Spectacle-Shaped O-Ring Sealing for Side Channel Blower Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard O-ring seals are inadequate for complex shape applications in side channel blowers, leading to potential fluid leakage due to discontinuities and gaps in sealing, especially when dealing with high temperature and pressure conditions and axial offset ports.
Innovation Solution
A spectacle-shaped O-ring arrangement comprising a main circular O-ring with two smaller O-rings connected by a U-shaped bridge, forming a unitary seal that encircles the blower channel and ports, ensuring a continuous and gap-free seal with a deformable resilient material like rubber or elastomer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard ring-shaped O-rings are used for sealing, then the sealing structure is simple, but the sealing effectiveness is insufficient due to discontinuities and gaps in complex shape applications
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring is divided into three separate ring segments: a first ring segment for sealing the first casing element, a second ring segment for sealing the second casing element, and a third ring segment bridging between them. Each segment is independently formed and then assembled together, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific sealing location while maintaining overall sealing continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The three separate ring segments are joined together through interference fitting and frictional engagement to form a unified, continuous sealing structure. The segments are positioned adjacent to one another without gaps, creating an integrated seal that combines the sealing capabilities of multiple segments into a single functional unit.
2Reliability
If multiple separate O-rings are used to seal different ports, then each port can be sealed independently, but gaps or discontinuities appear between the sealing rings allowing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into three distinct ring portions, each responsible for sealing a specific region (first casing element, second casing element, and bridging region). This segmentation allows each ring to be manufactured independently with precise dimensions tailored to its specific sealing location.
Solution Approach 2:
The third ring segment acts as an intermediary element that bridges between the first and second ring segments. It fills the gap that would otherwise exist between separate O-rings, ensuring continuous sealing across the entire assembly interface while maintaining the independence of each sealing zone.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the O-ring shape is adapted to complex sealing surfaces, then sealing coverage is improved, but the O-ring design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each ring segment is designed with local quality optimized for its specific sealing location. The first ring segment has dimensions and cross-sectional area suited for sealing the first casing element, the second ring segment is optimized for the second casing element, and the third ring segment is designed for the bridging region. This localized optimization allows each segment to adapt to its specific sealing surface without requiring a uniformly complex design throughout.
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
The spectacle-shaped O-ring provides a continuous, adaptable, and air-tight seal with reduced leakage, maintaining efficiency and integrity under high temperature and pressure conditions, even with axial offset ports, and allows for self-adjustment during assembly and thermal deformations.
Implementation Method 1
comprised of three closed rings... made of a deformable resilient material like rubber or elastomer
Implementation Method 2
allows for self-adjustment during assembly and thermal deformations
Data Source
AI summary
An O-ring and a side channel blower employing an O-ring for providing a gap-free, air-tight seal of the blower channel and side-by-side pressure and vacuum ports. The O-ring includes a generally circular, main O-ring have two free ends for sealing a majority of the blower impeller channel, and two relatively smaller O-rings, each of which is attached to an opposite one of the free ends of the main O-ring and are spaced apart in a side-by-side manner and are connected to one another by a bridge member. The small O-rings are configured and dimensioned so that one of the small O-rings serves to seal the vacuum port of the blower and that the other of the small O-rings serves to seal the pressure port of the blower, with the two small O-rings and bridge member and free ends of the main O-ring arranged to create a generally spectacle-like shape.