O-ring Seals Research Articles

Simple, affordable, and sustainable borehole observatories for complex monitoring objectives

Abstract. Seafloor drill rigs are remotely operated systems that provide a cost-effective means to recover sedimentary records of the upper sub-seafloor deposits. Recent increases in their payload included downhole logging tools or autoclave coring systems. Here we report on another milestone in using seafloor rigs: the development and installation of shallow borehole observatories. Three different systems have been developed for the MARUM-MeBo (Meeresboden-Bohrgerät) seafloor drill, which is operated by MARUM, University of Bremen, Germany. A simple design, the MeBoPLUG, separates the inner borehole from the overlying ocean by using o-ring seals at the conical threads of the drill pipe. The systems are self-contained and include data loggers, batteries, thermistors and a differential pressure sensor. A second design, the so-called MeBoCORK (Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kit), is more sophisticated and also hosts an acoustic modem for data transfer and, if desired, fluid sampling capability using osmotic pumps. In these MeBoCORKs, two systems have to be distinguished: the CORK-A (A stands for autonomous) can be installed by the MeBo alone and monitors pressure and temperature inside and above the borehole (the latter for reference); the CORK-B (B stands for bottom) has a higher payload and can additionally be equipped with geochemical, biological or other physical components. Owing to its larger size, it is installed by a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) and utilises a hot-stab connection in the upper portion of the drill string. Either design relies on a hot-stab connection from beneath in which coiled tubing with a conical drop weight is lowered to couple to the formation. These tubes are fluid-saturated and either serve to transmit pore pressure signals or collect porewater in the osmo-sampler. The third design, the MeBoPUPPI (Pop-Up Pore Pressure Instrument), is similar to the MeBoCORK-A and monitors pore pressure and temperature in a self-contained manner. Instead of transferring data on command using an acoustic modem, the MeBoPUPPI contains a pop-up telemetry with iridium link. After a predefined period, the data unit with satellite link is released, ascends to the sea surface, and remains there for up to 2 weeks while sending the long-term data sets to shore. In summer 2012, two MeBoPLUGs, one MeBoCORK-A and one MeBoCORK-B were installed with MeBo on RV Sonne, Germany, in the Nankai Trough area, Japan. We have successfully downloaded data from the CORKs, attesting that coupling to the formation worked, and pressure records were elevated relative to the seafloor reference. In the near future, we will further deploy the first two MeBoPUPPIs. Recovery of all monitoring systems by a ROV is planned for 2016.

High Reliability of MEMS Packaged Capacitive Pressure Sensor Employing 3C-SiC for High Temperature

Abstract This study develops the prototype of a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) packaged capacitive pressure sensor employing 3C-SiC diaphragm for high temperature devices. The 3C-SiC diaphragm is designed with the thicknesses of 1.0 μm and the width and length of 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm. The fabricated sensor is combined with a reliable stainless steel o-ring packaging concept as a simple assembly approach to reduce the manufacturing cost. There is an o-ring seal at the sensor devices an advantageous for high reliability, small size, lightweight, smart interface features and easy maintenance services. The stability and performance of the prototype devices has been tested for three test group and measured by using LCR meter. The prototypes of MEMS capacitive pressure sensor are characterized under static pressure of 5.0 MPa and temperatures up to 500 °C in a stainless steel chamber with direct capacitance measurement. At room temperature (27 °C), the sensitivity of the sensor is 0.0096 pF/MPa in the range of pressure (1.0–5.0 MPa), with nonlinearity of 0.49%. At 300 °C, the sensitivity is 0.0127 pF/MPa, and the nonlinearity of 0.46%. The sensitivity increased by 0.0031 pF/MPa; corresponding temperature coefficient of sensitivity is 0.058%/°C. At 500 °C, the maximum temperature coefficient of output change is 0.073%/°C being measured at 5.0 MPa. The main impact of this work is the ability of the sensor to operate up to 500 °C, compare to the previous work using similar 3C-SiC diaphragm that can operates only 300 °C. The results also show that MEMS packaged capacitive pressure sensor employing 3C-SiC is performed high reliability for high temperature up to 500 °C. In addition, a reliable stainless steel o-ring packaging concept of MEMS packaged capacitive pressure sensor.

Simulation and experimental study of a new structural rubber seal for the roller-cone bit under high temperature

Seal element is an important component of roller-cone bit. In order to improve the sealing performance and service life of roller-cone bit under high temperature, a new seal structure with multi-segment arcs is designed and the structural parameters of this sealing ring are optimized by response surface method and finite element method. Firstly, the hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber is used to improve the seal performance under high temperature, and the uniaxial, planar, and biaxial tensile experiments are carried out to study the constitutive model of this rubber. Then, a three-dimension transient thermo-mechanical coupling model is established. The comparison of sealing performance between the new structural seal and the traditional O-ring seal is implemented under high temperature through the proposed FEM and laboratory experiments. The results show that the new structural seal has lower contact pressure and Mises stress than the standard O-ring seal, and the service life of the former is almost twice of the later one. Additionally, a composite drill bit using the new structural seal is applied to a deep drilling. After servicing a certain time, it shows that the wearing capacity is very small. The results show that the new structure seal ring can adapt to high temperature environment and the optimization method is feasible.

Experiment on wear behavior of high pressure gas seal faces

Current researches show that mechanical deformation of seal ring face makes fluid film clearance decrease at high pressure side, thus a divergent clearance is formed and face wear occurs more seriously at the high pressure side than that on the low pressure side. However, there is still lack of published experimental works enough to prove the theoretical results. In this paper, a spiral groove dry gas seal at high pressures is experimentally investigated so as to prove the face wear happened at the high pressure side of seal faces due to the face mechanical deformation, and the wear behavior affected by seal ring structure is also studied. The experimental results show that face wear would occur at the high pressure side of seal faces due to the deformation, thus the leakage and face temperature increase, which all satisfies the theoretical predictions. When sealed pressure is not less than 5 MPa, the pressure can provide enough opening force to separate the seal faces. The seal ring sizes have obvious influence on face wear. Face wear, leakage and face temperature of a dry gas seal with the smaller cross sectional area of seal ring are less than that of a dry gas seal with bigger one, and the difference of leakage rate between these two sizes of seal face width is in the range of 24%–25%. Compared with the effect of seal ring sizes, the effect of secondary O-ring seal position on face deformation and face wear is less. The differences between these two types of dry gas seals with different secondary O-ring seal positions are less than 5.9% when the rotational speed varies from 0 to 600 r/min. By linking face wear and sealing performance changes to the shift in mechanical deformation of seal ring, this research presents an important experimental method to study face deformation of a dry gas seal at high pressures.

Investigating the stress relaxation of photopolymer O-ring seal models

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the suitability of additive manufacturing to produce O-ring seals. Design/methodology/approach – The O-rings were made by the PolyJet-Matrix technology using four different digital materials and then tested for relaxation properties under static and dynamic (sliding) conditions. The approximation of the relaxation curves involved modelling with a Prony series. Findings – The PolyJet-Matrix technology offers new opportunities to model elastomeric elements, with examples being the O-rings produced and tested for their relaxation properties. Describing the behaviour of the particular materials fabricated with this technology by using relaxation functions will extend the knowledge base on digital materials. Research limitations/implications – The four types of photopolymers used in the experiment differed in viscoelastic properties. The analysis of the stress relaxation of the O-ring models was performed at four different step displacements of the loading element. Practical implications – The test results may be useful for the design of O-ring seals made of new elastomeric materials. The relaxation properties of the O-rings made of such materials can be applied to analyse the dynamics of seals, for instance, face seals. Originality/value – The originality of the work lies in the use of digital materials to design and produce elastomeric elements with different relaxation properties, which was confirmed by the test results. This paper presents results of a relaxation analysis for a ring model and the material that the ring is made of. It also discusses how 3D printing and digital materials can be applied in practice.

Contact behavior analysis of X-ring under internal pressure and uniform squeeze rate using photoelastic experimental hybrid method

X-rings were introduced as a result of the limitations of O-rings that twist, especially during dynamic applications. The X-ring design avoids twisting, and the presence of a groove between the lobes acts as a lubricant reservoir that improves the packing life of these seals. Because of the multiple seal points, less squeeze rate is required to provide an effective seal. In addition, friction and wear is decreased, which increases seal life and decreases maintenance costs. Therefore, a better understanding of the behavior and stress distribution of X-rings under a loading condition of uniform squeeze rate and internal pressure is necessary. However, most research to date has been done on the O-ring. We focused on analysis of contact length and contact stresses developed in X-rings under a uniform squeeze rate of 20% (which is suitable for static applications) using a photoelastic experimental hybrid method, and ascertained the packing ability of the X-ring. We show that sealing rings with the X geometry have considerably higher contact stresses than O-ring seals. Also, the contact stresses were higher than the internal stresses of the X-ring. Therefore, our analysis of the contact stresses is adequate in establishing the behavior of the X-ring.

Thermal analysis of 9977 radioactive material package

AbstractThe 9977 package is a certified type B transportation packaging that was designed to transport radioactive materials with a decay heat load of up to 19 W. The packaging was recently modified to accommodate increased content heat load (up to 38 W) by employing an aluminium heat dissipating sleeve outside the containment vessel (CV), as well as an aluminium spacer inside the CV holding two 3013 containers. This paper provides highlights of thermal analyses of the modified 9977 package that were performed to evaluate its compliance with the 10 CFR 71 regulatory safety requirements. Parametric studies were also performed to examine effects of (i) surface properties, e.g. light absorptivity and emissivity, of the packaging; (ii) total decay heat loads, ranging from 18 to 38 W; and (iii) distribution of decay heat load inside the CV on the temperature of the Viton O-ring seal. The results of thermal analyses show that for the normal condition of transport with insolation, increasing absorptivity and dec...

Modeling for performance degradation induced by wear of a hydraulic actuator of a hydraulic excavator

As an index of maintaining low fuel consumption, the digging force of an excavator is affected fully by the performance of the hydraulic actuators including boom cylinder, stick cylinder, and bucket cylinder. The seals are used widely in a fluid power system to prevent fluid leakage. However, wear induces changes in the diameter of the seal's cross-section area, having an effect on the sealing capability of seals. This article proposes a model for performance degradation induced by wear of a hydraulic actuator of an excavator. The model in this article describes the physical process of performance degradation of a hydraulic actuator by analyzing piston response when wear occurs. The model includes a dynamic model of a hydraulic actuator, a model of squeezing stress and deformation of a compressed elastomeric O-ring seal, a wear model of a seal, and a leak rate model. These models can be used for deducing the laws of performance degradation of a hydraulic actuator of an excavator and for predicting the useful life of a key component such as the seal. Finally, based on the established model, simulation results of a hydraulic actuator’s response are provided.

Internal stress distribution of X-ring using photoelastic experimental hybrid method

Sealing elements are essential parts of many machines, and are used to prevent the loss of a fluid or gas. When such fluids are not properly sealed, catastrophic failures may result. Many different types of rings have been developed to suit various industrial needs. Considerable research has been done on the O-ring. We analyze the internal stresses developed in an X-ring under a uniform squeeze rate of 20%, which is suitable for static applications, using a photoelastic experimental hybrid method. The internal pressures applied were 0.98, 1.96, 2.94, 3.92, 4.90, and 5.88 MPa. We show that sealing rings with X geometry have considerably higher internal stresses than O-ring seals. In addition, we demonstrate that after extrusion, for an internal pressure of 5.88 MPa, the two lobes on the upper contact surface merge, thereby increasing the contact length of the upper side significantly. Extrusion in the X-ring occurred when the internal pressure was 4.90 MPa.

O-Ring Static Sealing Reliability Model and Influence Factors Analysis

Sealing reliability plays a very important role in the aviation field. This paper put forward a new sealing reliability analysis method which can be applicable to most of the static seals. For the long-term using rubber seals, it will emerge stress relaxation which may lead to sealing failure. So, it needs to define a stress relaxation factor, which will analyze the sealing reliability taking the stress relaxation into account. Then, set the O-ring as a case, it calculated the static sealing reliability of the O-ring in operating conditions. And it also analyzed the influence of design parameters on the sealing reliability. Finally we found: (1) When the design parameters is certain, the stress relaxation factor, variance and correlation coefficient of the random variables will make a big influence on the sealing reliability; (2) When the design parameters is not certain, the compression ratio and media pressure also have a big influence on the sealing reliability.

Finite Element Analysis of Tandem Rubber O-Ring Sealing Structure at the End of Shaft

Based on the tandem sealing structure at the end of the shaft,a finite element model of rubber O-rings has been established and the sealing performance of rubber O-ring has been analyzed. There is an un-uniform compression among these O-rings which lead to the sealing failure. Under different friction factors, several groups of the rubber O-rings have been analyzed, finding that the friction factor is the reason of un-uniform compression. The effect of different average compression rate has been investigated, which has been integrated in the sealing criteria for the tandem O-rings, providing a reference for the optimization of tandem sealing structure at the end of the shaft. According to the sealing criteria for a single O-ring, the sealing criteria for the tandem O-rings is built.

The Effects of Material Degradation on Sealing Performances of O-Rings

O-rings are seal structures widely applied in a variety of mechanical systems. In this paper, the time-dependent performances of O-rings are investigated with the aid of finite element (FEM) analysis. The investigation starts with a discussion on the failure mechanisms of O-ring seals and FEM models are built to establish relations between O-ring failures and the material properties. Since the material properties will degrade with time, we further investigate the influence of the degradation on the sealing performances of O-rings. The results show that the degradation of materials might be one reason for the time-dependent O-ring leakages and can be used to prevent O-rings from field failures.

금속오링씰의 컴플라이언트 메커니즘 위상최적설계

The elastic recovery of a metal seal is a factor that can be used to assess its sealing performance. In this study, a compliant mechanism topology optimization has been performed to find a structure of a metal O-ring seal that can maintain excellent sealing performance with a maximized elastic recovery over extended operation. An evolutionary structural optimization (ESO) was used as a topology optimization algorithm with two different types of objective functions considering both flexibility and stiffness. In particular, a circular design domain was adopted to consider the outer shape of the metal O-ring seal. The elastic recovery of the optimal topology was calculated and compared to that of a commercial product.

Fluid-solid interaction model for hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seals

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of hydraulic reciprocating seals have significant effects on sealing and tribology performances of hydraulic actuators, especially in high parameter hydraulic systems. Only elastic deformations of hydraulic reciprocating seals were discussed, and hydrodynamic effects were neglected in many studies. The physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect did not be clearly presented in the existing fluid-solid interaction models for hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seals, and few of these models had been simultaneously validated through experiments. By exploring the physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal, a numerical fluid-solid interaction model consisting of fluid lubrication, contact mechanics, asperity contact and elastic deformation analyses is constructed with an iterative procedure. With the SRV friction and wear tester, the experiments are performed to investigate the elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the O-ring seal. The regularity of the friction coefficient varying with the speed of reciprocating motion is obtained in the mixed lubrication condition. The experimental result is used to validate the fluid-solid interaction model. Based on the model, The elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal are presented respectively in the dry friction, mixed lubrication and full film lubrication conditions, including of the contact pressure, film thickness, friction coefficient, liquid film pressure and viscous shear stress in the sealing zone. The proposed numerical fluid-solid interaction model can be effectively used to analyze the operation characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal, and can also be widely used to study other hydraulic reciprocating seals.

Materials engineering with elastomers-How to select an elastomer?

Practical problems such as the replacement of one O-ring or valve seal on an old machine can be solved faster if a proper pre- selection of candidate elastomers is made. So, the aim of this article is to provide to the readers an easy to use tool for the pre- selection of main current elastomers and advice on fully testing prior formal selection.

Computational Analysis of Stress Field and Contact Pressure for Rubber Seal Based on Non-Linear Finite Element

This paper aims to research on the sealing capability of rubber seal by utlizing non-linear finite element analysis. After discussion on various types of strain energy functions of rubber like materials, material parameters of Mooney-Rivilin model are determined by curve fitting based on the stress strain curve from the uniaxial tensile experiment. Axis symmetric and isotropic finite element model is developed to analyze the stress field and contact pressue of O-ring seal and lip seal at different medium pressure. Von-mises stress distribution rule and contact stress distribution curve on contact surface are achieved. The results show that maximum Von Mises stress increase with the increases of oil pressure. The maximum contact stress appears on the middle contact zone and the maximum contact stress and contact width increases obviously with the increases of oil pressure. In the meanwhile, the maximum contact stress is greater than midum pressure which can prevent the leakage of midum and achieve the function of sealing. The research results will be a useful technique for predicting the properties of rubber seal and providing reference for engineering design.

Wear behaviour of piston seals in flow meter of fuel dispenser under different pressure conditions

The main component of the flow-meter in a fuel dispenser is a piston with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) O-ring seals moving in a cylinder with stainless steel liner. So wear of PTFE seal is a key factor to determine the accuracy and the life of a flow meter. This paper reports the effect of different pressure conditions on the wear rate of the PTFE seals in a gasoline dispenser system. The pressure signals at the meter inlets were detected by pressure transducers, which were sampled and analyzed by the computer data processing system. The wear of PTFE O-ringseal was measured after the flow-meter recorded a value over one million liters. It is shown that bigger the variation in pressure higher is the wear rate of PTFE. This also leads to early failure of sealing systems. A possible explanation is also made in this paper based on the formation of PTFE transfer film on the counterface of the stainless steel.

High-pressure cell for neutron reflectometry of supercritical and subcritical fluids at solid interfaces

A new high-pressure cell design for use in neutron reflectometry (NR) for pressures up to 50 MPa and a temperature range of 300-473 K is described. The cell design guides the neutron beam through the working crystal without passing through additional windows or the bulk fluid, which provides for a high neutron transmission, low scattering background, and low beam distortion. The o-ring seal is suitable for a wide range of subcritical and supercritical fluids and ensures high chemical and pressure stability. Wafers with a diameter of 5.08 cm (2 in.) and 5 mm or 10 mm thickness can be used with the cells, depending on the required pressure and momentum transfer range. The fluid volume in the sample cell is very small at about 0.1 ml, which minimizes scattering background and stored energy. The cell design and pressure setup for measurements with supercritical fluids are described. NR data are shown for silicon/silicon oxide and quartz wafers measured against air and subsequently within the high-pressure cell to demonstrate the neutron characteristics of the high-pressure cell. Neutron reflectivity data for supercritical CO(2) in contact with quartz and Si/SiO(2) wafers are also shown.

Thin film tribology of pharmaceutical elastomeric seals

The primary purpose of valve seals in inhalation and other drug dispensing devices is to inhibit leakage of highly volatile formulation from pressurised canisters. This requirement often conflicts with smooth operation of valves because of poor lubrication of seals. The repercussions of this can be variability in dispensed dose as well as loss of prime and gradual wear of seals. Although a good volume of literature is available for general purpose o-ring seals, the characteristic behaviour of those used in pharmaceutical devices deviate from this significantly. The paper studies tribology of such seals, subjected to global fitment and canister pressure deformation and localised conjunctional elastohydrodynamic pressures. It is shown that ideally smooth seals would operate under iso-viscous elastic (soft EHL) regime of lubrication. However, the predicted ultra-thin films are insufficient to ensure fluid film lubrication because of rough micro-scale nature of elastomeric seal surface and poor lubricity of the usual bio-compatible formulations. The paper also shows that siliconisation of elastomeric contacting surface only marginally improves its tribological performance.

Analysis of Vane Hydraulic Damp Static Seal Mechanism and Performance Influencing Factors

Based on the performance of Vane hydraulic damp O-ring seal ,simulation about the O-ring seal was applied by nonlinear finite element analysis method. The factors influencing sealing performance are considered, such as initial compressibility, sealing materials. Applying the method, the seal structure was designed and optimized. At the same time, the sealing performance was improved, and the contract pressure was increased. The finite element analysis method can be effectively used to solve nonlinear material and sealing failure problem for the seal design, optimization and performance analysis, which provide a new approach and theoretical guidance to the rubber seal research. The seal material and compression ratio are both great influence on the sealing performance , which should be based on working conditions to select the appropriate sealing materials.