Split V-Ring Seal Assembly for Adjustable Shaft Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radial surface seals lack a robust and adaptable design for secure attachment and size adjustment, leading to potential disengagement under thermal expansion and varying diameters.
Innovation Solution
The seal assembly features an annular seal body with axially-extending teeth and coupler members having interlocking projections and openings, allowing for adjustable attachment and secure retention around a first member's outer surface, enabling easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a V-ring seal is fabricated in standard sizes to fit specific shaft dimensions, then manufacturing precision and seal effectiveness are improved, but adaptability to varying diameters and thermal expansion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is divided into multiple arcuate segments that can be independently adjusted. Each segment can be positioned to accommodate variations in shaft diameter and thermal expansion, allowing the seal to adapt to different sizes while maintaining manufacturing precision for each individual segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow the seal body to dynamically adapt to changing dimensions. The segments can be repositioned or the seal can be adjusted after installation to accommodate thermal expansion and diameter variations, transforming a static standard-size seal into a dynamic adaptive system.
2Device complexity
If a V-ring seal is designed with fixed attachment methods, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability under thermal expansion and vibration is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into multiple independent attachment points distributed around the seal body. This segmentation allows each attachment point to independently accommodate movement and expansion, maintaining reliable attachment without requiring a complex monolithic attachment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism incorporates adjustable parameters such as movable attachment points or flexible connection elements that can change their position or configuration in response to thermal expansion and vibration, maintaining secure attachment while avoiding excessive structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the seal body is made as a single integral piece, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability for size adjustment and installation flexibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is manufactured as multiple arcuate segments rather than a single integral piece. Each segment can be manufactured using standard processes with high precision, and the segments are then assembled into the complete seal ring, providing both manufacturing simplicity for each component and installation flexibility for the complete assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented design allows the seal to be dynamically assembled and adjusted during installation. The segments can be positioned and secured independently, enabling flexible installation procedures that can accommodate various shaft sizes and installation conditions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for each segment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal assembly includes an annular seal body disposeable 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.