Segmented Packing Ring Relief Openings for Wear-Adaptive Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packing rings in piston compressors face challenges with sealing efficiency due to wear, pressure equalization, and structural stability, leading to potential leaks and reduced service life, especially under high compression pressures.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part packing ring design with strategically placed relief openings and wear openings that allow for pressure equalization between high and low-pressure areas, improving radial and axial sealing while maintaining structural rigidity and adaptability to wear, using relief openings that extend from the inner to the outer circumference and wear openings that activate with radial wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packing rings are used without relief openings, then structural stability is maintained, but pressure equalization is insufficient leading to sealing failures under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The packing ring is divided into multiple segments with relief openings between them, allowing pressure to be equalized across the segments while maintaining overall structural integrity. The relief openings create controlled pathways for pressure distribution without compromising the ring's structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The relief openings act as intermediary elements that mediate between high-pressure and low-pressure zones within the packing ring structure. These openings allow pressure to transition smoothly across the ring segments, preventing pressure buildup that would lead to sealing failures.
2Stress or pressure
If relief openings are added to packing rings, then pressure equalization improves, but structural rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Relief openings are strategically positioned at specific locations on the packing ring segments rather than being distributed uniformly. This localized approach allows pressure equalization to occur where most needed while preserving structural rigidity in critical load-bearing areas of the ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The packing ring utilizes composite material construction that combines materials with different properties - some portions optimized for structural rigidity and others allowing for pressure equalization through relief openings. This composite approach enables both pressure equalization and structural strength to coexist.
3Duration of action of moving object
If radially and tangentially cut rings are used to compensate for wear, then wear gaps are covered, but anti-twist devices are required adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-twist function is merged with the ring segment structure itself rather than being a separate device. The relief openings and segment design inherently prevent twisting while still allowing wear compensation, eliminating the need for additional anti-twist components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring segment structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it compensates for wear through radial and tangential cuts, prevents twisting through its geometric design with relief openings, and maintains sealing effectiveness. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate anti-twist devices.
4Reliability
If hose springs are used to press packing rings against the piston rod, then sealing contact is maintained, but extrusion into gaps occurs at high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The relief openings are pre-configured in the ring segments to anticipate and prevent extrusion before it occurs. By providing predetermined pressure relief pathways, the structure prevents the buildup of forces that would cause extrusion into gaps, while still maintaining sealing contact through controlled pressure distribution.
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
Enhances sealing efficiency, reduces wear-related issues, and increases the service life of packing rings by evenly distributing pressure and allowing for automatic adjustment to wear, thereby minimizing leaks and maintaining operational stability under high pressures.
Implementation Method 1
at least three relief openings are provided on at least one ring segment, preferably on each ring segment, extending from a radially inner inner circumferential surface of the ring segment up to a radially outer outer circumferential surface for equalizing pressure between a high pressure at the outer peripheral surface and a relatively lower pressure at the inner peripheral surface of the packing ring
Implementation Method 2
the at least three relief openings extend for example completely through the packing ring from a radially inner inner circumferential surface of the packing ring up to a radially outer outer circumferential surface of the packing ring so that the higher pressure can act on the inner peripheral surface of the packing ring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to provide a packaging ring (14) which is constructed as simply and compactly as possible, allows a longer service life, and can be flexibly adapted to different use conditions. According to the invention, this is achieved in that at least three relief openings (25) are provided on at least one ring segment (14a), preferably on each ring segment (14a), said relief openings extending from a radially inner internal circumferential surface (18) of the ring segment (14a) to a radially outer external circumferential surface (23) and/or to the second axial ring end (RE2) of the ring segment (14a). Each of the relief openings (25) has a first relief opening end (25a) which opens into the radially inner internal circumferential surface (18) of the ring segment (14a), wherein the first relief opening ends (25a) of two relief openings (25) arranged adjacently to each other in the circumferential direction are arranged in a mutually spaced manner by a relief opening circumferential spacing (z), and the first relief opening ends (25a) lie closer to the first axial ring end (RE1) in the axial direction than to the second axial ring end (RE2) and are arranged in a spaced manner from the first axial ring end (RE1) by a relief opening axial spacing x which equals between 4% and 20% of the axial ring width (RB) of the ring segment (14a).