Piston Ringset With Solid Lubricant Applicator for Dry Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing solutions for piston-cylinder devices face issues with wear-related failures and leakage due to friction, as self-lubricating materials have low strength and wear quickly, leading to gaps and increased leakage.
Innovation Solution
A sealing ringset comprising a metal sealing ring and a separate solid-lubricant applicator, where the applicator provides lubrication to the bore without acting as a seal, allowing for independent optimization of sealing and lubrication materials, reducing wear and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If self-lubricating material is used for the seal, then scuffing or galling failures are reduced, but material strength becomes low and breakage occurs under high-pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two separate components: a metal sealing ring that provides structural strength and pressure containment, and a separate self-lubricating applicator that provides lubrication. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-lubricating applicator acts as an intermediary between the metal sealing ring and the cylinder wall, providing a lubricating film that reduces friction and prevents direct contact, thereby protecting the strong metal seal from scuffing and galling without requiring the seal material itself to have lubricating properties.
2Reliability
If self-lubricating material is used for the seal, then lubrication is provided, but wear rate increases and seal material is quickly removed
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the lubrication function into a dedicated applicator component, the sealing ring can be made from highly wear-resistant metal that does not degrade quickly, while the applicator consumes the self-lubricating material to provide ongoing lubrication without compromising the seal's structural integrity or service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-lubricating applicator is designed as a consumable component that gradually wears down as it deposits lubricating material onto the cylinder wall. This disposable element protects the more expensive and critical metal sealing ring from wear, extending the overall system service life.
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 solution effectively reduces friction-related failures and minimizes wear, maintaining a tight seal without the need for oil lubrication, as the solid-lubricant applicator deposits a film on the bore, supporting high-pressure loads while minimizing material strength limitations.
Implementation Method 1
The applicator provides lubrication between the at least one sealing ring and the bore by depositing a layer of the solid lubricant on the bore
Implementation Method 2
Friction between the seal and the cylinder wall occurs at this sliding interface and can result in wear-related failures... The applicator provides lubrication between the at least one sealing ring and the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A ringset is configured to be arranged on a piston for sealing a gas in a high-pressure region of a cylinder in the absence of oil or other liquid lubricant. The ringset includes one or more rings made from a high-strength material as a sealing element. The ringset also includes a solid lubricant applicator configured to provide lubrication between the one or more rings and a bore of the cylinder. For example, the ring can support pressure loads from high-pressure gas without breaking, while the applicator need not act as a seal. As the piston reciprocates in the bore, the applicator slides against the bore and applies solid lubricant material to the bore, resulting in a solid lubricant film on the bore against which the sealing element may slide. The applicator includes a material such as a graphite, a polymer, or other suitable solid lubricant.