Floating Seal Ring Recesses for Oil Supply on Inclined Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubricating oil distribution in floating seal devices is inadequate when operated on inclined or uneven ground, leading to insufficient lubrication, especially at sliding surfaces exposed above the oil surface, particularly at high rotational speeds.
Innovation Solution
The floating seal device incorporates a rotating side seal ring with recessed portions, such as spiral grooves, on its inner peripheral surface to guide and supply lubricating oil between sliding surfaces, ensuring consistent lubrication even when tilted or rotating at high speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the floating seal device is operated on inclined or uneven ground, then the device can adapt to various operating conditions, but the lubricating oil shifts toward the inclined side and cannot be sufficiently supplied to portions exposed above the oil surface
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portions (spiral grooves) are pre-formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating seal ring to create oil storage cavities before operation. These pre-formed structures ensure that lubricating oil is available at the sliding surfaces even when the device is tilted, as the grooves retain oil through centrifugal force and guide it to the sliding surfaces regardless of device orientation.
2Speed
If the rotating ring rotates at high speed, then the sealing function is maintained, but the lubricating oil cannot be sufficiently supplied to the portion exposed above the oil surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the hydraulic action of lubricating oil within the spiral grooves. As the rotating seal ring spins at high speed, centrifugal force moves the oil through the recessed portions and along the sliding surfaces, ensuring continuous lubrication supply even at elevated rotation speeds where gravity alone would be insufficient.
3Ease of manufacture
If the inner peripheral surface of the rotating seal ring is smooth, then manufacturing is simplified, but lubricating oil cannot be effectively guided between sliding surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire inner peripheral surface complex, the invention applies recessed portions (spiral grooves) only at specific locations where oil guidance is needed. This localized modification maintains manufacturing simplicity for the majority of the surface while providing the necessary lubrication guidance function at critical areas.
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 supplies lubricating oil to all sliding surfaces, preventing seizure and ensuring reliable lubrication by utilizing centrifugal force to guide oil through recessed features, regardless of device orientation or rotation direction.
Implementation Method 1
the rotating side seal ring has an inner peripheral surface provided with at least one recessed portion extending in an opposite direction to a direction of rotation of the rotating side seal ring toward a sliding surface side end... as the rotating side seal ring rotates, the fluid contained in the interior of the floating seal device is guided between the sliding surfaces by the recessed portion
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a floating seal device capable of supplying a lubricating oil between sliding surfaces. A rotating side seal ring 6 has an inner peripheral surface 62 provided with a recessed portion 64 extending toward an end 62A on the side of a sliding surface 60 in an opposite direction to a direction of rotation of the rotating side seal ring 6.