Spring-Energized Seal Assembly for Cleanable Contaminant Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary and oscillating seals face challenges in maintaining dynamic sealing while preventing dust, debris, and contaminants from accumulating, particularly in configurations like canted coil spring energized seals, which complicate cleanability.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly comprising a sealing component with two flanges defining a seal cavity, a cover flange, and a spring energizer, such as a canted coil or V-spring, that biases the flanges to create a load on seal lips for sealing, with flange overhangs providing protection from contaminants and allowing for easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If canted coil spring energized seals are used in axial face seal configuration, then sealing capability is improved, but cleanability deteriorates and contaminants can accumulate in the seal cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional seal design by positioning the spring energizer externally rather than internally within the seal cavity. This inversion allows the seal cavity to be fully enclosed and accessible for cleaning, while the external spring maintains sealing pressure on the seal lips without creating contamination traps
Solution Approach 2:
The spring energizer is extracted from the seal cavity and positioned externally. This removal eliminates the primary source of contamination accumulation while preserving the sealing function through external spring pressure applied to the seal lips
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal cavity is enclosed to protect from contaminants, then protection is improved, but access for cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: an enclosed seal cavity that protects sealing surfaces from contaminants, and an external spring energizer zone that provides maintenance access. The cover flange creates a sealed environment for the cavity while leaving the spring accessible from the exterior
Solution Approach 2:
The cover flange acts as an intermediary element that encloses the seal cavity to protect from contaminants while allowing the spring energizer to remain externally accessible. It mediates between the need for protection and the need for maintenance access
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 assembly effectively maintains sealing between moving parts while preventing contamination and facilitating cleaning, ensuring reliable operation in dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
a spring energizer positioned within said seal cavity for biasing the two sealing flanges away from one another to provide a load onto said seal lips
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal assembly can include a sealing component and a spring energizer located within a seal cavity or spring cavity of the sealing component. The sealing component provides an exterior surface for providing protection of the seal cavity and spring energizer from an external or contaminated environment, such as the atmosphere. The sealing component can have two distinct first and second sealing points. Each distinct first sealing point can have two discrete first sealing points and each second sealing point can have two discrete second sealing points. Part of the spring energizer can extend externally of the sealing component.