Modular Multiple-Passage Rotary Union for Leak-Resistant Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple-passage rotary unions are prone to leakage due to wear or incorrect assembly, and their complex assembly and disassembly processes are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A rotary union design featuring a housing with a straight cylindrical bore, a rotatable shaft with annular plates and spools, and sliding seal rings that allows for modular assembly and improved sealing, enabling efficient assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multiple-passage rotary unions are used, then fluid sealing is achieved, but leakage occurs due to wear or incorrect assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary union is divided into modular components including a stationary housing, rotating shaft, multiple annular plates, and spools that can be assembled in a standardized sequence. Each component has defined interfaces and sealing surfaces that reduce assembly errors and ensure proper fluid sealing when correctly assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates pre-configured sealing arrangements where seal rings are positioned between specific components (annular plates and spools) before final assembly. The straight bore design and standardized interfaces allow sealing surfaces to be pre-aligned, reducing the risk of leakage during operation.
2Productivity
If traditional rotary union designs are used, then fluid passages are provided, but assembly and disassembly processes are complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary union employs segmented modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The housing, shaft, annular plates, and spools are separate units with standardized interfaces, allowing for simplified assembly and disassembly procedures compared to traditional integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The design inverts the traditional approach by featuring a straight bore running through the housing rather than curved or complex passages. This inversion simplifies the assembly process by allowing components to be inserted linearly through the straight bore, reducing assembly complexity and time.
3Reliability
If multiple seal rings are used to improve sealing, then fluid leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple seal rings are strategically positioned at critical interfaces between the rotating shaft, annular plates, and spools. The seals are integrated into the modular component design, where each seal ring serves a specific sealing function at defined interfaces, achieving reliable fluid sealing without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 design provides enhanced fluid sealing and interface points, facilitating efficient assembly and disassembly while reducing leakage risks, thus improving the operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
Two seal rings are slidably disposed along the longitudinal axis and biased in opposite directions so that the two seal rings slide against side faces of the two adjacent annular plates when the shaft is rotating
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of spools are disposed in alternating fashion between the plurality of annular plates. The plurality of spools sealably engages the cylindrical bore and is axially constrained with the housing so as not to rotate with the shaft
Implementation Method 3
A shaft is rotatably mounted in the cylindrical bore via a pair of bearings
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A rotary union includes a housing having a shaft rotatably mounted in a bore. A plurality of annular plates is mounted on the shaft in spaced relation, and a plurality of spools is disposed in alternating fashion between the plurality of annular plates on the shaft. Each spool includes two seal rings creating mechanical face seals with adjacent annular plates. The shaft, the plurality of annular plates and the plurality of spools are arranged to assemble in a stacked arrangement, which is insertable as a whole into the cylindrical bore of the housing.