Steam Chamber Sealing Ring Structure for Creep-Adaptive Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional U-rings for sealing vapor spaces with different pressures or the environment are costly, have long procurement times, require special processing, and can fail to follow creep deformations, leading to leaks.
Innovation Solution
A sealing component with a ring-shaped or ring-segment-shaped base body and a support structure of parallel cylindrical or tubular elements that connects the end walls, allowing for flexible deformation and additional sealing under pressure, manufactured using additive processes like selective laser melting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional forged U-rings are used for sealing steam spaces, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and procurement time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing component is divided into a base body and an integrated support structure with truss or lattice architecture. This segmentation of the internal structure while maintaining overall integrity enables additive manufacturing production, dramatically reducing procurement time while preserving sealing reliability through the engineered support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing parameter from traditional forging to additive manufacturing. This parameter change enables complex internal support structures to be integrated directly into the sealing component, eliminating the need for separate procurement and assembly steps while maintaining sealing performance.
2Strength
If conventional U-rings are designed with sufficient wall thickness for load-bearing, then mechanical strength is improved, but flexibility to accommodate creep deformations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into a truss or lattice architecture with multiple discrete elements. This segmentation provides load-bearing capacity through the collective strength of individual elements while allowing the overall structure to flex and deform with the base body, accommodating creep deformations that would be impossible in a solid thick-walled design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure combining the base body with an integrated support structure of truss or lattice architecture. This composite design achieves both high mechanical strength from the support elements and high flexibility from the integrated nature of the structure, allowing simultaneous load-bearing and creep accommodation.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional U-rings are individually fitted during overhaul, then sealing precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach from subtractive machining to additive manufacturing. This parameter change eliminates the need for special machining equipment and complex fitting procedures while achieving high sealing precision through the engineered support structure that maintains geometric stability under operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure with truss or lattice architecture can be designed as a disposable or replaceable component that is additively manufactured on-demand. This eliminates the need for expensive special machining equipment and complex fitting procedures, as the component can be directly produced with the required precision through additive manufacturing processes.
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 support structure enhances load-bearing capabilities, reduces wall thickness, and provides a flexible sealing solution that adapts to creep deformations, reducing leak risks and eliminating the need for oversized parts and lengthy procurement times.
Implementation Method 1
the support structure can expand during operation due to the operating pressure, thus providing an additional sealing effect
Implementation Method 2
the U-rings cannot always follow creep deformations of the plant walls where their end faces rest
Implementation Method 3
the end walls of the base body can be considerably more flexible in accommodating even large creep deformations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing component (6), in particular for sealing a steam space from the environment or two steam spaces with different pressures, comprising at least one ring- or ring-segment-shaped base body (7) with a cross-section at least substantially U-shaped, which has two end walls (8) and a shell wall (9) connecting the two end walls (8), wherein a support structure (10) is provided within the base body (7) which connects the two end walls (8) to each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such a sealing component (6).