Side Seal Lubrication Structure for Whirling Rotary Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rotary engines, the side seals experience high sliding loss and abrasion due to their large contact area and velocity, leading to decreased sealing performance and engine efficiency, as they are unable to effectively lubricate the sliding surface when the rotor whirling direction changes.
Innovation Solution
A sealing member with a dual lubrication mechanism, featuring a first lubrication mechanism with an opening part facing the outer radial direction and a second lubrication mechanism with an opening part facing the inner radial direction, allowing fluid to flow in and be pressurized to lubricate the sliding surface efficiently, even when the sliding direction changes during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the side seal is attached to the side surfaces of the rotor along almost overall length to ensure sealing, then the sealing performance is improved, but the contact area and sliding velocity increase causing large sliding loss and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is divided into multiple lubrication mechanisms (first and second lubrication mechanisms) positioned at different locations. Each lubrication mechanism independently provides lubrication to its respective region, segmenting the overall lubrication function to reduce sliding loss across the entire contact area while maintaining comprehensive sealing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sliding surface are provided with specialized lubrication mechanisms tailored to their specific lubrication needs. The first lubrication mechanism addresses the lubrication requirements of one region while the second lubrication mechanism addresses another region, optimizing local lubrication quality to reduce overall sliding loss without compromising sealing performance.
2Loss of energy
If a single lubrication groove is provided to reduce sliding loss, then the sliding loss may be reduced in one direction, but the rotor rotating while whirling cannot effectively take fluid in the groove because the sliding direction changes during one revolution
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member incorporates multiple lubrication mechanisms that collectively provide universal lubrication coverage for all sliding directions. While a single lubrication groove can only effectively lubricate in one direction, the combination of first and second lubrication mechanisms ensures that lubrication is available regardless of the sliding direction during rotor whirling, making the system adaptable to changing operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication system is designed to dynamically adapt to changing sliding directions during rotor whirling. By positioning multiple lubrication mechanisms at different locations and orientations, the system ensures that at least one lubrication mechanism remains effective regardless of the instantaneous sliding direction, providing continuous adaptability throughout the rotation cycle.
3Reliability
If the contact area of the side seal is increased to improve sealing, then the sealing performance is improved, but significant abrasion occurs accompanied with sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The large contact area is segmented into multiple zones, each served by a dedicated lubrication mechanism. This segmentation allows each lubrication mechanism to focus on reducing abrasion in its specific zone, thereby extending the service life of the sealing components across the entire contact area while maintaining the comprehensive sealing performance provided by the full contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sliding surface receive specialized lubrication tailored to their specific abrasion risks. By providing local quality lubrication through multiple targeted lubrication mechanisms rather than uniform lubrication, the system effectively reduces abrasion in high-risk areas while maintaining sealing contact across the entire surface, thereby extending component service life.
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 reduces sliding loss and abrasion, enhancing the sealing performance by maintaining a lubricated condition on the sliding surface, thereby improving the efficiency of the rotary engine.
Implementation Method 1
a first lubrication mechanism arranged on one side in a longitudinal direction, and a second lubrication mechanism arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
exhibiting lubrication performance in a sliding direction different from that of the first lubrication mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide a sealing member whose sealing performance is improved by reducing sliding loss of a side housing and a side seal which is provided to a side surface of a rotating body rotating while whirling within a housing. [Solution] A sealing member 11 is provided between a rotating body 5 rotating while whirling within an accommodating chamber 4 partitioned by a housing and a side wall 3 of the accommodating chamber 4 and has a sliding surface S sliding on the side wall 3, and the sliding surface S includes a first lubrication mechanism 21 arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction, and a second lubrication mechanism 22 arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction and exhibiting lubrication performance in a sliding direction different from that of the first lubrication mechanism 21.