Single Shaft-Sealing Module for Fluid Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid valves face issues with unbalanced lateral loading distribution and difficulty in cleaning and replacing worn-out shaft seal rings, leading to potential leaks and increased maintenance costs due to restricted space and unbalanced loadings.
Innovation Solution
A single shaft-sealing module with a carrier, bushing, annular shaft seal rings, and a wave spring that uniformly distributes lateral and axial loadings, allowing for easy replacement and maintenance by integrating all components into a single detachable unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple stacked shaft seal rings are used to prevent gaps between shaft and valve body, then sealing reliability is improved, but lateral loading distribution becomes unbalanced affecting sealing effect
Solution Approach 1:
A loading balance member (spring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the shaft seal rings and the valve body. This spring absorbs and distributes the lateral loads uniformly across all shaft seal rings, preventing the unbalanced loading distribution that would otherwise occur with multiple stacked rings. The spring acts as a mediator that transforms the contact forces between the shaft and valve body into balanced compressive forces on the seal rings.
2Stability of the object's composition
If shaft seal rings are made of materials with lower rigidity and smaller thermal expansion coefficients, then resistance to thermal expansion and contraction is improved, but material selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft seal rings are constructed from composite materials combining organic materials (such as graphite, PTFE, or other polymer matrices) with metal reinforcement (such as stainless steel wire mesh or fabric). This composite structure provides the desired low thermal expansion coefficient and appropriate rigidity while allowing for material selection flexibility. The metal reinforcement enhances structural stability while the organic matrix provides low friction and corrosion resistance.
3Reliability
If shaft seal groove is designed as restricted space to accommodate seal rings, then sealing function is achieved, but maintenance and replacement become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft seal assembly is segmented into modular components: the shaft seal rings, the loading balance member (spring), and the retaining structure. This segmentation allows the seal rings to be independently replaced without removing the entire valve assembly. The modular design enables technicians to access and service the sealing components through the existing valve structure, significantly improving maintenance accessibility while maintaining effective sealing.
4Ease of operation
If disc springs are used to balance lateral loadings, then loading distribution is improved, but axial loading balance between inner and outer rings is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The loading balance member is designed with specific geometric parameters and material properties to simultaneously balance both lateral and axial loadings. By adjusting the spring's wire diameter, coil diameter, number of active coils, and material modulus, the spring can be tuned to provide optimal load distribution in both lateral and axial directions. This parameter optimization allows the single spring design to outperform disc springs in achieving comprehensive loading balance.
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 effectively balances loadings on the shaft seal rings, prevents gaps between the shaft and valve body, and simplifies maintenance by allowing all components to be removed and replaced in a single operation, reducing leakage and maintenance time.
Implementation Method 1
a first annular wave spring seated on the first annular shaft ring... the first annular wave spring and the second annular shaft ring sequentially stacked on the bushing... uniformly distributes lateral and axial loadings
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid valve with a single shaft-sealing module is disclosed. The single shaft-sealing module allows the annular shaft sealing rings to be squeezed to slightly deform to prevent gaps being formed between the shaft and the inner surface of the valve body, and facilitates easy clean and/or replacement of the worn shaft sealing rings.