Self-Centering Seal Assembly for Faster Valve Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Line replaceable units in gas turbine engines are difficult to replace due to their orientation and location, often requiring complex and time-consuming installation, which can lead to incorrect installation and increased maintenance time.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering seal with a seal body, packing, retaining ring, and exciter springs that facilitate easy installation by centering the packing within the seal gland, allowing for radial and axial movement of the valve, and featuring chamfers to guide and prevent damage during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sealing components are used without self-centering features, then the structure is simpler, but the installation is more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates self-centering features including exciter springs and a bellows structure that automatically center the seal body within the seal gland during installation, eliminating the need for manual alignment assistance and enabling self-aligned installation
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows structure provides dynamic radial movement capability, allowing the seal to expand and contract radially to accommodate misalignment and center itself within the seal gland, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptive one
2Productivity
If technicians must manually align and support the unit during installation, then alignment can be achieved, but the installation time increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-centering mechanism performs the alignment function automatically during installation, eliminating the need for technician intervention in alignment tasks and significantly reducing installation time
Solution Approach 2:
The exciter springs are pre-loaded and the bellows structure is pre-configured to automatically center the seal body as it is inserted into the seal gland, performing the alignment action before final installation is complete
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal does not have radial movement capability, then the structure is more stable, but the seal cannot accommodate axial and radial movements of the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows structure transforms the seal from a static to a dynamic system, enabling radial expansion and contraction to accommodate valve movements while maintaining the overall structural integrity through controlled flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows acts as a flexible element that can deform radially to accommodate movements, providing adaptability while the rigid seal body maintains the structural framework and stability
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 enables efficient and mistake-proof installation of line replaceable units, reducing installation time and preventing damage to the packing, while maintaining a secure seal interface despite axial and radial movements.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of exciter springs is mounted to a second radial side of the retaining ring and circumferentially spaced about the retaining ring. The plurality of exciter springs is biased against the interior surface of the seal body and are configured to center the packing within the seal body.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal includes a seal body disposed about a seal axis and configured to be mounted to a first component at a second axial end of the seal body. The seal body includes an interior surface defining a seal gland circumferentially extending about the seal axis. A packing is disposed within the seal gland. A retaining ring is in communication with a second radial side of the packing and is disposed within the seal gland. A plurality of exciter springs are mounted to a second radial side of the retaining ring. The plurality of exciter springs are biased against the interior surface of the seal body and are configured to center the packing within the seal body. The packing is configured to receive a second component and form a seal interface between the packing and the second component. The seal body is configured to form a portion of a passage.