Mechanical Seal Groove Layout for Deposit-Free Sealing Faces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical seals face challenges in preventing deposit formation on sealing faces, especially when using fluids that contain deposit formation-causing substances, which can degrade their performance over time.

Innovation Solution

A slide component design featuring a pair of sliding parts with a negative pressure generation mechanism and interference grooves that create pressure variations, preventing deposit formation by maintaining fluid circulation and ensuring long-term sealing functionality, even in the presence of deposit formation-causing substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing face is formed with grooves to form a fluid layer, then wear and burn damage are prevented, but deposit formation on the sealing face is not prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of wear and burn damageVSAvoiddeposit formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a negative pressure generation groove that dynamically generates pressure variations in the fluid layer through relative motion between sealing faces. This dynamic pressure variation creates fluid circulation that prevents deposit accumulation while maintaining the lubricating fluid layer that prevents wear and burn damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The negative pressure generation groove produces periodic pressure variations as the sealing faces move relative to each other. This periodic action creates alternating suction and pressure zones that continuously circulate the fluid, preventing deposits from settling while maintaining consistent lubrication protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Force

If a fluid layer is introduced between sealing faces, then friction is reduced, but deposit formation-causing substances can still concentrate and form deposits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reductionVSAvoiddeposit formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by introducing a negative pressure generation groove that creates pressure differential in the fluid layer. This hydraulic action generates fluid circulation currents that continuously move deposit formation-causing substances through the sealing interface, preventing their concentration and deposition while maintaining the friction-reducing fluid layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If the sealing function is maintained by conventional means, then leakage is prevented, but the sealing function degrades over time due to deposit formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidservice life of sealing function

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The negative pressure generation groove creates a self-cleaning mechanism where the fluid circulation generated by pressure variations automatically removes deposit formation-causing substances from the sealing face during normal operation. This self-service function extends the service life of the sealing function without requiring external maintenance or intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a mechanism where deposit formation-causing substances are continuously discarded from the sealing interface through fluid circulation driven by pressure variations. This prevents accumulation and degradation of the sealing function, effectively recovering the sealing performance over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 design effectively prevents deposit formation in the negative pressure generation groove and fluid circulation groove, maintaining the sealing function for a long period by creating constant pressure differences and fluid flow variations, thereby reducing wear and leakage.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one interference groove communicating with a high-pressure fluid side for producing pressure variations in a fluid in the negative pressure generation groove

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure variation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the flow of the fluid in the negative pressure generation groove also varies repeatedly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3217049B1Sliding parts

Publication Date: 2022.03.30 EAGLE INDS

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Provided is a slide component that can prevent deposit formation on a sealing face as well as promoting circulation of a fluid on sealing faces while fulfilling both conflicting conditions of sealing and lubrication, to maintain the sealing function of the sealing faces for a long period of time. One slide part 5 is provided, on a low-pressure side of a sealing face thereof, with a negative pressure generation mechanism 10 including a negative pressure generation groove 10. The negative pressure generation groove 10a communicates with a high-pressure fluid side and is separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a land portion R. The other slide part 1 is provided, in a sealing face thereof, with at least one interference groove 15 communicating with the high-pressure fluid side for producing pressure variations in a fluid in the negative pressure generation groove 10a. The at least one interference groove 15 has an end 15a on an inside-diameter side extending to a position to radially overlap the negative pressure generation groove 10a.