Protected Moveable Seal Assembly for Abrasive Flow Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blow-out preventers and ram valves face erosion issues due to abrasive particles in fluids, leading to ineffective sealing when closing flow passages, especially in high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
A sealing apparatus with a moveable seal holder, a cavity, and a seal assembly that includes a resilient seal member and an actuator plate configured to compress the seal member, changing its thickness and shape to effectively seal against tubular members, preventing fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the seal member remains exposed to fluid flow during normal operation, then the valve can maintain open flow passage, but the seal member suffers erosion from abrasive particles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the seal member from the fluid flow path during normal operation. The seal holder positions the seal member away from the flowing fluid containing abrasive particles, protecting it from erosion while maintaining open flow passage. When closing is needed, the seal member is moved into position to seal against the seat.
2Reliability
If the seal member is compressed to extend the fluid-facing end surface for better sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the seal holder dynamic, capable of moving between open and closed positions. The actuator mechanism dynamically positions the seal member relative to the seat, compressing it during closing to extend the fluid-facing end surface for effective sealing, and retracting it during opening to protect from erosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct components: the seal holder, the resilient seal member, and the actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function while simplifying the overall structure through modular design.
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 enhances the sealing effectiveness by compressing the seal member to extend its fluid-facing end surface, ensuring reliable closure of fluid passages even in the presence of abrasive particles, thereby maintaining valve functionality in high-pressure environments.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient seal member including a fluid-facing end with a fluid-facing end surface. The first actuator plate is configured to compress the seal member and to move the fluid-facing end surface of the seal member outward from a resting position
Data Source
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AI summary
A sealing apparatus includes a moveable seal holder with a cavity and includes a seal assembly disposed at least partially in the cavity. The seal assembly includes a resilient seal member including a fluid-facing end with a fluid-facing end surface, and the seal assembly includes an actuator plate configured to reciprocate between a first and a second position relative to the protective plate. The first actuator plate includes a fluid-facing end surface and a first camming surface. The seal assembly further includes a first protective plate disposed between the seal member and the first actuator plate. The actuator plate is configured to compress the seal member and to move the fluid-facing end surface of the seal member outward from a resting position when the actuator plate is in the second position.