Multi-Stepped Sliding Seal Rings for Low-Torque High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding components for high-pressure sealed fluids face issues with excessive depth leading to insufficient buoyancy and lubricity deterioration, while excessive shallowness results in poor lubrication and high-leakage or high-torque problems, especially as pressure increases.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of sliding components with annular mating and seal rings featuring multi-stepped recess portions, where dynamic pressure recess portions generate pressure and static pressure recess portions supply fluid, ensuring reliable dynamic pressure generation without poor lubrication, thereby reducing torque and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dimple depth is increased to improve buoyancy, then sealing performance improves, but lubricity deteriorates and torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple is segmented into two distinct regions: a first region (deeper) for generating dynamic pressure and buoyancy, and a second region (shallower) for maintaining lubrication. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and lubricity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the dimple are assigned different depths to perform different functions. The first region has greater depth for buoyancy generation, while the second region has lesser depth for lubrication maintenance. This local differentiation of quality enables simultaneous optimization of sealing and lubrication properties.
2Ease of operation
If the dimple depth is decreased to improve lubrication, then torque reduces, but buoyancy becomes insufficient and leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple is divided into two functional zones with different depths. The shallower second region ensures adequate lubrication and low torque, while the deeper first region maintains sufficient buoyancy for sealing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing functions across different spatial zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimple structure implements local quality variation where the first region provides deeper fluid retention for sealing reliability, while the second region provides shallower geometry for lubrication effectiveness. This local differentiation simultaneously achieves both sealing and lubrication objectives.
3Ease of operation
If the dimple volume is reduced to generate sufficient dynamic pressure, then torque reduces, but the ability to internally hold sealed fluid declines
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple volume is segmented into two functional portions: the first region with greater volume for fluid storage and holding capability, and the second region with lesser volume for dynamic pressure generation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both low torque through dynamic pressure and reliable sealing through fluid holding capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the dimple are assigned different volume characteristics. The first region has larger volume for fluid retention, while the second region has smaller volume optimized for pressure generation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between dynamic pressure generation and fluid holding capability.
4Reliability
If the dimple depth is optimized for high-pressure sealing, then leakage reduces, but the dimple becomes too shallow for adequate lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The dimple is segmented into a first region with sufficient depth for high-pressure sealing and buoyancy, and a second region with optimized depth for lubrication. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both reliable high-pressure sealing and adequate lubrication simultaneously, resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimple structure implements local quality variation where the first region provides deeper geometry for high-pressure sealing reliability, while the second region provides shallower geometry for lubrication adequacy. This local differentiation simultaneously optimizes both sealing and lubrication for high-pressure applications.
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 results in a low-torque sliding component with minimal high-pressure sealed fluid leakage, effectively balancing sealing and lubrication needs by generating dynamic pressure and maintaining contact surface pressure between sliding surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
When the sliding components rotate relative to each other, the counter-rotation direction side of the dimple has a negative pressure whereas a positive pressure is generated on the rotation direction side. Then, the positive pressure is increased by the wedge action of the end face wall of the dimple that is on the downstream side in the rotation direction, the positive pressure acts as a whole, and large buoyancy is obtained.
Implementation Method 2
the positive pressure acts as a whole, and large buoyancy is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
Low-torque sliding components have sliding surfaces rotated relative to each other with an annular mating ring and an annular seal ring facing each other. The sliding surface of at least one of the mating ring and the seal ring has therein a plurality of multi-stepped recess portions formed in a circumferential direction. Relative rotation and sliding of the mating ring and the seal ring causes the multi-stepped recess portions to generate a dynamic pressure, and the multi-stepped recess portion is formed in a stepwise shape in a cross-sectional view by a dynamic pressure recess portion and a static pressure recess portion with the dynamic pressure recess portion surrounding the static pressure recess portion deeper than the dynamic pressure recess portion.