Self-Suctioning Slide Ring Seal with Integrated Barrier Gas Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical seal arrangements with external sealing gas devices are costly and require additional components, making them impractical for applications where space and budget are limited, such as in the automotive sector, and they often necessitate a tandem design that is not feasible in all scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A self-priming mechanical seal arrangement that uses a rotating and stationary seal ring with a through opening and grooves to suck in atmospheric air, eliminating the need for a separate sealing gas supply by creating a gas-carrying connection between the atmosphere and the sealing gap, and includes a throttle, filter, and check valve to manage gas flow and prevent backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier gas device is provided to supply sealing gas to the sealing gap, then reliable sealing is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional components and potential tandem design
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply line is integrated directly into the stationary seal ring, merging the gas supply function with the seal ring structure itself. This eliminates the need for separate external gas supply devices and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable sealing through direct gas delivery to the sealing gap
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary seal ring serves multiple functions: it provides the sealing surface against the rotating seal ring and simultaneously houses the integrated gas supply line with through-hole and throttle. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure
2Ease of manufacture
If a barrier gas device with through-hole and throttle is integrated into the stationary seal ring, then gas supply is simplified and cost reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply path is segmented into distinct functional zones: the through-hole for gas intake, the throttle element for flow control, and the sealing gap for barrier function. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized and manufactured independently with appropriate tolerances, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to a fully integrated complex structure
3Productivity
If grooves are provided in the sliding surfaces for gas conveyance, then gas suction into the sealing gap is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Grooves are provided only in the rotating seal ring's sliding surface, not in both seal rings. This localized application of gas conveyance features enhances gas suction efficiency where most needed (in the rotating component that creates relative motion) while avoiding unnecessary complexity in the stationary seal ring, thus improving productivity without excessive manufacturing complexity
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 solution reduces operational and investment costs by allowing the mechanical seal to automatically suck in air as a sealing medium, providing a secure seal without the need for a compressor or external gas supply, and ensures effective sealing across a range of applications, including automotive uses.
Implementation Method 1
The grooves in at least one of the sliding surfaces of the seal rings generate a corresponding suction pressure for sucking in the gas through the through-hole and the gas supply line
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a slide ring seal assembly comprising a slide ring seal (2) with a rotating slide ring (3), which comprises a first sliding surface (30), and a stationary slide ring (4), which comprises a second sliding surface (40), a seal gap (5) being defined between the first and second sliding surface. The stationary slide ring (4) has a through-opening (42), which runs from a rear face (41) of the stationary slide ring to an opening (43) of the second sliding surface (40), and a gas supply line (8), which runs from a gas source to an inlet (44) of the through-opening (42) on the rear face of the stationary slide ring, wherein grooves (6, 7) are formed at least in one of the sliding surfaces (30, 40), and the grooves are arranged between the opening (43) of the through-opening (42) and a radially outer exit region (50) of the seal gap (5) in the radial direction.