Annular Seal with Trapezoidal Cross-Section for Probe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard seals, such as o-rings, often fail to fit the geometry of interfaces between temperature probes and housing components, leading to coolant fluid leakage in automotive and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
An annular seal with radially inward- and outward-facing sealing portions of differing heights, a vertical-loading portion, and a sloped deformation portion, which can bow outward under compression, is designed to fit around cylindrical probes and bore interfaces, including a pressure-increasing feature like a bulbous protrusion, to prevent fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard seals (e.g., o-rings) are used, then the sealing structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but they fail to fit the existing geometry and cannot prevent fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple functional segments: a radially inward-facing sealing portion with a first contact height, a radially outward-facing sealing portion with a second contact height, a vertical-loading portion, and a sloped deformation portion. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function while collectively solving the geometry-fit problem that standard unified seals cannot address.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal employs asymmetric geometry with the first contact height being greater than the second contact height (in some embodiments, at least twice as great). This asymmetry enables the seal to fit the non-circular or irregular geometry of the probe-housing interface, preventing fluid leakage where symmetric standard seals fail.
2Reliability
If the seal has differing contact heights to fit geometry, then sealing effectiveness improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the seal have different contact heights tailored to their specific functions: the radially inward-facing portion has a greater contact height to seal against the probe surface, while the radially outward-facing portion has a lesser contact height to seal against the housing bore. This local differentiation optimizes sealing at each interface without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing throughout the entire seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design incorporates a sloped deformation portion that allows the seal to change its shape parameters under compression. This deformation capability provides tolerance compensation, reducing the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances while maintaining effective sealing contact heights.
3Ease of operation
If the vertical-loading portion is added to interface with the probe, then installation ease improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical-loading portion is designed to interface with the probe and apply preliminary compressive force during installation, urging the seal into the bore and establishing initial contact with the sealing surfaces. This preliminary action facilitates proper seal seating without requiring complex installation tools or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical-loading portion is merged with the sloped deformation portion and the radially inward-facing sealing portion to form an integrated seal structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate installation components while maintaining the installation ease benefits of the vertical-loading feature.
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 annular seal effectively prevents fluid flow between probes and bore interfaces by accommodating varying geometries and applying even pressure distribution, ensuring robust sealing and compatibility with high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation portion may be configured to bow outward when a radial compression load is applied to the seal
Implementation Method 2
The vertical-loading portion may be configured to interface with a portion of the cylindrical probe, and such contact may be used to urge the seal into a portion of the bore during installation
Implementation Method 3
the seal may include a pressure-increasing feature on the inward-facing portion. Such a feature may include a bulbous protrusion that may be opposite the outward-facing sealing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An annular seal for sealing between a cylindrical probe and a bore includes a radially inward-facing sealing portion having a first contact height, a radially outward-facing sealing portion having a second contact height, where the first contact height is greater than the second contact height. The seal further includes a vertical-loading portion, and a sloped deformation portion that extends between the vertical-loading portion and the radially outward-facing sealing portion.