal under varying operational conditions and requiring complex disassembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a seal assembly with a seal base, spring elements, and seal shoes arranged in an annular array, along with a carrier structure and secondary seal devices, utilizing threaded base apertures for secure mounting and easy removal, ensuring a robust seal and simplified disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional non-contact seal assemblies are used, then sealing performance is achieved, but disassembly and removal processes become complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into distinct modular components including seal shoes, spring elements, and a seal base that can be independently removed. The threaded shaft with external threads engages with threaded apertures in the seal base, allowing the entire seal assembly to be segmented into removable sections for simplified disassembly and maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A threaded shaft acts as an intermediary removal tool that engages with threaded apertures in the seal base. This intermediary component provides a standardized interface for removal operations, replacing complex disassembly procedures with a simple threaded engagement mechanism that facilitates easy extraction of the seal assembly.
2Reliability
If seal assembly is made secure and robust, then sealing reliability improves, but removal and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly employs spring elements that provide dynamic loading to the seal shoes, maintaining reliable sealing contact under varying operational conditions. The threaded aperture and shaft connection provides a dynamic removal mechanism that allows the assembly to be securely mounted during operation but easily removed when maintenance is required, transitioning between secure and removable states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded aperture configuration in the seal base allows for parameter changes in the connection mechanism. By providing threaded apertures with specific thread patterns and dimensions, the seal assembly achieves robust secure mounting during operation while enabling simplified removal through standardized threaded fastening and unfastening operations.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple components are integrated for compact design, then space efficiency improves, but disassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compact seal assembly integrates multiple components including seal shoes, spring elements, and seal base in a space-efficient configuration. The threaded aperture in the seal base provides a segmentation point that allows the entire integrated assembly to be removed as a unit or in sections, maintaining compactness while enabling simplified disassembly through the threaded removal mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration provides a reliable, efficient sealing solution that maintains performance under operational stresses and simplifies maintenance by allowing for easy disassembly and inspection of the seal components.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of spring elements are radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes with the seal base
Implementation Method 2
A threaded base aperture extends axially through the seal base... mating a threaded shaft with a threaded base aperture
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly includes a plurality of seal shoes arranged about an axial centerline in an annular array. The assembly also includes a seal base and a plurality of spring elements. The seal base circumscribes the annular array of the seal shoes. A threaded base aperture extends axially through the seal base. Each of the spring elements is radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes with the seal base. The spring elements are formed integral with the seal base and the seal shoes as a unitary body.