Patents Assigned to Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9500211
    Abstract: A progressive release or multi-point engagement device according to aspect of the present disclosure includes a first component and a second component connected to the first component with a canted coil spring. The first component is movable relative to the second component and latch by moving the canted coil spring to a second common groove. Alternatively, a second spring is used to move the second component and relative to a third component. When a second engagement position is desired, a relatively higher a force may be necessary to move the relevant component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Changsrivong
  • Patent number: 9482255
    Abstract: Dual directional latch devices or connectors are described wherein a first connector component and a second connector component have a first latched position and a second latched position when moving in a first direction and wherein movement in a second direction is also possible when a restriction feature is overcome. As described, opposing magnetic forces, pneumatic pressure, spring force, and a crushable force may be incorporated so that further movement in the second direction must overcome the restriction feature. The dual direction latch devices may be used with articles of manufacture such as with implantable medical devices, door panels, airplane panels, and drilling devices to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Rob Sjostedt, Hugh Cook, Rick Dawson
  • Patent number: 9466915
    Abstract: An in-line connector is disclosed having a plurality of connector components attached in an in-line configuration with a common bore. Depending on the application, the in-line connector can have an end seal and a holding block for securing the in-line connector to a pin, lead, or shaft. The connector components are arranged so that at least one seal element is located between two adjacent conductive contact elements. To provided added biasing force to a seal lip of the at least one seal element, a seal groove is provided with an energizer located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Farshid Dilmaghanian
  • Publication number: 20160265574
    Abstract: Connector housings and connector assemblies for mechanically connecting a pin to a housing with or without electrical conductivity. A connector housing can be formed by attaching two housing sections together with one or both housing sections formed at least in part by a stamping process. The connector housing can have an outer contour, such as an outer perimeter, with one or more sides and with a joining section connecting two adjacent sides together. The two or more sides can be used for handling, aligning, and/or assembling of the connector housing to a cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Majid Ghasiri
  • Publication number: 20160223086
    Abstract: Spring energized seal assemblies configured for use in static or dynamic application and methods of using and making same are provided. The seal assemblies can each have a sealing component and optionally a backup ring or a locking ring or both. An annular spring can be used with a spring groove of either the backup ring or the locking to facilitate assembling of the mentioned components of a seal assembly onto each other and the entire seal assembly into a seal cavity of a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Hamid Rastegar
  • Publication number: 20160204557
    Abstract: Coaxial connecting devices used for transmitting high frequency electrical signals having two connector elements of generally cylindrical profile, and wherein each of the connector elements has an inner conductor, an insulator, and an outer conductor. In one of the two connector elements that may be of a male or a female orientation has two canted coil spring contacts where at least one of a first spring contact can be retained within at least one first spring groove within a second inner conductor and at least one of a second spring contact is retained within at least one second spring groove within a second outer conductor. The at least one second spring contact can be used as a simultaneous EMI shielding contact and latching, locking, or both latching and locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9357684
    Abstract: Seal assemblies in which a seal member having an energizer located in a seal body groove is positioned inside a housing cavity of a housing are disclosed. The sealing member and the energizer, which can be an O-ring or a spring energizer, can be retained inside the housing cavity by positioning a portion of the energizer in a groove in the housing cavity in a locking or latching engagement. Methods of making and using seal assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Foster
  • Patent number: 9312630
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a coil spring locking connector offering multiple groove geometries to allow multiple connection positions along the direction of insertion. A connector with an external spring access opening is formed through the housing wall surface. The opening allows access to the coil spring to allow removal of the spring from the connector prior to removal of the connector from a locked position to prevent potential damage to connector components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Huang
  • Patent number: 9293849
    Abstract: A canted coil spring made from multi-metallic wire to achieve combinations of desired material characteristics of different metals is discussed. Wire to be used in canted coil springs can have two or more metals oriented co-axially along such wire, such as an outer layer of one metal having one set of properties, and a core of a different metal having a different set of properties, that will achieve a single solid, multi-metallic wire with enhanced performance over a single material canted coil spring. Such features may be found advantageous in electrical applications, such as where both high electrical conductivity and high strength properties are desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete Balsells, Rob Sjostedt, Farshid Dilmaghanian
  • Patent number: 9293859
    Abstract: A connector is disclosing with a housing having a housing groove and a shaft with a pin groove. A spring may be located in either the housing groove or the pin groove. To prevent or limit the spring from popping out from the groove where it is positioned, a reduced entrance is provided. The connector may be used in a holding application, a latching application, or both a holding with latching application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Huang
  • Patent number: 9285034
    Abstract: The present cartridge seal assemblies pertain to rotary lip-type seals. In certain embodiments, a sealing member is constructed of a relatively hard material that increases the lifespan of the sealing member. The sealing member is energized with a canted-coil spring, which in some embodiments includes an adjustable spring force. The present embodiments enable control of sealing force to achieve an appropriate sealing force between the sealing member and the shaft based on factors such as temperature, pressure, rotary speed, properties of fluid media, etc. to achieve longer seal life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete Balsells, Farshid Dilmaghanian, Derek Changsrivong
  • Patent number: 9284970
    Abstract: A connector assembly formed by attaching two stamped housing sections to form a connector housing having a housing groove with a groove bottom and two side walls. The connector housings with spring can be used as a mechanical connector and/or as an electrical connector for numerous applications and across numerous industries. The groove geometries can easily be altered using different stamping dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Peter J. Balsells, Majid Ghasiri, Derek Changsrivong
  • Patent number: 9273742
    Abstract: Coil springs with a plurality of interconnected coils each being defined by a wire path that results in a coil cross section that, when viewed along the coil axis, has at least two differentiated spaces each confined by the wire. Assemblies using such coil springs are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Richard Dawson
  • Patent number: 9267526
    Abstract: A spring latching connector includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a piston slidably received in said bore, a circular groove formed in one of said bore and piston and a circular coil spring disposed in said groove for latching said piston and housing together. The groove is sized and shaped for controlling, in combination with a spring configuration, disconnect and connect forces of the spring latching connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Publication number: 20160047473
    Abstract: A canted coil spring assembly is disclosed having a plurality of coils and a filler material placed within the coils and in the direction of a centerline that goes through the coils. The plurality of coils have a loading direction that is generally perpendicular to a tangent of the centerline of the coils wherein a load is applied in such direction and causes the coils to deflect generally independently of adjacent coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Foster, Brian Carter
  • Patent number: 9234591
    Abstract: Sealing assemblies to provide sealing between a shaft and a housing comprising a sealing component comprising a body section as well as an outer flange and an inner flange both extending from said body section; a supporting component receiving said sealing component and comprising a relatively thick inner arm projecting into said sealing component and providing a supporting area spanning an inner portion of said body section and a portion of said inner flange; an anti-extrusion component engaged with said relatively thick inner arm; the minimum clearance between said anti-extrusion component and said shaft being less than the minimum clearance between said relatively thick inner arm and said shaft; said inner flange comprising a sealing area; wherein said sealing assembly is to be received in a cavity in said housing or on said shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 9194497
    Abstract: Seal assemblies and methods that include a seal lip that comprises an extended portion with generally constant cross-sectional width for low and generally constant friction during wear are described. The seal lip is loaded against a dynamic member by the aid of a spring energizer. The extended portion of the seal lip maintains constant torque resistance during movement of the dynamic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Hamid Rastegar
  • Patent number: 9011169
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a connector, an array of connectors, a method for manufacturing the connectors, and a method for using the connectors. The connectors are capable of carrying electrical or electric signal and include geometries to operate in holding, latching, or locking applications. The connector can include a contact housing formed by a first electrically conductive housing, a second electrically conductive housing and a housing sealing component at least partially isolating said first and second electrically conductive housings from each other. A body, such as a pin, a rod, or an elongated member, is provided. A first electrically conductive spring is located in a first groove and a second electrically conductive spring is located in a second groove inside the contact housing. Wherein a first electrical path and a second electrical path are formed when the body is inserted into the contact housing. In other examples, more than two electrical paths can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Russell, Derek Changsrivong, Steve Rust
  • Patent number: 9004805
    Abstract: A progressive release or multi-point engagement device according to aspect of the present disclosure includes a first component and a second component connected to the first component with mounted coil spring. The first component is movable relative to the second component and latch by moving the canted coil spring to a second common groove. Alternatively, a second spring is used to move the second component and relative to a third component. When a second engagement position is desired, a relatively higher a force may be necessary to move the relevant component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: BAL Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Changsrivong, Hugh Cook
  • Publication number: 20140312570
    Abstract: Supported face seal assemblies and related methods are disclosed. The supported face seal assemblies have spring energized seal element supported by a backing ring. When the two components are joined, they form an interlocking face seal assembly that is less prone to separate during installation and/or service. The methods disclosed include the steps of forming a spring energized sealing element with a convex outer surface, forming a backup or support ring with a concave inner surface, assembling the sealing element into the inner bore of the backup or support ring such that the concave inner surface accepts a portion of the convex outer surface and the sealing element is retained within the backup or support ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: BAL SEAL ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Mike Foster