Thermal-Responsive Seal Structure for Low-Cost Gas Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of thermal expansion materials like manganese nitride and zirconium tungstate used in sealing mechanisms for temperature control, such as in compressors and turbines, limits the affordability and effectiveness of sealing performance.

Innovation Solution

A sealing mechanism comprising a combination of rod-like and plate-like members with different linear expansion coefficients, forming a deformed nucleus member that contracts or expands to abut surfaces within a seal groove, providing sealing performance without the need for expensive materials, and potentially including a sealing member to prevent gas leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive thermal expansion materials like manganese nitride and zirconium tungstate are used, then sealing performance at temperature increase is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal expansion parameter by using a composite structure of materials with different linear expansion coefficients. The deformed nucleus member combines a first material (higher expansion coefficient) and second material (lower expansion coefficient) to achieve controlled deformation that presses seal members together at elevated temperatures, providing sealing performance without requiring expensive single-material solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a deformed nucleus member from multiple materials with different thermal expansion properties. This composite structure enables the sealing mechanism to utilize differential thermal expansion to generate sealing force at temperature increase, achieving reliable sealing while avoiding the high cost of specialized expensive materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If tolerance for assembly of horizontal flange surface and seal plate is provided, then ease of assembly is improved, but leakage of fluid occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sealing mechanism adaptive to temperature changes. The deformed nucleus member dynamically adjusts the sealing force based on temperature - at elevated temperatures, the differential thermal expansion causes the member to deform and increase the pressing force on seal members, automatically compensating for assembly tolerances and maintaining sealing performance without requiring tight assembly tolerances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and dimensional parameters of the deformed nucleus member in response to temperature changes. This parameter change enables the sealing mechanism to maintain effective sealing pressure despite assembly tolerances, as the thermal deformation actively compensates for gaps or misalignments between mating surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration effectively reduces gas leakage and maintains sealing performance at temperature increases while using cost-effective materials, ensuring efficient operation and reducing assembly tolerance requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the deformed nucleus member is configured by a combination of a plurality of rod-like members and plate-like members respectively formed from a plurality of materials having different linear expansion coefficients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The deformed nucleus member contracts in at least one direction on a cross-section of the seal groove, along with an increase in temperature of the deformed nucleus member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative thermal expansion: Negative Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11560950B2Sealing mechanism

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

A sealing mechanism including a first seal member, a second seal member arranged so as to face the first seal member, and a deformed nucleus member arranged in a space formed at least partially between the first seal member and the second seal member, and becoming a nucleus of deformation in the sealing mechanism. The deformed nucleus member is configured by a combination of rod-like members and plate-like members respectively formed from a plurality of materials having different linear expansion coefficients, and is fixed to each of the first seal member and the seal member. The deformed nucleus member contracts in at least one direction on a cross-section of the seal groove, along with an increase in temperature of the deformed nucleus member. The first seal member and the second seal member respectively have abutment surfaces abutting on an inner surface of the seal groove or the facing surfaces.