Slide Ring Seal Groove Layout for Fast Startup Pressure Build-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical seals face challenges in quickly lifting sliding surfaces from a standstill, especially at low speeds, leading to potential leakage during startup, particularly when sealing gaseous media under high pressures.
Innovation Solution
The mechanical seal design features rotating and stationary rings with specific groove arrangements, including first and second rows of grooves with varying radii and depths, forming sealing dams and pressure fields that build up quickly, minimizing leakage even at low speeds and high pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveying grooves are provided in only one seal ring, then the structure is simple, but the pressure buildup is insufficient and leakage occurs during startup
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying grooves are segmented into multiple rows (first row with grooves at first radius, second row with grooves at second radius greater than first radius) arranged radially. This segmentation creates multiple pressure buildup zones that work together to achieve rapid and reliable sealing during startup while maintaining a manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The groove arrangement extends from a single radial position to multiple radial positions (first radius and second radius), adding a radial dimension to the pressure buildup process. This multi-radial arrangement creates a more effective pressure gradient that rapidly lifts the sliding surfaces during startup
2Reliability
If grooves extend to the outer radial edge, then pressure buildup is maximized, but sealing dam effect is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The groove arrangement exhibits local quality variation: in the radial direction, grooves are positioned at specific radii (first radius and second radius) to maximize pressure buildup, while in the axial direction, grooves do not extend to the outer radial edge to maintain the sealing dam effect. This localized differentiation optimizes both pressure generation and leakage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential sliding areas adjacent to the outer radial edge act as intermediaries between the groove-induced pressure fields and the external environment. These sliding areas form a sealing dam that contains the pressure buildup within the sealing gap while still allowing the grooves to generate sufficient pressure for rapid surface separation
3Reliability
If grooves are arranged at the same radius, then manufacturing is simple, but circumferential pressure field closure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The groove system is segmented into multiple radial positions (first radius and second radius) with each row contributing to different aspects of pressure buildup. This segmentation creates a more robust circumferential pressure field closure that is less sensitive to manufacturing variations compared to a single radial arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric radial positioning of groove rows (first radius and second radius where second radius > first radius) creates an optimized pressure gradient that enhances circumferential field closure. The asymmetric arrangement generates more effective pressure differential across the sealing gap while remaining manufacturable using standard machining processes
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 design enables rapid pressure build-up in the sealing gap, ensuring minimal leakage during startup and maintaining a secure seal across a wide range of pressures, including those exceeding 100 × 10^5 Pa, regardless of rotation direction.
Implementation Method 1
a very rapid pressure buildup at the start of rotation in the sealing gap between the rotating and stationary seal rings
Implementation Method 2
pressure fields can be built up quickly between the sliding surfaces, which in particular form a circumferentially closed pressure field
Implementation Method 3
these two sliding areas adjacent to the outer radial edges form a sealing dam which has a sealing effect, particularly when the mechanical seal is at a standstill
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a slide ring seal comprising a rotating slide ring (2) and a stationary slide ring (3), between which a seal gap (4) is defined. One of the slide rings (2) has at least one first row (11) of a plurality of first grooves (5) with a foot region (50) on a first radius (R1) and a head region (51) on a second radius (R2), a second circumferential sliding region (33) being provided between the head regions of the radially outermost row of grooves of the slide ring (3) and an outer radial edge (31) of the slide ring (2), and the other slide ring of the slide rings (3) has at least one second row (12) of a plurality of second grooves (6) with a foot region (60) on a third radius (R3) and a head region (61) on a fourth radius (R4), a second circumferential sliding region (33) being provided between the head regions of the radially outermost row of grooves of the slide ring (3) and an outer radial edge (31) of the slide ring (3), wherein the first radius (R1) is smaller than the third radius (R3), and the second radius (R2) is smaller than the fourth radius (R4).