Reciprocating Pump Seal Collar Structure to Prevent Spring Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reciprocating pumps face issues with cavitation and inefficiencies due to interference between the compressive coil spring and the reciprocating member, leading to misalignment and increased wear, which affects the pump's performance and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a cylindrical collar portion within the compressive coil spring to isolate the spring's space from the pump chamber, combined with an annular seal member and pressing portion, which are either integrally or separately formed, to prevent interference and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compressive coil spring is used to press the seal member, then the seal member can be positioned and sealed effectively, but the spring may interfere with the reciprocating member during its movement
Solution Approach 1:
The space around the reciprocating member is segmented into two isolated regions: a pump chamber and a spring accommodation space. The collar portion acts as a partition wall that divides the inner space, preventing the spring from interfering with the reciprocating member's movement path while maintaining sealing effectiveness in the pump chamber.
2Ease of operation
If the collar portion and pressing portion are formed as separate parts, then assembly and adjustment are easier, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar portion and pressing portion are merged into a single integrated component. This reduces the total number of parts, simplifies the manufacturing process, and improves production efficiency while still allowing for easy assembly and adjustment of the seal structure.
3Force
If the wire diameter of the compressive coil spring is increased, then the spring can provide sufficient biasing force, but the spring occupies more space and may interfere with the pump chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The inner space is segmented into distinct regions using the collar portion, creating a dedicated spring accommodation space that is isolated from the pump chamber. This allows the spring to have sufficient wire diameter for required biasing force without encroaching on the pump chamber volume.
4Ease of manufacture
If the seal member and pressing portion are not precisely aligned, then assembly is easier, but sealing performance deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped groove on the seal member and the corresponding V-shaped protrusion on the pressing portion create an asymmetric geometric relationship that provides self-alignment. When assembled, the asymmetric shapes naturally guide the components into proper axial alignment, ensuring sealing performance without requiring precise pre-alignment during assembly.
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
This configuration suppresses cavitation, enhances the pump's compression ratio, improves water absorption efficiency, and reduces wear on the seal member while simplifying the manufacturing process by minimizing the number of parts.
Implementation Method 1
a compressive coil spring which is disposed adjacent to the pressing portion
Implementation Method 2
a cylindrical collar portion which is surrounded by the compressive coil spring to avoid interference between the compressive coil spring and the reciprocating member
Data Source
AI summary
A seal structure configured to be located between a space forming member forming a columnar inner space and a columnar reciprocating member move in the inner space. The seal structure includes an annular seal member that is configured to be located in the inner space, an annular pressing portion which is located adjacent to the seal member and is configured to press the seal member in an axial direction, a compressive coil spring which is located adjacent to the pressing portion, and a cylindrical collar portion. The cylindrical collar portion is at least partially surrounded by the compressive coil spring to avoid interference between the compressive coil spring and the reciprocating member.