Pre-Combustion Chamber C-Ring Seal for Cyclic Pressure Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pre-combustion chamber seals fail due to material compatibility and durability issues related to cyclic temperature and pressure changes, leading to leaks and potential catastrophic failures, as they are susceptible to deformation and surface imperfections, and existing designs rely on flat washer type seals that are not robust enough to withstand high temperatures and pressures.
Innovation Solution
The use of engineered metal seals made from Inconel, titanium, or Hastelloy alloys with optional internal springs, specifically designed with a C-ring geometry and plated with ductile materials like copper or silver, which provide a high elastic seating force and are less susceptible to deformation, allowing for improved sealing performance and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flat washer type seals are used in pre-combustion chambers, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to seal failures under cyclic temperature and pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The seal comprises a composite structure with a resilient base material (such as rubber or elastomer) and an embedded metallic reinforcement cage (such as a wire mesh or spiral cage). This composite design provides both the flexibility needed to conform to sealing surfaces and the structural strength to withstand high temperatures and pressures, thereby improving seal reliability under cyclic loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal incorporates an energizing element (such as a spring or pre-tensioned wire cage) that maintains constant contact pressure between the seal and sealing surfaces despite thermal expansion, pressure cycles, and mechanical deformation. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures consistent sealing performance throughout the service life of the pre-combustion chamber.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If copper or copper nickel alloy seals are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved and surface finish requirements are reduced, but the durability worsens due to material failure under high temperature and cyclic pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal combines a resilient polymer or elastomer matrix with an embedded metallic reinforcement structure (such as a stainless steel wire cage or mesh). This composite construction provides the high-temperature stability and pressure resistance of metals while retaining the conformability and sealing capability of soft materials, significantly extending seal service life in harsh pre-combustion chamber environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design applies different material properties to different regions: the resilient base material provides conformability and sealing at the contact surfaces, while the embedded metallic reinforcement provides structural integrity and resistance to high temperatures and pressures in the bulk material, optimizing both durability and sealing performance.
3Reliability
If the tip and body are welded to eliminate seal leaks, then the reliability is improved, but the adaptability worsens as the tip can no longer be replaced separately
Solution Approach 1:
The seal uses a resilient material embedded with metallic reinforcement that can withstand the extreme thermal and pressure conditions of the pre-combustion chamber without welding. This reliable seal allows the tip to remain a separate, replaceable component while maintaining leak-free operation, thus preserving adaptability for tip replacement while ensuring reliability.
4Reliability
If sealing surfaces are plated with soft material like copper, then the leak rate is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen as surface finish and flatness tolerances become less critical
Solution Approach 1:
The seal's resilient base material (such as rubber or elastomer) inherently conforms to imperfect sealing surfaces, filling in surface irregularities and asperities. This eliminates the need for expensive plating operations and tight surface finish tolerances, as the soft resilient material automatically adapts to the actual mating surface geometry, achieving low leak rates without stringent manufacturing precision requirements.
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 significantly reduces leak rates and enhances the reliability of the seal under high temperature and pressure conditions, accommodating cyclic loading and repeated hammering forces, while maintaining a low leak rate and extending the life of the seal.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention comprises an internal energized spring
Implementation Method 2
The plating provides a ductile outer layer to fill surface imperfections
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pre-combustion chamber assembly, comprising (a) a body, having a cylindrical end portion having a step-wise increase in diameter forming a sealing surface for sealing to an engine; (b) a tip, with a hollow shaft in fluid communication with a combustion region of the tip, where the shaft has a first shaft diameter that allows the shaft to be slid over a portion of the body; (c) a gasket mounted about the body and resting against the sealing surface, wherein the gasket comprises a wire wound washer.