Overlapping Ring Seal Unit for Combustion Chamber Gas Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional seal rings in internal combustion engines, especially those with smaller diameters, face challenges in maintaining effective gas sealing due to complex and costly labyrinth structures, leading to inefficiencies in power generation and increased fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

A seal unit comprising two ring-shaped bodies with radially oriented gap sections that overlap to form a labyrinth structure without complex cutting operations, allowing for improved gas sealing and uniform wear, and can be easily manufactured at competitive costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional labyrinth structures are used in seal rings for small diameter engines, then gas sealing is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sealingVSAvoidlabyrinth structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal ring is divided into two separate ring-shaped bodies (first and second ring-shaped bodies) with各自的 gap sections. This segmentation allows each body to have a simpler structure while collectively achieving effective gas sealing through their overlapping arrangement, avoiding the need for complex labyrinth cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves from creating complex three-dimensional labyrinth structures within a single ring to using two simpler rings with radially oriented gap sections. The sealing effect is achieved through the radial arrangement and overlap of the two rings rather than through complex internal labyrinthine paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If traditional labyrinth structures are used in seal rings, then gas sealing is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sealingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the seal ring into two simpler ring-shaped bodies with radially oriented gaps, the manufacturing process is simplified. Each body can be manufactured separately without requiring complex labyrinth cutting operations, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective gas sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simpler, more cost-effective ring-shaped bodies with basic radial gap sections instead of expensive traditionally manufactured labyrinth structures. This approach prioritizes cost-effective manufacturing while achieving the necessary sealing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If seal rings with complex labyrinth structures are used, then gas sealing is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas sealingVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented structure of two ring-shaped bodies with radially oriented gap sections achieves effective gas sealing without the excessive complexity of traditional labyrinth structures. This efficiency in sealing design reduces energy losses and contributes to lower fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2798245B1Seal unit of a piston of an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 FPT IND SPA
  • EP2798245B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2798245B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP2798245B1 patent drawingFigure 7A~9

AI summary

The present invention relates to a seal unit (10) suitable to be inserted in the first groove (20') of a piston (20) of an internal combustion engine. The seal unit (10) according to the invention comprises a first ring-shaped body (10') which defines a first gap section (12') and a second ring-shaped body (10'') which defines a second gap section (12''). According to the invention such bodies are overlapping so that the position of said first section (12') is different from the position of said second section (12'') in relation to a reference axis (101) to which the two bodies (10',10'') are coaxial.