Split Seal Ring Assembly With Flexible Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Split ring seal assemblies face challenges in maintaining radial and axial alignment during assembly, with elastomeric sealing members often expanding into gaps between seal ring halves, interfering with proper alignment and closure.
Innovation Solution
A flexible alignment component is used to advance one or both split seal ring halves radially inward, ensuring contact before elastomeric sealing members are compressed, preventing expansion into gaps and maintaining alignment during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If split ring seal assemblies are used to facilitate installation and repair, then ease of manufacture and ease of repair are improved, but maintaining radial and axial alignment of the ends of split seal ring halves during assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the flexible alignment component in a compressed state before assembly. This component is positioned to advance the split seal ring halves radially inward during the assembly process, ensuring proper alignment is achieved automatically as the components are brought together, rather than requiring precise manual alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing a flexible alignment component that changes its physical state from compressed to relaxed as the assembly progresses. This flexible component (such as a spring or elastomeric element) dynamically adjusts its position and applied force during assembly, maintaining radial and axial alignment of the split seal ring halves as they are brought into their final assembled position.
2Reliability
If elastomeric sealing members are positioned adjacent to split ring halves, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the elastomeric members expand into gaps between split ring halves during assembly, interfering with proper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the flexible alignment component to advance the split seal ring halves radially inward before the elastomeric sealing members are compressed. This preemptive action ensures the seal ring halves are properly aligned and seated in their final positions before the elastomeric members begin to expand, preventing interference with the alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible alignment component performs a preliminary action by positioning and aligning the split seal ring halves during the assembly process before the elastomeric sealing members are fully compressed. This ensures proper radial and axial alignment is established prior to the elastomeric members expanding, eliminating interference with the alignment operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If repeated assembly attempts are made to achieve proper alignment, then alignment precision may be improved, but assembly time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the flexible alignment component to automatically maintain radial and axial alignment of the split seal ring halves during assembly. The component self-adjusts as the assembly progresses, eliminating the need for manual realignment attempts and enabling proper alignment to be achieved in a single assembly operation, thereby improving productivity.
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 flexible alignment component ensures proper alignment and closure of split seal ring halves, reducing the need for repeated assembly attempts and improving the efficiency of the seal assembly process by preventing elastomeric interference.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible alignment component cooperative with the first housing half and configured to shift the first split ring half radially inward
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An improved rotor or stator split ring seal assembly includes a flexible ring-advancing mechanism that advances at least one of the split ring halves radially inward, so that during assembly the split ring halves meet before adjacent elastomeric members, thereby preventing the elastomeric members from expanding between the seal ring halves and interfering with their alignment. The ring-advancing mechanism is flexed as the seal is assembled, thereby allowing the ring halves to be seated in the housing. The ring-advancing mechanism can be removable after assembly or internal to the seal. In various embodiments, the ring-advancing mechanism is a flexible bracket, a coil spring, or a vertical or horizontal leaf spring. Separate, identical ring-advancing mechanisms can be included with each of the housing halves so as to advance the split ring halves symmetrically.