Spoked Rotary Seal for Lightweight Shaft Misalignment Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary shaft seals are costly, large, and heavy, which negatively impacts the operation of the shaft and increases the overall weight of the shaft assembly while failing to provide a cost-effective fluid-tight seal between a rotating shaft and a stationary housing.
Innovation Solution
A rotary seal design featuring a seal body with an inner dynamic member, an outer static member, and a connecting member, along with at least one spoke that allows the inner member to dynamically flex while preventing the outer member from rotating, thereby creating a flexible and rigid seal without adding undue weight or compromising structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shaft seals are used to create a fluid tight seal between shaft and housing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body is divided into multiple segments or lobes (typically three to six) that are flexible and can independently deflect. This segmentation allows the seal to maintain sealing contact with the shaft while using less material, thereby reducing weight while preserving sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal employs a flexible membrane or diaphragm structure that can deflect radially to maintain sealing engagement with the shaft. This flexible thin-walled construction provides effective sealing while significantly reducing the weight and size compared to traditional rigid seal designs.
2Reliability
If traditional shaft seals are used to maintain sealing engagement, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal utilizes elastic deformation and flexible membrane theory to achieve sealing through deflection rather than rigid contact. This parameter-based approach (using flexibility and deflection characteristics) simplifies manufacturing compared to precision-machined traditional seals, reducing production costs while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal body is made flexible to accommodate shaft movement, then adaptability is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented or lobed structure of the seal body allows each segment to deflect independently to accommodate shaft misalignment and movement. This segmentation maintains structural integrity at the segment level while providing overall flexibility for adaptability to various operating conditions.
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 seal effectively seals the area between a rotating shaft and a stationary housing while maintaining structural integrity and reducing weight, offering a cost-effective solution by allowing radial movement without rotational movement, thus limiting breakout torque and accommodating shaft misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting member and the at least one spoke are together configured to allow the inner member to dynamically flex and prevent the outer member from rotating
Implementation Method 2
The at least one spoke is configured to stiffen the seal body
Data Source
AI summary
A seal for sealing a shaft, the seal including a seal body having an inner member, an outer member, and a connecting member connecting the inner member and the outer member. The seal also includes at least one spoke connected to the seal body. The at least one spoke is configured to stiffen the seal body.