Rotary Vane Steering Gear Actuator Sealing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rotary vane steering gear actuators face challenges in maintaining oil-tightness due to unavoidable clearances generated by hydraulic pressure, leading to leakage and a creeping phenomenon, which limits the maximum working oil pressure to 80 kg/cm² and affects durability.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a working oil chamber sealing system with additional horizontal and vertical seals, including a segment top face horizontal seal, upper ring seal, and upper outer ring seal, which are applied with hydraulic pressure to prevent leakage through clearances between the top cover and housing segments, and between the segment bottom end face and internal base, enhancing oil-tightness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic pressure is applied to the working oil chambers, then the steering gear actuator can generate sufficient force to move the rudder, but clearances are generated between the top cover and housing segments due to the pressure, leading to oil leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing system into multiple segments: vertical segment seals in axial direction, horizontal segment seals at top and bottom faces, and ring seals at circumferential interfaces. This segmentation allows each seal to specifically address leakage paths in different directions caused by hydraulic pressure, comprehensively solving the oil-tightness problem while maintaining high steering force.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sealing structures are applied at different locations based on local leakage risks. Vertical segment seals are placed where axial leakage occurs, horizontal seals where radial leakage occurs, and ring seals where circumferential leakage occurs. This localized sealing approach optimizes the balance between force generation and oil-tightness.
2Reliability
If the maximum working oil pressure is limited to 80 kg/cm² to prevent leakage, then oil-tightness is maintained, but the steering gear durability and performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is designed to dynamically adapt to hydraulic pressure. The multiple seal structures work together to maintain sealing effectiveness across a wide pressure range, enabling the system to operate at high pressures (beyond 160 kg/cm²) without leakage, thereby improving both oil-tightness and durability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds sealing in multiple dimensions: axial direction (vertical segment seals), radial direction (horizontal segment seals), and circumferential direction (ring seals). This multi-dimensional sealing approach comprehensively blocks all possible leakage paths, allowing high pressure operation without compromising oil-tightness.
3Reliability
If additional sealing components are added to prevent leakage through clearances, then oil-tightness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sealing component serves multiple functions: vertical segment seals provide both axial sealing and support for the rotor, horizontal segment seals provide radial sealing and structural support, and ring seals provide circumferential sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, balancing improved oil-tightness with acceptable device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the top cover is fixated to the housing by bolts, then structural stability is maintained, but clearances are generated between the top cover rear face and segment top end face due to hydraulic pressure deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Horizontal segment seals are introduced as intermediary elements between the top cover and housing segments. These seals accommodate the deformation and clearance generated by hydraulic pressure while maintaining the structural stability provided by the bolted connection, preventing oil leakage without compromising structural integrity.
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 oil leakage and increases the maximum working oil pressure to beyond 160 kg/cm², improving durability by reducing the creeping phenomenon and eliminating the need for increased oil pump discharge to compensate for leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the respective rear faces of the seals are applied with the pressure oil led from the working oil chambers that become high pressure side
Implementation Method 2
the respective sealing faces and the sealing face edges are pushed against the respective mate faces and the mate edges, respectively, by the hydraulic pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A top end face of a respective segment of a housing (11) holds a segment top face horizontal seal (51), a sealing face of which touches a rear face of a top cover (13) the top cover rear face holds an upper ring seal (53), a sealing face of which touches an outer circumferential edge of an upper end face of a rotor (12), and also touches a sealing face inner edge of the segment top face horizontal seal and a sealing face inner edge of an upper horizontal vane seal (12g) of a rotor vane (12d), respectively, at an outer circumferential edge portion of the upper ring seal the top cover rear face holds an upper outer ring seal (55), a sealing face of which touches an inner circumference of a housing top end face, and also touches a sealing face outer edge of the segment top face horizontal seal and a sealing face outer edge of the rotor upper horizontal vane seal, respectively, at an inner circumferential edge portion of the upper outer ring seal; and the respective sealing faces and sealing face edge portions of the abovementioned respective seals are pushed against the respective mate faces and mate edges by hydraulic pressure led from the working oil chambers (15A, 15B, 15C) that become high pressure side, and applied to the respective rear faces.