Mechanical End-Face Seal Force Support to Prevent Surface Waviness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical seal assemblies in high-pressure and high-temperature applications face issues with deformation of split rings causing waviness on sliding surfaces, which limits performance, and elastic secondary sealing elements are inadequate in such conditions.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical seal arrangement with a rotating sliding ring, a stationary sliding ring, a slide ring carrier, and a force support arrangement comprising a clamping sleeve, conical sleeve, and split ring segments, which transmit axial forces via conical connections to minimize deformation and waviness, using metal components with similar thermal expansion coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a split ring is used to transfer axial force to the shaft, then axial force absorption is improved, but circumferential waviness is generated on the sliding surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The split ring is divided into multiple circumferential segments that are connected by radial connecting pieces. This segmentation allows the force transmission path to be distributed across multiple connection points, reducing the deformation at any single location and preventing waviness from being imprinted on the sliding surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Radial connecting pieces are introduced as intermediary elements between the split ring segments and the shaft. These connecting pieces provide additional support and distribute the axial load more evenly, preventing direct transmission of deformations from the split ring to the sliding surfaces while maintaining effective force absorption.
2Manufacturing precision
If elastic secondary sealing elements are used between the split ring and mechanical seal, then ripple transfer to sliding surfaces is reduced, but suitability for high-temperature applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces elastic secondary sealing elements with a metal-based force support arrangement consisting of split ring segments, radial connecting pieces, and a shaft. This metal construction eliminates the temperature limitations of elastic materials while maintaining the ability to prevent waviness transmission through the segmented structure and distributed force path.
3Device complexity
If the split ring is made from a single piece, then structure is simple, but deformation causes waviness on sliding surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The split ring is divided into multiple circumferential segments connected by radial connecting pieces. This segmentation increases structural complexity but significantly reduces deformation-induced waviness by distributing stress across multiple connection points, preventing the imprinting of deformations on the sliding surfaces.
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
Effectively absorbs and transmits axial forces without imparting waviness to sliding surfaces, suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature applications, ensuring reliable sealing and reduced component deformation.
Implementation Method 1
a conical connection is formed between the clamping sleeve and the conical sleeve. The clamping sleeve rests on the end face of the sleeve area of the slide ring carrier and the tapered sleeve rests on a side surface of the split ring.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical end-face seal assembly (1) for providing a seal between a high-pressure region (8) and a low-pressure region (9) on a rotating component (7), comprising a mechanical seal (2) with a rotating seal ring (3), which comprises a first seal surface (30), and a stationary seal ring (4), which comprises a second seal surface (40), a seal gap (5) being defined between the seal surfaces (30, 40); a seal ring support (31) for the rotating seal ring (3), wherein the seal ring support is designed to rotationally fix the rotating seal ring (3) to the rotating component (7), and the seal ring support (31) has a sleeve region (32); and a force support assembly (6) which is designed to support an axial force (F) acting on the mechanical end-face seal assembly (1). The force support assembly (6) is arranged on an end face (32a) of the sleeve region (32) of the seal ring support (31), and the force support assembly (6) has a clamping sleeve (60), a conical sleeve (61), and a split ring (62) with at least two segments (621, 622). A conical connection is formed between the clamping sleeve (60) and the conical sleeve (61), said conical connection comprising a first cone surface (60a) on the clamping sleeve (60) and a second cone surface (61a) on the conical sleeve (61). The clamping sleeve (60) lies against the end face (32a) of the sleeve region (32), and the conical sleeve (61) lies against a lateral surface (62a) of the split ring (62).