Seal Ring With Segmented Pockets and Recesses for Friction and Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal rings for hydraulic machines face a trade-off between reducing friction loss and preventing oil leakage, as an oil film that is too thick can lead to leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A seal ring design featuring an inner and outer circumferential surface, side surfaces with pockets and recess regions that buffer oil, preventing excessive oil film thickness and leakage by retaining oil in recesses and controlling oil pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If oil enters the pocket to form an oil film between the seal ring and shaft, then friction loss is reduced, but oil leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface of the seal ring is segmented into multiple pockets and recess regions. The pockets receive oil to form lubricating films, while the recess regions buffer excess oil. This segmentation allows the seal ring to simultaneously achieve friction reduction through oil film formation and leakage prevention through oil buffering in recesses.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the side surface are given different functions: pockets are designed to receive oil and form lubricating films for friction reduction, while recess regions are designed to buffer excess oil and prevent leakage. This local differentiation of quality and function resolves the contradiction between friction loss reduction and oil leakage prevention.
2Loss of energy
If the oil film is made thicker to reduce friction, then lubrication property is enhanced, but oil leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recess regions are designed beforehand to buffer excess oil that enters the pockets. This prior cushioning capacity prevents the oil film from becoming too thick and causing leakage, while still allowing sufficient oil to maintain proper lubrication and reduce friction between the seal ring and shaft.
3Reliability
If oil pressure is increased to improve sealing, then sealing performance is enhanced, but friction loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side surface is divided into pockets and recess regions that work together to balance sealing and friction. The pockets receive oil under pressure to form lubricating films that reduce friction, while the recess regions buffer excess oil to maintain sealing performance. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both sealing and friction characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local regions handle different aspects of the oil pressure: pockets utilize oil pressure to form lubricating films for friction reduction, while recess regions utilize oil pressure to buffer and control oil flow for sealing. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing performance and friction loss.
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 seal ring effectively reduces friction loss while minimizing oil leakage, maintaining an optimal oil film thickness and preventing excessive oil escape.
Implementation Method 1
the recess regions are provided in the side surface and include a plurality of independent recesses... part of the oil inside the pocket enters a region between adjacent pockets and forms an oil film on the side surface... the oil is retained in the recesses of the recess regions
Implementation Method 2
the oil entering the pocket flows into a gap between the seal ring and the shaft and forms an oil film between the seal ring and the shaft. Such oil film formation enhances a lubrication property of the seal ring, and the friction loss is reduced
Implementation Method 3
even if a small amount of oil enters the side surface, oil in the recesses of the recess regions is discharged, and hence the oil film on the side surface does not become too thin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5(A)~5(B)
AI summary
[Object] To provide a seal ring capable of both reducing a friction loss and reducing oil leakage. [Solving Means] The seal ring includes an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, side surfaces, a plurality of pockets, and recess regions. The outer circumferential surface is opposed to the inner circumferential surface. The side surfaces are orthogonal to the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface. The plurality of pockets are provided, spaced apart from one another in at least one of the side surfaces. The recess regions are provided in the at least one of the side surfaces and includes a plurality of independent recesses. In this seal ring, it is possible to both reduce the friction loss and reduce the oil leakage due to a function of buffering oil by the recess region.