Sliding Component Dimples Stabilize Gas-Liquid Phase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding components in mechanical seals face challenges in stabilizing the liquid and gas phases formed between rotating surfaces, leading to unstable behavior and increased friction due to the lack of a mechanism to retain and stabilize the lubricating film, which affects sealing performance and leakage prevention.
Innovation Solution
The sliding component features a plurality of dimples arrayed on the sliding surface, with acute edge portions, positioned to form a gas phase that blocks the liquid phase movement, creating a stable lubricating film and preventing leakage by forming an annular or spiral gas phase that retains the liquid phase, thereby enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a smooth sliding surface is used, then the sealing device can operate with simple structure, but the liquid and gas phases formed between sliding surfaces exhibit unstable behavior leading to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is modified with dimples at specific locations rather than changing the entire surface. The dimples create localized gas phase regions that stabilize the liquid-gas phase distribution without altering the overall simple structure of the sliding surface
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding surface is segmented into regions with dimples and regions without dimples. This segmentation allows the gas phase to be positioned in specific areas, creating stable liquid and gas phase distribution while maintaining operational simplicity
2Stability of the object's composition
If dimples are provided on the sliding surface to improve lubrication, then the lubricating film stability is improved, but the sealing performance is degraded due to leakage of sealed fluid
Solution Approach 1:
Dimples are provided only in specific regions of the sliding surface rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized approach allows lubricating film stability to be improved in regions where dimples are present while maintaining sealing performance in regions without dimples
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding surface is divided into a lubrication region with dimples and a sealing region without dimples. This segmentation enables the lubricating film to be stabilized where needed while preventing leakage paths that would degrade sealing performance
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 stabilizes the liquid and gas phases, reduces friction, and effectively prevents leakage by maintaining a stable lubricating film, improving the mechanical seal's performance and reducing abrasion.
Implementation Method 1
a phase by cavitation generated in the fluid are formed between the sliding surfaces
Implementation Method 2
a fluid lubricating film be formed between sliding surfaces of the two components by the sealed fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the invention provides a sliding component in which a phase made of liquid and a phase made of gas, which are formed in a sliding portion, are stabilized. A sliding component constitutes one of two sliding components that rotate relatively, and planar end faces of the two sliding component slide on each other. In the sliding component, a plurality of dimples is arrayed in a sliding surface such that, in a phase made of liquid and a phase made of gas, the phase made of the gas is positioned when the two components rotate relatively. The phase made of the liquid and the phase made of the gas are formed so as to revolve about rotation centers of sliding portions of the two components.