Integrally Formed Polyurethane Sealing Ring for Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing systems for high-pressure applications are costly and require high installation effort due to complex manufacturing processes and high manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

The sealing system integrates the second sealing ring and prestressing ring as a single component made of polyurethane, with a pressure increase variable defined by the prestressing ring's radial deformation, allowing for simpler production and assembly, and incorporates one-way connecting channels for pressure relief, reducing the pressure applied to the primary seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second sealing ring and second preload ring are produced as separate components with high manufacturing tolerances, then the sealing system achieves reliable pressure relief functionality, but the manufacturing cost and installation effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure relief functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and installation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the second sealing ring (32a, 32b) and second preload ring (34a, 34b) into a single integrally formed component made of polyurethane. This merging eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of two distinct parts, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity, lowering costs, and simplifying installation while maintaining the functional integrity of both sealing and pressure relief mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the second sealing ring and second preload ring are formed integrally as a single polyurethane component, then manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness improve, but the manufacturing precision requirements become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidintegral component tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs polyurethane as a composite material that can be integrally formed into complex geometries including both the sealing ring and preload ring functions. This material choice enables single-step manufacturing processes that achieve the required precision for both sealing contact surfaces and pressure relief characteristics without requiring multiple machining operations or assembly steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the connecting channel remains closed during inverted pressure position, then the sealing system maintains pressure containment, but the primary seal experiences higher pressure loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure containmentVSAvoidprimary seal pressure load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediate spaces (Za, Zb) between the primary sealing arrangement and the pressure relief elements as intermediary pressure zones. These intermediate spaces act as buffer zones that decouple the high-pressure side from the low-pressure side, allowing the primary seal to operate at reduced pressure differential while the pressure relief elements manage the pressure equalization through controlled connecting channel opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and ensures reliable pressure relief and leakage control across varying hydraulic pressures, enhancing the service life and efficiency of the sealing system.

Implementation Method 1

P crit is defined by an at least sectional deformation of the second preload ring in a direction radial to the movement axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a certain leakage rate is set, via which the hydraulic pressure in the low-pressure-side intermediate space is set

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic leakage: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3245429B1Sealing system with pressure relief elements and use of a sealing system for producing a pressure cascade in an intermediate space
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 TRELLEBORG SEALING SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3245429B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a sealing system (10) between two components (12, 14) that can be translated in relation to each other along a motion axis, for sealing off a high-pressure side (H) from a low-pressure side (N), said sealing system comprising pressure relief elements. The invention further relates to the use of such a sealing system to produce an intermediate-space pressure cascade.