Reusable High-Pressure Seal Seat with Torque-Decoupled Nut
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized systems, such as chromatography systems, face challenges in maintaining pressure tight seals due to the deleterious effects of torque on compliant consumable parts, leading to scratches and impurities that compromise pressure control.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a rotatably decoupled connection between a housing and a threaded nut to secure a resilient seat between surfaces, eliminating the need for torque on the seat during installation and allowing multiple installations without shearing or damaging the seal, featuring a resilient seat with different elastic deformation properties at its inlet and outlet surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If torque is applied to secure the compliant consumable to create a pressure seal, then the sealing capability is improved, but the consumable is sheared causing scratches and impurities on the sealing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable is divided into two functional parts: a rigid body portion that receives and transmits torque, and a compliant sealing portion that remains free from torque. The rigid body portion is secured to the device housing, while the compliant sealing portion extends into the sealing surface without being directly torqued, thus preventing shear damage while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid body portion acts as an intermediary between the torque application point and the compliant sealing portion. This intermediary component absorbs and isolates the torque, preventing it from being transmitted to the compliant sealing portion that contacts the sealing surface, thereby protecting the sealing surface from scratches and impurities
2Productivity
If the compliant consumable is reused and reinstalled multiple times, then the productivity is improved, but the consumable degrades and loses sealing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable is segmented into a durable rigid body portion designed to withstand repeated installation and removal cycles, and a compliant sealing portion that maintains its elastic properties. The rigid body portion handles the mechanical stress of installation, while the compliant portion preserves its sealing functionality across multiple uses
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the mechanical properties distribution within the consumable by using different materials with different elastic moduli for different portions. The rigid body portion has high elastic modulus for durability, while the compliant sealing portion has low elastic modulus for repeated deformation without permanent damage, enabling multiple installations while maintaining sealing performance
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 robust, reusable pressure tight seal in high-pressure environments, reducing internal volume and minimizing shear stress, resulting in improved pressure control and reduced wear, enabling the seat to function effectively above 1000 psi and beyond.
Implementation Method 1
The outlet exterior sealing surface includes a sealing member that is configured to deflect inward from the outlet exterior sealing surface toward the fluid flow path when the resilient seat is axially compressed
Implementation Method 2
The inlet exterior sealing surface includes a deformation member configured to deform outward from the inlet exterior sealing surface toward the outer wall surface and away from an interior of the fluid flow path when the resilient seat is axially compressed
Implementation Method 3
crimping an end of the nut to the housing to provide a rotatably decoupled connection between the housing and the nut that allows the nut to freely rotate about the seat
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology generally relates to devices, systems and methods for providing robust sealing between surfaces in a pressurized system, such as a chromatography system. In particular, the devices, systems and methods relate to compliant and resilient parts that can be reused and/or reinstalled while providing a pressure tight sealing surface even within a high pressure environment (e.g., 1000 psi or greater).