Seal Assembly With Orifice And Hard Contact Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic transmission pumps experience pressure loss due to leakage, which reduces efficiency, and existing seal assemblies fail to effectively control fluid flow for bushing lubrication without compromising pump pressure.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a rigid carrier and elastomeric lip, integrated with a harder contact layer and vent openings, controls fluid flow through an orifice to minimize pressure loss while reducing friction and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal assembly allows fluid flow through the gap for bushing lubrication, then the bushing is properly lubricated, but pump pressure is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of fluid flow control by introducing an orifice with specific sizing in the rigid carrier. This orifice limits the quantity of fluid that can pass through to the gap, thereby controlling the lubrication rate while minimizing pressure loss. The parameter change from unrestricted flow to orifice-controlled flow resolves the contradiction between maintaining lubrication and preserving pump pressure.
2Reliability
If an elastomeric lip directly contacts the torque converter hub, then sealing is achieved, but friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining an elastomeric lip with a harder contact layer (such as PTFE or ceramic) on the side that contacts the torque converter hub. The elastomeric lip provides sealing compliance while the harder contact layer reduces friction. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between achieving effective sealing and minimizing frictional energy losses.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used in the seal assembly, then each component can be optimized, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (rigid carrier, elastomeric lip, contact layer, seal member) into a single integrated assembly where the elastomeric lip and contact layer are bonded to the rigid carrier as a unit. This integration maintains the optimized functions of each component while significantly reducing assembly time and complexity by eliminating the need to assemble these parts separately during installation.
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 effectively maintains transmission pump pressure, reduces frictional losses, and simplifies assembly by integrating components, thereby enhancing efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The rigid carrier has an orifice positioned in fluid connection with the gap and sized to control (i.e., minimize) the flow of fluid from the pump cavity through the gap
Implementation Method 2
The contact layer is harder than the elastomeric lip, and therefore reduces friction losses at the rotating torque converter hub
Implementation Method 3
Pump seals are typically provided to maintain pump pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An improved seal assembly is provided that minimizes loss of transmission pump pressure by controlling fluid flow past a torque converter hub bushing to meet bushing lubrication requirements without unnecessarily diminishing pump pressure and while also minimizing frictional losses. The seal assembly includes a rigid carrier adapted to fit between a pump body member and the torque converter hub. An elastomeric lip extends from the rigid carrier. A contact layer is connected to the elastomeric lip and configured to sealingly contact the torque converter hub. The contact layer is integral with and harder than the elastomeric lip, therefore minimizing frictional losses.