Screw Compressor Seal Ring Pressure Balancing Against Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
In screw compressors, the pressure distribution of the working fluid across the seal ring in the clearance between the shaft section and the shaft hole leads to uneven pressure acting on the seal ring, causing it to incline and reducing the sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A screw compressor design that includes a shaft sealing fluid supply passage to maintain a higher pressure on one side of the seal ring than the other, ensuring uniform contact with the shaft hole and groove wall, preventing inclination and enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal ring is used to seal the clearance between the shaft section and shaft hole, then shaft sealing is achieved, but the seal ring inclines due to circumferential pressure distribution, reducing sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a fluid pressure parameter to counteract the circumferential pressure distribution. A fluid supply passage delivers fluid to the low-pressure side of the seal ring, creating a pressure differential that balances the uneven working fluid pressure. This equalizes the total pressure acting on the seal ring, preventing inclination and maintaining stable sealing performance.
2Force
If the seal ring is subjected to uneven pressure distribution in the circumferential direction, then the seal ring experiences opposing forces, but this causes inclination and reduced contact area, decreasing sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the counterweight principle by introducing fluid pressure as a counterbalancing force. The fluid supplied through the fluid supply passage creates a pressure force on the low-pressure side of the seal ring that counteracts the uneven pressure distribution from the working fluid. This balances the opposing forces acting on the seal ring, ensuring uniform contact pressure and maintaining reliable sealing.
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 ensures secure sealing of the clearance between the shaft section and the shaft hole, maintaining high shaft sealing performance even with circumferential pressure distributions in the working fluid, thereby reducing leakage and energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure of the fluid supplied to one side, in an axial direction, of the seal ring via the shaft sealing fluid supply passage is set higher than pressure acting on another side, in the axial direction, of the seal ring
Data Source
AI summary
A screw compressor includes a screw rotor, a casing, and a delivery side shaft sealing unit. The delivery side shaft sealing unit includes an annular groove, a seal ring, and a shaft sealing fluid supply passage. Pressure of the fluid that is supplied to the one side, in the axial direction, of the seal ring via the shaft sealing fluid supply passage is set higher than pressure that acts on a first side surface, in an axial direction with respect to a first side wall surface of the annular groove, of the seal ring.