Segmented Packing Ring Wear Openings for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packing rings in piston compressors face challenges with wear, pressure equalization, and sealing effectiveness, particularly at higher pressures, leading to reduced service life and increased risk of leakage due to uneven wear and pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part packing ring design with wear openings and relief openings that extend from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface, allowing for pressure equalization and adaptive wear compensation, reducing contact pressure and friction, and enhancing sealing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packing rings are used without wear openings, then the structure is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but wear compensation is insufficient and sealing effectiveness decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The packing ring is divided into multiple segments separated by radial gaps, allowing each segment to move independently and compensate for wear. The segments are held together by a retaining ring and spring mechanism, enabling the ring to adapt to piston rod wear while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Wear openings are pre-formed in the packing ring segments before installation. These openings allow wear debris to escape and enable the segments to adjust their position as wear occurs, maintaining sealing capability throughout the service life of the packing ring.
2Reliability
If packing rings are pressed tightly against the piston rod to improve sealing, then sealing effectiveness increases, but friction and wear increase reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The packing ring incorporates a spring mechanism that dynamically adjusts the contact pressure between the ring segments and the piston rod. As wear occurs, the spring maintains optimal contact pressure, ensuring continuous sealing while accommodating the wear process without excessive friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The packing ring design allows the segments to self-adjust their position and contact pressure as wear occurs. The radial gaps and wear openings enable the segments to automatically compensate for wear without external intervention, maintaining sealing effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary friction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radial and tangential cuts are made in packing rings for wear compensation, then wear adaptation is improved, but the ring becomes more complex and requires additional anti-rotation devices
Solution Approach 1:
The packing ring is segmented radially with gaps between segments, eliminating the need for complex anti-rotation devices. The segments are retained by a simple retaining ring and spring mechanism that allows radial movement for wear compensation while preventing rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring and spring mechanism serves multiple functions: holding the segments together, maintaining contact pressure, and preventing rotation. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall structure while providing effective wear compensation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure equalization is implemented to reduce extrusion, then extrusion is minimized, but the ring structure becomes more complex with additional openings
Solution Approach 1:
The radial segmentation of the packing ring creates natural pressure equalization pathways through the gaps between segments. This segmentation simultaneously provides wear compensation and pressure equalization without requiring additional complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial gaps and wear openings serve dual purposes: enabling segment movement for wear compensation and providing pressure equalization pathways to prevent extrusion. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional anti-extrusion components.
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 improves sealing efficiency, extends service life, and reduces wear-related issues by enabling adaptive pressure equalization and better handling of lateral movements, thereby minimizing leakage and maintaining effective sealing over the compressor's operational life.
Implementation Method 1
from a certain wear state of the packing ring, the wear opening end is exposed on the radially inner inner circumferential surface, such that the wear opening connects the radially outer outer circumferential surface and/or the second axial ring end of the packing ring with the radially inner inner circumferential surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to provide a packaging ring (14) which is constructed as simply and compactly as possible, allows a longer service life, and can be flexibly adapted to different use conditions. According to the invention, this is achieved in that at least one wear opening (27) is provided on at least one ring segment (14a), said wear opening extending from a radially outer external circumferential surface (23) and/or the second axial ring end (RE2) of the ring segment (14a) in the direction of a radially inner internal circumferential surface (18) of the ring segment (14a), wherein the wear opening end (27a) of the at least one wear opening (27) is arranged at a distance from the radially inner internal circumferential surface (18) of the ring segment (14a) in the radial direction of the ring segment (14a), said distance equaling maximally 40% of the radial ring height (RH) extending between the outer external circumferential surface (23) and the radially inner internal circumferential surface (18) of the ring segment (14a), and the wear opening end (27a) lies between the first and the second axial ring end (RE1, RE2) and is arranged at a distance from the first and second axial ring end (RE1, RE2).