Vacuum Pump Shell Stator Seal Groove for Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum pumps face challenges in providing effective seals due to fluid flow encouraged by pressure differences between the machine and ambient environment, leading to leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A shell stator design with seal grooves featuring biasing means, such as protrusions and indentations, to securely position sealing gaskets, ensuring proper sealing by allowing for expansion and movement of the gasket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used in vacuum pumps, then the structure is simple, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates due to fluid flow encouraged by pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The seal groove is segmented into multiple functional zones: an opening, a body portion, and a closed end. The biasing means is segmented into multiple protrusions distributed along the seal groove. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function - the opening allows gasket insertion, the body portion provides sealing contact, and the closed end prevents gasket displacement, while collectively achieving effective sealing against pressure-driven fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing means consisting of protrusions acts as an intermediary element between the seal groove structure and the sealing gasket. These protrusions apply localized biasing forces to the gasket, ensuring it remains firmly seated against the sealing surfaces despite pressure differences and fluid flow, without requiring complex external sealing mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a tight seal is implemented to prevent leakage, then sealing effectiveness improves, but ease of installation and maintenance of the sealing gasket deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal groove is designed with an opening that is larger than the cross-section of the sealing gasket, allowing the gasket to be preliminarily inserted into the groove before final assembly. The biasing means with protrusions is pre-configured to guide and bias the gasket into its correct seated position, facilitating easy installation without requiring complex tools or procedures, while still achieving a tight seal once installed.
3Reliability
If the sealing gasket is firmly constrained to prevent leakage, then sealing effectiveness improves, but adaptability to expansion and movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing means applies localized constraining forces at specific points where protrusions contact the sealing gasket, rather than uniformly constraining the entire gasket. This localized approach allows the gasket to expand and move in non-constrained areas, accommodating thermal expansion and mechanical movement, while maintaining effective sealing at the critical contact points between the protrusions and the gasket.
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 design effectively seals the vacuum pump, reducing leakage and facilitating easy installation and maintenance of the sealing gasket, while maintaining structural integrity under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The protrusion biases at least part of the sealing gasket towards or into a particular position within the seal groove
Data Source
AI summary
A shell stator (12, 14) for a vacuum pump, the shell stator (12, 14) comprising: a seal groove (50, 52) formed in a surface of the shell stator (12, 14), the seal groove (50, 52) being defined by a first side wall (60), a second side wall (62) opposite to the first side wall (60), and a bottom surface (64) disposed between the first side wall (60) and the second side wall (62), the bottom surface (64) being opposite to an opening of the seal groove (50, 52); wherein the seal groove (50, 52) comprises: a protrusion (68) formed in the first side wall (60) and extending towards the second side wall (62); and an indentation (69) formed in the second side wall (62) opposite to the protrusion (68).