Sensor Feed-Through Seal for Multi-Wire High-Pressure Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal technologies fail to effectively seal multiple wires of varying diameters in high-pressure and high-temperature environments, are difficult to maintain, and often require replacement of the entire assembly for wire repairs or changes.
Innovation Solution
A feed-through assembly with a body, first and second seals, and grooves that allows multiple wires to pass through orthogonally or laterally, secured by bolts and tighteners, using resilient materials like flexible graphite or silicone rubber for an airtight seal, and accommodating various wire sizes and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing methods (metallic sheets with bolts) are used, then high pressure and temperature resistance is improved, but the ability to seal multiple wires of various diameters simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible grommets made of elastomeric material that can deform to accommodate multiple wires of different diameters while maintaining an effective seal. The grommet's flexibility allows it to conform to the wire bundle's shape and size, enabling versatile sealing without compromising pressure and temperature resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing assembly combines different materials with complementary properties: elastomeric grommets for flexibility and adaptation, metallic housing for structural strength, and sealing compounds for enhanced leak prevention. This composite approach achieves both adaptability to various wire configurations and reliability under extreme conditions.
2Reliability
If metallic sheets are deformed by wire indents to create seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates as entire assembly must be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into separable components: the permanent metallic housing and the replaceable elastomeric grommet. When wire repair is needed, only the grommet needs to be removed and replaced, not the entire assembly. This segmentation enables easy maintenance while maintaining effective sealing through the grommet's compliant material properties.
3Reliability
If elastic seal is compressed around wire to create seal, then sealing is achieved, but seal loosening and breaking occurs under pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric grommet acts as a flexible shell that uniformly distributes compressive forces around the wire bundle. Its material properties allow it to flex and deform under pressure differentials without breaking, maintaining the seal's integrity while accommodating the wires effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of elastomeric material with appropriate metallic housing provides both flexibility for sealing and structural strength for pressure resistance. The composite structure prevents the seal from loosening or breaking under pressure differential by distributing stresses across materials with complementary mechanical properties.
4Reliability
If soldering gaps around wire is used to address sealing, then sealing integrity is improved, but ease of disassembly and reassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is separated from the structural housing through the use of removable elastomeric grommets. This allows the sealing component to be independently replaced without affecting the housing or requiring permanent joining methods like soldering, thereby maintaining sealing integrity while enabling easy disassembly and reassembly for maintenance.
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 assembly provides a robust, easy-to-install, and maintainable seal that withstands high pressures and temperatures, with minimal leakage and allows for quick replacement of seals without disassembling the unit, ensuring the integrity of wires and devices.
Implementation Method 1
using resilient materials like flexible graphite or silicone rubber for an airtight seal
Data Source
AI summary
Contemplated device, assembly and methods include a sensor feed through assembly that protects and seals a set of wires. The assembly has a body, a first seal, a second seal and a cover. The wires thread through a first opening on the body through a second opening of the first seal and exit orthogonally between the first seal and the second seal. The cover tightens the entire assembly and secures the wires between the two seals. The entire unit can be coupled to other pressurized vessels under different temperatures and pressurized environments.