Reversible Pump Seal Gland for Rotary Shaft Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mechanical seals in fluid pumps often fail in harsh environments, leading to fluid leakage and contamination, and require skilled operators for installation and adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A modular, reversible seal gland with asymmetrical channels and dynamic sealing elements that can be retrofitted to existing pumps, providing multi-seal redundancy and ease of use while mitigating fluid leakage through lubrication channels and port fittings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical seals are used in harsh environments, then sealing function is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to failure in high temperatures, thermal cycling, and abrasive conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The seal gland is divided into multiple modular sections that can be independently replaced. Each section contains specific sealing elements, allowing selective replacement of worn components without replacing the entire sealing system, thereby improving reliability in harsh environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sealing elements made from materials with different thermal and chemical properties to withstand harsh environments. The modular design allows selection of appropriate materials for specific operating conditions (high temperature, thermal cycling, abrasives), changing the parameters of the sealing system to match environmental demands.
2Loss of substance
If packing seal systems are used to mitigate fluid loss, then fluid leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases due to multiple components (packing material, packing gland, follower components)
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single integrated modular seal gland assembly. The modular sections combine sealing elements, lubrication channels, and mounting features into unified components, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining effective fluid loss mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular seal gland sections are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: sealing, lubrication delivery, and easy replacement. Each module can be universally applied to different pump configurations, reducing overall system complexity through standardized multi-functional components.
3Reliability
If traditional seals require skilled operators for installation and adjustment, then sealing performance is optimized, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into modular sections enables simple snap-fit or tool-free installation without requiring skilled operators. Each module is self-contained with pre-assembled sealing elements, eliminating complex adjustment procedures while maintaining reliable sealing performance through precise factory assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables maintenance personnel to perform seal replacements themselves without requiring specialized training or tools. The self-contained modules with integrated sealing elements allow straightforward installation and replacement, making the system self-serviceable while preserving sealing effectiveness.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If packing material is compressed against a back seat by packing gland and follower components, then sealing function is achieved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to improper installation leading to operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the sealing system into modular sections with pre-assembled, pre-compressed sealing elements eliminates installation errors. Each module arrives pre-configured with proper compression settings, ensuring correct installation without requiring skilled operators to achieve proper packing compression, thereby preventing contaminant intrusion.
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 effectively reduces fluid leakage and contamination, extends the life of pump components, and allows for easier maintenance by enabling the seal gland to be reversed and reinstalled without significant repair or replacement of the pump shaft.
Implementation Method 1
The seal gland can be configured to provide lubrication to the dynamic seal elements
Implementation Method 2
the dynamic seal elements may contact a surface of the pump shaft to provide a seal
Data Source
AI summary
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for mitigating fluid loss or leakage from a fluid pump with a rotating shaft driving a pumping mechanism. A seal gland component can have two or more internal seals formed by two or more seal components, such as O-rings, that create one or more chambers that act as a lubricant/barrier fluid reservoir to provide for reduced friction and mitigate release of gaseous emissions. Further, the seal gland component can be a retrofit on an existing shaft to provide for greater life and efficiency as compared to the existing packing gland or other sealing components. Further, the one or more internal seals can be arranged within the seal gland in an asymmetrical manner such that the seal gland can be removed from a shaft, rotated, and reinstalled with the internal seals contacting a different position on the surface of the shaft.