Mechanical Seal Sliding Ring with Trap Groove for Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical seals suffer from poor lubricity and leakage of sealed fluid due to inadequate supply to the leakage side in the gap between sliding surfaces, with the reverse Rayleigh step structure not contributing to lubrication and allowing easy leakage from the opening portion.
Innovation Solution
A sliding component with an annular shape featuring dynamic pressure generating mechanisms, including deep and shallow grooves, where the deep groove portion has a trap portion to recover and hold sealed fluid, suppressing leakage and improving lubricity by extending to the leakage side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reverse Rayleigh step is provided to prevent leakage, then sealability is improved, but lubricity deteriorates because the sealed fluid does not reach the leakage side
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is divided into two distinct portions: a deep groove portion for fluid storage and a shallow groove portion for fluid distribution. This segmentation allows the deep portion to supply fluid to the leakage side while the shallow portion ensures proper distribution, resolving the contradiction between preventing leakage and maintaining lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the groove are given different depths to perform different functions. The deep groove portion (communicating with outer diameter side) stores and supplies sealed fluid to the leakage side, while the shallow groove portion (communicating with inner diameter side) distributes the fluid. This local differentiation of groove depth enables both leakage prevention and adequate lubrication.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the deep groove portion extends to the leakage side, then lubricity is improved, but sealed fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is segmented into deep and shallow portions with different communication functions. The deep groove portion communicates with the outer diameter side to supply fluid to the leakage side for lubrication, while the shallow groove portion communicates with the inner diameter side to control fluid distribution, preventing uncontrolled leakage while maintaining lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove depth is locally varied: deeper at the outer diameter side for fluid supply to the leakage side, and shallower at the inner diameter side for controlled distribution. This local depth differentiation allows the groove to extend toward the leakage side for lubrication while preventing excessive sealed fluid leakage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the groove depth is increased to supply more sealed fluid, then lubricity is improved, but sealed fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove depth is optimized locally: the deep groove portion at the outer diameter side has sufficient depth to supply sealed fluid to the leakage side for improved lubrication, while the shallow groove portion at the inner diameter side has controlled depth to prevent excessive leakage. This local depth optimization achieves the balance between lubricity and leakage prevention.
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 enhances lubricity by recovering and holding a large amount of sealed fluid, reducing leakage, and maintaining stable lubrication even under centrifugal forces, ensuring effective sealing and reduced friction.
Implementation Method 1
the sealed fluid supplied to the leakage side of the sliding surface can be recovered and returned to the shallow groove portion, and the lubricity can be improved by using a wide area extending to the leakage side of the sliding surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sliding component having an annular shape is disposed in a place where relative rotation is performed in a rotary machine, in which a plurality of dynamic pressure generating mechanisms are provided in a sliding surface of the sliding component, each including a deep groove portion that communicates with an outer diameter side, and at least one shallow groove portion that communicates with the deep groove portion and extends in a circumferential direction, and the deep groove portion is provided with a trap portion that suppresses a sealed liquid in the deep groove portion from leaking to a leakage side.