Y-Shaped Polyurethane Sealing Ring for Wind Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing rings for wind turbines and similar applications face challenges with high friction torques, complex and expensive production processes, and limited durability due to the need for additional spring elements for prestressing, which complicates their manufacturing and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A Y-shaped sealing ring made from a single polyurethane (PU) material with embedded friction-reducing additives, such as PTFE, UHMWPE, and graphite, which provides sufficient prestressing without additional spring elements, ensuring low friction, excellent emergency and dry-running properties, and simplified, cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional spring elements are used for prestressing the sealing lips, then sufficient prestress and tightness are achieved, but the production becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring element from the sealing ring structure, extracting the complicating component while maintaining sealing functionality through the elastomeric material's inherent properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter by using elastomeric material with specific hardness (Shore A 70-90) that provides sufficient prestress without requiring additional spring elements, thereby simplifying the structure
2Force
If additional spring elements are used for prestressing, then sufficient contact pressure is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameters by selecting elastomeric compounds with specific hardness ranges (Shore A 70-90) that inherently generate the required contact pressure, eliminating the need for expensive spring elements and simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite elastomeric materials containing friction-reducing additives that maintain sufficient contact pressure while reducing overall friction, providing both functional requirements without additional components
3Reliability
If PU material with high hardness is used for sealing lips, then good functional properties are achieved without spring elements, but friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite elastomeric materials that combine the beneficial properties of PU (wear resistance, strength) with friction-reducing additives, achieving low friction without sacrificing structural integrity or prestress capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies friction-reducing additives specifically in the sealing lip regions where friction occurs, maintaining high hardness for prestress while locally reducing friction through the embedded additives
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 PU-based sealing ring achieves reduced friction torques, enhanced durability, and prolonged service life with consistent functional properties, eliminating the need for additional spring elements and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective sealing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a PU material, comprising a PU matrix in which friction-reducing additives are embedded
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric material from which the sealing lips are made, exclusively by the material from which the sealing lips are made
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Sealing ring which, in cross-section, is essentially Y-shaped and comprises a first (1) and a second dynamically stressed sealing lip (2) which are fixed to a common support body (3), wherein the sealing lips (1, 2) in the manufacturing state of the sealing ring define a first angle (4) with each other which is at most 60°.