Reinforced Tapered Sealing Ring for Misaligned Flange Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing solutions, such as flat gaskets, are difficult to use in applications with guide claws due to the need for manual handling and are sensitive to positioning, leading to potential pump sticking and inadequate sealing, especially when the pump is lowered at an angle.
Innovation Solution
A sealing ring with a tapering wall member made from a resilient material, featuring a frusto-conical shape and a reinforcement member, which provides a fluid seal between flanges and is designed to be less sensitive to the position of the guide claw relative to the base, ensuring reliable sealing without manual compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ordinary flat gasket is used for sealing between flanges, then the sealing function can be provided, but the system requires manual handling and positioning of both parts and gasket, increasing device complexity and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed to automatically position itself between the flanges during the lowering operation. The guide claw guides the sealing ring into the correct position without requiring manual intervention, and the resilient material allows the sealing ring to self-adjust to achieve proper sealing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides sealing, is guided by the guide claw for automatic positioning, and incorporates a reinforcement member for structural stability. This integration eliminates the need for separate manual handling of the gasket and positioning mechanisms.
2Reliability
If an ordinary flat gasket is used for sealing, then sealing can be achieved, but the system becomes sensitive to positioning of the guide claw relative to the base, leading to potential pump sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring incorporates a reinforcement member that changes the mechanical parameters of the sealing structure. This reinforcement provides radial stability and prevents excessive deformation, allowing the sealing to function reliably even when the guide claw positioning varies within certain tolerances during the lowering operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient material of the sealing ring provides a cushioning effect that compensates for positioning variations. The material's elasticity allows the sealing ring to absorb minor misalignments and still achieve adequate sealing contact, preventing pump sticking even when the guide claw is not perfectly positioned.
3Reliability
If compression is applied to an ordinary flat gasket to ensure tight sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the pump must be lowered at a specific angle and turned into position, increasing complexity of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring transitions from a static, compression-dependent sealing mechanism to a dynamic system where the resilient material continuously adapts to the contact surfaces during lowering. The guide claw dynamically guides the sealing ring into position, and the resilient material dynamically adjusts to achieve sealing without requiring precise angular positioning or manual compression actions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a gasket with reinforcement member is used, then structural stability improves, but the device complexity increases compared to an ordinary flat gasket
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring uses a thin-walled resilient material structure that provides flexibility and conformability to the sealing surfaces. This flexible shell design achieves adequate structural stability through the material's inherent elasticity and the geometric configuration, avoiding the need for bulky reinforcement structures while maintaining sufficient rigidity for the application.
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 sealing ring effectively maintains a fluid seal between flanges, reducing the risk of pump sticking and ensuring reliable operation even when the pump is lowered at an angle, with the reinforcement member enhancing mechanical stability and resistance to radial forces.
Implementation Method 1
the tapering wall member being made from a resilient material proving an axial deflection of the tapering wall member when exposed to an axial force
Implementation Method 2
with the reinforcement member enhancing mechanical stability and resistance to radial forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A sealing ring (31) for providing a fluid seal between a first flange (32) and a second flange (33), the sealing ring (31) forms a tubular element and comprises - a tapering wall member defining an interior funnel-shaped through-going opening extending axially and tapering from a proximal end to a distal end, the tapering wall member being made from a resilient material proving an axial deflection of the tapering wall member when exposed to an axial force; - a first abutment surface provided at the proximal end for providing a fluid seal when abutting a surface of one of the flanges (32, 33); - a second abutment surface provided at the distal end for providing a fluid seal when abutting a surface of another one of the flanges (32, 33); - a reinforcement member made from a stiffer material than the material of the tapering wall member and being shaped as a closed ring-shaped element with an axial extension being smaller than the axial distance between the proximal end and the distal end , said reinforcement member being arranged in or on the tapering wall member at an axial position between proximal end and the distal end so as to limit or prevent outward or inward deflection of at least a part of the tapering wall member when a pressure difference is applied across the tapering wall member.