Rotating Seal Assembly With Ejection Holes for Fluid Leak Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical seal assemblies in rotating machines often experience leakage due to geometric imperfections, misalignment, and wear, leading to inefficiencies in preventing the leakage of working fluids like oils and synthetic fluids between rotating and stationary components.

Innovation Solution

The proposed seal assembly features a sealing member with an annular channel and a rotating mating ring having ejection holes that utilize centrifugal force to pump fluids back into the interior space, preventing leakage by creating a sealing interface with two face-seal lands and a biasing mechanism to ensure effective contact between the sealing member and the rotating mating ring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical seal assemblies are used to prevent fluid leakage between rotating and stationary components, then sealing is provided, but leakage occurs due to geometric imperfections, misalignment, and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidfluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a stationary sealing member with an annular channel, a rotating mating ring with ejection holes, and a biasing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the annular channel captures leaked fluid, the ejection holes redirect it using centrifugal force, and the biasing mechanism maintains contact pressure - collectively improving sealing reliability while preventing fluid loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of centrifugal force that would normally exacerbate leakage into a beneficial mechanism. By providing ejection holes in the rotating mating ring, the centrifugal force generated during rotation actively pumps fluid back into the interior space, transforming what would be a leakage-promoting force into a leakage-preventing mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If a simple sealing interface is used between rotating and stationary components, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing efficiency decreases due to geometric imperfections and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal assembly structureVSAvoidsealing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly incorporates dynamic elements that adapt to operating conditions: the biasing mechanism (spring or elastomeric element) dynamically maintains contact pressure between sealing surfaces despite wear or thermal expansion, and the centrifugal ejection mechanism dynamically responds to rotation speed to pump fluid back into the interior space. This dynamic adaptation improves sealing efficiency without requiring overly complex static structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The annular channel acts as an intermediary structure between the sealing surfaces, providing a designated pathway to capture and redirect leaked fluid. This intermediary component prevents direct fluid loss while maintaining the simplicity of the overall seal assembly structure

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 configuration enhances sealing efficiency by using centrifugal force to redirect working fluids back into the machine, reducing leakage and maintaining a secure seal despite potential geometric or operational imperfections.

Implementation Method 1

at least one ejection hole extending through the rotating mating ring from the rotating sealing face at an inlet end and a radially outward outlet end... utilize centrifugal force to pump fluids back into the interior space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

a biasing mechanism to ensure effective contact between the sealing member and the rotating mating ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4411180A1Sealing assemblies for sealing between rotating and nonrotating components

Publication Date: 2024.08.07 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C

AI summary

Seal assemblies for sealing between a stationary component and a rotating component include a sealing member (114) having a sealing face with an outer diameter sealing face (224) and an inner diameter sealing face (226). An annular channel is defined in the sealing face between the outer diameter sealing face (224) and an inner diameter sealing face (226) and the sealing member (114) is attached to the stationary component. A rotating mating ring (214) is attached to the rotating component and includes a rotating sealing face (229) and at least one ejection hole (230) extending through the rotating mating ring (214) from the rotating sealing face (229) at an inlet end and a radially outward outlet end.