Pillar Lantern Ring Structure for Stable Shaft Seal Flush Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaft sealing systems for rotary mechanical devices often face challenges in providing an adequate flush reservoir, leading to potential stoppages in seal fluid flow and increased risk of product contamination, especially in applications with corrosive fluids.
Innovation Solution
A lantern ring design featuring two end caps with pillars between them, providing axial support and a larger flush reservoir volume, along with an outer diameter closely fitted to the stuffing box and an inner diameter greater than the shaft to prevent contact, enhancing the seal and reducing whip in the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional lantern ring with holes is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flush reservoir volume is insufficient leading to potential stoppages in seal fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The lantern ring transitions from a conventional flat structure with holes to a three-dimensional structure featuring a central cavity and radial pillars. This dimensional change creates a substantial flush reservoir volume within the lantern ring body, allowing adequate seal fluid storage and flow maintenance without increasing structural complexity in a problematic way.
Solution Approach 2:
The lantern ring is segmented into a central cavity region and radial pillar structures. The pillars divide the cavity into compartments while maintaining fluid communication, creating an efficient reservoir system that maximizes flush volume while preserving manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
2Reliability
If the lantern ring outer surface is closely dimensioned to the stuffing box, then the seal is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lantern ring features localized sealing surfaces at its outer circumference that are precisely dimensioned to mate with the stuffing box bore. While these specific local areas require high manufacturing precision, the overall lantern ring structure and other features can be manufactured with standard tolerances, balancing seal effectiveness with manufacturing feasibility.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the inner diameter of the lantern ring is greater than the shaft, then the shaft lifespan is extended by avoiding contact, but the structural support is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lantern ring acts as an intermediary component between the shaft and the stuffing box. By positioning the lantern ring's inner diameter greater than the shaft diameter, it creates a non-contact arrangement that protects the shaft from wear while the lantern ring itself provides the necessary structural support and positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lantern ring extracts the support and sealing function from direct shaft contact. Instead of the shaft bearing the mechanical load and wear, the lantern ring assumes these functions through its pillar structure and positioning within the stuffing box, thereby extending shaft lifespan by removing it from the wear interface.
4Strength
If pillars are added between end caps, then the structural integrity is improved to prevent crushing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pillars are integrated directly into the lantern ring body as a unified structure rather than being separate components. The radial pillars extend from the central cavity to the outer circumference, forming an integral part of the lantern ring that provides structural integrity against crushing forces while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through single-piece or minimal-component construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sealing system for a rotary mechanical device including a pillar lantern ring having a bottom and a top end cap with pillars or columns connecting the end caps is formed by additive manufacturing. The bottom annular end cap has an outside face and an opposed inside face defining a height therebetween and the upper annular end cap has an inside face and an opposed outside face defining a height therebetween with a plurality of integrally formed substantially cylindrical axial columns connecting the two opposed inside faces of the two end caps.