Vortex Seal Assembly for Non-Contact Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal assemblies, particularly in turbines and turbochargers, face challenges with fluid leakage due to the use of contact seals which wear out and require frequent replacement, and non-contact seals which allow significant fluid leakage.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact seal assembly that utilizes fluid vortices to impede fluid flow, created by a concavity in one component that generates turbulent flow without requiring physical contact between moving components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact seals are used to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction and wear increase requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact seal system with a fluid dynamic system. Instead of using a physical sealing member that contacts the shaft, the invention uses a labyrinthine passage with controlled fluid flow to create a pressure barrier that prevents leakage without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating friction and wear
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs fluid pressure and flow control mechanisms to achieve sealing. The labyrinthine passage design creates specific fluid flow patterns that generate pressure differences, using the fluid itself to block leakage paths without requiring solid sealing contacts
2Duration of action of moving object
If non-contact seals are used to avoid wear, then service life is improved, but fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing space into multiple segments using a labyrinthine passage with several teeth or protrusions. This segmentation creates multiple narrow gaps in series, where fluid must pass through each gap sequentially. The cumulative effect of multiple small pressure drops across each gap significantly reduces overall leakage without requiring mechanical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the sealing mechanism from a simple radial gap into the axial dimension by creating a labyrinthine path with multiple teeth extending along the shaft. This multi-dimensional approach increases the effective sealing length without increasing the radial interference, allowing non-contact sealing with reduced leakage
3Reliability
If labyrinth seal overlap is increased to reduce leakage, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but freedom of movement between components is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric features to different parts of the sealing system. The labyrinthine teeth are designed with specific profiles that create effective sealing gaps in the radial direction while maintaining minimal axial interference. This local optimization allows the shaft to move axially and rotate freely while still achieving effective sealing through the carefully designed tooth geometry
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 seal assembly effectively reduces fluid leakage by creating resistance through turbulent flow, maintaining sealing effectiveness without the need for contact seals and allowing greater freedom of movement between components.
Implementation Method 1
the first component comprises a concavity at least partially defining the passage... creates resistance to fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
A non-contact seal assembly which uses fluid vortices to impede the flow of fluid
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a seal assembly comprising: a first component and a second component spaced apart from the first component so as to define a passage for the transfer of fluid from an inlet of the seal assembly to an outlet of the seal assembly, wherein the first component comprises a concavity at least partially defining the passage, and wherein no part of the second component extends into the portion of the passage bounded by the concavity.