Sliding Seal Rings with Grooves for Startup Wear
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding components require circumferential velocity to achieve gas lubrication, leading to wear and damage under boundary lubrication conditions before they float, and struggle to maintain compatible sealing and lubrication functions throughout startup and steady operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of fluid introduction grooves and dynamic pressure generation grooves that communicate with specific peripheral edges of the sliding faces, allowing active fluid introduction and centrifugal discharge at low speeds, and dynamic pressure generation at high speeds to maintain fluid lubrication and prevent leakage, with optional materials like silicon carbide and carbon for the seal rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sliding components rely on circumferential velocity to achieve gas lubrication, then gas lubrication state is achieved during steady operation, but wear and damage occur under boundary lubrication conditions during startup before floating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluid (liquid or gas) through grooves on the sliding face before the component reaches operating speed and enters gas lubrication state. This preliminary fluid introduction creates a lubricating film during startup when circumferential velocity is low and boundary lubrication conditions prevail, preventing wear and damage before the component floats into gas lubrication regime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the lubrication parameter by introducing fluid to transition from boundary lubrication to fluid film lubrication during startup. By controlling fluid introduction through grooves, the lubrication state is actively managed rather than passively relying on circumferential velocity, resolving the contradiction between achieving gas lubrication and preventing startup wear
2Reliability
If fluid is introduced to improve lubrication during startup, then lubrication performance is enhanced at low speeds, but fluid leakage may occur during steady operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sliding face into different functional zones by introducing grooves at specific locations. Fluid is introduced through grooves in regions where it provides lubrication benefit, while the structure is designed to discharge or contain fluid in regions where leakage would occur, allowing differentiated control of lubrication and leakage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the sliding face: grooves are provided in specific locations to introduce fluid where lubrication is needed, while other regions are designed to discharge or contain fluid. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of lubrication enhancement and leakage prevention
3Ease of manufacture
If seal rings use conventional materials, then manufacturing is straightforward, but wear resistance and lubrication compatibility are insufficient throughout entire operational period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using silicon carbide for the rotating seal ring and carbon for the stationary seal ring, creating a composite material system. Silicon carbide provides exceptional wear resistance and hardness, while carbon provides self-lubricating properties. This composite approach combines materials with complementary properties to achieve both wear resistance and lubrication compatibility throughout the entire operational period
Solution Approach 2:
The carbon material in the stationary seal ring provides self-lubricating properties, allowing the seal to maintain lubrication without external lubrication systems. The material itself serves the lubrication function, reducing friction and wear during startup and steady operation while maintaining 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 solution enables compatible sealing and lubrication functions throughout the operational period, reducing wear and friction, and preventing fluid leakage by actively introducing and managing fluid flow between the sliding faces, even at low speeds, thus enhancing the performance and longevity of sliding components.
Implementation Method 1
fluid introduction grooves configured to communicate with a first peripheral edge of the sliding face and not to communicate with a second peripheral edge of the sliding face, so that fluid present on a first side of the sliding face is actively introduced into the sliding face in a low-speed rotation state
Implementation Method 2
Fluid introduced into the sliding face through the fluid introduction grooves is discharged by centrifugal force during high-speed rotation of the rotating-side seal ring
Implementation Method 3
dynamic pressure generation grooves configured to communicate with the second peripheral edge of the sliding face and not to communicate with the first peripheral edge of the sliding face, so that in a high-speed rotation state of the rotating-side seal ring, fluid present on a second side of the sliding face is sucked, generating dynamic pressure
Implementation Method 4
introducing fluid (e.g. gas) from the other side of the sliding faces during steady operation to bring them into a fluid (gas) lubrication state
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
Both conflicting functions of sealing and lubrication of sliding faces are made compatible over an entire period from the time of startup through the time of steady operation. A pair of sliding parts that relatively slide on each other is provided, one of the sliding parts being a stationary-side seal ring, the other of the sliding parts being a rotating-side seal ring, the seal rings each having a sliding face S formed radially for sealing sealed fluid from leaking, at least one of the sliding faces S being provided with fluid introduction grooves 10 configured to communicate with a first peripheral edge of the sliding face S and not to communicate with a second peripheral edge, and being provided with dynamic pressure generation grooves 11 configured to communicate with the second peripheral edge of the sliding face S and not to communicate with the first peripheral edge.