Mechanical Seal Sliding Surface Grooves for Bidirectional Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding components in mechanical seals face challenges in suppressing wear and leakage of sealing target fluid during both normal and reverse rotations.
Innovation Solution
The sliding component features a plurality of fluid introduction grooves and inclined grooves that generate dynamic pressure, along with reverse inclined grooves to manage fluid flow and pressure in both rotation directions, effectively reducing leakage and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inclined groove is disposed on the leakage side to introduce leakage side fluid in normal rotation, then friction is reduced and leakage is suppressed, but sealing target fluid leaks into the inner space during reverse rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is segmented into multiple functional zones: fluid introduction grooves for lubricant supply, inclined grooves for normal rotation leakage control, and reverse inclined grooves for reverse rotation leakage control. Each segment handles specific rotation directions or functions independently, allowing the seal to maintain performance across bidirectional operations
Solution Approach 2:
Reverse inclined grooves are added that extend in the opposite direction to the standard inclined grooves. While inclined grooves handle normal rotation by generating positive pressure on the leakage side, reverse inclined grooves handle reverse rotation by generating positive pressure in the opposite direction, effectively preventing sealing target fluid from leaking into the inner space during reverse operation
2Duration of action of stationary object
If fluid introduction grooves are provided to introduce sealing target fluid for lubrication, then wear is suppressed, but energy loss increases due to continuous fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
Fluid introduction grooves are positioned to supply lubricating fluid to the sliding surface in advance before significant wear occurs. The grooves ensure continuous lubrication during both normal and reverse rotations, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact and extending the service life of the sliding surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydrodynamic lubrication principles where the inclined grooves and reverse inclined grooves generate positive pressure to slightly separate the sliding surfaces during high-speed rotation. This reduces friction and energy loss by creating a fluid film between the contacting surfaces, minimizing direct contact and associated energy dissipation
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
This configuration effectively reduces leakage of the sealing target fluid to the leakage side space and suppresses wear between sliding surfaces by maintaining lubrication during both rotations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of inclined grooves extending from a leakage side toward the sealing target fluid side and generating a dynamic pressure
Implementation Method 2
a reverse inclined groove which is provided on the sealing target fluid side of the inclined groove, extends in a reverse direction with respect to the inclined groove, and generates a dynamic pressure
Implementation Method 3
the sealing target fluid having entered the reverse inclined groove on the sealing target fluid side in relation to the inclined groove moves in a following manner due to shearing with the sliding surface
Implementation Method 4
a sliding surface provided with a plurality of fluid introduction grooves communicating with a space on a sealing target fluid side and introducing a sealing target fluid thereinto
Data Source
AI summary
An annular sliding component includes a sliding surface provided with a plurality of fluid introduction grooves communicating with a space on the side of a sealing target fluid and introducing the sealing target fluid thereinto and a plurality of inclined grooves extending from a leakage side toward the sealing target fluid and generating a dynamic pressure and the sliding surface of the sliding component is provided with a reverse inclined groove which is provided on the side of the sealing target fluid of the inclined groove, extends in a reverse direction with respect to the inclined groove, and generates a dynamic pressure.