Pump Packing Stack With Flow-Through Sealing for Seal Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional plunger pump seals lack adequate lubrication, cooling, and are susceptible to fouling, leading to premature failure due to the absence of fluid flow, which results in increased wear and pressure stress.
Innovation Solution
A seal design that allows fluid flow through the packing stack during the suction stroke while preventing flow during the discharge stroke, utilizing a male adapter ring, female adapter ring, and V-rings to facilitate deflection and fluid flow, and includes a non-cylindrical interior passageway for enhanced fluid flow and lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal prevents fluid flow in both directions to maintain pump efficiency, then fluid pressure is maintained and cavitation is prevented, but the seal lacks adequate lubrication and cooling leading to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal transitions from a static sealing configuration to a dynamic one where V-rings can deflect between sealing and non-sealing positions. During suction stroke, V-rings deflect away from the plunger to allow fluid flow through the packing stack for lubrication and cooling. During discharge stroke, V-rings are forced against the plunger and housing to prevent fluid leakage, thus maintaining pump efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between needing fluid flow for seal health and preventing fluid flow for pump performance.
2Reliability
If the seal completely prevents fluid flow to maintain sealing integrity, then fluid leakage is prevented, but particles become trapped in the seal increasing wear rate
Solution Approach 1:
The seal periodically alternates between sealing mode and flow-through mode synchronized with the pump's suction and discharge strokes. During the suction stroke, the seal opens to allow fluid flow that carries away particles and prevents fouling. During the discharge stroke, the seal closes to prevent fluid leakage. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction between maintaining sealing integrity and preventing particle accumulation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the seal allows fluid flow through during suction stroke for lubrication and cooling, then seal life is extended, but fluid may leak past the seal during discharge stroke reducing pump efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the seal have different functions: the V-rings provide selective sealing capability while the packing stack structure facilitates fluid flow. The male adapter ring with its non-cylindrical interior passageway allows fluid to flow through the center for lubrication and cooling, while the V-rings positioned around it provide sealing when needed. This spatial differentiation of functions resolves the contradiction between allowing fluid flow for seal health and preventing fluid leakage for pump efficiency.
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 extends the seal's life by providing lubrication, cooling, and cleaning benefits, reducing wear and stress, while maintaining the pump's efficiency and preventing fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
V-rings, each having a concave surface and a convex surface opposite the concave surface and configured to be disposed between the male adapter ring and the female adapter ring
Implementation Method 2
fluid flow through the seal during the pump's suction stroke while preventing fluid flow past the seal during the pump's discharge stroke
Implementation Method 3
the male adapter ring can have a non-cylindrical interior passageway that permits fluid to flow past the male adapter ring when a plunger is disposed therethrough
Implementation Method 4
During the pump's discharge stroke, V-rings that deflected away from the plunger may be forced, by, for example, pressure within the pump's discharge chamber, against the plunger and housing to prevent fluid flow past the packing stack
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure includes packing stacks for pumps, pumps having the same, and related methods. Some packing stacks include male and female adapter rings and one or more V-rings, each including a concave surface and an opposing convex surface and configured to be disposed between the male and female adapter rings with the concave surface facing the former and the convex surface facing the latter. In some packing stacks, the male adapter ring includes a body and a ridge projecting from the body, the ridge configured to overlie a central area of the concave surface of the V-ring that is closest to the male adapter ring and less than 40% of the concave surface. In some packing stacks, the male adapter ring has a non-cylindrical interior passageway configured to facilitate fluid flow past the male adapter ring when a plunger is disposed therethrough.