Any Mechanical Engineers in the house?

[SagaLore]

I'm tormented over an engineering problem having to do with friction points, and ways to reduce friction but still keep an air tight seal. But I would prefer to talk about it in private - via PM, email, or msn messenger.

I was thinking about using roller bearings but I'm wondering if the additional friction required to seal the edge of the roller is more than just using a straight seal...

edit:

Is there an Alloy that is strong, smooth, and wear-resistance - but expands when heated?

edit2:

Will water act as a lubricant for seals?

update:

Tell me if this seal design would work. The shape is like a piece of a pie - a segment of a circle. The bottom end serves as a pivot, so at any given position, the top surface always has the same angle and length from the pivot point. There are two pieces - which mean at edges, around 315 degrees from the lengthwise edge. When pressure from both lengthwise sides push against the pieces, the slant will force the pieces outward, so the ends push against the housing.

As long as the pieces only pivot within a short range - maybe 10 degrees, depends on how big the segment is - then lengthwise a true seal should be made?

 

[J0hnny]

Use a magnet!

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
Use a magnet!

For?... In what way?...

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: J0hnny
Use a magnet!

For?... In what way?...

http://www.skf.com/portal/skf_rev/home

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: J0hnny

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: J0hnny
Use a magnet!

For?... In what way?...

http://www.skf.com/portal/skf_rev/home

That is pretty neat, I haven't come across that before. I took a look at their applications, but it looks like it is for very large systems. I'm afraid that it won't fit my needs at such the small size and high speeds I'm looking at.

 

[Howard]

Use a seal material that has a lower coefficient of friction.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Howard
Use a seal material that has a lower coefficient of friction.

Well that is my backup plan, just use solid seals with a material that has the least friction. But I want to find out if a rolling rod could do this and still keep a seal on the ends. It will be sealing two chambers.

 

[habib89]

i dont' really understand what you need to do

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: habib89
i dont' really understand what you need to do

That is because I'm trying not to give it away here. If you want to discuss in private, PM me and we will talk.

 

[Howard]

It might be possible. But you'd have to make sure both ends were sealed tightly. You could possibly use a lubricious ferrofluid around the roller, although that might actually increase friction and you'd need a magnetic field.

How about you PM me?

 

[UpGrD]

Use Delrin (or similar) as your sealing material. Low friction, low wear and decent sealing properties. If you need an air tight seal, any kind of seal requiring movement/rotation will eventually leak. Simplify things and make it a solid seal if at all possible.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: UpGrD
Use Delrin (or similar) as your sealing material. Low friction, low wear and decent sealing properties. If you need an air tight seal, any kind of seal requiring movement/rotation will eventually leak. Simplify things and make it a solid seal if at all possible.

Can it withstand extreme heat?

 

[UpGrD]

define extreme.

 

[Johnnie]

great forum for info

 

[SagaLore]

Is there an Alloy that is strong, smooth, and wear-resistance - but expands when heated?

 

[sao123]

If you are working on an invention for a patent you should force these people to sign NDA's. But no one here is going to help you or sign an NDA unless you offer a consultant fee for their assistance.

In short... You will not profit from ATOT's ideas for free.

 

[Yossarian]

it's all ball bearings these days.

 

[habib89]

delrin would probably not work.. although i don't know what temperatures it'll get up to..

Melting point : 347° F
Maximum serving temperature for short term : 300° F
Maximum serving temperature for long term : 185° F

 

[thirdlegstump]

Believe it or not, anal lube works excellent for this type of application. It is designed to lubricate tight fit areas under intense heat generated from friction. As the viscosity levels are quite high, it should do an applicable job as a sealant.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Believe it or not, anal lube works excellent for this type of application. It is designed to lubricate tight fit areas under intense heat generated from friction. As the viscosity levels are quite high, it should do an applicable job as a sealant.

:shocked:

 

[SagaLore]

Tell me if this seal design would work. The shape is like a piece of a pie - a segment of a circle. The bottom end serves as a pivot, so at any given position, the top surface always has the same angle and length from the pivot point. There are two pieces - which mean at edges, around 315 degrees from the lengthwise edge. When pressure from both lengthwise sides push against the pieces, the slant will force the pieces outward, so the ends push against the housing.

As long as the pieces only pivot within a short range - maybe 10 degrees, depends on how big the segment is - then lengthwise a true seal should be made?

 

[Howard]

Zinc has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion - even higher than aluminum. You could get around the wear resistant part by applying a suitable coating.

 

[acemcmac]

I stayed at a holiday inn express last night

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
I stayed at a holiday inn express last night

You are definitely qualified to give me engineering advice! :thumbsup::beer:

 

[SagaLore]

bump.

Still need help with my last update. I have 3d animations of the seal design I came up with, but I can't post it here. If you want to discuss and can really offer some insight, then PM me.