DE102023101276B3 - Sealing system with fluid cooling function for a fluid container, container with a sealing system and motor vehicle with a container - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealing system (10) for a container (12) or a line element is described, in which a hot fluid (14h), in particular a hot gas or gas mixture, is received and/or flows through, the sealing system (10) comprising: a first , inner sealing area (16) which is in direct contact with the hot fluid (14h) present in the container (12) or line element, a second, outer sealing area (18) which is at a distance (AB) from the first sealing area ( 16) is arranged, wherein the first sealing area (16) has at least one first sealing element (16-1, 16-2) which is arranged and designed such that the first sealing element (16-1, 16-2) past a Partial volume of hot fluid (14h) passes in the direction of the second sealing area (18). It is provided that the second sealing area (18) has at least one further sealing element (18-1, 18-2; 20), which is designed in such a way that the second sealing area (18) effects a complete seal, and that the first sealing area (16) is set up to cool fluid (14h, 14k) flowing in the direction of the second sealing area (18), a fluid channel (22) being formed between the boundary area (16) and the closing area (18), in which the cooled fluid (14k) is included.

Description

The invention relates to a sealing system for a container or a line element, in which a hot fluid, in particular a hot gas or gas mixture, is received and/or flows through, the sealing system comprising: an inner boundary area which is directly connected to the one in the container or line element existing hot fluid is in contact, an outer closing area, which is arranged at a distance from the delimitation area, wherein the delimitation area has at least one delimitation element, which is arranged and designed in such a way that a partial volume of hot fluid passes the delimitation element in the direction of the end area reached.

Various sealing systems are known from the prior art, in particular for use in gas turbines in aircraft. For this purpose, in particular DE 41 23 303 A1 and the U.S. 4,889,348 A pointed out. From the US 2006 0125188 A a sealing arrangement is known in which a cooling fluid is used to allow expansion or contraction of the seal. From the DE 10 2020 127 772 A1 a cooling plate for a fuel cell is known, whose channel lines that can be filled with liquid and are part of the seal are arranged outside a chemically active area.

When sealing high-temperature or hot, in particular vaporous or gaseous media or fluids, special seals containing fluorine are regularly used in order to enable a certain durability of the seal that is in contact with the hot medium. Such seals are usually rather expensive and it has been shown that the sealing effect decreases relatively quickly, so that the seal has to be renewed.

The object on which the invention is based is seen in specifying a seal in which the above disadvantages can be avoided.

This object is achieved by a sealing system having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous configurations with expedient developments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

A sealing system is therefore proposed for a container or a line element, in which a hot fluid, in particular a hot gas or gas mixture, is received and/or flows through, the sealing system comprising: an inner boundary area which is directly connected to the one in the container or line element existing hot fluid is in contact, and an outer closing area, which is arranged at a distance from the delimitation area, wherein the delimitation area has at least one delimitation element, which is arranged and designed in such a way that a partial volume of hot fluid passes the delimitation element in the direction of the Final area reached. It is provided that the closing area has at least one sealing element, which is designed in such a way that the closing area effects a complete seal, and that the delimitation area is set up to cool fluid reaching in the direction of the closing area, with a fluid channel between the delimiting area and the closing area is formed, in which the cooled fluid is contained.

Such a sealing system makes it possible to avoid direct or immediate contact of hot fluid, in particular hot gas, with the actual sealing material. The delimitation area keeps the hot fluid predominantly in a fluid chamber of the container or line element, with a small volume fraction of hot fluid being able to escape past the delimitation element in the direction of the closing area. In the process, the escaping volume fraction is cooled. In this case, an at least partial phase transition from gaseous to liquid can take place. The fluid then impinging on the closing area and in particular the at least one sealing element then has a temperature that enables low-wear and reliable sealing. A type of intermediate fluid chamber is thus formed between the delimitation area and the closing area, which chamber can be filled with, in particular, multi-phase, cooled fluid.

The delimitation area with the at least one delimitation element thus has a type of throttle function for the hot fluid, with the passage of hot fluid being limited. The termination area provides the final seal to the outside. With regard to the hot fluid, it is pointed out that this can have a temperature of approximately 100°C to 1,200°C, in particular approximately 200°C. up to 800°C. The hot fluid can be, for example, an exhaust gas from a combustion process, a process gas from a fuel cell, a refrigerant in a refrigeration system or the like.

In the sealing system, the delimiting element of the delimiting area is designed as a cooling channel in which a cooling fluid circulates or flows. If several, for example two limits tion elements are provided, the limiting elements can be designed as a flow and return for the cooling fluid.

A cooling fluid circulation in the delimiting element can be adjusted as a function of a temperature of the hot fluid and/or a pressure in the container or line element and/or a volume flow of hot fluid.

In the sealing system, the cross-sectional shape of the delimiting element can be changed, in particular be deformable under the action of pressure, such that an intermediate space formed between the delimiting element and a container wall or between two delimiting elements can be adjusted, or the delimiting element can be fixed in terms of its cross-sectional shape. This makes it possible to set, in particular to reduce or increase, a distance between the delimiting element and a container wall or between the two delimiting elements. It is also conceivable that the distance is reduced to such an extent by a corresponding deformation that hardly any hot fluid or no hot fluid reaches in the direction of the closing area. In particular, it is also conceivable that the two delimiting elements come into contact with one another, in particular under pressure. In such a case, the delimitation area can also act as a seal.

In the sealing system, the limiting element can be made of a metal. In this case, by means of the delimiting element or delimiting elements made of metal, in particular an optimized heat dissipation from the hot fluid can take place, preferably heat input into the cooling fluid circulating in the delimiting elements.

In the sealing system, the delimitation area can have two delimitation elements lying opposite one another or at least partially overlapping, which are arranged and designed in such a way that hot fluid flows between them in the direction of the closing area.

In the sealing system, the sealing element of the termination area can be an elastomeric seal.

In the sealing system, the closing area can have as sealing elements: two opposite first sealing elements, between which a second sealing element is arranged.

In the sealing system, the first sealing elements can be variable in terms of their cross-sectional shape, in particular deformable under the action of pressure, such that a force acting on the second sealing element can be adjusted, or the first sealing elements can be rigid in terms of their cross-sectional shape.

In the sealing system, the first sealing elements can be made of a metal, with the second sealing element in particular being made of an elastomer. The configuration of the second sealing element from an elastomer can be considered in such a sealing system because the fluid coming into contact with the second sealing element is already cooled. Conventional elastomers can thus be used, with the use of fluorine being avoidable.

In the sealing system it is also conceivable that the fluid channel formed between the delimitation area and the closing area is used in such a way that the cooled fluid can circulate or is actively circulated in it, in particular along the delimitation area and the closing area.

In a container for a pressurized hot fluid, the container having a fluid space in which the hot fluid is received or circulates, the fluid space can be at least partially or essentially completely delimited by a sealing system described above. A motor vehicle can, for example, be equipped with such a container for cooling vehicle components.

The use of the sealing system presented here is not limited to motor vehicles. Rather, it can be used in different applications in which a hot fluid is contained or flows through a container or a line element or other components, with sealing to the outside being required. In particular, such a sealing system can also be used in power plants or turbines or the like.

• 1 eine vereinfachte und schematische Schnittansicht eines Beispiels eines Dichtungssystems;
• 2 eine vereinfachte und schematische Schnittansicht eines Beispiels eines Dichtungssystems;
• 3 eine vereinfachte und schematische Schnittansicht eines Beispiels eines Dichtungssystems;
• 4 eine vereinfachte und schematische Schnittansicht eines Beispiels eines Dichtungssystems;
• 5 eine vereinfachte und schematische Schnittansicht eines Beispiels eines Dichtungssystems
• 6 eine vereinfachte und schematische Schnittansicht eines Beispiels eines Dichtungssystems.

Further advantages and details of the invention result from the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures. It shows:

• 1 a simplified and schematic sectional view of an example of a sealing system;
• 2 a simplified and schematic sectional view of an example of a sealing system;
• 3 a simplified and schematic sectional view of an example of a sealing system;
• 4 a simplified and schematic sectional view of an example of a sealing system;
• 5 a simplified and schematic sectional view of an example of a sealing system
• 6 a simplified and schematic sectional view of an example of a sealing system.

In 1 a simplified and schematic sectional view of a sealing system 10 for a container 12 or a line element is shown, in which a hot fluid 14h, in particular a hot gas or gas mixture, is received and/or flows through.

The sealing system 10 comprises an inner delimitation area 16 which is in direct contact with the hot fluid 14h present in the container 12 (or line element). An outer termination area 18 is arranged at a distance AB from the delimitation area 16 .

The delimitation area 16 has two delimitation elements 16-1, 16-2 lying opposite one another, which are arranged and designed in such a way that hot fluid 14h passes between them in the direction of the closing area 18, which is illustrated by the white contour arrow. It is therefore possible in the delimitation area 16 that only an incomplete or partial seal is provided, which can also be understood as a throttling function of the delimitation area.

The closing area 18 has two opposing first sealing elements 18-1, 18-2, between which a second sealing element 20 is received, such that the closing area 18 causes a complete seal for the container 12 to the outside. The first sealing elements 18 - 1 , 18 - 2 shown here can also be understood as stiffening elements in the closing area 18 .

In this case, the delimitation area 16 is set up to cool fluid 14h reaching in the direction of the closing area 18 . In particular, at least a partial phase transition can be brought about in the fluid 14k that comes into contact with the termination region 18 by cooling.

The delimiting elements 16-1, 16-2 of the delimiting region 16 can be designed as cooling channels in which a cooling fluid circulates, which in 1 illustrated by the two oppositely pointing arrows VL and RL. A cooling fluid circulation in the delimiting elements 16-1, 16-2 can be adjustable depending on a temperature of the hot fluid 14h and/or a pressure in the container 12 (or line element) and/or a volume flow of hot fluid 14h.

From the 2 It can be seen that, according to one embodiment of the sealing system 10, the delimiting elements 16-1, 16-2 can be changed in terms of their cross-sectional shape, in particular can be deformed under the action of pressure, which is illustrated by the two vertically running double arrows VF. Such a deformability VF makes it possible for an intermediate space ZR formed between the delimiting elements 16-1, 16-2 (see also 1 ) is adjustable. Alternatively, the delimiting elements 16-1, 16-2 can also be designed to be fixed with respect to their cross-sectional shape, for example with a constant gap ZR, as is shown in FIG 1 is illustrated.

The limiting elements 16-1, 16-2 can be made of a metal. This ensures good thermal conductivity, so that heat can be extracted from the hot fluid 14h by means of the cooling fluid circulating in the delimiting elements 16-1, 16-2 (arrows VL, RL) when it is between the delimiting elements 16-1, 16-2 passes through.

In 3 An embodiment of the sealing system 10 is shown, in which the cross-sectional shape of the first sealing elements 18-1, 18-2 can be changed, in particular deformed under pressure (double arrows VF2). For this purpose, the first sealing elements 18-1, 18-2 can be filled with a fluid, so that they can be inflated to a certain extent. Thus, by means of the first sealing elements 18-1, 18-2, a force acting on the second sealing element 20 can be adjusted in order to increase the sealing effect of the closing area 18 if necessary. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the first sealing elements 18-1, 18-2 can be fixed, as is the case in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS 1 and 2 illustrated by the cross hatching.

The first sealing elements 18-1, 18-2 can be made of a metal. The second sealing element 20 can be made of an elastomer.

As from the synopsis of 1 until 3 can be seen, in each of the embodiments, which can also be combined with one another, a fluid channel 22 is formed between the delimitation area 16 and the end area 18, in which the at least partially multipha sige, in particular cooled fluid 14k is included.

The limiting elements 16, 16-2 and the first sealing elements 18-1, 18-2 are in the 1 until 3 shown as an example and simplified elliptical. It is pointed out that such a shape is not mandatory and the delimiting elements or sealing elements can also have other (cross-sectional) shapes.

4 shows an embodiment in which only one delimiting element 16 - 1 is arranged in the delimiting region 16 . An intermediate space ZR, through which hot fluid can flow in the direction of the closing area 18, is formed in this example by the delimiting element 16-1 and a wall 12w of the container 12.

A cooling fluid can also flow through the delimiting element 16-1, which is indicated by the arrow VL. Furthermore, the delimiting element 16-1 can be deformable with respect to its cross-sectional shape, in particular for adjusting the size of the intermediate space ZR, which is indicated by the double arrow VF1.

In the example of 4 a sealing element 18 -n is arranged in the closing area 18 . The only sealing element 18-n here can be an elastomer seal, for example. In the example it is shown with a substantially rectangular cross-section.

5 shows an embodiment in which only one delimiting element 16 - 1 is arranged in the delimiting region 16 . In this case, the delimiting element 16-1 is accommodated with respective intermediate spaces ZR between container walls 12-w. Hot fluid can thus flow on two sides of the delimiting element 16 - 1 in the direction of the second sealing area 18 . The arrangement of the delimiting element 16 - 1 shown here can also be understood as a type of floating arrangement, because the delimiting element has fluid flowing around it from essentially all sides. However, a delimiting element 16-1 arranged in this way is also connected to the container 12 or the walls 12w by means of one or more fixations 30 in order to hold it in a desired position.

A cooling fluid can also flow through the delimiting element 16-1, which is indicated by the arrow VL. Furthermore, the delimiting element 16-1 can be deformable with respect to its cross-sectional shape, in particular for adjusting the size of the intermediate space ZR, which is indicated by the double arrow VF1.

In the example of 5 a sealing element 18 -n is arranged in the closing area 18 . The only sealing element 18-n here can be an elastomer seal, for example. In the example it is shown with a substantially circular cross-section.

6 shows an embodiment in which only one delimiting element 16 - 1 is arranged in the delimiting region 16 . The delimiting element 16 - 1 is designed as a trapezoidal channel. An intermediate space ZR, through which hot fluid can flow in the direction of the closing area 18 , is formed in this example by the delimiting element 16 - 1 and a wall 12w of the container 12 .

A cooling fluid can also flow through the delimiting element 16-1, which is indicated by the arrow VL. Furthermore, the delimiting element 16-1 can be deformable with respect to its cross-sectional shape, in particular for adjusting the size of the intermediate space ZR, which is indicated by the double arrow VF1.

In the example of 6 a sealing element 18 -n is arranged in the closing area 18 . The only sealing element 18-n here can be an elastomer seal, for example. The example illustrates a polygonal shape of the sealing element 18-n, in particular adapted to a shape of the container 12, for example for the purpose of reinforcement or stiffening.

It is related to the examples above 1 until 6 pointed out that the various configurations of the delimitation area 16 and the end area 18 can be combined with one another as desired. So it is conceivable, for example, in a sealing system according to a delimitation area 16 1 with a termination area 18 according to 4 to combine. However, it is also conceivable to have a termination area 18 in accordance with 3 with a delimitation area 16 according to 6 to combine. In that regard, all of the embodiments shown here 1 until 6 only represent individual examples whose individual features can be combined with one another.

With regard to the aggregate states of the fluid 14h, 14k, it is additionally pointed out that the hot fluid 14h can be a gas or gas mixture or condensate. In particular, the hot fluid 14h can be guided through the container 12 or the line element or flow through it or be accommodated or stored therein essentially without flow. The cooled fluid 14k can be a cooled gas or gas mixture or a liquid or a condensate be, wherein the cooled fluid 14k can in particular also be a multi-phase mixture, for example a cooled gas with liquid content, as is the case for example with refrigerants in refrigeration systems.

That in the 1 until 6 indicated container 12 for a pressurized hot fluid 14h has a in the 1 until 6 only hinted at fluid space 24 in which the hot fluid 14h is added or circulates. How from the 1 until 6 As can be seen, the fluid chamber 24 can be delimited at least in sections or essentially completely by a sealing system 10 described above.

For the above exemplary embodiments, it is again pointed out that the delimitation area 16 with the at least one delimitation element 16-1, 16-2 has a kind of throttling function for the hot fluid, with the passage of hot fluid being limited. The closing area 18 provides the final seal to the outside.

With regard to the hot fluid, it is pointed out that this can have a temperature of approximately 100°C to 1,200°C, in particular approximately 200°C. up to 800°C. The hot fluid can be, for example, an exhaust gas from a combustion process, a process gas from a fuel cell, a refrigerant in a refrigeration system or the like.

A motor vehicle, not shown in detail, can be equipped, for example, with such a container 12 for cooling vehicle components.

The use of the sealing system 10 presented here is not limited to the area of motor vehicles. Rather, it can be used in different applications in which a hot fluid 14h is contained or flows through a container 12 or a line element or other components, with sealing to the outside being necessary. In particular, such a sealing system 10 can also be used in power plants or turbines or the like.

Claims (10)

Sealing system (10) for a container (12) or a line element, in which a hot fluid (14h) with a temperature of 100°C to 1,200°C is received and/or flows through, the sealing system (10) comprising: an inner Delimitation area (16) which is in direct contact with the hot fluid (14h) present in the container (12) or line element, an outer closing area (18) which is arranged at a distance (AB) from the delimitation area (16), wherein the delimitation region (16) has at least one delimitation element (16-1, 16-2) which is arranged and designed in such a way that a partial volume of hot fluid (14h) flows past the delimitation element (16-1, 16-2) in towards the end region (18), characterized in that the end region (18) has at least one sealing element (18-1, 18-2; 20) which is designed in such a way that the end region (18) effects a complete seal, and that the delimitation area (16) is set up to cool fluid (14h, 14k) flowing in the direction of the closing area (18), a fluid channel (22) being formed between the delimiting area (16) and the closing area (18), in which cooled fluid (14k), wherein the delimiting element (16-1, 16-2) of the delimiting region (16) is designed as a cooling channel (VL, RL) in which a cooling fluid circulates, and wherein a cooling fluid circulation in the delimiting element (16 -1, 16-2) depending on a temperature of the hot fluid (14h) and/or a pressure in the container (12) or line element and/or a volume flow of hot fluid (14h). Sealing system (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the delimiting element (16-1, 16-2) can be changed, in particular deformed under pressure, such that an intermediate space (ZR) formed between the delimiting element and a container wall or between the two delimiting elements can be adjusted , or that the limiting element (16-1, 16-2) is fixed with respect to its cross-sectional shape. Sealing system (10) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first limiting member (16-1, 16-2) is made of a metal. Sealing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the delimitation area (16) has two opposing or at least partially overlapping first delimitation elements (16-1, 16-2) which are arranged and designed in such a way that hot fluid (14h ) in the direction of the termination area (18). Sealing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element of the termination area (18) is an elastomeric seal. Sealing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing area (18) has as further sealing elements: two opposing first sealing elements (18-1, 18-2), between which a second sealing element (20) is arranged . sealing system claim 6 , characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the first sealing elements (18-1, 18-2) can be changed, in particular deformed under the action of pressure, such that a force acting on the second sealing element (20) can be adjusted, or that the first sealing elements (18-1, 18-2) are fixed in terms of their cross-sectional shape. Sealing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fluid channel (22) containing the cooled fluid (14k) is formed between the boundary region (16) and the closing region (18). Container (12) for a pressurized hot fluid (14h), the container (12) having a fluid space (24) in which the hot fluid (14h) is received or circulates, characterized in that the fluid space (24) is at least partially or essentially completely delimited by a sealing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle with a container (12) according to claim 9 , In particular a container for cooling vehicle components.

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