Segmented Sealing Ring Assembly for Pressure-Reversal Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing ring assemblies in linear generators experience high wear rates and premature failure due to exposure to elevated temperatures and pressure reversals, leading to reduced operational life and increased downtime, especially when used in the absence of lubricating oil.
Innovation Solution
A segmented sealing ring assembly with embedded flexures, such as spring elements, applies a radially outward force to maintain contact with the cylinder bore, reducing wear and fracture risk by keeping the springs below maximum operating temperatures and using materials like Elgiloy and super-alloys to withstand thermal stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If segmented sealing rings are used to reduce wear and fracture risk, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple segments and connecting subcomponents
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into multiple segments that can independently flex and maintain contact with the bore. Each segment is connected by flexible joints allowing relative movement, enabling the ring to accommodate thermal expansion and pressure reversals while maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the operational lifecycle.
2Reliability
If spring elements are embedded in ring segments to maintain sealing contact under pressure reversal, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spring elements are embedded within cavities formed in the ring segments themselves. The springs are positioned inside the segment structure, with their ends engaging internal features of the segment. This nesting approach integrates the spring mounting directly into the segment fabrication process, reducing the need for separate assembly operations while ensuring reliable spring retention and sealing contact maintenance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If connecting subcomponents and covers are added to protect segments from harsh reaction conditions, then segment protection is improved, but material fatigue increases due to thermal stress on non-graphite materials
Solution Approach 1:
The ring segments are constructed from homogeneous graphite material throughout, eliminating the need for dissimilar material interfaces between segments and protective covers. This homogeneity ensures uniform thermal expansion characteristics and eliminates galvanic corrosion or differential thermal stress that would arise from joining dissimilar materials, thereby reducing material fatigue while maintaining protection from harsh reaction conditions.
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 solution effectively reduces wear, fracture risk, and uneven wear in sealing rings, extending operational life and minimizing downtime by maintaining adequate seating force and temperature control of the spring elements.
Implementation Method 1
A flexure, such as a spring element, embedded in the ring segment applies a radially outward force on the ring segment
Implementation Method 2
The ring segment may be comprised of an elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing ring assembly that includes a plurality of segments that forms a seal against a bore of a cylinder. Each pair of adjacent ring segments of the plurality of ring segments are coupled by a respective flexure therebetween. Each respective flexure causes a radially outward force to cause a respective radially outward surface of respective pairs of the adjacent ring segments to seal against a bore of a cylinder and a tangential force to be applied to the sealing ring assembly.