Oscillating Annular Energizing Element for Seal Load Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energizing elements used in seals lack design customization and flexibility in providing appropriate loads under various pressure conditions, leading to inefficiencies in fluid segregation applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of an energizing element with an annular filament oriented about a central axis, featuring a plurality of oscillations with varying circumferential widths and lengths, which allows for improved load range performance and adaptability in seal applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If current energizing elements are used in seals, then seals can provide fluid segregation, but the energizing elements lack design customization and flexibility in providing appropriate loads under various pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The energizing element features an annular filament with varying cross-sectional properties along its length, including regions with different wall thicknesses and oscillation amplitudes. This local variation in geometric quality enables different sections to provide different load characteristics, achieving customized load ranges while maintaining structural integrity throughout the component.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular filament incorporates asymmetric oscillations about the radial axis, with varying amplitudes and wavelengths along the axial direction. This asymmetric geometry creates non-uniform stress distribution and load characteristics, allowing the energizing element to provide tailored load responses under different pressure conditions rather than uniform behavior.
2Force
If energizing elements with oscillations are used, then load range performance is improved, but the complexity of the element structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular filament is conceptually segmented into multiple regions with distinct oscillation characteristics, including varying amplitudes, wavelengths, and wall thicknesses. This segmentation allows independent optimization of load characteristics in different zones while maintaining a continuous, manufacturable structure, balancing performance with structural complexity.
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 design enhances the flexibility and customization of energizing elements, improving load range performance and reducing gaps within the energizing element, thereby extending the lifetime of seal components and reducing leakage under cyclic pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an energizing element body including an annular filament oriented about a central axis, the annular filament including a plurality of oscillations generally directed down the central axis
Data Source
AI summary
An energizing element including: an energizing element body including an annular filament oriented about a central axis, the annular filament including a plurality of oscillations generally directed down the central axis, where at least one oscillation includes an internal circumferential void having a first circumferential width, WFV, and a second circumferential width, WSV, located at a different axial position along the oscillation, and where WFV≠WSV.