Spring-Energized Seal Assembly for Cleanable Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals for rotary and oscillating applications face challenges in maintaining dynamic sealing while preventing contamination accumulation and facilitating easy cleaning, particularly in configurations with canted coil spring energized seals.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly design featuring a sealing component with flange overhangs and a spring energizer, such as a canted coil spring, that provides a load to seal lips for effective sealing and protects the seal cavity from contaminants, allowing for easy cleaning without a backing ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a canted coil spring energized seal with inward or outward facing seal cavity is used, then sealing force is provided to seal lips, but dust and debris can accumulate in the seal cavity making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional seal cavity orientation by positioning the seal cavity and spring energizer on the external surface of the seal assembly rather than internally. This allows direct access to the cavity for cleaning operations while maintaining the sealing function through the seal lips pressing against the mating surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spring energizer and seal cavity from the internal structure and positions them externally on the seal assembly. This separation allows the sealing function to be maintained while enabling easy access to the cavity for cleaning and maintenance operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flange overhangs are added to cover the seal cavity and spring energizer, then contamination is prevented from entering the cavity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange overhangs serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the external seal cavity, protect the cavity from contamination, and maintain the overall structural integrity of the seal assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective cover function with the structural flange design by extending the flange to create overhangs that naturally shield the seal cavity. This integration eliminates the need for separate protective covers or shields.
3Force
If the spring energizer is positioned within the seal cavity, then sealing pressure is maintained, but the seal assembly cannot be easily cleaned by pressurized gas or manual scrubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the spring energizer externally on the seal assembly rather than internally within the seal cavity. This allows pressurized gas or manual cleaning tools to access and clean the entire seal surface including the spring energizer area, while the seal lips maintain sealing pressure against the mating surface.
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 design ensures effective sealing against angled surfaces, prevents contamination entry, and allows for easy cleaning, enhancing the durability and reliability of the seal assembly.
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
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.