DE102020120902A1 - Gasket, method of sealing a sealing side of a gasket and method of manufacturing a gasket - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a seal (1), having a sealing side (2), a rear side (3) and at least one sealing body (8), with a longitudinal extent of the sealing body (8) being directed in the same direction as the sealing side (2) or the rear side ( 3) is. According to the invention, the sealing body (8) has at least one flow-through element (9) with at least one flow-through opening (9a), through which an outflow medium (10) can flow out of the sealing body (8) and/or a medium can flow into the sealing body (8). can be sucked in, the at least one throughflow opening (9a) being formed in only a partial area of the longitudinal extension of the sealing body (8) and the at least one throughflow opening (9a) being arranged on an outer contour of the sealing body (8).

Description

The invention relates to a seal according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for sealing a sealing side of a seal according to the preamble of claim 15 and a method for producing a seal according to claim 20.

Seals for preventing a medium, for example a liquid and/or a gas, from escaping from a receiving space to be sealed off into an outside area are known from the prior art. With the exception of a sealing area, the receiving space is often already enclosed by delimiting elements, for example by a housing, so that the seal usually has the task of separating the receiving space from the outside area, particularly in the sealing area.

A distinction is often made between contact and non-contact seals.

Contacting seals seal off the receiving space to be sealed in that the seal touches the delimiting elements of the receiving space in such a way that the seal is plastically and/or elastically deformed and thus bears positively and sealingly against the delimiting elements of the receiving space. A deformation is often intensified by generating a contact pressure. A seal of this type therefore usually has a sealing side facing the receiving space and a rear side facing the outside area.

Non-contact seals, on the other hand, can be implemented in that a flow of an outflow medium is directed in the opposite direction to a flow of any escaping medium located in the receiving space. The pressure conditions thus generated can then prevent the medium from leaving the receiving space.

However, this requires a larger flow of outflow medium, the larger the sealing area and thus a potential outlet opening for the medium located in the receiving space. In particular, however, the outflow medium must flow continuously in order to reliably and permanently prevent the medium located in the receiving space from escaping. Such seals are therefore particularly suitable for continuous operation.

Sealing air seals in which air is used as the outflow medium are known from the field of turbine technology.

Furthermore, a distinction is often made between static and dynamic seals.

Static seals seal off a sealing area in which the delimiting elements forming the sealing area are stationary in relation to one another.

In the case of dynamic seals, the delimiting elements forming the sealing area can move in relation to one another. As a result, at least in part, no fixed connection can be established between the seal and the delimiting elements, since in this way a possibly desired relative movement of the delimiting elements would be prevented. The seal is thus in frictional contact with at least one of the delimiting elements during the relative movement of the delimiting elements.

The sealing of limiting elements rotating in opposite directions is of particular importance. In particular, the sealing of a sealing area between a shaft and a shaft housing surrounding the shaft is necessary in order to prevent, for example, a lubricating oil from escaping from the shaft housing.

From the DE 10 2017 106 885 A1 a sealing element for sealing a space between a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring is known, the two bearing rings having a common axis of rotation. In this case, the sealing segments are only aligned to a main extension plane of the sealing bevel, the sealing segments being arranged circumferentially alternately on the sealing disk.

the DD 298 019 A5 a radial shaft sealing ring can be seen which has a sealing lip whose end face which faces the medium to be sealed has a twist device.

From the DE 10 2018 009 096 A1 a sealing air seal with at least two sealing lips is known. In this case, compressed air can be applied to an intermediate space that is at least partially delimited by the at least two sealing lips.

Seals known from the prior art generate a flow of blocking medium which is almost homogeneous along a sealing gap and is directed in the opposite direction to the medium to be sealed.

Contacting dynamic seals are subject to increased wear due to the necessary frictional contact described. This is the case, for example, with the shaft seals described from the prior art.

A disadvantage of the solutions described in the prior art is therefore that dynamic contact seals, particularly in the case of shaft seals, are subject to increased wear, while non-contact seals require a permanent outflow of medium in order to maintain their sealing function.

A disadvantage of the seals described in the prior art is therefore that a low-wear, flexible and variable design of a sealing function and in particular a flexible and variable design of a blocking medium flow is not possible.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a seal which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular enables a low-wear, flexible and variable design of a sealing function.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a seal having the features mentioned in claim 1.

The present invention is also based on the object of creating a method for sealing a sealing side of a seal which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular enables a low-wear, flexible and variable design of a sealing function.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features specified in claim 15 .

The present invention is also based on the object of providing a method for producing a seal which enables efficient production of a seal according to the invention.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features specified in claim 20.

The seal according to the invention has a sealing side, a rear side and at least one sealing body, with a longitudinal extent of the sealing body being directed in the same direction as the sealing side or the rear side. According to the invention, the sealing body has at least one flow-through element with at least one flow-through opening, through which an outflow medium can flow out of the sealing body and/or a medium can be sucked into the sealing body. In this case, the at least one through-flow opening is formed in only a partial area of the longitudinal extension of the sealing body and the at least one through-flow opening is arranged on an outer contour of the sealing body.

The seal according to the invention has the advantage that a sealing function can be achieved both by an outflow medium flow, which is established by the outflow medium flowing through the flow-through element, in the manner of a non-contact seal, and by the sealing body, in the manner of a contact seal . In this case, the outflow medium fulfills a function of a barrier medium.

In particular, an advantageously structured flow of outflow medium can be generated by an exit of the outflow medium directly on the outer contour of the sealing body through the throughflow openings, which are only partially formed along the longitudinal extent of the sealing body. A flow profile with a complex structure and/or a pressure profile with a complex structure of the flow of outflow medium can be generated directly as a result of a geometry of the throughflow openings. Due to the fact that the through-flow openings are arranged on the outer contour of the sealing body, the flow profile and/or the pressure profile is not disturbed before it emerges from the sealing body.

The outer contour of the sealing body is that contour which is essentially determined by a three-dimensional outer shell of the sealing body.

The throughflow opening is therefore arranged on the outer contour of the sealing body when it is not arranged in a recess and/or indentation and/or indentation and/or indentation of the sealing body and/or drawn into the sealing body.

The sealing function of the seal here includes preventing a medium, which is located in a receiving space on the sealing side of the seal, from escaping into an external space on the rear side of the seal. Furthermore, the sealing function can also be achieved by sucking the medium into the flow-through element.

The seal according to the invention can therefore be understood as a hybrid seal, which can be designed in various configurations between a contact seal and a non-contact seal. Furthermore, the outflow medium can be flowed out and/or the medium can be sucked in through the at least one flow-through element. The seal also has the advantage that the functionalities mentioned can be achieved in a compact design. Possible complex and expensive special constructions thus be avoided. The seal according to the invention also enables additional functionalities that could not previously be implemented.

Provision can advantageously be made for the sealing body to be designed, for example, as a sealing lip and/or as a sealing sleeve.

In an advantageous further development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealing body has at least one channel, preferably running inside the sealing body, designed to supply the outflow medium to the at least one flow-through element and/or to discharge the medium from the at least one flow-through element. Through such at least one channel, the flow-through element can advantageously be acted upon by outflow medium, which can flow out through the flow-through element and form an outflow medium stream. It is particularly advantageous for the at least one channel to run within the sealing body, since this allows the flow-through element to be arranged in many positions on the sealing body and the outflow medium can flow through the sealing body internally, which can contribute to cooling the sealing body, for example.

In an advantageous development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one through-flow opening is arranged in a region facing away from the sealing side and the rear side. In this way, an advantageous indirect sealing effect of the flow of outflow medium can be achieved without causing an undesirably strong interaction between the outflow medium and the medium.

In an advantageous development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealing body is arranged between a first delimiting element and a second delimiting element and is connected to the first delimiting element. In this case, the delimiting elements delimit a sealing area. The seal can then advantageously have only one instead of several sealing gaps.

In an advantageous development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one through-flow opening is arranged in a region of the sealing body that faces the second delimiting element. As a result, for example, an outflow medium flow can advantageously be formed directly in a region of an end face of a sealing lip in a sealing gap.

In an advantageous development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealing body is designed as a single sealing lip. Due to the additional sealing effect of the flow-through elements, the sealing body can advantageously be formed simply and cost-effectively from just one sealing lip.

In an advantageous development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that a sealing gap height of a sealing gap between the sealing body and the second delimiting element can be varied at least in regions by the outflow medium flowing out and/or the medium being sucked in. A sealing gap height that can be actively varied at least in certain areas, in particular along the longitudinal extension, offers the advantage that, for example, a distribution of the sealing effect between the sealing body and outflow medium flow can be set depending on a sealing requirement that fluctuates locally and/or over time.

In an advantageous development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealing body can be lifted at least almost completely from the second delimiting element by the outflow of the outflow medium and/or can be placed at least almost completely on the second delimiting element by sucking in the medium. In this way, the seal can advantageously be operated both in the manner of a contacting and in the manner of a non-contacting seal.

For an advantageous embodiment of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealing body is arranged on a base body. If, for example, a contacting dynamic seal is to be implemented using the seal according to the invention, the sealing body, which can preferably be connected to the base body in a sealing manner, can be aligned with a first delimiting element forming a gap, while the base body is fixed with a second delimiting element forming the sealing area can be tightly connected.

In an advantageous further development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealing body is designed in the shape of a ring. A ring-shaped sealing body can be particularly advantageous, for example, to seal a cylindrical first delimiting element from a hollow-cylindrical second delimiting element. Such an annular design is particularly advantageous if the first and the second delimiting element rotate coaxially and/or move axially in relation to one another.

For an advantageous development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one flow-through element is aligned with the sealing side. Such an arrangement of the at least one flow-through element makes it possible to achieve an advantageous outflow medium flow, which is preferably directed as directly as possible in the opposite direction to a possible flow of escaping medium.

In an advantageous further development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one flow-through element is arranged and/or designed on the sealing body in such a way that a pressure profile and/or flow profile caused by the at least one flow-through element along the longitudinal extent of the sealing body on the second delimiting element has a minimum value that differs from a maximum value by less than 10 percent and/or by more than 5 percent of the minimum value.

An advantageous embodiment of the seal according to the invention can consist in the at least one flow opening having an equivalent diameter of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm. Such a configuration of the through-flow elements, in particular through such a selection of the equivalent diameter of the through-flow openings, an advantageously high flow rate of the outflow medium can be achieved with an advantageously small total volume flow.

In an advantageous further development of the seal according to the invention, it can be provided that at least part of the seal is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. An additive manufacturing process advantageously enables the seal according to the invention to be designed in such a way that the flow-through elements and the channels leading to the flow-through elements in the sealing body can be of particularly complex design and can have, for example, many undercuts, which can only be produced in a complex manner or not at all using classic production methods. Furthermore, an additive manufacturing method offers the advantage that the seal according to the invention can have locally different material properties through the use of different materials.

The method according to the invention specified in claim 15 for sealing a sealing side of a seal against a rear side of the seal provides that the seal has at least one sealing body arranged on a sealing area, with a longitudinal extent of the sealing body being directed in the same direction as the sealing side or the rear side . It is also provided that an outflow medium flows out and/or a medium is sucked in through at least one flow-through element arranged on the sealing body and has at least one flow-through opening and the outflow medium flows out only in at least a partial area of the longitudinal extension through an outer contour of the sealing body and/or a medium only in is sucked in through the outer contour in at least a partial area of the longitudinal extent. Sealing according to the method according to the invention has the advantage that medium located in the receiving space is prevented from escaping from the receiving space in the direction of the outside space by the outflow medium flow and the pressure conditions created by the outflow medium flow. At the same time, the presence of the sealing body leads to a certain sealing effect even without the outflow medium flow. A sealing function in the method according to the invention is therefore made up of a sealing function of the sealing body and/or a sealing function of the outflow medium flow and/or a sealing function due to the suction of the medium at the sealing body. By positioning the flow-through element accordingly, the outflow medium curtain can be shaped in a large number of directions and/or in a large number of geometries. Furthermore, a large number of separate outflow medium curtains can be formed, since the outflow medium is only flowed out of the sealing body in partial areas of the longitudinal extension. As a result, the sealing method according to the invention has great flexibility and thus a large potential area of application. In particular, in the case of delimiting elements moving in opposite directions and a lifting of the sealing body from the second delimiting element that occurs during a rapid rotary movement, the outflow medium leads to the sealing function being maintained. Furthermore, the outflow medium can be flowed out and/or the medium can be sucked in through the at least one flow-through element.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one outflow medium curtain is formed along the sealing body, with a homogeneity or an inhomogeneity of a pressure profile of the outflow medium curtain depending on a geometry of the at least one flow-through element and/or an arrangement of the at least one flow-through element is set on the sealing body and/or a pressurization of the at least one flow-through element. A nearly homogeneously distributed outflow medium curtain has the advantage over a simple outflow medium flow that it entire sealing gap, which can be formed completely, similar to a curtain, by the sealing body and the second delimiting element—like a remnant of the sealing area between the delimiting elements. A homogeneous design of the outflow medium curtain can prevent the medium to be sealed from escaping due to an outflow medium flow that is locally too weak. A conveying value of the seal can be increased, for example, by an inhomogeneous outflow medium curtain. With such a method, a homogeneous and/or inhomogeneous outflow medium curtain can advantageously be formed as required.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the outflow medium has a different temperature than at least one reference point, which is preferably arranged on the second delimiting element and/or the sealing body. An advantageous temperature difference between the outflow medium and the reference point, which can preferably be arranged on the delimiting element and/or the sealing body, results in the sealing body and/or the second delimiting element being cooled and/or heated by the outflow medium. In this case, cooling prevents, for example, a temperature-related change in a material forming the seal and in particular a material forming the sealing body. Such a cooling can be advantageous, for example, in order to remove frictional heat from the sealing body in the event of a contacting seal. Cooling can also be advantageous in order to remove heat introduced into the sealing body, for example when heated medium comes into contact with the sealing body. On the other hand, heating can be advantageous if, for example, the sealing body is too inelastic due to an ambient temperature that is too cold. The sealing body can become more elastic, for example, as a result of heating.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the outflow medium is fed to the at least one flow-through element under a pressure of 200 kPa to 900 kPa, preferably 400 kPa to 600 kPa. The pressure is to be understood here as the pressure compared to the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. In order to achieve an advantageous outflow medium flow, for example, a negative pressure compared to atmospheric pressure can be generated locally in a region of the second delimiting element.

In an advantageous further development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the outflow medium is a gas or a gas mixture and/or a gas-oil mixture and/or an oil and/or a fat. If there is a liquid medium in the receiving space, for example, the use of a gas as the outflow medium can advantageously reduce or prevent mixing of the medium and the outflow medium. In particular, gas can simply escape from the receiving space through a ventilation unit, for example, while the medium remains in the receiving space.

In the case of the production method according to the invention specified in claim 20, the seal is produced additively from at least one plastic and/or additively from at least one metal. The additive manufacturing method according to the invention has the advantage that complex geometric characteristics of the flow-through elements and/or the channels can be manufactured in a particularly simple manner and with a reduced need for costly post-processing. Production from different materials, for example different plastics and/or different types of metals, such as aluminum and brass, can advantageously produce synergy effects between different material properties.

Features that have been described in connection with one of the objects of the invention, namely given by the seal according to the invention, the method according to the invention for sealing a sealing side of a seal and the method according to the invention for producing a seal, can also be advantageously implemented for the other objects of the invention . Advantages that were mentioned in connection with one of the objects of the invention, namely given by the seal according to the invention, the method according to the invention for sealing a sealing side of a seal and the method according to the invention for producing a seal, can also be understood in relation to the other objects of the invention will.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

The figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are shown in combination with one another. Features of an exemplary embodiment can also be implemented separately from the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly easily be combined with features of other exemplary embodiments by a person skilled in the art to form further meaningful combinations and sub-combinations.

Elements with the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

• 1 eine stark vereinfachte prinzipmäßige Darstellung eines Querschnitts einer erfindungsgemäßen Dichtung;
• 2 eine prinzipmäßige Darstellung eines Querschnitts einer erfindungsgemäßen Dichtung, welche ringförmig ausgebildet ist;
• 3 einen prinzipmäßigen Querschnitt einer erfindungsgemäßen Dichtung, in die ein Versteifungsring eingelegt ist;
• 4 einen weiteren prinzipmäßigen Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Dichtung;
• 5 eine prinzipmäßige Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Dichtung in einem eingebauten Zustand;
• 6 eine prinzipmäßige Darstellung einer mikroskopischen Aufnahme einer Durchströmöffnung eines Durchströmelements;
• 7 einen weiteren prinzipmäßigen Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Dichtung; und
• 8 einen weiteren prinzipmäßigen Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Dichtung.

They show schematically:

• 1 a greatly simplified representation of the principle of a cross section of a seal according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic representation of a cross section of a seal according to the invention, which is annular;
• 3 a basic cross-section of a seal according to the invention, in which a stiffening ring is inserted;
• 4 another basic cross-section through a seal according to the invention;
• 5 a schematic representation of a seal according to the invention in an installed state;
• 6 a basic representation of a microscopic image of a through-flow opening of a through-flow element;
• 7 another basic cross-section through a seal according to the invention; and
• 8th another basic cross-section through a seal according to the invention.

1 shows a greatly simplified basic representation of an embodiment of a seal 1 according to the invention. The seal 1 has a sealing side 2 and a back 3, with a longitudinal extension of the sealing body 8 being directed in the same direction as the sealing side 2 or the back 3, and is between a first delimiting element 4 and a second delimiting element 7 located opposite the first delimiting element 4 and spaced apart by a sealing area 5 with a sealing area height 6 . Furthermore, the seal 1 has a sealing body 8 which is arranged between the first delimiting element 4 and the second delimiting element 7 and rests sealingly on the first delimiting element 4 . The sealing body 8 has at least one flow-through element 9 with at least one flow-through opening 9a, through which an outflow medium 10 can flow out and/or a medium, which can be located, for example, in a receiving space located on the sealing side 2 of the seal 1, can be sucked in. The at least one throughflow opening 9a is formed in only a partial area of the longitudinal extension of the sealing body 8 and the at least one throughflow opening 9a is arranged on an outer contour of the sealing body 8 . The outflow can, for example, form an outflow medium curtain 11 between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7 . The medium escaping from the sealing area 5 can be sucked off by sucking in and thus leakage of the seal 1 can be prevented.

Furthermore, the sealing body 8 has at least one channel 12, preferably running inside the sealing body 8, for supplying the outflow medium 10 to the at least one flow-through element 9 and/or for removing the medium from the at least one flow-through element 9. The channel 12 can have different cross sections in different sections for an advantageous flow-optimized guidance of the outflow medium 10 . In particular, the channel 12 can also be part of a network of channels 12, which distributes the outflow medium 10 to the flow-through elements 9 starting from a central pressure device (not shown). In particular, a continuous channel 12 can be provided, which extends over at least approximately the entire length of the sealing body 8 and which feeds the outflow medium 10 to the flow-through elements 9 via individual channels 12 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the channel 12 has a second opening in the direction of the rear side 3 of the seal 1, through which the outflow medium 10 can be fed to the channel 12. However, it can also be provided that the second opening of the channel 12 is arranged in the direction of the sealing side 2 or in the direction of the first delimiting element 4 .

In order to feed the outflow medium 10 to the channel 12 via its second opening, it can be provided that a feed element has a groove and the feed element is arranged on the seal 1 in such a way that the groove together with the seal 1 forms a feed channel which flows into the second Opening of the at least one channel 12 opens. In the case of a plurality of channels 12, it is of particular advantage if the feed channel connects at least one group of the plurality of channels 12, as a result of which homogeneous pressure conditions can be achieved in the channels 12. In particular, provision can be made for the first delimiting element 4 to be in the form of a feed element. In the case of a hollow-cylindrical first delimiting element 4, the feed channel can also be designed as a circumferential annular groove.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the feed element has a hole for feeding the outflow medium 10 and the feed element is arranged on the seal 1 in such a way that the hole is brought into alignment with the second opening of the channel 12 .

in the in 1 illustrated embodiment, the at least one flow opening 9a is arranged in a region facing away from the sealing side 2 and the rear side 3 .

The at least one flow opening 9a is arranged in a region of the sealing body 8 facing the second delimiting element 7 .

Furthermore, the sealing body 8 is designed as a single sealing lip.

If the two delimiting elements 4 and 7 are movable in relation to one another, an arrangement of the sealing body 8 along a direction indicated by the reference numeral 13 perpendicular to the plane of the relative movement is advantageous, since the outflow medium 10 in this case flows out orthogonally to the direction of the relative movement. As a result, for example, a medium flowing toward the seal 1 on the sealing side 2 can be pushed back by the outflow medium 10 in a manner that remains constant during the movement.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the sealing body 8 is also arranged on a base body 14 . The base body 14 is in this case firmly and sealingly connected to the first delimiting element 4, while the sealing body 8 is spaced apart from the second delimiting element 7 by a sealing gap 15 with a sealing gap height 15a.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the sealing gap height 15a of the sealing gap 15 between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7 can be varied at least in regions by the outflow medium 10 flowing out and/or the medium being sucked in.

In particular, it is provided that the sealing body 8 can be lifted at least almost completely from the second delimiting element 7 by the outflow of the outflow medium 10 and/or can be placed at least almost completely on the second delimiting element 7 by sucking in the medium.

In an advantageous embodiment, it can also be provided that the sealing body 8 is arranged orthogonally to the direction of a relative movement 13 of the two delimiting elements 4 and 7 . This results in a relative movement between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7, which is aligned from the sealing side 2 to the rear side 3 of the seal 1—or vice versa. Such a movement can be a cause of increased wear for a seal 1, for example a windshield wiper blade or a piston seal, since a very large area of the second delimiting element 7 can be swept by the sealing body 8 during the relative movement. This large area can have very different surface textures and dirt, which can promote wear of the sealing body 8 . Here, the seal 1 allows an advantageously increased height of the sealing gap 15, which leads to less wear, while the sealing function can be achieved by the outflow medium flow, for example by the outflow medium curtain 11.

The seal 1 is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention for sealing the sealing side 2 of the seal 1 against the back 3 of the seal 1, the seal 1 having at least one sealing body 8 arranged in a sealing region 5 and a longitudinal extent of the sealing body 8 being directed in the same direction the sealing side is 2 or the back 3. It is provided that an outflow medium 10 flows out and/or a medium is sucked in through at least one flow-through element 9 arranged on the sealing body 8 and has at least one flow-through opening 9a, and the outflow medium 10 only flows out in at least a partial area of the longitudinal extension through an outer contour of the sealing body 8 and /or a medium is sucked in through the outer contour only in at least a partial area of the longitudinal extension

The seal 1 can be arranged between the first delimiting element 4 and the second delimiting element 7 spaced apart from the first delimiting element 4 .

For an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the seal 1 can be designed in such a way as a function of the height of the sealing area 6 that a sealing gap 15 with a finite height only results in certain areas. As a result, a form-fitting frictional contact between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7 can only be formed in certain areas. An advantage of such a configuration of the seal 1 or the sealing body 8 is that frictional wear occurs only in those areas of the sealing body 8 which are higher than the height 6 of the sealing area. Those areas which are less than the sealing area height 6 can advantageously be sealed off by the outflow medium curtain 11 . For this purpose, it can be of particular advantage if the flow-through elements 9 are preferably arranged in those areas of the sealing body 8 which are less than the height 6 of the sealing area.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the sealing body 8 is less high than the height of the sealing area 6 at least approximately along its entire extent. This results in a sealing gap 15 with a finite height. In this case, an advantageous non-contact seal 1 can be implemented in which the flow of outflow medium does not flow through the entire sealing gap 15 into the receiving space located on the sealing side 2 of the seal 1, but instead forms an outflow medium curtain 11 through the flow-through elements 9. In particular, this results in the advantage that in the outer area no homogeneous overpressure has to be generated on the outflow medium 10 in a region of the sealing gap 15 in order to achieve an outflow medium flow through the sealing gap 15 .

An embodiment of the seal 1 is particularly preferred in which no approximately homogeneous pressure caused by the outflow medium 10 acts on the rear side 3 of the sealing body 8 . This can also be provided in particular when a plurality of sealing bodies 8 or sealing lips are arranged one behind the other on the base body 14 and form intermediate spaces. A significantly inhomogeneous pressure distribution on the sealing body 8 allows an advantageously structured outflow medium curtain 11 to be implemented, for example in order to increase a conveying value of the seal 1 .

Furthermore, it can be provided that the sealing body 8, which rests sealingly against the second delimiting element 7 in a rest state, for example by the effect of the outflow medium flow, can be lifted off the second delimiting element 7 in an actively controllable manner. With a sealing body 8 lifted off in this way, the sealing function is fulfilled by the outflow medium flow or the outflow medium curtain 11 . This reduces wear on the sealing body 8, particularly when the delimiting elements 4 and 7 move relative to one another, if the sealing body 8 can be lifted off the second delimiting element 7 when a relative movement begins between the delimiting elements 4 and 7. In this way, advantageously longer service and usage times can be achieved for the sealing body 8 . If the pressure device fails, the sealing body 8 can again come into contact with the second delimiting element 7 and form a touching seal. This gives the seal 1 an emergency running property.

2 shows a cross section through a seal 1 according to the invention. In the present embodiment, it can be provided that the sealing body 8 is ring-shaped in order to be arranged between the first delimiting element 4 and a cylindrical second delimiting element 7 . Such an arrangement, which can be given, for example, by a shaft which rotates in a bearing and in which a housing inside is to be sealed off from a housing outside, can represent an installation space for a seal 1 . It can be provided here that the second delimiting element 7 is the shaft or that the second delimiting element 7 is the housing. In the first case, the sealing body 8 is oriented toward the shaft as the second delimiting element 7 . In the second case, the sealing body 8 faces away from the shaft as the first delimiting element 4 and is oriented toward the housing as the second delimiting element 7 . A coaxial rotation of the delimiting elements 4 and 7 in relation to one another here corresponds to a constant relative movement of the delimiting elements 4 and 7 to one another.

In an advantageous further development of the seal 1, it can be provided that an expansion of the sealing body 8 can be actively controlled.

For this purpose, for example, electromechanical and/or hydraulic and/or pneumatic devices can be provided in the sealing body 8 , which are preferably arranged inside the sealing body 8 . For example, in the case of an annular, sufficiently elastic sealing body 8 which sealingly encloses a shaft as the second delimiting element 7, a toroidal channel running in the sealing body 8 can be provided. When the shaft or the second limiting element 7 begins to rotate, a vacuum is applied to the toroidal channel, as a result of which the inner diameter of the ring-shaped sealing body 8 increases and a sealing gap 15 thus forms. The sealing function is then fulfilled by the outflow medium flow or the outflow medium curtain 11 . In this way, advantageously longer service and usage times can be achieved for the sealing body 8 .

It can also be provided that the toroidal channel is subjected to a pressure which is higher than the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. As a result, the inner diameter of the ring-shaped sealing body 8 can be reduced, as a result of which the sealing gap 15 can be reduced and/or closed and/or a contact pressure of the sealing body on the delimiting element 7 can be increased.

Provision can be made for a seal to be designed with internal, complex hollow structures, for example for accommodating cooling media and/or sensors and/or hydraulically acting media, and is preferably manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

For example, in the field of engine technology, a seal 1 can have a particularly advantageous effect, since high speeds of the shafts and thus the limiting elements 4 and/or 7 result in high relative speeds, which can usually lead to high wear on the sealing body 8 .

Provision can also advantageously be made for the seal 1 to be formed at least partially, preferably in a contact area between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7, from a more elastic material than the second delimiting element 7. This enables a form-fitting, dynamic, touching seal, since the sealing body 8 can be molded onto the second delimiting element.

Provision can furthermore advantageously be made for the seal 1 to be formed at least partially, preferably in a contact area between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7, from a material that is at least approximately as hard as the second delimiting element 7. This enables the frictional contact to run in, for example, so that after a certain overall duration of a relative movement, a sealing gap region is formed due to material removal caused by friction, which has a minimum sealing gap height 15a. The minimum contact friction-free sealing gap height 15a is a lowest height of the sealing gap 15, which allows a relative movement between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7 at least approximately without friction. A leakage flow of the medium from the receiving space through the sealing gap 15 that is minimized as a result can be further reduced by the outflow medium flow or outflow medium curtain 11 .

Advantageously, it can also be provided that the seal 1 has a functional coating on at least part of its surface. A coating which at least partially has an omniphobic and/or a hydrophobic and/or a lipophilic and/or a hydrophilic property can be particularly advantageous. For example, an accumulation of dirt on the seal 1 can be minimized by an omniphobic property of the seal 1 .

The flow elements 9 are in 2 arranged at regular intervals on the sealing body 8 in such a way that a tight outflow medium curtain 11 results on the second delimiting element 7 . By evenly distributing the flow-through elements 9 at regular intervals, an advantageous overlapping of several fan-shaped outflow medium curtains 11 can be produced, for example, which causes a homogeneous flow profile of the outflow medium 10 at the level of a surface of the second delimiting element 7 . In this way, a partial passage of the medium to be sealed through the outflow medium curtain 11 can be prevented in an advantageous manner.

The flow elements are in 2 arranged on the sealing body 8 and/or designed in such a way that a pressure profile and/or flow profile caused by the flow-through elements 9 along the longitudinal extension of the sealing body 8 on the second delimiting element 7 has a minimum value, which differs from a maximum value by less than 10 percent and /or differs by more than 5 percent of the minimum value.

Provision can also be made for the flow-through elements 9 to be arranged on the sealing body 8 at irregular intervals. In particular, the flow-through elements 9 can be arranged on the sealing body 8 such that, for example, in a lower-lying region of the second delimiting element 7, in which a higher pressure of the medium to be sealed is applied to the seal 1 due to gravity, a stronger outflow medium curtain 11 is formed.

A stronger outflow medium curtain 11 can be formed in part of the sealing region 5, for example, by a large number and/or a large cross section of the flow-through elements 9 and/or by subjecting the outflow medium 10 to a higher pressure.

A high suction performance in part of the sealing area 5 can be achieved, for example, by a large number and/or a large cross section of the flow-through elements 9 and/or by subjecting the flow-through elements 9 to a higher negative pressure.

In particular, it can advantageously be provided that the at least one flow-through element 9 is designed in the form of a slot along almost the entire length of the sealing body 8 as a single flow-through element 9 . This corresponds to the borderline case of such a narrow distribution of flow-through elements 9 that their flow-through openings 9a merge into a slot.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the flow-through elements 9 are aligned with the sealing side 2 .

It can be particularly advantageous here if the outflow medium curtain 11 is not directed directly against the medium to be sealed, but is in the form of an obliquely directed outflow medium curtain 11 at an angle to a possible flow direction of the medium to be sealed. Such a directed outflow medium results, for example, from an alignment of the flow-through elements 9, which can be at an angle to a possible flow direction of the medium to be sealed, and/or from at least one deflection element, which is arranged on the at least one flow-through element 9 and an outflow direction of the outflow medium 10 can affect. This can prevent an inhomogeneous flow profile of the outflow medium 10 from developing in the direction of the medium to be sealed, which would allow the medium to be sealed to partially pass through the profile of the outflow medium flow.

Furthermore, in the in 2 illustrated embodiment of the sealing body 8 aligned to the sealing side 2 pointing. As a result, the seal 1 can fulfill the sealing function particularly reliably.

An orientation of the flow-through elements 9 pointing towards the sealing side 2 is particularly advantageous. In this way, the flow of the outflow medium can be directed in the direction of the medium to be sealed penetrating from the sealing side 2 .

In the present exemplary embodiment, the outflow medium 10 is air. Alternatively it can be provided that the outflow medium 10 is another gas or a gas mixture and/or a gas-oil mixture and/or an oil and/or a fat. It is particularly advantageous here if that component of the outflow medium 10 which has the same physical state as the medium in the receiving space is identical to the medium in the receiving space. If, for example, the medium to be sealed is an oil and the outflow medium 10 is an air-oil mixture, it is advantageous if the oils are the same.

Provision can furthermore be made for different outflow media 10 to be supplied to the flow-through elements 9 . For example, it can be provided that in a region between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7, in which there is insufficient lubrication, flow-through elements 9 arranged there are preferably supplied with oil in order to remedy the insufficient lubrication.

In principle, it can be provided that the outflow medium 10 consists of one or more gases and/or one or more liquids and/or one/or more solids, in particular in the form of particles.

For example, it can be provided that the outflow medium 10 is a mixture of air and graphite particles. By selecting the components of the outflow medium, its properties can be influenced, for example graphite particles can have a positive influence on the electrical conductivity of the seal 1 . As a result, an exchange of electrical charges between the two delimiting elements 4 and 7 can be brought about.

For example, it can also be provided that the outflow medium 10 is a mixture of an oil mixture and particles, such as graphite particles and/or PTFE particles.

For example, it can also be provided that the outflow medium 10 is a mixture of a silicone oil and graphite particles.

By using graphite particles and/or PTFE particles as part of the outflow medium 10, a lubricating effect of the outflow medium 10 can advantageously be increased.

It can also be provided that the outflow medium 10 is a mixture of water and air. As a result, cooling of the sealing body 8 and/or the second delimiting element 7 can be brought about, for example, by utilizing an enthalpy of vaporization of the water.

It can also be provided that the outflow medium 10 is a chemically reacting substance, for example an adhesive and/or foam. In this way, for example in the event of a malfunction and/or in an emergency, the sealing gap 15 can be sealed or closed in order to prevent the medium from escaping from the receiving space.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that several flow-through elements 9 are acted upon by different outflow media 10 . If, for example, the flow-through elements 9 are arranged in two rows, it can be provided that a row of flow-through elements 9 facing the sealing side 2 is acted upon by a first outflow medium, for example oil, while a second row of flow-through elements 9 is acted upon by a second outflow medium, for example Air is applied. Such a scheme can be provided for more than two rows. Alternatively, it can be provided that within a row of flow-through elements 9, the flow-through elements 9 are acted upon by different outflow media 10. Provision can thus be made for air to be applied to every second flow-through element 9 , while oil is applied to the remaining flow-through elements 9 . Correspondingly arranged channels can be provided for this purpose.

Provision can furthermore be made for different outflow media 10 to be able to flow out of the at least one flow-through element 9 . In particular, it can be provided that the outflow medium is changed during operation of the seal 1 . For example, it can be provided that a cleaning medium is used as the outflow medium 10 to clean the at least one channel 12 and/or the at least one flow-through element 9 and/or the sealing gap 15 . The use of a disinfecting medium as the outflow medium 10 can be particularly advantageous in order to disinfect the at least one channel 12 and/or the at least one flow-through element 9 and/or the sealing gap 15 . Possible areas of application here would be, for example, food and/or beverage production.

It can also be provided that the outflow medium 10 is adapted to a medium that is in each case in the receiving space. For example, the medium can be replaced and/or chemically modified in chemical manufacturing processes, which can make it advantageous to use different types of outflow media 10 in coordination with the chemical and/or physical and/or biological properties of the medium.

In order to prevent the flow-through elements 9 from clogging, the outflow medium can be filtered by means of a filter device.

It can be advantageous if it is provided that a plurality of channels 12 lead to the at least one flow-through element 9 in order to condition or mix the outflow medium 10 in a region of the flow-through element 9 . In particular, it can be provided that the flow-through element 9 is designed in the manner of an injector nozzle, whereby air is mixed, for example, with an oil flowing through the channel 12 through a further air channel running to a surface of the sealing body 8 according to the Venturi principle.

It is advantageous if the material from which those areas of the seal 1 are formed which come into contact with the medium and/or the outflow medium is not chemically and/or mechanically changed by the medium and/or the outflow medium. For example, if the outflow medium 10 is an oil, an oil-resistant material, for example an oil-resistant plastic, should be used for at least the formation of the flow-through elements 9 and the channels 12 .

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, at least part of the seal 1 is manufactured using an additive manufacturing method, for example using a 3D printing method, for example using a fused filament fabrication method and/or using stereolithography. The at least one part or the at least one part of the seal 1 can comprise one or more of several individual parts of the seal 1 and/or a part or area of the seal 1. It is particularly advantageous here if at least areas of the sealing body 8 are additively manufactured , since this has complex structures such as the at least one channel 12 and/or the flow-through elements 9 .

In an advantageous embodiment, a region of the sealing body 8 that is in contact with the second delimiting element 7 can be made of a more elastic material than a region of the sealing body 8 that is not in contact with the second delimiting element 7 . Likewise, a stiffening area corresponding to a stiffening ring 16, which is known from the prior art, can be produced by an additive manufacturing process.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the seal 1 is made additively from a thermoplastic material, in the present exemplary embodiment a thermoplastic polyurethane, according to the manufacturing method according to the invention. The thermoplastic can advantageously be a recycled plastic, which can make the seal 1 particularly environmentally friendly. Advantageously, it can also be provided that the seal 1 is formed at least partially, in particular in a region of the sealing body 8, from a preferably cross-linked elastomeric plastic.

In principle, it can be provided that the seal 1 is additionally manufactured from at least one plastic and/or additionally from at least one metal.

So it can be provided that the sealing body 8 is made of a metal and is flexibly mounted on the first delimiting element 4, for example by the base body 14 from a elastic plastic and / or metal is made in an elastic construction.

The at least one plastic which can be used in the manufacturing process of the seal 1 or from which the seal 1 can be formed can also be an elastomer, in particular a fluororubber and/or an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber.

The at least one plastic that can be used in the manufacturing process of the seal 1, or from which the seal 1 can be formed, can also be a duromer, for example.

The at least one plastic which can be used in the manufacturing process of the seal 1 or from which the seal 1 can be formed can also be a silicone, for example.

Furthermore, a stiffening ring 16 is integrated in the illustrated embodiment of the seal 1 . Provision can be made for the stiffening ring 16 to be produced additively directly with the seal 1 . Here, the stiffening ring 16 can be made of metal and/or plastic, for example.

A tension spring 16a, which is made of metal as a spiral tension spring, is in the 2 embodiment shown in the seal 1 inserted. Provision can be made for the tension spring 16a to be produced additively directly with the seal 1 . Here, the tension spring can be made of metal and/or plastic, for example.

The tension spring 16a or another component with the same effect is used here to generate and maintain a contact pressure. The tension spring 16a can also be used to apply the necessary radial force even at higher temperatures, which can lead to a softening of the seal 1 if it is made of a plastic. The radial force or the pressing force of the sealing body on the second delimiting element 7 is composed of a proportion of the tension spring 16a and a proportion of the material from which the seal 1 is formed. Many plastics tend to creep over time, which is why the radial force component of the material decreases. In addition, the material becomes softer at higher temperatures. A necessary radial force can nevertheless be achieved by the tension spring 16a.

3 shows an embodiment of the seal 1, wherein the stiffening ring 16 is inserted into the seal 1 according to the invention, which ring presses the base body 14 in a contacting and form-fitting manner onto the first delimiting element 4. In particular, in the present exemplary embodiment, the stiffening ring 16 is made of metal.

The stiffening ring 16 can also be made from a correspondingly strong plastic or can be directly additively made from a correspondingly strong plastic as a partial area of the seal 1 .

4 shows a basic cross-section through a seal 1, the sealing body 8 being ring-shaped and the flow-through elements opening out into a ring surface 17. In particular, a second annular surface 18 running parallel to the first annular surface 17 is provided. The second annular surface 18 also has flow-through elements 9 which are offset relative to the flow-through elements 9 of the first annular surface 17 . Such an arrangement of the annular surfaces 17 and 18 and the flow-through elements 9 can contribute to the formation of a particularly advantageously dense and depth-staggered outflow medium curtain 11 . The staggering of the through-flow elements 9 transversely to the annular surfaces 17 and 18, which is achieved by the parallel annular surfaces 17 and 18, is particularly advantageous, which can also lead to an advantageously wide outflow medium curtain 11.

The flow-through elements 9 arranged in the annular surfaces 17 and 18 are each connected to a circumferential channel. The two circumferential channels are acted upon by at least two separate channels 12 with, for example, different outflow media 10 .

Provision can also be made for a different outflow medium to be able to flow out of the flow-through elements 9, which are arranged on the annular surface 18 closer to the rear side 3 of the seal 1, than out of the flow-through elements 9, which are arranged on the annular surface 17 closer to the sealing side 2 of the seal 1 are arranged. For example, the through-flow elements 9 of the two annular surfaces 17 and 18 arranged in two rows can be aligned in such a way that air can flow out to the rear side 3 and an oil-air mixture can flow out to the sealing side 2 . In this way, an entry of dirt from the outside into the receiving space can be prevented by a flow of sealing air, while an escape of the medium can be prevented by a flow of the oil-air mixture. Here, an adjustment of outflow speeds of the outflow media 10 from the flow-through elements 9 is advantageous in order to avoid negative pressure zones.

In particular, it can be provided that for each outflow medium 10 only one feed opening into the seal 1 or to the channels 12 is provided. As a result, a few connections can advantageously be sufficient to supply the seal 1 with the outflow media 10 . The feed openings can advantageously be provided with a suitable fastening option, for example a thread.

5 shows a basic representation of a seal 1 in an installed state. The first limiting member 4 is formed by a housing and the second limiting member 7 is formed by a shaft.

The outflow medium 10 is supplied to the seal 1 through the channel 12 , which in the present exemplary embodiment has a lower temperature than at least one reference point preferably arranged on the second delimiting element 7 and/or the sealing body 8 .

The outflow medium 10 also forms the at least one outflow medium curtain 11 along the sealing body 8, with a homogeneity or inhomogeneity of a pressure profile of the outflow medium curtain 11 depending on a geometry of the at least one flow-through element 9 and/or an arrangement of the at least one flow-through element 9 the sealing body 8 and/or a pressurization of the at least one flow-through element 9 is set.

Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the outflow medium 10 is supplied to the at least one flow-through element 9 under a pressure of 200 kPa to 900 kPa, preferably 400 kPa to 600 kPa.

A development of a method for sealing can likewise be advantageous in that the pressure is controlled and/or regulated as a function of at least one operating parameter of the seal 1 . The operating parameters can include, for example, a temperature, an operating pressure, a relative speed between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7 and a characteristic of the outflow medium 10 .

It can also be provided that a supply of the outflow medium 10 and/or a discharge of the medium through the seal 1 is regulated and/or controlled. In particular, a volume flow of a feed and/or a volume flow of the discharge can be controlled and/or regulated. Parameters on which the control and/or regulation can be based can include, for example, a temperature, an operating pressure and/or a relative speed between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7 and a characteristic of the outflow medium 10 .

For example, it can be provided that at a high shaft speed, at which the sealing body 8 can lift off the second delimiting element 7, whereby the sealing gap 15 can be increased, a higher pressure is applied and the sealing effect is thus reduced by the outflow medium flow and/or by the outflow medium curtain 11 is increased. As a result, pressure can advantageously be applied to the outflow medium 10 as required, which can lead to energy savings.

Provision can be made for a negative pressure relative to the surrounding atmosphere to be applied to channel 12 or the at least one flow-through element 9 by means of the pressure device (not shown), as a result of which the medium emerging from the receiving space is sucked off through the at least one flow-through element 9 and thus at an outlet the sealing area is prevented. In particular with several rows of flow-through elements 9 it can be provided that flow-through elements 9 arranged in a row facing the rear side 3 are designed as sucking flow-through elements 9, or medium is sucked up by these flow-through elements 9. The rows of flow-through elements 9 arranged on the sealing side 2 can be embodied as outflowing flow-through elements 9, or the outflow medium 10 can flow out through these flow-through elements 9.

With several rows of flow-through elements 9 it can also be provided that flow-through elements 9 arranged in a row facing the sealing side 2 are designed as sucking flow-through elements 9, or medium is sucked up by these flow-through elements 9. The rows of flow-through elements 9 arranged on the rear side 3 can be designed as outflowing flow-through elements 9 , or the outflow medium 10 can flow out through these flow-through elements 9 .

Furthermore, it can be provided that the sucked-in medium is then fed to the receiving space.

The respective rows in which the flow-through elements 9 can be arranged can also actively switch between intake and outflow during operation of the seal 1 and/or vary an intake intensity of the medium and/or an outflow intensity of the outflow medium. By a pulsating variation of the outflow intensity, or by a pulsation to Generating air pressure waves and/or oil pressure waves, the sealing gap 15 and/or the flow-through elements 9 can be cleaned, for example to remove deposits and/or wear particles and/or foreign particles. This can also be caused, among other things, by a mechanical movement of the sealing body 8, which is caused by the pulsation.

If medium is sucked in through the flow-through elements 9, it can be provided that properties of the medium are examined using an analysis device, not shown, in order to obtain information about the state of the medium and/or devices arranged in the receiving space that are in contact with the medium to win. For example, an aging state of the medium, in particular an oil, can be determined in order to indicate, for example, the need to exchange the medium.

Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that the temperature of the outflow medium 10 is controlled and/or regulated as a function of at least one operating parameter of the seal 1 . The operating parameters can include, for example, the temperature of the at least one reference point, an operating pressure, a relative speed between the sealing body 8 and the second delimiting element 7 and a characteristic of the outflow medium 10 .

For example, it can be provided that the outflow medium is supplied to the seal 1 at a cooler temperature or is cooled more intensely by a cooling device, the higher the relative speed—given, for example, by a shaft speed—between the sealing body 8 and the second limiting element 7.

Conversely, it can also be provided that the outflow medium 10 is supplied to the seal 1 in a heated form, for example if a motor vehicle is started at a low ambient temperature and the seal 1 has a low temperature at the start of operation, which, for example, is due to the low temperature Elasticity of the sealing body 8 causes.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the outflow medium 10 is supplied to the seal 1 at a temperature which has a temperature difference from a reference temperature at the at least one reference point. Provision can be made, for example, for the outflow medium 10 to be heated above a target temperature in order to heat the second delimiting element 7 in such a way that the target temperature of the at least one reference point arranged on the second delimiting element 7 is quickly reached, and/or to be cooled below the target temperature in such a way that the target temperature of the at least one reference point arranged on the second delimiting element 7 is quickly reached.

The at least one reference point can also be arranged on a shaft and/or a housing and/or the sealing body 8, for example. In particular, the at least one reference point can be designed and arranged in such a way that it always has the temperature that the medium also has.

Provision can also be made for the seal 1 to have channels which are used to control the temperature of the seal 1 and which are acted upon by a temperature control medium which cannot flow out through the flow-through elements 9 . As a result, it is possible to cool the seal 1 at high temperatures or to ensure the elasticity of the seal 1 at low temperatures by heating.

Furthermore, if there are several reference points, it can be provided that the reference temperature is determined as the weighted average of those temperatures which the individual reference points have. In this case, weighting factors can be determined, for example, by prioritizing components.

The seal 1 according to the invention can be arranged both directly in the sealing area 5 and on an end face of the first delimiting element 4 and/or the second delimiting element 7 . If the two limiting elements 4 and 7 result from a shaft and a housing, the seal 1 can be used, for example, both as a radial shaft sealing ring and as an axial shaft sealing ring.

Provision can be made for the seal 1 according to the invention to have at least one sensor receiving area for at least one sensor. Equipping the seal 1 according to the invention, or devices connected to the seal 1, such as the pressure device, with measuring sensors has the advantage that relevant operating parameters can be determined by the sensors, such as the pressure and/or the temperature and/or elastic property and/or mechanical stresses, which can occur in a material forming the sealing body 8 due to the frictional forces, and/or an oil sump temperature and/or an oil temperature in the sealing gap 15 and/or a viscosity of the oil in the receiving space and/or a leakage flow and/or an air volume flow and/or a speed of a shaft, or a relative speed of the second limiting element 7, and/or a radial force and/or a friction torque and/or a friction condition, such as dry running, mixed friction and full fluid friction, and/or a static or dynamic tightness and/or the delivery value. The operating parameters determined in this way can advantageously be used to adjust the pressure and/or the temperature and/or other parameters of the outflow medium 10 in order to optimize the sealing function.

For example, it can be provided that the at least one sensor is integrated into the sealing body 8 and is aligned in the direction of the second delimiting element 7 . It can be provided here that the sensor determines a distance, for example from the second delimiting element 7, and uses this to determine possible wear.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one sensor determines a state of the medium located in the receiving space, for example an oil. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that a color of the oil is determined in order to determine the degree of contamination.

Provision can advantageously be made for the at least one sensor to be manufactured using the manufacturing method described in the course of manufacturing the seal 1 .

If the sensor is designed as a strain gauge, for example, it can be manufactured directly as part of the seal 1 by an additive manufacturing process, for example from metal and/or other conductive materials, while parts of the seal 1 surrounding the sensor are manufactured from plastic. Electrical conductor tracks, which lead to the sensor and/or lead away from the sensor, can, for example, also be manufactured directly as part of the seal 1 by an additive manufacturing process, for example from metal.

An embodiment of the sensor 1 as a strain gauge enables an advantageous detection of amplitudes and frequencies of vibrations. The detected values can be compared with reference values in order to detect, for example, an imbalance in a shaft that is enclosed by the seal 1 .

The at least one sensor can be manufactured directly as part of the seal 1 by an additive manufacturing process using an additive manufacturing process, for example from metal and/or other conductive materials, without the seal 1 having flow-through elements 9 .

Of course, regulation of the parameters of the outflow medium 10, taking into account the operating parameters, requires the presence of a computing device that compares setpoint values with actual values.

In an advantageous development of the seal 1 - as in 5 shown - it can be provided that the seal 1 has a protective body 19 pointing towards the rear side 3, in order to protect the sealing gap 15 and/or the sealing body 8, for example, from undesirable substances such as dirt and/or dust and/or water brought in from the rear side 3 to protect. The protective body 19 can be arranged on the base body 14 and/or the sealing body 8 in such a way that it forms a protective gap with the second delimiting element 7 and/or rests against the second delimiting element 7 in a sealing manner.

In particular, an advantageous overpressure can be built up in the space formed by the protective body 19 and the sealing body 8 with an inflow of the outflow medium 10 through the flow-through elements 9 in relation to the environment. The excess pressure can advantageously prevent the medium from flowing out and/or dirt from penetrating, for example. It is particularly advantageous here that, for example, the flow-through elements 9 can be aligned at least partially towards the intermediate space in order to build up the overpressure. It can also be particularly advantageous if the flow-through elements 9, which are aligned with the intermediate space, are acted upon by an outflow medium 10 which has only small proportions of liquids and/or solids.

Furthermore, the seal 1 in the in 5 illustrated embodiment fixed or pressed axially by means of a ring cover 20, which is fixed with at least one screw 21 on the housing. An axial fixation is necessary here, since the seal 1 in the in 5 illustrated embodiment has no stiffening ring 16.

A feed 22 extending through the ring cover 20 supplies the seal 1 radially with the outflow medium 10 via a circumferential groove 23. The in 5 illustrated axial fixation of the seal 1 is not necessary in all applications. In practice, common radial shaft seals are usually only pressed into a receiving bore or fixed with a friction fit. In In such a case, for example, the ring cover 20 could then be dispensed with.

6 shows a microscopic image of a through-flow opening 9a of a through-flow element 9, which has an elliptical shape, with the ratio of the semi-axes not exceeding a factor of 2. In particular, the semi-axes can be the same, resulting in a circular flow opening 9a.

Provision can be made, for example, for the channel 12 to end directly at the through-flow opening 9a. In this case, the through-flow element 9 is to be understood as being reduced to the through-flow opening 9a.

An exact shape of a through-flow opening 9a of the through-flow elements 9 can advantageously be varied depending on, for example, an application and/or a sealing material. However, within the scope of the invention, an approximately elliptical shape of the through-flow opening 9a has proven to be advantageous.

A shape that is longer than the ellipse shown, in which the semi-axes of the through-flow opening 9a differ by more than a factor of 2, can be advantageous in order to achieve a homogeneous outflow medium curtain 11 on the second delimiting element 7 in that the outflow medium 10 covers the through-flow element 9 in Leaves the form of an outflow medium fan.

Furthermore, an arrangement of the flow-through elements 9 on the sealing body 8 can be advantageous in which the long semi-axes of the elliptical flow-through elements 9 are oriented at a specific angle to the sealing body 8 . In particular, the long semi-axes can be oriented at an acute angle to the sealing body 8 . As a result, the outflow medium compartments can overlap in a lamellar manner even if the flow-through elements 9 are at a small distance, as a result of which an advantageously homogeneous outflow medium curtain 11 can be achieved on the second delimiting element 7 .

It can also be advantageous if the ratio of the semi-axes of the elliptical flow-through elements 9, and thus of the opening angles of the outflow medium compartments, is selected as a function of the height of the sealing gap 15 and the spacing of the flow-through elements from the sealing body. In this case, the opening angle should be selected to be larger, the larger the distance between the flow-through elements 9 is.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the through-flow openings 9a have an equivalent diameter of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm.

The equivalent diameter of the through-flow opening 9a is the diameter of that circle whose area corresponds to an area of the through-flow opening 9a. Such an equivalent diameter can also be referred to as the diameter of a circle with the same projection area.

Flow openings 9a arranged next to one another are provided along the longitudinal extent of the sealing body 8 in the present exemplary embodiment.

In particular, it can be provided that the at least one through-flow opening 9a is only formed in a partial region of the longitudinal extent of the sealing body 8, so that a length of a section of the through-flow opening 9a with a line running in the direction of the longitudinal extent is less than nine tenths, preferably four fifths, even more preferably less than half, a length of the longitudinal extent.

If several through-flow openings 9a are provided, it can be advantageous that a total length of the intersections of the through-flow openings 9a with a line running in the direction of the longitudinal extent is less than nine tenths, preferably four fifths, more preferably less than half, of the length of the longitudinal extent .

In 6 Furthermore, embodiments of the seal 1 are shown, wherein the flow-through elements 9 or the flow-through openings 9a are triangular, elliptical, ring-segment-shaped, crescent-shaped, roof-shaped and/or rectangular, and are aligned longitudinally, transversely and/or obliquely to the sealing side, for example in order to increase the conveyance value of the seal 1 to increase.

It is particularly advantageous if outflow medium flow 11 in the region of sealing gap 15 has a pressure distribution and/or flow distribution which is directly influenced by the shape of flow-through element 9 or flow-through opening 9a, preferably the shape of flow-through element 9 or flow-through opening 9a at least geometrically is approximately similar. A homogenization of a flow profile of the outflow medium flow, for example by means of an annular groove and/or further sealing bodies 8 or a plurality of sealing lips, is disadvantageous here under certain circumstances, since the transport value of the seal 1 can be reduced.

With such geometries, it is also provided that the through-flow openings 9a have an equivalent lenten diameter of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm.

A geometric shape of the outflow medium curtain 11 can also be influenced by a shape of the sealing body 8, for example by arranging depressions and/or elevations on the sealing body 8 in such a way that the outflow medium on the sealing body, but for example away from the flow-through elements 9, forms an outflow medium curtain 11 is formed.

The manufacturing method according to the invention using additive manufacturing offers an advantageously large spectrum of possible shapes and geometries of the seal 1 according to the invention, as a result of which a large number of sensors can be introduced into the seal 1 .

Material properties of a material used to carry out the production method for a seal 1 can advantageously be matched to the application conditions to be expected. Manufacturing the seal 1, or the sealing body 8 and/or the base body 14 and/or the at least one flow-through element 9 and/or a jacket of the at least one channel 12, for example from metal, for example by means of laser sintering, can advantageously be used to achieve a constant height of the Sealing gap 15 without frictional contact with second limiting element 7 . It can also be provided that parts of the seal 1 are made from different materials. Thus, the stiffening ring 16 can also be integrated into the seal 1 by means of additive manufacturing or it can be manufactured separately and inserted into the seal 1 . It is also conceivable that different plastics are advantageously used at different positions and different areas of the seal 1 in the context of additive manufacturing.

Advantageously, it can also be provided that a functional coating is applied to a part of the surface or the entire surface of the seal 1 by means of the production method. A coating which at least partially has an omniphobic and/or a hydrophilic and/or a hydrophobic and/or a lipophilic and/or lipophobic property can be particularly advantageous. For example, an accumulation of dirt on the seal 1 can be minimized by an omniphobic property of the seal 1 . The application of the functional coating can be carried out particularly efficiently with the production method.

7 shows a basic side view of a section through a seal 1 with slit-shaped through-flow elements 9, which in turn have slit-shaped through-flow openings 9a. Slot-shaped flow openings 9a can have a length to width ratio of at least 50 to 1, for example in the form of a very elongated ellipse.

If it is provided that the second delimiting element 7 is a shaft and the first delimiting element 4 is a housing, the flow-through elements 9 can be embodied in an elongated manner, preferably as a narrow rectangle and/or as a slot. In particular, such through-flow elements 9 or through-flow openings 9a can be arranged at an angle to the sealing body 8 in such a way that an inhomogeneous outflow medium curtain 11 is formed. As a result, medium flowing out through the sealing gap 15 can advantageously be conveyed back into the receiving space as soon as the shaft rotates. This can advantageously increase the sealing security or the conveying value of the seal 1 .

Furthermore, it can be provided that the 7 shown slot-shaped flow elements are formed at a distance from an edge region of the sealing body 8 forming the sealing gap 15 .

As a result, for example, a pumping effect of the outflow medium curtain 11 and thus the conveying value of the seal 1 can be increased.

8th shows a basic side view of a section through a seal 1, the sealing body 8 being designed as a sleeve which rests against the second limiting element 7, which can be a shaft. The channel 12 opens into the through-flow element 9.

In particular, it can advantageously be provided that the outflow medium 10 flows out at least approximately exclusively through the flow-through elements 9 and/or a medium is sucked in at least approximately exclusively through the flow-through elements 9 . This can mean, for example, that only the at least one channel 12 is acted upon by the outflow medium 10, for example through the circumferential groove 23 and/or a hose connection, but not, for example, an entire rear side 3 is acted upon by outflow medium 10 and/or to an entire rear side 2 a negative pressure is applied to suck off the medium.

In particular, a manufacturing method according to the invention can be decentralized, for example by means of an additive manufacturing method, such as 3D printing, for example a fused filament fabrication method and/or stereolithography and/or selective laser sintering. Since seals 1 are often critical wearing parts, such a decentralized manufacturing process can be of particular advantage. For example, in order to provide a seal 1 according to the invention, a user can only be provided with information about the three-dimensional physical characteristic of the seal 1, for example a CAD file. The user can carry out the production himself, provided that an additive manufacturing system is available. Such a manufacturing method can accordingly lead to a significant saving in time and thus to a saving in costs.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102017106885 A1 [0012]
• DD 298019 A5 [0013]
• DE 102018009096 A1 [0014]

Claims (20)

Seal (1), having a sealing side (2), a rear side (3) and at least one sealing body (8), wherein a longitudinal extent of the sealing body (8) is directed in the same direction as the sealing side (2) or the rear side (3), characterized in that the sealing body (8) has at least one flow-through element (9) with at least one flow-through opening (9a), through which an outflow medium (10) can flow out of the sealing body (8) and/or a medium can be sucked into the sealing body (8). is, wherein the at least one flow opening (9a) is formed in only a partial area of the longitudinal extension of the sealing body (8) and wherein the at least one flow opening (9a) is arranged on an outer contour of the sealing body (8). Gasket (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing body (8) has at least one channel (12) preferably running inside the sealing body (8), designed to supply the outflow medium (10) to the at least one flow-through element (9) and/or to discharge the medium from the at least one flow-through element (9). Gasket (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one flow opening (9a) is arranged in a region facing away from the sealing side (2) and the rear side (3). Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the sealing body (8) is arranged between a first delimiting element (4) and a second delimiting element (7) and is connected to the first delimiting element (4). Gasket (1) after claim 4 , characterized in that the at least one through-flow opening (9a) is arranged in a region of the sealing body (8) facing the second delimiting element (7). Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the sealing body (8) is designed as a single sealing lip. Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that a sealing gap height (15a) of a sealing gap (15) between the sealing body (8) and the second delimiting element (7) can be varied at least in regions by the outflow medium (10) flowing out and/or by the medium being sucked in. Gasket (1) after claim 7 , characterized in that the sealing body (8) can be lifted off the second delimiting element (7) at least almost completely by the outflow medium (10) flowing out and/or can be placed at least almost completely on the second delimiting element (7) by sucking in the medium . Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the sealing body (8) is arranged on a base body (14). Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the sealing body (8) is annular. Poetry after one of Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that the at least one flow-through element (9) is aligned with the sealing side (2). Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 4 until 11 , characterized in that the at least one flow-through element (9) is arranged and/or designed on the sealing body (8) in such a way that a pressure profile and/or flow profile caused by the at least one flow-through element (9) along the longitudinal extent of the sealing body (8 ) at the second delimiting element (7) has a minimum value which differs from a maximum value by less than 10 percent and/or by more than 5 percent of the minimum value. Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 12 , characterized in that the at least one flow opening (9a) has an equivalent diameter of 0.1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm. Gasket (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 13 , characterized in that at least part of the seal (1) is manufactured by means of an additive manufacturing process. Method for sealing a sealing side (2) of a seal (1) against a rear side (3) of the seal (1), the seal (1) having at least one sealing body (8) arranged on a sealing region (5), a longitudinal extent of the The sealing body (8) is directed in the same direction as the sealing side (2) or the rear side (3), characterized in that at least one flow-through element (9) which is arranged on the sealing body (8) and has at least one flow-through opening (9a) releases an outflow medium (10 ) flowed out and / or a medium is sucked in and the outflow medium (10) only in at least one part flows out over the longitudinal extension through an outer contour of the sealing body (8) and/or a medium is sucked in through the outer contour only in at least a partial area of the longitudinal extension procedure after claim 15 , characterized in that at least one outflow medium curtain (11) is formed along the sealing body (8), with a homogeneity or an inhomogeneity of a pressure profile of the outflow medium curtain (11) depending on a geometry of the at least one flow-through element (9) and/or a Arrangement of the at least one flow-through element (9) on the sealing body (8) and/or subjecting the at least one flow-through element (9) to pressure. Procedure according to one of Claims 15 or 16 , characterized in that the outflow medium (10) has a different temperature than at least one reference point preferably arranged on the second delimiting element (7) and/or the sealing body (8). Procedure according to one of Claims 16 until 17 , characterized in that the outflow medium (10) is supplied to the at least one flow-through element (9) under a pressure of 200 kPa to 900 kPa, preferably 400 kPa to 600 kPa. Procedure according to one of Claims 15 until 18 , characterized in that the outflow medium (10) is a gas or a gas mixture and/or a gas-oil mixture and/or an oil and/or a fat. Method for producing a seal (1), in particular according to one of Claims 1 until 14 , characterized in that the seal (1) is made additively from at least one plastic and/or additively from at least one metal.

Images