Segmented Sealing Rings for Combustion Chamber Ice Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combustion chambers with dual sealing rings face operational issues at low temperatures due to freezing, causing the rings to stiffen and jam, making it difficult to use the device without breaking ice between them.
Innovation Solution
The first and second sealing rings are positioned at angles greater than 0° and less than 180°, allowing ice to be broken up at a single circumferential section between the interruptions, reducing the mutual stiffening and facilitating ice removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two sealing rings are used to seal the combustion chamber, then the sealing effect is improved, but the device becomes vulnerable to freezing at low temperatures causing the rings to stiffen and jam
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into two separate sealing rings positioned at different angular locations around the combustion chamber. This segmentation allows the ice bridge between the rings to be broken at one location while maintaining sealing integrity at other locations, preventing complete jamming of the base assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The two sealing rings are positioned asymmetrically at different angular positions rather than being symmetrically opposite each other. This asymmetric arrangement creates a strategic weak point in the ice formation pattern, allowing ice to be broken more easily at specific locations without compromising the overall sealing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the sealing rings are positioned opposite each other (180° apart), then the sealing coverage is maximized, but ice forms a continuous bridge between them making them difficult to separate
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning sealing rings at non-opposite angular locations, the continuous ice bridge that would form between opposite rings is segmented into discontinuous ice formations. This allows ice to be broken at strategic points without creating a complete freeze lock between the rings.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular offset between sealing rings acts as an intermediary geometric feature that prevents direct ice bridge formation. The offset creates a geometric intervention point where ice accumulation can be disrupted, serving as a mediator that prevents complete freezing between the rings.
3Ease of operation
If the sealing rings are positioned close together (small angle), then ice formation is reduced, but sealing effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The angular position parameter of the sealing rings is optimized to a specific range that balances two competing requirements: close enough to limit ice formation but far enough to maintain sealing effectiveness. This parameter optimization creates a sweet spot where operational ease and sealing reliability are both satisfied.
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
This configuration allows for reliable operation at low temperatures by creating a weak point in the icing between the sealing rings, making it easier to break up the ice and restore mobility, ensuring the combustion chamber functions effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is dimensionally elastic, ie is movable due to its external shape
Implementation Method 2
when the combustion chamber is stored at temperatures below the freezing point of water, so that any moisture present between the two sealing rings can freeze
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a combustion chamber with a combustion chamber wall in the shape of a hollow cylinder which defines a cylinder axis, comprising a base which can be moved within the hollow cylinder relative to the combustion chamber wall along the cylinder axis and comprising a seal which lies against the base on one side and against the combustion chamber wall on the other side in a radial direction with respect to the cylinder axis. The seal has a first seal ring, which extends in the circumferential direction relative to the cylinder axis and has a first interruption, and a second seal ring, which extends in the circumferential direction relative to the cylinder axis and has a second interruption. The first interruption has a first angular position along the circumferential direction, and the second interruption has a second angular position along the circumferential direction. The invention is characterized in that the first angular position and the second angular position form an angle.