Turbo Refrigerator Shaft Seal With Radial Self-Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
In turbo refrigerators, the sealing mechanism around rotating shafts is prone to breaking due to external forces like earthquakes, leading to increased gas leakage due to insufficient centering accuracy and the need for larger safety gaps, which compromises sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
A sealing mechanism with a ring-shaped sealing body supported by a movable sealing-body support part and an O-ring elastic member, allowing for precise centering and absorption of impacts, thereby reducing the gap between the sealing body and rotating shaft, and enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large gap is secured between the rotating shaft and sealing mechanism for safety, then the reliability is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates and gas leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing body is designed to be movable in the radial direction of the rotating shaft, transitioning from a fixed position to a dynamic position that can adjust according to operational conditions. This allows the sealing body to maintain optimal contact with the rotating shaft during steady operation while accommodating external forces during starting, stopping, or earthquake conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the sealing body and rotating shaft is changed from a fixed large safety gap to a variable small gap that adjusts based on operational state. During steady operation, the gap is minimized for optimal sealing, while during transient states, the sealing body moves radially to prevent contact
2Reliability
If the sealing body is fixed to prevent contact with rotating shaft, then the reliability is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to insufficient centering accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing body automatically centers itself on the rotating shaft through its movable design and the elastic member's restoring force, eliminating the need for high-precision manual centering during assembly. The system self-adjusts to maintain optimal positioning without requiring sophisticated alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing body transitions from a fixed position requiring precise manufacturing and assembly alignment to a dynamic position that automatically adjusts during operation, compensating for any initial misalignment and maintaining reliable sealing
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 improves sealing performance by allowing for accurate centering and impact absorption, reducing gas leakage and maintaining effective sealing even under external forces, thus enhancing the overall sealing mechanism's efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which is sandwiched between the sealing body and the sealing-body support part and surrounds the sealing body
Implementation Method 2
allowing for precise centering and absorption of impacts
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing mechanism (40) includes: a ring-shaped sealing body (41) which surrounds a rotating shaft (24) when viewed from an axial direction; a sealing-body support part (42) which supports the sealing body (41) so as to be movable in a radial direction of the rotating shaft (24); and an elastic member (44) which is interposed between the sealing body (41) and the sealing-body support part (42).