Patents Examined by Nicholas L Foster
  • Labyrinth seal
    Patent number: 11060615
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal includes a step portion formed on an outer circumferential portion of a rotary body, a fin extending radially inward from an inner circumferential portion of a stationary body, and an annular groove formed in the outer circumferential portion of the rotary body. The step portion includes a diameter-increasing step portion and a diameter-decreasing step portion. The fin includes a first fin, a second fin, and a third fin. The annular groove is disposed in at least a part of a region that is located close to the low-pressure side compared to the high-pressure-side step portion and close to the high-pressure side compared to the third fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KOBE STEEL, LTD.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Morinaka
  • Sea water seal without oil lubrication for pods
    Patent number: 11054033
    Abstract: Sealing device for a propeller shaft of a marine vehicle propulsion unit including a plurality of sealing lips axially offset relative to each other, with a receiving space for a hydraulic fluid delimited by two adjacent sealing lips, at least one buffer space axially offset with respect to the receiving space and delimited by two adjacent sealing lips, whereby the sealing device includes suitable feeding means for supplying the buffer space with a buffer fluid. The device includes a sampling circuit able to sample fluid included in the buffer space and a monitoring device able to check parameters of the fluid sampled by the sampling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited
    Inventor: Loic Vincent
  • Seal structure, sealing method, and coupling equipped with said seal structure
    Patent number: 11041566
    Abstract: Provided are a seal structure in which sealing performance is ensured over a long period of time even when it is used for low-temperature fluids, a sealing method, and a coupling including the seal structure. The seal structure includes an annular gasket interposed between a first member and a second member. The first member is provided on its surface facing the gasket with: a first surface located on the inner diameter side; a first annular protrusion located on the outer diameter side of the first surface; a second surface located on the outer diameter side of the first protrusion; a second annular protrusion located on the outer diameter side of the second surface and having a greater protruding amount with respect to the second surface than that of the first protrusion; and a third surface located on the outer diameter side of the second protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Michio Yamaji, Kunihiko Daido, Tadayuki Yakushijin, Yasumasa Yanagida, Takashi Funakoshi
  • Labyrinth seal
    Patent number: 11035472
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal is included in a rotary machine. The rotary machine includes a first member, a second member facing the first member, and a gap formed between the first member and the second member. The labyrinth seal includes a step portion, a high-pressure-side fin on the high-pressure side relative to the step portion, a low-pressure-side fin on the low-pressure side relative to the step portion, and an annular groove. The step portion is configured to allow a portion of the second member on the low-pressure side relative to be arranged closer to the other side of the facing direction than a portion of the second member on the high-pressure side. The annular groove is arranged in at least a part of a region on the low-pressure side and on the high-pressure side, relative to the low-pressure-side fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: KOBE STEEL, LTD.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Morinaka
  • Inner diameter rotating drum seal
    Patent number: 11035473
    Abstract: A seal for placement between a cylindrical shaft and a drum rotatably mounted with respect thereto includes an outside end member with a shaft section, a bore and a gas input connection and an inside end member non-rotatably attached thereto and configured to engage the shaft section. An outer end seal and an inner end seal are slidably and rotatably engaged with the shaft section. A circumferential seal is configured to non-rotatably engage with the outer and inner end seals. An interference fit is formed in the axial direction between an inner assembly, comprising the circumferential seal and the outer and inner end seals, and the outside and inside end members. An interference fit also is formed radially between the circumferential seal and a drum of a mixing machine. A method provides a seal for placement between a cylindrical shaft and a drum rotatably mounted with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CINCHSEAL ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Saji Pillai
  • Manifold gasket
    Patent number: 11035469
    Abstract: A manifold gasket includes two or more metal plates laminated together to form the manifold gasket, a plurality of bores formed in the metal plates, a plurality of annular seal portions, each surrounding each of the plurality of bores to seal therearound, a plurality of bolt holes disposed at an outer periphery of each of the plurality of annular seal portions so that fastening bolts are inserted therethrough, and a partition protector having a thermal deformation coping portion, located in the two or more metal plates between two of the bores. The thermal deformation coping portion includes offset slits in each metal plate such that none of the slits are aligned in a lamination direction of the thermal deformation coping portion, and such that the slits prevent damage to the manifold gasket due to temperature fluctuations by accommodating thermal expansion or contraction of the manifold gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: ISHIKAWA GASKET CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kisho Yasuda
  • Leaf seal
    Patent number: 11028716
    Abstract: A leaf seal assembly 10? is disclosed for use in a gap between a rotating component 1 and a stationary component 2, for example of a turbo-machine. The leaf seal assembly 10 comprises at least one leaf seal 20? having a generally planar surface. A runner 50? is coupled to a distal end of the least one leaf seal 20?. The at least one leaf seal 20? maintains the runner 50? in a first position away from the rotating component 1 in an unpressurised inoperative state. The runner 50? moves to a second position, close to, but not contacting, the rotating component 1 in a pressurised operative state. In some embodiments the at least one leaf seal is angled in the direction of the flow. In some embodiments a first leaf seal is vented. In some embodiments the leaf seal assembly is segmented. In some embodiments the runner comprises segments having a radial thickness which varies circumferentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignees: CROSS MANUFACTURING COMPANY (1938) LIMITED, CMG TECH LLC
    Inventors: James Dudley, Clayton Grondahl, Aaron Bowsher
  • Non-contact seal with resilient biasing element(s)
    Patent number: 11021985
    Abstract: A seal device includes a plurality of seal shoes, a seal base, a plurality of spring elements and a resilient biasing element. The seal shoes are arranged around an axis. The seal base circumscribes the seal shoes. Each of the spring elements is radially between and connects a respective one of the seal shoes and the seal base. A first of the spring elements includes a first mount, a second mount and a spring beam. The first mount is connected to a first of the seal shoes. The second mount is connected to the seal base. The spring beam connects the first mount to the second mount. The resilient biasing element is radially between and engaged with first and second components of the seal device, where the first component is configured as or otherwise includes the first mount or the second mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Tara L. D'Ambruoso
  • Shaft face seal
    Patent number: 11021982
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a shaft according to an example of the present disclosure includes a shaft and a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a seal cartridge that has at least one sealing element. The first and second mating rings are configured to axially locate the seal cartridge with respect to the shaft. The second mating ring includes at least one tang that is configured to extend through at least one corresponding slot in the shaft, the at least one tang is configured to engage a retaining ring to axially retain the second mating ring on the shaft. A gearbox/accessory interface assembly and a method of sealing a gearbox with respect to an accessory are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Blewett, Yiwei Jiang
  • Module of a seal or transition
    Patent number: 11018486
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a module (1) of a seal or transition for cables or wires, which module (1) is to be placed inside a frame (10) together with one or more compression units (12). The module (1) comprises two module halves (2). Each module half comprises an outer part (3, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33). The outer part has a straight section (3?) and two end sections (3?) at the ends of the straight section and placed perpendicular to the straight section, giving a U-form in end view. An inner part (5, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 31, 34) is placed in a recess (4) formed between the end sections of the outer part (3, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33). The inner part (5, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 31, 34) has a number of layers (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ROXTEC AB
    Inventor: Almir Bahtijaragic
  • Rotary seal
    Patent number: 11009076
    Abstract: A side lip has an intermediate thick portion. An inner circumferential side surface of the side lip has a side surface shape of a cone. An outer circumferential side surface of the side lip includes a first outer circumferential portion having a side surface shape of a cone in which the thickness gradually increases from a small diameter side toward a large diameter side, and a second outer circumferential portion having a side surface shape of a cone or a column in which the thickness gradually decreases. A thickness T1 of a distal end portion of the side lip is 0.5 T to 0.7 T, and a thickness T2 of the intermediate thick portion is 1.2 T to 1.5 T, relative to a thickness T of a base end portion of the side lip. An angle A of the distal end portion of the side lip is 10° to 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiko Sato, Shinichi Akashi, Yusuke Iizawa
  • Enhanced seal
    Patent number: 11002393
    Abstract: An enhanced seal may comprise an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion may comprise an inner cylindrical portion and an inner annular portion. The outer portion may comprise an outer cylindrical portion and an outer annular portion. The inner portion may be made of a harder material than the outer portion and may provide support to the outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, LLC
    Inventors: Carter Timothy Oman, Michael Bryan Doran, Karl L. Connolly, Mitchell Lee Price, Andrew Mark Urry
  • Sealing method, apparatus and system
    Patent number: 10995896
    Abstract: A sealing method, comprising: introducing a moving stream of curable material into an opening; and curing a portion of the moving stream of curable material flowing back out of the opening to form a cured layer of curable material. The cured layer restricts or prevents at least a further portion of the curable material from flowing back out of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: Southern Gas Networks PLC, Scotland Gas Networks PLC, Scotia Gas Networks Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas John Ryan, Iain Beveridge Chirnside, Angus McIntosh
  • Seal structure of mold for manufacturing composite material structure
    Patent number: 10994447
    Abstract: A seal structure is used in a mold constituted by a plurality of segments to manufacture a hollow composite material structure. In the seal structure, a seal member formed in a line shape having ends is inserted in a seal groove provided on at least one of adjacent side surfaces of the segments. A lip portion is provided at a seal upper portion of the seal member such that at least a tip end of the lip portion projects to an outside of the seal groove. When the adjacent side surfaces of the segments are coupled to each other, the seal member is crushed in a cross sectional direction by the other of the adjacent side surfaces of the segments. With this, complication of the manufacture of the composite material structure can be suppressed or avoided while realizing a satisfactory sealed state between the adjacent segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshikazu Sana
  • Axial and radial floating seals
    Patent number: 10989305
    Abstract: Floating seal assemblies having a seal element, a support band, and at least two loading springs that produce different spring forces to apply different sealing loads at the first and second sealing flanges of the seal element. The seal assembly is without a locking ring to enable the seal assembly to float along an axis of one of the components to be sealed. The different sealing loads allow the seal assembly to grip against one surface to prevent relative rotation and to enable sealing and relative rotation with another surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Cylinder head gasket and stainless steel sheet for cylinder head gasket
    Patent number: 10989303
    Abstract: A cylinder head gasket includes a composite member formed of a metal substrate and a rubber layer provided to both surfaces of the substrate. The substrate is formed of stainless steel having a content of C that is 0 to 0.15 mass %, a content of Si that is 0 to 0.5 mass %, a content of Mn that is 0 to 2.0 mass %, a content of Cr that is 11.5 to 13.0 mass %, a content of N that is 0 to 0.5 mass %, a content of P that is 0 to 0.040 mass %, a content of S that is 0 to 0.030 mass %, a content of Ni that is 0 to 0.6 mass %, the balance Fe, and inevitable impurities. The stainless steel forming the substrate has a 0.2% proof stress of 1,300 to 1,500 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: NICHIAS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuo Oohinata
  • Flat gasket and internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10982769
    Abstract: A flat gasket for an internal combustion engine is described. The gasket may be used in the hot gas region of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Claus, Steffen Erthle, Jochen Salzmann
  • Piston sealing ring assembly having a gap cover element
    Patent number: 10975966
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sealing ring assembly having a ring and one or more gap cover elements, configured to seal a high-pressure region from a lower pressure region of a piston and cylinder device. The ring may be segmented, and the gap cover elements may engage with interfaces between the ring segments. The gap cover elements are configured to move radially outward and wear as the ring wears. The gap cover elements may include, for example, wedge-shaped features that engage with corresponding wedge recesses in the interfaces. The sealing ring assembly may include a high-pressure boundary and a low-pressure boundary. As the sealing ring wears, the gap cover elements stay engaged with the interfaces, so that ring gaps do not form on the low pressure boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Mainspring Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Jodie Prudhomme, Matt Svrcek
  • HALO seal build clearance methods
    Patent number: 10968763
    Abstract: A method for assembling a seal arrangement may comprise applying an adhesive to a seal, applying a force to a shoe of the seal, and removing the force from the shoe, wherein the adhesive secures the shoe with respect to a static structure in response to the force being removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Scott D. Virkler
  • Face seal with insert
    Patent number: 10969017
    Abstract: A method of determining wear of a seal element includes rotating a seal plate relative to the seal element and such that the seal plate and the seal element form a rotational sealing interface. The seal element includes an insert embedded in the seal element. A portion of the seal element is worn with a sealing face of the seal plate. The insert is contacted with the sealing face of the seal plate. A portion of the insert is worn to create a wear particle of the insert. The presence of the wear particle in a lubrication oil is sensed with an oil monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Changsheng Guo, Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Nasr A. Shuaib