Seal Cartridge Pin Locking Assembly for Precise Sealing Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seal cartridges for rotating assemblies are complex and require specific knowledge for assembly and disassembly, leading to potential inefficiencies and failures due to misalignment or damage during installation.

Innovation Solution

A pin locking device is introduced to couple and secure sealing components of a seal cartridge, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly without screws, using a pin body with a spring mechanism and an extraction tool to facilitate alignment and locking of ring-shaped components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screw and bolt coupling is used to assemble sealing components, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the assembly and disassembly complexity increases and requires specific knowledge and skills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional screw and bolt mechanical coupling system with a pin locking device that uses a simple insertion and locking mechanism. The pin locking device comprises a pin that is inserted through aligned holes in the sealing components and locked in place, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing components are designed with separate modular sections that can be easily aligned and connected using the pin locking device. The housing components and shaft sleeve are segmented into discrete parts that fit together through precision-machined interfaces, allowing for simple assembly and disassembly without requiring complex fastening procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If precision alignment is achieved during assembly, then the sealing efficiency is improved, but the assembly time and skill requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing components are pre-designed with precisely positioned alignment features, including locating surfaces and guide holes, that automatically ensure correct alignment during assembly. The pin locking device itself incorporates alignment guidance, allowing the pin to be inserted along a predetermined path that naturally aligns the housing components and shaft sleeve without requiring manual adjustment or specialized assembly skills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Volume of moving object

If a compact cartridge design is implemented, then the space efficiency is improved, but the assembly and disassembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge volumeVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compact seal cartridge is designed as a segmented modular assembly where housing components and shaft sleeves are connected through the pin locking device. This segmentation allows the compact structure to be easily separated into discrete parts for maintenance and reassembly, combining the benefits of compactness with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 pin locking device simplifies the assembly and disassembly process, reducing complexity and enhancing the reliability of the cartridge by preventing misalignment and damage, resulting in a more compact and efficient sealing mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (32) arranged within said pin cavity (100A) and configured for pushing said pin body (31) in said locked position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4127531B1A seal cartridge assembly
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SIEMENS ENERGY IND TURBOMACHINERYLE HAVRE SAS
  • EP4127531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4127531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4127531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention proposes a pin locking device (3) for assembling a first sealing component (10A) with a second sealing component (10B) of a seal cartridge (1) and a method for assembling such a seal cartridge comprising said first sealing component (10A) and said second sealing component (10B), the pin locking device (3) comprising: - a pin body (31) comprising a longitudinal bore (310) extending along a longitudinal axis (C), wherein an inner wall (311) of said bore (310) comprises fixing means configured for cooperating with an extraction tool (4), the pin body (31) comprising two parts arranged longitudinally one after the other one along said longitudinal axis (C), namely a first part (31A) configured for fitting a pin cavity (100A) of the first sealing component (10A) and a second part (31B) configured for fitting a locking cavity (100B) of the second sealing component (10B); - a spring (32) configured for moving the pin body (31) from a withdrawn position, where the pin body (31) is entirely located within a pin cavity (100A) of the first20 sealing component (10A), towards a locked position wherein a second part (31B) of the pin body (31) is located and maintained within a locking cavity (100B) of the second sealing component (100B) while a first part (31A) remains located within said pin cavity (100A).