Seal Assembly Indented Carrier for Axial Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for swivel joints in aircraft exhaust systems face issues with insufficient axial travel length and rotational tendencies of resilient members, leading to ineffective sealing and potential disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising a seal carrier with an indented portion, a J-shaped seal body, and a resilient member that biases the seal body against a second plate, providing increased travel and positive retention, with metered flow holes for improved sealing and flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a prior art seal assembly is used, then the packaging space is compact, but the axial travel length is insufficient and the resilient member exhibits rotational tendencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an indented portion in the seal carrier that extends radially inward of the plane of travel, adding a radial dimension to the carrier structure. This dimensional modification creates additional space for the resilient member to travel axially without increasing the overall packaging envelope, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact packaging and sufficient axial travel length.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal carrier is segmented into distinct functional portions: a first linear portion fixed to the first plate, a second linear portion in sliding engagement with the seal body, and an indented portion providing transition. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, enabling the resilient member to travel axially through the indented portion while maintaining stable engagement through the linear portions, thus improving sealing effectiveness without compromising compactness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the resilient member is allowed to rotate, then the seal body can accommodate movement, but the sealing effectiveness is compromised and disassembly may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The indented portion acts as an intermediary structure between the first and second linear portions of the seal carrier. It provides a controlled transition zone that guides the resilient member's movement, allowing axial travel while preventing rotational movement. This intermediary structure mediates between the need for movement accommodation and the requirement for stable sealing, ensuring the resilient member remains properly positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The indented portion is designed to preemptively counteract rotational tendencies of the resilient member by providing a geometric constraint that extends radially inward. This preliminary anti-action prevents rotation before it can compromise the sealing, while still allowing the necessary axial travel for movement accommodation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the seal carrier structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but retention and flow control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seal carrier exhibits local quality variations through its indented portion, which has different geometric properties than the linear portions. The indented portion provides enhanced retention and flow control characteristics locally, while the overall carrier structure remains relatively simple for manufacturing. This localized structural differentiation allows the carrier to perform multiple functions without requiring complete structural complexity throughout.
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 configuration enhances axial travel and retention, preventing rotational movement of the resilient member, ensuring effective sealing and efficient flow management within the same packaging space as prior designs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient member configured to bias the seal body against the second plate
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal assembly seals an interface between adjacent liner sections. The seal assembly comprises a seal carrier mounted to a first plate, a seal body overlapping at least a portion of the seal carrier to define a plane of travel between the seal body and the seal carrier, and at least one resilient member configured to bias the seal body against a second plate. The seal carrier includes an indented portion that extends radially inward of the plane of travel.