Patents by Inventor Christopher C. Ludlow

Christopher C. Ludlow has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fluid activated shaft seal
    Patent number: 8419020
    Abstract: A fluid activated shaft bulkhead seal system includes an annular carrier fixed with respect to a bulkhead and about a shaft extending through the bulkhead and the annular carrier. The annular carrier supports a pair of lip seals each of which defines an outwardly facing pocket and a lip portion spaced from the shaft and a portion abutting the carrier. A foam body is disposed in the pocket of each lip seal. Each foam body includes a gel material configured to expand in the presence of fluid urging the lip portions of the lip seals into contact with the shaft to seal the annular carrier with respect to the shaft. An annular retainer is mated to each side of the annular carrier for retaining the foam body in the pocket of each lip seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mide Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Marthinus van Schoor, Christopher C. Ludlow, Steven A. Klepper, Andrew M. Cutler
  • Fluid activated shaft seal
    Publication number: 20100301566
    Abstract: A fluid activated shaft bulkhead seal system includes an annular carrier fixed with respect to a bulkhead and about a shaft extending through the bulkhead and the annular carrier. The annular carrier supports a pair of lip seals each of which defines an outwardly facing pocket and a lip portion spaced from the shaft and a portion abutting the carrier. A foam body is disposed in the pocket of each lip seal. Each foam body includes a gel material configured to expand in the presence of fluid urging the lip portions of the lip seals into contact with the shaft to seal the annular carrier with respect to the shaft. An annular retainer is mated to each side of the annular carrier for retaining the foam body in the pocket of each lip seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Marthinus van Schoor, Christopher C. Ludlow, Steven A. Klepper, Andrew M. Cutler