Split V-Ring Seal Assembly for Adjustable Diameter Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radial surface seals lack a robust and adaptable design for secure sealing between members with varying diameters, often requiring multiple standard sizes and struggling with retention and durability under circumferential stresses.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly featuring an annular seal body with axially-extending teeth and coupler members, where the coupler members are attached to form interlocking interfaces to securely couple the seal body with the first member, allowing for adjustable diameters and enhanced stress resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple standard sizes of seals are used to fit different shaft sizes, then adaptability to various diameters is improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into a seal body and separate coupler members that can be attached at different positions. This segmentation allows the same seal body to be adapted to different shaft diameters by simply repositioning the couplers, eliminating the need for multiple standardized seal sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler members are positioned adjustably around the seal body circumference, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the seal assembly to fit different diameters. The couplers can be attached at various angular positions to accommodate varying shaft sizes without changing the fundamental seal body design.
2Ease of manufacture
If an integral seal body is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different diameters and retention under circumferential stress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into the seal body and separate coupler members. This allows the seal body to be manufactured as a simple, standardized component while the couplers provide the diameter adaptation capability, combining manufacturing simplicity with versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal body is designed as a universal component that can work with different shaft diameters when combined with appropriately positioned couplers. The couplers serve multiple functions: securing the seal body, adapting to different diameters, and providing retention under circumferential stress.
3Reliability
If coupler members are added to the seal assembly, then retention under circumferential forces and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler members are pre-formed with attachment features (teeth, interlocking structures) that engage with corresponding features on the seal body. This preliminary design of attachment mechanisms simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces the complexity of achieving reliable retention under circumferential forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly includes an annular seal body disposable about a first member and having an axial sealing lip engageable with the radial surface of a second member, first and second circumferential ends and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of teeth extend outwardly from the outer surface and are spaced circumferentially about a centerline. A first coupler member has teeth disposed between and attached to the teeth of the seal body to form a first attachment interface adjacent to the seal body first end. A second coupler member has teeth disposed between and attached to the teeth of the seal body to form a second attachment interface adjacent to the seal body second end. The first and second coupler members are connected so as to couple the two ends of the seal body and to retain the seal assembly about the first member.