Split Seal with Inclined Surface for Bidirectional Flanged Joint Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing systems for flanged joints in gas turbine engines are inadequate as they provide unidirectional sealing, allowing fluid leakage through other directions and rely on oil pressure to maintain the seal's position, leading to wasteful losses and reduced working fluid pressure.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system comprising a split seal with a radial and axial outer surface and a chamfered surface inclined to both, combined with a spring that applies axial and radial forces to ensure sealing in multiple directions, eliminating the need for oil pressure to maintain the seal's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sealing system is used for flanged joints, then the seal position is maintained by oil pressure, but fluid leakage occurs in directions other than the sealed direction and working fluid pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple sealing surfaces (radial outer surface and axial outer surface) that can independently seal different directions. The spring is segmented into multiple active coils that can independently apply sealing force in different directions, allowing bidirectional sealing without relying on oil pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different surfaces of the seal are designed with different geometries and properties. The radial outer surface seals radially against the flange, while the axial outer surface seals axially against the other flange. The chamfered surface provides a specific contact area for the spring to apply force, creating localized sealing zones with optimized properties for each direction.
2Device complexity
If a unidirectional seal is used, then the sealing mechanism is simple, but fluid leakage occurs through other directions
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring is designed to perform multiple sealing functions simultaneously. It provides both radial sealing against the first flange and axial sealing against the second flange, eliminating the need for separate seals for different directions. The spring provides both axial and radial sealing forces through its interaction with the chamfered surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing approach transitions from unidirectional to bidirectional by adding sealing capability in a second dimension. The radial outer surface provides sealing in the radial direction, while the axial outer surface provides sealing in the axial direction, creating a two-dimensional sealing system that prevents leakage in multiple directions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If oil pressure is used to maintain seal position, then the seal remains in place, but fluid losses increase and working fluid pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides self-service by automatically maintaining the seal in the correct position through its inherent elastic force. The spring expands to push the seal against the flanges, eliminating the need for external oil pressure to maintain seal position. This self-actuating mechanism ensures stable seal positioning without consuming working fluid pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system (oil pressure) is replaced with a mechanical system (spring). The spring's elastic mechanical force substitutes for the hydraulic pressure that was previously required to maintain seal position. This substitution eliminates the need for fluid pressure to actuate the seal, reducing fluid losses and preserving working fluid pressure.
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 restricts fluid leakage in both directions across the flanged joint, reducing fluid losses, operating costs, and the need for frequent fluid replenishment, while enhancing productivity and profitability by providing a more reliable and leak-proof sealing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed in urging contact with the chamfered surface and configured to apply an axial force, and a radial force
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing system is provided for a flanged joint. The sealing system includes a split seal and a spring. The split seal includes a radial outer surface, an axial outer surface, and a chamfered surface inclined with respect to the radial outer surface and the axial outer surface. The spring is disposed in urging contact with the chamfered surface and configured to apply an axial force, and a radial force on the axial outer surface, and the radial outer surface respectively.