Pressurized Metal Sealing Ring for Misalignment-Tolerant Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal sealing rings for vacuum chambers and piston engines require precise alignment and controlled clamping forces to achieve a reliable seal, and are prone to quality reduction due to uneven or excessive compression loads.
Innovation Solution
A metal sealing ring with a tubular body that expands under internal pressure, featuring sections of different metals for varying ductility and yield strength, and an inlet tube for introducing pressure, allowing for adaptive deformation to form a seal between metal surfaces without the need for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional metal sealing rings use flat circular gaskets crushed between metal surfaces, then a seal can be formed, but precise alignment and high clamping forces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring transitions from a static flat gasket to a dynamic structure that can deform and expand. The tubular body with C-shaped or U-shaped cross-section is designed to expand radially when pressurized, allowing adaptive sealing without requiring precise initial alignment. The ring can deform to accommodate misalignment between mating surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and geometric parameters of the sealing ring by introducing internal pressure. The pressurizable fluid inside the tubular body causes the ring to expand, changing its outer diameter and cross-sectional shape to conform to the mating surfaces. This parameter change enables sealing under lower clamping forces and with less precise alignment.
2Reliability
If high clamping forces are applied to conventional metal gaskets, then seal integrity is improved, but the gasket may be damaged or compression may become uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring performs self-adjustment through internal pressurization. The fluid pressure automatically distributes the sealing force evenly around the circumference, eliminating the need for external high clamping forces. The ring self-regulates the compression applied to the mating surfaces, preventing both under-compression and over-compression damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressurized fluid (gas or liquid) introduced into the tubular body to generate the sealing force. This pneumatic or hydraulic pressure replaces the need for mechanical clamping forces, providing uniform distribution of pressure around the sealing interface and preventing localized stress concentrations that could damage the gasket.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sealing rings use uniform metal composition, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different sealing conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring incorporates regions with different properties: the tubular body may have varying wall thicknesses, different metal compositions in different sections, or surface treatments in specific areas. This local differentiation allows the ring to adapt to non-uniform sealing conditions while maintaining overall structural integrity and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring may combine different materials within the same structure, such as dissimilar metals in different sections, metal liners, or coating layers. This composite approach provides adaptability to different sealing conditions and material compatibility requirements while maintaining reasonable manufacturing 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 solution provides a reliable, adaptable metal-to-metal seal that can withstand varying pressures and maintain integrity even after pressure relief, reducing the risk of damage and improving seal quality across different applications.
Implementation Method 1
The body is adapted to deform under the internal pressure against each of the opposing metal surfaces to form the seal
Implementation Method 2
The body may be adapted to increase in volume by deforming plastically upon introduction of the internal pressure. The plastic deformation allows the internal pressure in the body to be relieved without breaking the seal
Implementation Method 3
The body may be adapted to increase in volume by at least 5% upon introduction of an internal pressure exceeding the ambient pressure by no more than 300 MPa, preferably by no more than 150 MPa
Data Source
AI summary
A metal sealing ring (1) for forming a metal-to-metal seal between two opposing metal surfaces. The metal sealing ring (1) comprises a tubular metal body (3) and an inlet tube (7) extending from the body (3) for introducing an internal pressure into the body (3). The body is adapted to deform under the internal pressure against each of the opposing metal surfaces to form the seal (1).