Scroll Tip Seals with Rounded Gland Seats and Backup Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scroll devices face challenges with tip seals that are difficult to align and assemble, leading to increased assembly time, stress concentration, and potential premature failure due to shifting and fracturing of rectangular extruded materials in gland seats.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of gland seats with rounded or partially rounded shapes, featuring radiused portions and flat sections, to accommodate compliant tubular seals, ensuring consistent distance and reducing stress concentration, along with the use of backup seals to bias tip seals against opposing scrolls, enhancing seal reliability and preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If rectangular extruded materials are used for tip seals in gland seats, then the seal structure is simple, but the assembly is difficult and alignment is imprecise leading to increased assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from rectangular extruded tip seals to rounded tubular tip seals that fit within rounded gland seats. The curved geometry of the tubular seal allows for easier alignment and insertion into the gland seat, eliminating the alignment difficulties associated with rectangular shapes while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the tip seal from rectangular cross-section to circular/tubular cross-section. This parameter change fundamentally improves the assembly characteristics, allowing the seal to be inserted more easily and aligned precisely within the gland seat, thereby reducing assembly time without increasing structural complexity.
2Device complexity
If rectangular extruded materials are used for tip seals, then the structure is simple, but stress concentration occurs leading to shifting and fracturing causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from rectangular extruded tip seals to rounded tubular tip seals. The curved geometry eliminates sharp corners that cause stress concentration, allowing stress to distribute evenly around the seal perimeter. This prevents shifting and fracturing, thereby improving reliability without increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of stress concentration at sharp rectangular corners into a benefit by using rounded tubular geometry. The rounded shape naturally distributes stress, transforming what would be a failure point into a strength, thereby improving seal reliability while maintaining simplicity.
3Device complexity
If tip seals are used without backup seals, then the structure is simpler, but leakage of working fluid occurs from inside the pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sealing function into two separate components: the tip seal that provides the primary sealing interface, and the backup seal that provides secondary sealing support. This segmentation ensures that if the tip seal wears or fails, the backup seal prevents leakage, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning the backup seal behind the tip seal to provide preventive support. The backup seal acts as a cushioning backup that prevents leakage in advance before the tip seal fails, ensuring continuous sealing reliability while adding minimal structural 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 solution provides improved seal reliability and reduced assembly time by ensuring precise alignment and minimizing stress concentration, thereby extending the lifespan and efficiency of scroll devices.
Implementation Method 1
a backup seal may be provided in a rounded gland seat formed in one or more of the involutes of the scroll device. This backup seal may bias the tip seal against the opposing scroll, for example, by exerting a force onto the tip seal thereby pushing the tip seal against the surface of the opposing scroll.
Data Source
AI summary
A scroll device includes a scroll with a gland seat extending into an involute of the scroll. The gland seat includes a recess defining a first wall, a second wall, and a flat section arranged between the first wall and the second wall. A first radiused corner is interconnected to the first wall and the flat section, and a second radiused corner is interconnected to the second wall and the flat section. The first radiused corner and the second radiused corner are separated by the flat section. A gland seat seal, including a backup seal portion and a tip seal portion, is arranged to couple with the gland seat. The backup seal portion is rounded and arranged inside the gland seat contacting the flat section, while the tip seal portion is arranged at least partially in the first gland seat and in contact with a surface of an opposing scroll.