Parker Engineered Seals Division designed the innovative volume compensation diaphragm seals (VCD) to accommodate volume changes inside enclosures by simply unfolding its radially-patterned corrugations. This enables the elastomer to experience minimal stretch during volume expansion, greatly reducing the potential for failures due to overstress. In one typical example, strain in the elastomer was reduced over 70% versus the previous expansion-type diaphragm. The design can consist of any number of axial corrugations ranging from a single fold to as many as the enclosure permits. The VCD has been successfully tested and proven to be a reliable long-term alternative in critical industries like semiconductor, oil and gas, and energy.
Molding a VCD offers further benefits including:
- Shorter cycle time reduces part cost
- Avoids parting lines across the membrane for improved part integrity
