Ring Seal Retainer Assembly with Arcuate Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring seal and retainer assemblies are prone to scratching the mating surfaces, are expensive to manufacture due to recessed sealing surfaces, and require precise alignment to prevent leaks, which is not automatically facilitated by current designs.
Innovation Solution
An annularly shaped ring seal with a circular retainer that projects axially beyond the ring seal's end surfaces, featuring an arcuate flange and inwardly projecting ridges or tabs to prevent scratching and provide self-centering, eliminating the need for recessed sealing surfaces and enhancing manufacturing simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If recessed sealing surfaces are formed on the ring seal to protect from damage, then the sealing surface is protected from scratching, but the manufacturing cost increases and the surface is difficult to polish
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer acts as an intermediary protective element between the ring seal and the external environment. It features a protective flange that extends beyond the ring seal's outer diameter to shield the sealing surfaces during handling and installation, eliminating the need for recessed surfaces while preventing damage to mating surfaces during assembly
2Reliability
If the ring seal is made with sharp edges to ensure proper sealing, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the mating surfaces are prone to scratching during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer serves as a protective intermediary during assembly operations. Its protective flange extends beyond the ring seal's outer diameter, creating a barrier that prevents the sharp edges of the ring seal from contacting and scratching the mating surfaces during installation, while the ring seal maintains its sharp sealing edges for effective sealing
3Reliability
If precise alignment is required to prevent leaks, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the assembly complexity and alignment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-installed on the ring seal before assembly, with its protective flange and engagement features already in place. This preliminary action provides built-in alignment guidance and self-centering capabilities during the assembly process, facilitating precise alignment without requiring additional alignment operations or tools, thereby reducing alignment time while ensuring sealing reliability
Data Source
AI summary
The ring seal and retainer assembly includes an annularly shaped ring seal defining a radial inner surface, a radial outer surface, first and second axial end surfaces and a central bore for fluid or gas passage. A retainer is provided for affixing and positioning a ring seal in a sealing assembly. The retainer includes a circular sidewall sized and positioned to engage and cover the ring seal's radial outer surface. The retainer includes an arcuate flange which extends at one of the retainer's axial extremities to form a concave interior and a convex exterior. Preferably, the arcuate flange extends outwardly to increase the retainer's radius and the arcuate flange is sized to compressibly engage the interior sidewall of the component block's counterbore.