Undersea Hydraulic Coupling Seal Structure to Prevent Galling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Undersea hydraulic couplings face challenges with improved sealing functionality and reduced drag or galling when the male member enters the female member, as existing seals fail to effectively prevent fluid leakage and withstand the pressures of deep water applications.
Innovation Solution
A female member with a tubular seal and biasing element, featuring inclined shoulders and radial sealing surfaces, is used to securely position and bias the seal, preventing fluid leakage and galling by using a spring ring or flat spring band to counteract implosion risks and ensure proper alignment of the male and female members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional seal is used in the hydraulic coupling, then the structure is simple, but the seal fails to effectively prevent fluid leakage and withstand deep water pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple sealing elements including an outer sealing member, an inner sealing member, and radial sealing surfaces. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific sealing function, improving overall sealing reliability while managing complexity through functional specialization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane seal to a multi-dimensional sealing system with radial sealing surfaces extending inwardly from the inner circumference. This adds a radial dimension to the sealing action, enabling the seal to withstand high pressures from deep water applications while maintaining structural integrity
2Ease of operation
If the male member enters the female member of a coupling, then fluid communication is established, but drag or galling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The seal features a curved inner circumference with radial sealing surfaces that provide a smooth, continuous contact surface. This curvature reduces stress concentration and minimizes galling during insertion, while the tapered configuration guides the male member into proper alignment, reducing drag
Solution Approach 2:
The seal incorporates a tapered configuration where the radial sealing surfaces are angled relative to the axis of the seal. This geometric parameter change reduces the insertion force required by converting axial load into radial sealing pressure, thereby reducing drag and preventing galling during coupling insertion
3Reliability
If a seal is positioned in the recess of the body, then sealing is provided, but the seal may implode under deep water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The seal features localized reinforcement at critical areas, particularly at the inner circumference where radial sealing surfaces extend inwardly. This local quality enhancement provides structural strength exactly where deep water pressure acts most intensely, preventing implosion while maintaining sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties - an elastomeric base material providing flexibility and sealing, reinforced with high-strength structural elements at the inner circumference and radial sealing surfaces. This composite construction enables the seal to withstand deep water pressures without imploding
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 provides enhanced sealing functionality, reduces the risk of galling and fluid leakage, and allows for the use of the coupling in deep water applications without seal implosion, while being reusable and adaptable to existing configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing element is configured to circumferentially bias a portion of the outer surface of the tubular seal toward the cylindrical sidewall of the recess
Implementation Method 2
The ends have second inclined shoulders being inclined toward one another at the through-bore of the tubular seal. The second inclined shoulders are configured to position against the first inclined shoulders of the body
Implementation Method 3
The outer sealing members are configured to seal with the cylindrical sidewall of the recess
Implementation Method 4
The through-bore has an inner surface configured to position against the external surface of the probe inserted therein
Data Source
AI summary
An undersea hydraulic coupling member having a ring-shaped seal with multiple sealing surfaces extending radially inwardly therefrom is disclosed. The multiple sealing surfaces help guide the probe of the male coupling member into the female member without the risk of drag or galling of the receiving chamber or metal seal retained therein. The seal has an interfit with reverse inclined shoulders in the female member to restrain the seal from moving radially inwardly due to vacuum or low pressure. The seal also includes an internal biasing element to restrain the seal from moving radially inwardly during de-mating of the coupling members.