Rotary Union Seal Interlock to Prevent Slippage Under Pressure

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary union seals experience slippage and counter-rotation due to the lack of an interlocking mechanism between the elastomer energizer and the dynamic seal ring, leading to excess wear and leakage, especially at elevated pressures.

Innovation Solution

The interlocking rotary union seal features a dynamic seal ring with one or more pockets that are in fluid communication with side channels, allowing the elastomer energizer to deform and interlock with the dynamic seal ring, preventing relative rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional rotary union seal uses an elastomer energizer and dynamic seal ring without interlocking mechanism, then the seal can maintain simplicity and ease of manufacture, but the seal experiences slippage and counter-rotation at elevated pressures leading to excess wear and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal performanceVSAvoidseal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic seal ring is segmented with one or more pockets created therein. These pockets receive portions of the elastomer energizer to create an interlocking mechanism. The segmentation allows the seal components to mechanically engage with each other, preventing slippage and counter-rotation while maintaining the basic two-component structure of the seal assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomer energizer is nested within the pockets of the dynamic seal ring. The pockets are sized to receive and contain portions of the elastomer energizer, creating an interlocking relationship. This nesting arrangement ensures that the elastomer energizer cannot slip relative to the dynamic seal ring, eliminating counter-rotation while maintaining a compact integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the dynamic seal ring and elastomer energizer are designed without interlocking features, then the seal assembly is easier to manufacture and install, but the intended static interface slips under pressure causing the dynamic seal ring to stick and remain static with the second machine part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal assembly fabricationVSAvoidinterface stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic seal ring is segmented with one or more pockets created therein. These pockets receive portions of the elastomer energizer to create an interlocking mechanism. The segmentation allows the seal components to mechanically engage with each other, preventing slippage and counter-rotation while maintaining the basic two-component structure of the seal assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pockets are strategically positioned and dimensioned to receive specific portions of the elastomer energizer. This local modification creates targeted interlocking zones at the interface between the dynamic seal ring and elastomer energizer, ensuring mechanical engagement precisely where needed to prevent slippage while leaving the rest of the components simple and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the seal components are designed with interlocking pockets and channels, then the seal prevents slippage and counter-rotation at elevated pressures, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal performanceVSAvoidseal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic seal ring is segmented with one or more pockets created therein. These pockets receive portions of the elastomer energizer to create an interlocking mechanism. The segmentation allows the seal components to mechanically engage with each other, preventing slippage and counter-rotation while maintaining the basic two-component structure of the seal assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pockets in the dynamic seal ring serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical interlocking to prevent slippage, they channel fluid pressure to the elastomer energizer to enhance the interlocking effect, and they maintain the overall structural integrity of the seal assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively prevents slippage and counter-rotation, reducing wear and leakage, and ensuring reliable fluid sealing even at elevated pressures.

Implementation Method 1

The elastomer energizer may deform under pressure into the pockets, creating an interlocking geometry which prevents relative rotation between the elastomer energizer and the dynamic seal ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12313163B2Interlocking rotary union seal

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 ATLAS SEALS INC

AI summary

An interlocking rotary union seal has pockets at one or more edges of a dynamic seal ring. An elastomer energizer may deform by compression and under pressure into the pockets creating an interlocking geometry which prevents relative rotation between the elastomer energizer and the dynamic seal ring.