Hermetic bellows seal for Braun linear engine: design, test, and demonstration. Final report. [Bellows type; size; oscillation rate; deflection; pressure difference]
The work performed on this project consisted of defining seal requirements, analyzing and testing seal performance to develop a design data base, and applying that design criteria to evolve a seal solution suitable for application to a light-commercial-sized heat pump. At the point where the compressor piston rod joins the drive mechanism of the BR-105 linear engine, a linear acting seal is required to ensure the hermetic enclosure of the refrigerant (R-22) system. The estimated maximum pressure difference across the seal, under all conditions including start-up, will be 80 psi, and the estimated temperature range will be -30/sup 0/ to 100/sup 0/F. Maximum life goal is 15 years with operation of at least 4000 hours per year. The seal will be exposed to an oil/refrigerant mixture on one side and atmosphere contaminated with combustion products on the other side. The rod diameter is 1.0 inch, the maximum piston stroke is 6 inches and the speed range is from 800 to 1200 cycles per minute. After consideration of the requirements, the evolved seal design consists of two or more bellows elements placed in series and joined to the underface of the piston at one end and to the crankcase at the other. The intermediary ends of the bellows are joined together so that all the joints are made leak tight. The compressor piston rod is enclosed within the bellows. Bellows elements are driven at their point of junction by a mechanism synchronized to the piston motion but so constrained as to limit the stress in each element, thereby insuring an effective, long-life hermetic seal.
- Research Organization:
- Honeywell, Inc., Roseville, MN (USA). Technology Strategy Center; Tectonics Research, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 5683740
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/Sub-80-61613/1; ON: DE85013545
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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