Offset Seal Structure for High-Pressure Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seals face challenges in maintaining high pressure sealing efficiency and offset capability due to deformation and strain issues, particularly in applications like fuel injectors and spark plug tubes, where they are subjected to high pressures and axial movements.
Innovation Solution
A high pressure offset seal design featuring an elastomeric body with an outer and inner annular insert, over-molded with a webbing and radially extending ribs, which allows for offset capability while reducing deformation and strain through a tiered geometry and additional material pockets, enhancing pressure handling and preventing over-compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seals are used to maintain sealing in high pressure applications, then sealing function is provided, but deformation and strain occur reducing sealing efficiency and offset capability
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple segments including an outer annular insert, an inner annular insert, and an elastomeric body with webbing connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to independently manage stress and deformation, preventing overall seal failure under high pressure while maintaining sealing efficiency and offset capability.
2Reliability
If conventional seals are subjected to high pressure and axial movements, then sealing function is maintained, but offset capability is reduced due to strain
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing connecting the outer and inner annular inserts is designed to be flexible and dynamic, allowing it to accommodate axial movements and maintain offset capability under high pressure. The elastomeric material enables the webbing to deform elastically and recover, preserving the seal's adaptability while maintaining reliable sealing function.
3Stress or pressure
If seal material is added to improve pressure handling, then pressure capabilities increase, but deformation and strain may increase without proper structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The seal employs a composite structure combining rigid annular inserts (metal or plastic) with a flexible elastomeric body. This composite design allows the rigid inserts to provide structural support and pressure containment, while the elastomeric material provides sealing compliance. The combination enables high pressure capabilities while minimizing deformation and strain through the complementary properties of the materials.
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
The design effectively improves pressure capabilities and maintains offset functionality by minimizing deformation and strain, ensuring reliable sealing performance even under high pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An elastomeric body includes an outer portion over-molded on the outer annular insert and an inner portion over-molded on the inner annular insert
Implementation Method 2
The elastomeric body including a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the inner portion of the elastomeric body along an interface between the webbing and the inner portion of the elastomeric body
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system includes an outer member having a bore and an inner member received in the bore, the inner member including an outer surface with a shoulder. A seal member includes an outer annular insert having a first diameter and an inner annular insert having a second smaller diameter. An elastomeric body includes an outer portion over-molded on the outer annular insert and an inner portion over-molded on the inner annular insert and including an inner seal member extending radially inward from the inner annular insert. The elastomeric body including a webbing connecting the outer portion to the inner portion. the elastomeric body including a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the inner portion of the elastomeric body along an interface between the webbing and the inner portion of the elastomeric body. The inner portion of the elastomeric body is against the shoulder on the inner member.