Seal assembly for high pressure single screw compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals in high-pressure single screw compressors face inefficiencies due to the greater pressure differential between discharge and suction cavities, as they rely on metal components that do not wear readily, making it difficult to optimize clearance and potentially leading to damage.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a textured outer surface on a seal body made of thermoplastic or thermoset material, fixedly attached to the main rotor, creating a labyrinthine path between the compressor housing and the seal body, allowing for optimized clearance and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal seals are used between discharge and suction cavities, then the seal can withstand high pressure differential, but the clearance cannot be optimized and wear resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly uses a composite structure combining a metal hub (for strength and pressure resistance) with a polymer seal body (for wear resistance and clearance optimization). This composite material approach allows the seal to withstand high pressure differential while enabling optimized clearance between the seal and housing, resolving the contradiction between pressure resistance and clearance optimization.
2Strength
If metal seals are used, then structural strength is sufficient, but wear resistance is poor leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly combines metal hub (providing structural strength) with polymer seal body (providing wear resistance). The polymer material resists wear against the metal housing surface, significantly extending seal durability while the metal hub maintains sufficient structural strength for high-pressure applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer seal body acts as a flexible element that can maintain optimal clearance and conform to the housing surface, providing continuous contact and wear resistance. This flexible polymer component enhances durability by distributing wear across a larger surface area compared to rigid metal seals.
3Reliability
If clearance between seal and housing is reduced, then seal efficiency improves, but risk of damage increases with metal components
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer seal body replaces metal-to-metal contact with polymer-to-metal contact, allowing for reduced clearance and improved seal efficiency without the high risk of damage associated with metal components. The polymer material is more forgiving and resistant to damage from minor misalignments or debris.
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 seal assembly effectively manages the high pressure differential by allowing adjustable clearance and reducing wear, enhancing the efficiency and durability of the seal in high-pressure single screw compressors.
Implementation Method 1
The textured outer surface creates a labyrinthine path between a compressor housing and the seal body
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly configured for use with a high pressure single screw compressor includes a seal body and at least one attachment structure. The at least one attachment structure fixedly attaches the seal body to the rotor of the compressor, such that the seal body is rotatable along with the rotor. The seal body has a textured outer surface which creates a labyrinthine path between the compressor housing and the seal body.