Sliding Component Seal Ring Fluid Circulation Groove Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical seals face challenges in maintaining sealing and lubrication while preventing deposit generation on sliding faces, especially with the presence of deposit-causing substances like antifreeze additives, which can lead to deterioration over time.
Innovation Solution
A sliding component design featuring a stationary-side seal ring with a fluid circulation groove and a rotating-side seal ring with a larger outer diameter and smaller inner diameter, incorporating grooves for rotational force transmission, where the groove width is less than the groove length, and the WMR/WSR ratio is set between 0.75 and 1.4, creating pressure fluctuations to prevent deposit formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid circulation groove is introduced to promote fluid circulation and prevent deposit generation, then the sealing function is maintained over a long period, but the complexity of the sliding component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding component is segmented into multiple functional zones: the fluid circulation groove is divided into an entrance portion, exit portion, and communication portion, allowing independent optimization of each segment's function while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the groove are designed with different characteristics - the entrance portion receives fluid from the high-pressure side, the communication portion allows circulation, and the exit portion discharges to the high-pressure side, creating local quality variations that prevent deposit formation without requiring complete system redesign
2Force
If the rotating-side seal ring is designed with larger outer diameter and smaller inner diameter to fit grooves for rotational force transmission, then the rotational force transmission is improved, but the sealing area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grooves for rotational force transmission are designed with width smaller than the length between entrance and exit portions of the fluid circulation groove, providing just enough engagement for force transmission while minimizing impact on sealing area
Solution Approach 2:
The WMR/WSR ratio is controlled within 0.75 to 1.4 to optimize the balance between rotational force transmission capability and sealing area, allowing parameter adjustment to achieve both objectives simultaneously
3Force
If grooves are provided on the outer periphery of the rotating-side seal ring for rotational force transmission, then the rotational force transmission is enhanced, but the fluid circulation groove effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The groove width is intentionally made asymmetrically smaller than the length between entrance and exit portions, creating a configuration that prioritizes fluid circulation path continuity while providing sufficient engagement for rotational force transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The groove dimensions are designed to provide partial engagement for rotational force transmission (width smaller than circulation path length), ensuring that fluid circulation is not significantly impeded while still achieving adequate force transmission
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 effectively prevents deposit generation in the fluid circulation groove, maintaining the sealing function over a long period by ensuring constant pressure fluctuations and enhanced pressure differences between the entrance and exit portions, even with deposit-causing substances present.
Implementation Method 1
the pressures at the entrance portion and the exit portion of the fluid circulation groove constantly fluctuate such that one is higher or smaller than the other, and the fluid in the fluid circulation groove repeatedly moves
Implementation Method 2
sliding components such as seal rings or bearings which reduce friction by interposing fluid between sliding faces
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, in a sliding component, a sliding face of a stationary-side seal ring 6 has a fluid circulation groove 10 communicating with a high-pressure fluid side via an entrance portion 10a and an exit portion 10b. A rotating-side seal ring 5 has a larger outer diameter and a smaller inner diameter than the seal ring 6. A groove 15 into which a claw is loosely fitted is provided on an outer periphery of the seal ring 5. A width of the groove 15 is smaller than a distance between the portion 10a and the 10b in the circumferential direction. WMR/WSR is set within a range of 0.75<WMR/WSR<1.4 (WMR is a face width between an inner diameter of the groove 15 and an inner diameter 6b of the sliding face; WSR is a face width of the sliding face).