Throttle Ring Grooves and Bores for Dynamic Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piston compressor sealing systems face premature failure due to dynamic pressure components, which cause wear and contamination issues, especially in high-pressure applications like liquefied natural gas (LNG) compression, where existing throttle rings inadequately dampen pulsating pressures and allow foreign bodies to enter the compression chamber.
Innovation Solution
A throttle ring with an axially running surface, radial bores, and circumferential grooves that equalize pressure and trap foreign bodies, preventing wear and contamination by dissipating dynamic pressure components back into the compression chamber through radial channels, ensuring a stable pressure distribution and extended service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional non-contacting throttle rings are used, then frictionless sealing is achieved, but dynamic pressure components are insufficiently damped and foreign bodies can enter the compression chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle ring incorporates a porous structure with multiple radial bores distributed throughout its body, allowing it to dampen dynamic pressure components through the porous matrix while maintaining frictionless operation. The porous structure creates flow resistance that dissipates pressure pulsations without requiring contact with the piston rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle ring is divided into multiple functional zones with radial bores at different positions and orientations, creating segmented flow paths that progressively dampen dynamic pressure. The segmentation of the porous structure into multiple channels increases the damping effect while maintaining overall frictionless sealing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If segmented sealing elements are used, then sealing flexibility is improved, but fracture failure of hose springs or clamping rings occurs due to dynamic pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle ring acts as an intermediary element positioned between the compression chamber and the segmented sealing elements. It dampens dynamic pressure components before they reach the sealing elements, protecting them from fracture failure while allowing the segmented design to maintain its flexibility and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle ring provides beforehand cushioning by dampening dynamic pressure components before they can cause fracture failure in the segmented sealing elements. The porous structure absorbs and dissipates pressure pulsations in advance, protecting the more vulnerable sealing elements downstream.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If frictionless sealing elements are used, then wear is reduced, but sealing effectiveness against dynamic pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle ring utilizes pneumatic principles by employing a porous structure that creates flow resistance and pressure drop across its body. The radial bores and porous matrix harness fluid dynamics to dampen pressure pulsations, achieving effective sealing against dynamic pressure while maintaining frictionless operation and extended service life.
4Productivity
If high compression pressure is achieved, then productivity is improved, but foreign bodies can enter the compression chamber and contaminate the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle ring incorporates local quality variations through radially oriented bores positioned at specific locations to address different contamination risks. The porous structure has varying pore sizes and distributions in different regions, providing enhanced filtration where foreign body entry is most likely while maintaining overall high compression pressure capability.
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 throttle ring effectively seals dynamic pressure, prevents foreign body entry, and maintains compressor purity, enabling high-pressure compression without lubricant contamination, suitable for dry-running compressors and LNG applications, achieving up to 1000 bar pressure without reducing service life.
Implementation Method 1
Through the at least one radial bore, the radially inner running surface and the radially outer circumferential surface of the throttle ring are in fluid communication
Implementation Method 2
which equalize pressure and trap foreign bodies, preventing wear and contamination by dissipating dynamic pressure components back into the compression chamber through radial channels
Implementation Method 3
A throttle ring with an axially running surface, radial bores, and circumferential grooves that equalize pressure and trap foreign bodies
Data Source
AI summary
Throttle ring for a piston compressor, the throttle ring comprising an axially running ring axis (Ar), an axial height (h), a radially inner running surface and a radially outer circumferential surface, and an upper flank and a lower flank, wherein the upper flank faces the compression space of the piston compressor when the throttle ring is in intended use. The running surface has at least one circumferential groove in the circulating direction, which is connected to the radially outer circumferential surface by at least one radial bore.