Spring-Energized Seal Assembly for High-Pressure Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals for high-pressure equipment face challenges in maintaining effective sealing under high pressures while minimizing wear and particle generation due to manufacturing tolerances and excessive contact with shafts.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly design incorporating a spring energized seal and a back-up ring that allows the back-up ring to move radially within the spring energized seal, minimizing contact and wear by incorporating gaps and specific geometric configurations to accommodate shaft movement, thereby reducing particle generation and enhancing sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seals are used for high-pressure equipment, then sealing function is provided, but excessive wear and particle generation occur due to contact with the shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly incorporates dynamic elements including a compressible backup ring that can radially move within the seal jacket, and a spring mechanism that allows the seal to dynamically adjust to shaft movements and pressure changes. This dynamic design reduces contact wear by allowing the seal to flex and accommodate manufacturing tolerances and operational variations rather than maintaining rigid contact with the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the sealing system by introducing a compressible backup ring with specific radial movement capabilities, and using spring elements with defined force characteristics. These parameter changes allow the seal to maintain effective sealing pressure while reducing contact forces that cause wear and particle generation.
2Reliability
If tight tolerances are used to minimize particle generation, then sealing performance improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly applies local quality by creating different functional zones: the backup ring provides radial compliance in one direction, the spring provides axial force in another direction, and the seal jacket provides structural support. This localized functional distribution allows each component to address specific tolerance issues without requiring all components to be manufactured to tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material strategies by combining the backup ring material with the seal jacket material, where each material is optimized for its specific function. The backup ring material is selected for radial compressibility and friction properties, while the jacket material is selected for structural integrity and sealing surface properties, allowing relaxed tolerances through material compensation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the seal structure is made more complex to reduce wear, then wear resistance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the seal jacket, the backup ring, and the spring element. Each segment performs a specific function - the jacket provides structure and sealing surface, the backup ring provides radial compliance and friction reduction, and the spring provides axial sealing force. This segmentation allows wear protection through functional specialization without requiring a single complex component.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup ring is nested within the seal jacket, creating a compact hierarchical structure. The spring element is positioned within the assembly to provide axial force on the seal. This nested arrangement protects the seal from wear through multiple layers of compliance and force distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure that can be manufactured and assembled efficiently.
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 effectively reduces wear and minimizes particle generation, ensuring reliable sealing under high pressures up to 30,000 psi, maintaining alignment and contact with the shaft while allowing for shaft reciprocation.
Implementation Method 1
spring energized seal
Data Source
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AI summary
A seal assembly for high pressure equipment is disclosed and can include a back-up ring having a head and an extension extending from the head. The extension can include an interior surface that extends axially away from and radially inwardly from the head. The seal assembly can also include a spring energized seal having a jacket having a sealing portion with an annular spring disposed within the sealing portion of the jacket. At least a portion of the jacket fits around the extension of the back-up ring and wherein the back-up ring has a minimum inner diameter, IDBUR, the spring energized seal has a minimum inner diameter, IDSES, and IDSES is less than IDBUR.