Seal Ring Assembly for High-Temperature Thermal Cycle Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies for downhole rods lack effective sealing mechanisms that can withstand high temperatures and pressures, and maintain integrity over thermal cycles, leading to potential fluid leakage and reduced operational lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising a metal ring with a convex outer surface and a non-metal ring with a concave inner surface, along with an energizing ring and a backup ring, which are designed to abut and interact to maintain a tight seal, utilizing adhesive materials and geometric features like protrusions and brackets to secure the energizing ring and prevent slipping, while the energizing ring acts as a spring to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal assembly uses traditional sealing mechanisms, then the structure is simple, but it cannot withstand high temperatures and pressures effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a seal ring for primary sealing, an energizing ring with spring elements for maintaining contact pressure, and a backup ring for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, enabling the assembly to withstand high temperatures and pressures while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: the seal ring uses elastomeric material for flexibility and sealing, the energizing ring uses metal or composite material for spring action and thermal stability, and the backup ring provides structural support. This composite material approach enables the assembly to maintain sealing effectiveness under extreme temperature and pressure conditions
2Reliability
If the seal assembly uses rigid sealing components, then it maintains structural integrity, but it cannot accommodate thermal expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The energizing ring incorporates spring elements that provide dynamic contact pressure, allowing the seal assembly to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction. The spring action maintains consistent sealing force despite dimensional changes in the seal ring due to temperature variations, enabling the assembly to accommodate thermal cycles while maintaining seal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly utilizes changes in material properties with temperature: the elastomeric seal ring becomes more flexible at higher temperatures to accommodate expansion, while the metal energizing ring maintains its spring characteristics through controlled thermal expansion. This coordinated parameter change allows the assembly to adapt to thermal cycles while maintaining reliable sealing
3Reliability
If the seal assembly uses high-performance sealing materials, then it resists high temperature and pressure, but it increases cost and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly separates high-performance requirements to only the seal ring and energizing ring components, while the backup ring uses standard structural materials. This segmentation allows high-performance materials to be used only where necessary for sealing and pressure resistance, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
High-performance elastomeric and energizing materials are applied locally at the sealing interface and pressure-bearing surfaces, while other portions of the assembly use standard materials. This local quality approach concentrates advanced materials where they provide maximum benefit for temperature and pressure resistance, optimizing both performance and manufacturability
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 assembly effectively inhibits fluid flow under high pressure and temperature conditions, maintaining a secure seal and extending the operational lifespan by accommodating thermal cycles and maintaining contact between components, even in high-temperature environments above 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Implementation Method 1
the energizing ring acts as a spring to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction
Implementation Method 2
utilizing adhesive materials and geometric features like protrusions and brackets to secure the energizing ring
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are seal assemblies that may each include: a metal ring that may have a metal convex outer surface and two metal outer edges; a ring that may have a non-metal concave inner surface and two protrusions, each of the non-metal protrusions may have a surface facing one of the two metal outer edges, wherein: the metal convex outer surface may be disposed against the non-metal concave inner surface; and at least one of the two metal outer edges may be abutted against the inner surface of one of the two protrusions.