Split Rotary Seal Assembly for Worn Shafts and Radial Runout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary seals fail to maintain a tight seal on worn or degraded shaft surfaces due to inconsistent or damaged surfaces, and they degrade in performance when the shaft rotates non-concentrically within the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A split rotary seal assembly featuring a matrix and energizer that can move and deform to follow radial displacements of the shaft, ensuring a leak-free interface even on uneven surfaces, and an anti-rotational mechanism to prevent the matrix from rotating with the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rotary seal is used, then it can provide a fluid-tight seal on new equipment, but it fails to maintain sealing performance on worn or degraded shaft surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix material properties are changed to provide compliance, allowing it to conform to uneven and degraded shaft surfaces. The matrix is designed with specific material characteristics that enable it to adapt its shape and maintain sealing contact on worn surfaces while preventing fluid leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly uses a composite structure combining the matrix with an energizer component. This composite design allows the matrix to conform to degraded surfaces while the energizer maintains sealing force, achieving reliable sealing on both new and worn shaft surfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the seal is designed to be rigid for structural stability, then it maintains structural integrity, but it cannot follow radial shaft displacements caused by non-concentric rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing the matrix and energizer to move and deform radially in response to shaft runout. This dynamic design enables the seal to follow radial shaft displacements while maintaining structural integrity and sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix is designed as a flexible sealing element that can deform and conform to radial shaft movements. This flexible structure allows the seal to adapt to non-concentric rotation and follow shaft runout while maintaining the sealing interface.
3Reliability
If the matrix is made compliant to conform to uneven shaft surfaces, then it seals worn surfaces effectively, but it may wear excessively due to abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly combines a compliant matrix with an abrasion-resistant energizer. This composite structure allows the matrix to conform to worn surfaces for effective sealing while the energizer provides abrasion resistance to prevent excessive wear and extend service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the matrix are optimized to balance compliance for sealing with abrasion resistance for durability. The matrix is designed with specific material characteristics that enable it to conform to degraded surfaces while maintaining sufficient wear resistance for extended service life.
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 solution effectively maintains a tight seal on both new and worn surfaces, withstands radial runout of the shaft, and prevents excessive wear due to its abrasion-resistant properties, thereby extending the seal's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the matrix and energizer may move and deform. Due to combined movement of energizer and matrix, the matrix follows shaft in radial displacements
Implementation Method 2
an anti-rotational mechanism to prevent the matrix from rotating with the shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a rotary seal assembly (100) for providing sealing on a rotating shaft (502, 1002) or other suitable device. The seal assembly seals against a rotating shaft or other piece of moving equipment to prevent the leakage of fluids. In some embodiments, a split rotary seal assembly employing an energizer (120), housing (130), and a rotational seal element such as a matrix (110) is provided. The energizer energizes the matrix to enhance the sealing properties of the assembly. Furthermore, the matrix conforms to the surface of the shaft, and moves radially with the shaft to provide an effective seal in high wear or runout applications.