Liquid Composite Spring Seal Structure for Pull-Out Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sealing mechanisms for liquid composite springs in wind turbine generators suffer from poor sealing performance due to the loosening or pulling out of pressure elastic membranes, leading to reduced stiffness and increased maintenance costs, especially in remote and hard-to-reach locations.
Innovation Solution
A sealing member with a pressure elastic membrane featuring a lip portion with triangular projections and a reinforcing steel ring, which forms a self-sealing structure by pressing into a clamping recess, providing multiple sealing points and enhanced pulling-out resistance to prevent sealing failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a T-shaped sealing structure with a lip portion is used to seal the pressure elastic membrane, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sealing performance deteriorates under high pulling forces as the lip portion loosens or pulls out
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member uses a composite structure combining rubber material for the pressure elastic membrane with a steel ring reinforcement embedded in the lip portion. This composite design maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving pulling-out resistance and sealing reliability under high forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The steel ring is specifically embedded only in the lip portion where pulling forces are concentrated, rather than throughout the entire pressure elastic membrane. This localized reinforcement maintains simplicity elsewhere while providing enhanced sealing performance at the critical sealing interface.
2Area of stationary object
If the pressure elastic membrane volume is increased to improve sealing coverage, then the sealing area is improved, but the pulling force at the sealing location increases causing lip portion loosening
Solution Approach 1:
The steel ring reinforcement in the lip portion provides high tensile strength to counteract the increased pulling forces generated by larger pressure elastic membrane volumes, enabling extended sealing coverage without compromising sealing integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional sealing structures are used in remote wind turbine locations, then installation is straightforward, but maintenance and repair are inconvenient and expensive when sealing failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is designed as a robust, reinforcement-enhanced component that prevents sealing failures through its steel ring strengthened lip portion. This preventive design approach eliminates the need for costly and difficult maintenance operations in remote wind turbine locations, effectively making the sealing system maintenance-free for its service life.
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 proposed sealing member ensures reliable sealing performance even under high pulling forces, maintaining the structural integrity and stiffness of the gearbox while reducing maintenance costs by preventing sealing failures.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing member comprises a base plate; a pressure plate arranged on the base plate; and a pressure elastic membrane provided in the liquid accommodating chamber
Implementation Method 2
the lip portion is pressed in the clamping recess to seal the liquid accommodating chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Disclosed herewith a sealing member for a liquid composite spring. The spring includes an elastic member having a liquid accommodating chamber. The sealing member comprises: a base plate, a pressure plate, and a pressure elastic membrane provided in the liquid accommodating chamber. The pressure elastic membrane has a lip portion radially extending from an end portion of the pressure elastic membrane. The lip portion is provided with a projection. The pressure plate and the base plate define a clamping recess together. The lip portion is pressed in the clamping recess to seal the liquid accommodating chamber.