Variable Compressibility Gaskets for Non-Uniform Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaskets fail to provide a reliable seal on non-uniform surfaces, require high pressures, and are prone to material creep and displacement, especially under thermal cycling, due to their uniform thickness and composition.
Innovation Solution
A gasket with compressible material and a plurality of cavities on its sealing surfaces, allowing for increased compressibility and reduced pressure requirements, which helps in sealing non-uniform surfaces without displacement and maintains effectiveness after thermal cycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional uniform gaskets are used, then manufacturing is simple, but sealing reliability on non-uniform surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket incorporates regions of different compressibility within its structure. Specifically, it has a first region with higher compressibility and a second region with lower compressibility, allowing different parts of the gasket to adapt to different surface conditions. This local differentiation enables reliable sealing on non-uniform surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers or regions having different material properties. The composite design combines materials or structural configurations with varying compressibility characteristics, enabling the gasket to simultaneously provide conformability to non-uniform surfaces and maintain structural integrity for reliable sealing.
2Force
If high pressure is applied to conventional gaskets, then sealing force is improved, but material creep and displacement worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket uses regions of different compressibility to distribute sealing forces locally. The higher compressibility region can deform more easily to accommodate surface irregularities, while the lower compressibility region maintains structural stability and resists excessive deformation. This local differentiation allows achieving adequate sealing force without applying excessive overall pressure that would cause material creep and displacement.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform compressibility is used, then manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to non-uniform surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is designed with spatially varying compressibility properties, creating zones that can adapt to different surface conditions. The first region with higher compressibility can conform to protrusions and irregularities, while the second region with lower compressibility maintains overall shape stability. This local quality differentiation enables the gasket to adapt to non-uniform surfaces without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each application.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If thicker gasket is used, then sealing durability is improved, but compression load requirement worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket employs a differentiated compressibility structure where regions of higher and lower compressibility are strategically positioned. This allows the gasket to achieve adequate sealing durability through optimized local deformation characteristics rather than simply increasing overall thickness. The varying compressibility regions enable the gasket to maintain effective sealing contact over time without requiring excessively high compression loads that would accelerate material degradation.
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 gasket reduces the total applied load needed for sealing, improves seal durability against thermal cycling, and effectively seals around surface protrusions with reduced material displacement, offering cost-effective solutions compared to 3-dimensional engineered gaskets.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket formed of compressible material and having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for providing a fluid seal between a first component and a second component
Implementation Method 2
increased compressibility of the gasket in the first portion
Data Source
AI summary
A gasket formed of compressible material and having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for providing a fluid seal between a first component and a second component, a plurality of cavities provided within the gasket proximate the first and/or second sealing surfaces and extending over at least a first portion of the gasket to provide increased compressibility of the gasket in the first portion.