Multi-part Vessel Sealing Ring Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for high-pressure vessels face challenges in achieving optimal sealing while maintaining a prolonged service life due to the lack of materials with combined properties such as low Young's modulus, high mechanical strength, fracture toughness, and low friction, leading to issues like erosion and scratching.
Innovation Solution
A vessel sealing ring designed with an annular body comprising multiple parts made of different materials, where the first part is in contact with the vessel and lid, and the second part is embedded between the annular body and the lid, allowing for stress reduction and increased fatigue life through a bevel-shaped mechanical stop and specific geometric configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single material is used for the sealing ring, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously provide low Young's modulus, high mechanical strength, fracture toughness, and low friction
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into multiple segments or layers, each made of different materials optimized for specific functions. This segmentation allows each part to contribute its unique properties (low Young's modulus, high strength, fracture toughness, low friction) without requiring a single material to possess all properties simultaneously, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material construction where multiple materials with complementary properties are combined in a layered or integrated structure. This composite approach enables the sealing ring to achieve the combined benefits of low Young's modulus (for elasticity), high mechanical strength (for pressure resistance), fracture toughness (for durability), and low friction (for smooth operation), directly addressing the reliability requirement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If anti-friction coating is added to reduce vessel damage, then friction is reduced, but the coating is eliminated by water during pressurization operations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying anti-friction coating to the entire sealing ring surface, the invention implements low-friction properties locally at the specific contact areas where friction occurs during sealing operations. This localized approach ensures that the anti-friction characteristics are concentrated where needed while being less susceptible to elimination by water during pressurization, thus maintaining both vessel protection and coating durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention may employ a sacrificial or replaceable friction-reducing element that can be easily renewed. This approach accepts that the anti-friction layer may be consumed during water pressurization operations, but by making it disposable or easily replaceable, the overall system remains cost-effective and the vessel continues to be protected without requiring long-lasting coatings.
3Ease of operation
If high strength material with low Young's modulus is used, then the ring can be easily expanded to close gaps, but the material lacks other required properties like fracture toughness and low friction
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring structure is segmented into different functional zones or layers, where one segment provides the low Young's modulus property for easy expansion and gap closing, while other segments provide complementary properties such as high strength, fracture toughness, and low friction. This segmentation allows each property to be optimized independently in its designated zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material construction where a base material with low Young's modulus enables easy expansion for gap closing, while additional layers or integrated components provide high strength, fracture toughness, and low-friction surfaces. This composite structure ensures that no single material needs to possess all properties simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and comprehensive material properties.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a high pressure vessel sealing ring formed by an annular body made up of at least two parts, a polymer gasket (3) and a sealing gasket (4), wherein said ring is in contact with the surface of a high pressure lid (5) and with the surface of a vessel (6) and comprises at least a first part (1) coupled by means of a mechanical stop (7) to a second part (2) which is concentric to said first part (1), wherein the radius of said second part (2) is of the same or different size with respect to the radius of the first part (2).