Pressure-Activated Sealing Element for High-Pressure Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing elements fail to effectively seal gaps under high-pressure conditions, leading to leakage and inefficiencies in systems like electrolysis, where increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness are demanded.
Innovation Solution
A sealing element with two portions, where one portion is orthogonal to another, allowing activation under ambient pressure to enhance sealing by increasing contact area and pressure on gaps, with specific length and thickness ratios to manage gaps up to 0.3 times the clearance height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing elements are compressed between two components, then they can be installed in a clearance, but they fail to effectively seal gaps under high-pressure conditions leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion configured to dispose the sealing element in a clearance, and a second portion configured to press onto a gap to be sealed. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally - the first portion provides structural support and positioning, while the second portion provides the sealing action against the gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The first side of the first portion is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to a second side of the second portion, creating an asymmetric L-shaped configuration. This asymmetric design enables the sealing element to be activated by ambient pressure applied to the second side, which then presses the third side of the second portion onto the gap to be sealed, effectively preventing leakage under high-pressure conditions.
2Reliability
If the sealing element is designed to seal larger gaps, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be dynamically activated by ambient pressure. When pressure is applied to the second side, the element deforms to press the third side onto the gap to be sealed. This dynamic response allows the sealing element to adapt to varying pressure conditions and seal gaps effectively without requiring complex mechanical actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in physical parameters - specifically, the deformation of the sealing element under applied pressure. By changing the pressure parameter on the second side, the sealing element transitions from a relaxed state to an activated state where the third side presses onto the gap, enabling effective sealing of gaps up to 0.3 times the clearance height without increasing structural complexity.
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 sealing element effectively seals gaps up to 0.3 times the clearance height, enhancing sealing performance and preventing leakage even at high pressures, thus improving system efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
when an increased ambient pressure acts on the second side
Implementation Method 2
the second portion is specified to press the third side onto a gap to be sealed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing element (10) for a high-pressure connection, having a first portion (12) and a second portion (14), wherein the first portion (12) is specified to dispose the sealing element (10) in a clearance (16), wherein a first side (18) of the first portion (12) is disposed so as to be substantially orthogonal to a second side (20) of the second portion (14), wherein the second portion (14) has a third side (22), wherein the second portion (14) is specified to press the third side (22) onto a gap (24) to be sealed when an increased ambient pressure acts on the second side (20).