Undersea Hydraulic Coupling Seals for Pressure-Driven Leak Tightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing undersea hydraulic couplings face challenges in maintaining a fluid-tight seal, especially under varying pressure conditions, due to misalignment or pressure fluctuations, which can lead to leakage and reduced sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple pressure-energized metal seals configured to respond to both internal hydraulic fluid pressure and external hydrostatic pressure, utilizing a seal cartridge with C-seals and T-shaped seal supports, ensures a robust and adaptive sealing mechanism between the female coupling member and the male probe, enhancing sealing effectiveness across different pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pressure-energized metal seals are implemented to respond to both internal hydraulic fluid pressure and external hydrostatic pressure, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent C-seals (at least two) positioned at different locations within the female coupling member. Each seal operates independently to seal against the male probe, allowing the system to maintain sealing effectiveness under varying pressure conditions without requiring a single complex sealing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The C-seals are nested within the female coupling member body, with each seal positioned in its own sealing chamber. The seals are arranged concentrically along the axial direction, creating a compact nested structure that accommodates multiple sealing elements within the confined space of the coupling member while maintaining individual functionality
2Reliability
If pressure-energized metal seals are used to adapt to pressure fluctuations, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The C-seals are pre-installed into the female coupling member during manufacturing, positioned in their final operational locations within the sealing chambers. This preliminary installation ensures proper alignment and seating of the seals before the coupling is put into service, eliminating the need for complex field installation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-energized C-seals automatically adjust their sealing force in response to internal hydraulic fluid pressure and external hydrostatic pressure without requiring external control mechanisms. The seals self-regulate to maintain sealing effectiveness under varying pressure conditions, reducing the need for complex control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple C-seals are positioned at different radial locations, then adaptability to misalignment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
C-seals are positioned at different radial locations within the female coupling member, with each seal targeted to engage with specific portions of the male probe. This localized sealing arrangement allows different regions of the coupling interface to be sealed independently, providing tolerance to misalignment without requiring the entire sealing system to be perfectly aligned
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing strategy transitions from a single radial sealing location to multiple radial locations, adding a radial dimension to the sealing architecture. This multi-radial positioning creates redundant sealing paths that can accommodate misalignment in the axial and angular directions
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 solution significantly improves the sealing effectiveness by utilizing pressure-energized metal seals that adapt to both internal and external pressures, reducing leakage and ensuring a reliable fluid-tight seal, even under conditions of misalignment or pressure changes.
Implementation Method 1
pressure-energized metal seals configured to respond to both internal hydraulic fluid pressure and external hydrostatic pressure
Implementation Method 2
pressure-energized metal seals configured to respond to both internal hydraulic fluid pressure and external hydrostatic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A female undersea hydraulic coupling member is equipped with a plurality of pressure-energized metal seals configured to seal between the body of the female member and the probe of a corresponding male hydraulic coupling member in response to ambient hydrostatic pressure and/or hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure-energized metal seals may also be provided to seal between the body of the female coupling member and a removable seal retainer or seal cartridge. In one particular preferred embodiment, the pressure-energized seals are back-to-back metal C-seals separated by annular seal supports having a generally T-shaped cross section and retained on one or more shoulders in the body of the female member by a removable seal cartridge.