Flow Noise Damping Seal Structure for Tolerance and Expansion Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for reducing flow noise, such as those used in exhaust gas turbochargers, face issues with inadequate sealing and frequency changes due to tolerances and material expansion differences, leading to suboptimal damping properties.

Innovation Solution

The sealing ring features clip profiles on its jacket surface, allowing it to securely bridge larger gaps between the radial collar and sleeve, with a cap-like design that tensions against both the sleeve and collar surfaces, ensuring a reliable seal and accommodating different material expansions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing ring with oblique sealing lips is used, then sealing is achieved, but it cannot bridge overly large gaps between the collar and sleeve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidgap bridging capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring design changes the geometric parameters of the contact surfaces. The annular radial contact surface runs parallel to the radial collar, creating a planar sealing interface that can accommodate larger gaps. The cap-like configuration with jacket surfaces allows the sealing ring to bridge gaps that would be impossible with traditional oblique lip seals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If different materials with different expansion coefficients are used for outer sleeve and inner sleeve, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to expansion differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial selection flexibilityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention explicitly addresses thermal expansion differences by designing the sealing ring with a cap-like configuration that can accommodate expansion movements. The annular radial contact surface and parallel arrangement allow the sealing interface to remain effective despite differential expansion between materials with different expansion coefficients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #37Thermal expansion

3Ease of manufacture

If tolerances are not tightly controlled, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing performance deteriorates leading to frequency changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance toleranceVSAvoidsealing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring design changes the sealing geometry from point or line contact to a distributed planar contact along the annular radial surface. This parameter change allows the sealing function to remain effective even when dimensional tolerances vary within broader ranges, reducing the need for tight manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple O-ring seal is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to insufficient gap bridging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing simplicityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring acts as an intermediary element between the collar and sleeve. Its cap-like configuration with jacket surfaces and parallel annular contact surface allows it to mediate the sealing function across larger gaps that a simple O-ring cannot bridge, while remaining relatively simple in manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design enhances the sealing capability, reduces unwanted frequency changes, and maintains effective damping properties across varying conditions, while being easy to manufacture and install.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing ring is made of an elastomer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3719379B1Device for reducing flow noise
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 UMFOTEC GMBH
  • EP3719379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3719379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3719379B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for reducing flow noise, comprising a first connecting piece (2), a second connecting piece (3) facing away from the first connecting piece (2), an outer sleeve (4) arranged between the first connecting piece (2) and the second connecting piece (3), and an inner sleeve (5) arranged between the connecting pieces (2, 3), wherein at least two volume chambers (7, 8, 9, 10) separated from each other by at least one circumferential radial collar (6) are arranged between the inner sleeve (5) and the outer sleeve (4), which are connected via openings (11) in the wall (12) of the inner sleeve (5) to the conduit space (13) enclosed by the inner sleeve (5), wherein the radial collar (6) has a sealing ring (15) at its free end (14) which is designed as a resilient ring cap overlapping the collar (6).the sealing ring (15) abuts under tension with a circumferential outer surface (21) of a mantle (24) against the wall surface (22) of the sleeve (4, 5) adjacent to the free end of the collar (6), and wherein the sealing ring (15) abuts under tension with an annular, radial contact surface (26) of an annular wall (27) extending parallel to the radial collar (6), which transitions into the mantle (24) of the ring cap, against a first side surface (28) of the collar (6) facing the annular wall (27), sealingly. The invention is characterized in that the sealing ring (15) has, at the end of its mantle (24) formed by the outer surfaces (21, 23) and facing away from the radial contact surface (26), a plurality of clamping profiles (29, 30) which, in the assembled state, are located on the side surface (28) facing away from the first side surface (28).the second side surface (36) of the collar (6) is under tension and the contact surface (26) of the ring cap is tensioned with corresponding tension against the first side surface (28) facing the contact surface (26).