Pressure-Activated Pump Seal Assembly for Deformation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure chambers in pumps face sealing challenges due to component tolerances, thermal expansion, and pressure-induced deformation, leading to gaps and potential leakage, which existing sealing arrangements like O-rings and support rings fail to adequately address, especially under high pressures and varying gap dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A sealing arrangement featuring a delimiting element with a flexible outer sealing surface and a closing element, where the pressure in the high-pressure chamber acts to press the outer sealing surface onto the inner sealing surface, preventing gap formation without additional components, and allowing for larger gap dimensions through the use of O-rings or metal seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elastomeric O-rings are used for sealing, then the sealing arrangement can accommodate larger gap dimensions, but extrusion of the O-ring material into the gap occurs under high pressure leading to sealing failure
Solution Approach 1:
A support ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the O-ring and the gap. The support ring has a rectangular cross-section and is arranged on the non-pressure side of the O-ring, preventing the O-ring material from being extruded into the gap under high pressure while allowing the O-ring to maintain sealing contact across larger gap dimensions
2Reliability
If support rings are added to prevent O-ring extrusion, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring is merged with either the delimiting element or the closing element through integral design. The support ring is formed as an extension or feature of these existing components, eliminating the need for a separate support ring component while maintaining the extrusion prevention function
3Reliability
If component wall thicknesses are increased to prevent gap formation, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting element or closing element is designed with a flexible sealing surface that can deform under pressure to maintain contact with the mating component. This flexibility compensates for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion without requiring excessive wall thickness or complex ribbing structures
4Reliability
If the delimiting element is made flexible to compensate for movement, then sealing reliability is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting element or closing element is designed with localized flexibility only in the specific region where the sealing surface contacts the mating component. The rest of the component maintains its structural strength and rigidity. This is achieved by providing flexibility primarily in the radial direction at the sealing interface while keeping the overall component structure robust
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 ensures a reliable and cost-effective seal, preventing leakage and maintaining functionality even under high pressures and deformations, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reducing operating costs of pumps.
Implementation Method 1
due to the pressure in the high-pressure chamber a force can act on the outer sealing surface in the direction of the inner sealing surface of the closure element
Implementation Method 2
the delimiting element is designed in such a way that due to the pressure in the high-pressure chamber a force can act on the outer sealing surface... The delimiting element and the closing element are made of steel, for example, with wall thicknesses being selected in such a way that the necessary flexibility is ensured
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a seal arrangement for a high pressure chamber (11) with a bounding element (12) and a terminating element (13). The bounding element (12) has an outer sealing surface (14) and the terminating element (13) has an inner sealing surface (15). The outer sealing surface (15) and the inner sealing surface (14) are arranged in such a way that sealing of the high pressure chamber (11) is achieved via contact of the two sealing surfaces (14, 15). According to the invention, the bounding element (12) is configured in such a way that, on account of a pressure in the high pressure chamber (11), a force can act on the outer sealing surface (14) in the direction of the inner sealing surface (15). A sealing function is therefore also achieved when the terminating element (13) is deformed on account of the pressure in the high pressure chamber (11). The seal arrangement according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in pumps.