Relatively Rotatable Radially Extending Sealing Face Member (e.g., Face, Mechanical, Etc.) Patents (Class 277/358)
  • Patent number: 6976681
    Abstract: A slide ring seal assembly includes a slide ring having an axially extending annular leg. The leg has radially outer and radially inner circumferential surfaces and a free axial end. A plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses are provided in leg at the free axial end thereof. Each recess extends from the radially outer surface to the radially inner surface. An annular sealing body surrounds the leg and is seated thereon. Circumferentially spaced, radially inward-oriented extensions forming part of the annular sealing body and projecting into respective recesses are provided in the leg for effecting a form-locking connection between the slide ring and the annular sealing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Friedberg GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Henning Zutx
  • Patent number: 6962339
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing one end of a rotating shaft from fluids. The sealing system includes a resilient bellows element connected at each end to a thrust plate. The bellows acts like a compression spring forcing the thrust plates against respective sealing elements and thereby forming two dynamic seals around the shaft. Each of the dynamic seals alternately rotate with the shaft, depending upon the respective forces of friction acting on each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Infinity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Spurgeon
  • Patent number: 6932567
    Abstract: A method for controlling fluid leakage between a first pressure region and a second pressure region within a gas turbine engine using a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The first sealing member is movably coupled to a portion of the gas turbine engine, and a space defined generally between a portion of the first sealing member and a portion of the second sealing member fluidly couples the first pressure region to the second pressure region. The method includes moving the first sealing member towards the second sealing member using fluid pressure within a portion of the engine, and, using the first and second sealing members, substantially controlling fluid leakage between the first pressure area and the second pressure area through the space generally without contacting the first sealing member with the second sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Albers, Marcia Jean Boyle, Rafael Ruiz
  • Patent number: 6921078
    Abstract: Slit ring seal, especially running gear seal, consisting of an angle-shaped slip and/or opposing ring with a circumferential surface designed to accent a ring-shaped, approximately cross-sectional plate-spring shaped sealing body, where the sealing body, as needed, includes a secondary seal directed toward the area of the sealing shaft of the slip, and/or opposing ring, and supports itself with segment areas of its outer circumferential surface on corresponding surface areas of an installation bore, where a ring-shaped securing element is provided radially between the outer circumferential surface of the slip and/or opposing ring and the installation bore, contacting the sealing body in the installed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Friedberg, GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Henning Zutz
  • Patent number: 6918594
    Abstract: A composite face seal has an annular seal rotor and an annular seal stator, both having a metal base portion and a radially extending flange. The flange has first and second axially facing surfaces. A first ceramic ring may be mounted to the first surface of the flange of either or both of the seal rotor and the seal stator by a first braze joint. A second ceramic ring may be mounted to the second surface of the flange of either or both of the seal rotor and the seal stator by a second braze joint. Each of the braze joints may include a molybdenum ring disposed between two braze rings or, for thicker seal assemblies, molybdenum and nickel rings disposed between braze rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Sund, James V. Guiheen, Alan O. Lebeck, Raymond J. Knorr
  • Patent number: 6916022
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for extending around a rotating shaft for preventing the transmission of fluids along the shaft, in which a sealing element is biased towards the rotary sealing part; and a pusher sleeve extends between the sealing element and a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Jacques Auber
  • Patent number: 6848689
    Abstract: A shaft seal in which a rotary sealing part is mounted coaxially with the sealing element and forms therewith a contactless primary seal between opposed faces of the sealing element and rotary sealing part to substantially prevent fluid flow across the primary seal from a high pressure radial side to a low-pressure radial side. An auxiliary sleeve forms a small gap between it and a seal housing and maintains the gap despite the presence of relatively high pressure at the high pressure radial side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Philippe Jacques Auber
  • Publication number: 20040251633
    Abstract: A shaft sealing device includes a shaft tube, a main body, a fixed sealing ring, a positioning ring and a retaining ring. The shaft tube is provided with an outer flange and a rotary ring mounted thereto. The main body has an axial hole for supporting the shaft tube which is rotatably extended therethrough. The fixed sealing ring and the retaining ring are inserted in the axial hole of the main body while the positioning ring being mounted in the axial hole. The fixed sealing ring, the retaining ring and the positioning ring are disposed on the shaft tube in loose fit manner to allow for rotation. The fixed sealing ring has a first side to abut against the rotary ring, and a second side to connect to the retaining ring. The positioning ring is provided with elastic members adapted to bias the retaining ring against the fixed sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Shiou Huang
  • Patent number: 6817840
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subassembly, consisting of a drive shaft (12), a housing (10) with a through-bore (19), through which the drive shaft projects out of the housing and an axial mechanical seal consisting of a rotating seal ring (22) and a counter-ring (20) which forms a seal between the drive shaft (12) and housing (10) components. The invention aims to improve the assembly of the axial mechanical seal and the thermal dissipation from said mechanical seal. To this end, the counter-ring (20) is configured as one single piece with one of the two components (10, 12). This obviates a separate assembly of the counter-ring and allows the heat produced by friction to be dissipated directly into one of the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Compressor Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Otfried Schwarzkopf
  • Publication number: 20040222594
    Abstract: A sealing device including a seal ring having an inner surface extending around a shaft in a spaced relation to the shaft. A coating is disposed on the inner surface of the seal ring, and oil extends in the space between the coating and the inner surface of the seal ring. The coating is of a material that is harder than that of the seal ring and maintains its structural integrity and geometry during rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Ronald Elton Fox
  • Patent number: 6814355
    Abstract: A split seal component includes two seal face segments in two holder halves and a method of assembly and installation. Each seal face segment has a primary sealing surface and a section extending axially from each primary sealing surface The holder halves are adapted to be joined together to rigidly hold the circular seal face. The holder being constructed and arranged to mount to a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Northeast Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl C. Bjornson
  • Patent number: 6805357
    Abstract: A seal head assembly includes a case. A ferrule is seated against the case. A spring is seated at one end against the ferrule. A spring seat receives a second end of the spring. The retainer ring has a band and a plurality of tabs, wherein the band engages the spring seat. A metal bellows has a first end in contact with the case and a second end having a contact surface for the tabs of the retainer ring. A seal washer has an annular groove, wherein the seal washer is received in the second end of the metal bellows. A seal is received in the annular groove of the seal washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg-Nok GP
    Inventor: John C. Dahlheimer
  • Publication number: 20040201175
    Abstract: A drive seal includes at least one metal ring having an annular running surface onto which is applied a thermally sprayed hard metal protective wear coating. The hard metal wear coating is coated by a sliding lacquer layer containing solid lubricants and which is softer compared to the hard metal wear layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Buchmann, Hans-Henning Zutz, Peter Wittka
  • Publication number: 20040173970
    Abstract: An arrangement for sealing an opening of a rotor housing in which a vacuum prevails, through which opening a shaft of a spinning rotor, supported outside of the rotor housing, projects. The arrangement has free floating sealing element arranged towards the opening and forming at least two sealing gaps with the spinning rotor. A first sealing gap is located between the sealing element and the shaft, a second sealing gap is located between the sealing element and a collar of the spinning rotor which borders the shaft. The sealing element can form an additional third sealing element with the back wall of the spinning rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Maschinenfabrik Rieter
    Inventor: Gerd Stahlecker
  • Publication number: 20040155409
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement in connection with a mechanical seal that comprises at least two sliding surfaces pressing against each other, which are arranged to seal a gap between a rotating and a non-rotating machine part, and means for providing a sealing fluid flow cooling the sliding surfaces. To provide an optimal consumption of sealing fluid, a valve means (8) is arranged to the means for providing the cooling sealing fluid flow, the valve means being arranged to react to the temperature of the seal and to open and close the flow of sealing fluid according to the cooling need.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Hannu Trygg, Esa Salovaara
  • Publication number: 20040130100
    Abstract: A sealing assembly provides for rotatably coupling a rotary drum and a pipe at a trunnion on the drum that has a generally circular opening configured to rotate about the pipe. The sealing assembly includes a housing with a chamber configured to contain a pressurizable fluid. The housing is configured to be coupled to adjustment screws extending through a mounting plate on the pipe. The sealing assembly also includes a seal with a bearing surface coupled to a driven portion. The bearing surface generally defines a circular shape corresponding to the trunnion opening. The seal is coupled to the housing with the driven portion of the seal responsive to fluid pressure in the housing chamber. The seal is configured to be biased by the fluid, when pressurized, against the trunnion opening. The bearing surface is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the trunnion opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Oramac, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Oram, Patrick Lee Dolan
  • Publication number: 20040100031
    Abstract: A face seal cartridge to facilitate the operation of a shaft and a bore forming a sealed rotating assembly is disclosed. The face seal cartridge includes first and second sealing members to form the face seal, and first and second o-rings and cartridge walls which act, along with a cartridge bottom, to contain the first and second sealing members and provide additional sealing functions to the interface of the shaft and the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Richard J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040086821
    Abstract: The invention is based on the problem of designing an endless sealing ring for the end wall seal of rotary kilns so that it guarantees a high degree of sealing effectiveness with simpler assembly. The most desired features are small tolerances for cross section and diameter. Rotary-kiln end-wall seals according to the invention should exhibit very low wear and tear if possible and have a service life that corresponds to the maintenance intervals of the rotary kiln as much as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Peter H. Raichle, Harry F. Werner
  • Publication number: 20040070150
    Abstract: An annular unitizing element comprising a rotor engaging member, a stator engaging member, and a rear member. The radially outer surface of the unitizing element comprises two areas of differing diameter, one corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member. The stator engaging member extends radially inward from the radially inner side of the annular unitizing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Elizabeth Chitren, Christopher Tones
  • Patent number: 6698669
    Abstract: A pivot flow joint for high-pressure fluid-flow devices of the type including a rotating flow member connected to a non-rotating flow member. The pivot flow joint includes first and second axially-aligned seal bushings secured to the non-rotating and rotating flow members, respectively, the first and second seal bushings having opposed adjoining contact surfaces. The seal bushings are biased toward one another for sealing engagement at such contact surfaces. Certain preferred embodiments involve spring-biasing the seal bushings toward one another and/or use of the high-pressure fluid to exert axial pressure for that purpose. The two seal bushings, which are preferably ceramic and of identical size and shape, carry out the sealing function of the pivot flow joint in the transition between the non-rotating and the rotating members of such joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mosmatic Corporation
    Inventor: Karl Rieben
  • Patent number: 6688601
    Abstract: A mechanical seal includes a fixed ring, a rotating ring and a shaft sleeve. The fixed ring is connected in a sealed state to a housing. The rotating ring has a slide part and an engaging part. The slide part faces and slidably contacts with the fixed ring. The engaging part is provided for adapting drivingly to engage in a concave-convex manner. The shaft sleeve has a stop part adapted drivingly to engage with the engaging part without relative rotation, and fitted and stopped to the rotating shaft in the sealed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6685192
    Abstract: A pair of primary and secondary mechanical seals are arranged tandem in an axial direction around a rotating shaft in a space between the rotating shaft and a housing having a shaft sealing part. The center or intermediate liquid is sealed into a center room or intermediate chamber between both mechanical seals. The center liquid has an amount that is less than the volume of the center room and enough to soak one part of rotating elements of the secondary mechanical seal. The gas vent line is provided with the housing of the shaft sealing part. The gas vent line faces and opens to the center room. The baffle plate is provided with the housing of the shaft sealing part. The baffle plate intersects a circumferential direction of the center room. Thus, when rotating the rotating shaft, the center liquid is stirred and scattered by collision with the baffle plate to lubricate the sealed slide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Takigahira, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6676131
    Abstract: Sealing ring (1) for a centrifugal separator with an axially open annular groove (7) for the sealing ring in a first rotor part (2) and a relative to the first rotor part (2) axially movable second rotor part (3), against which the sealing ring (1) sealingly abuts. Both the sealing ring (1) and the groove (7) have a first annular portion (8 and 9, respectively) turned towards the second rotor part (3) and a second annular portion (14 and 11, respectively) turned away from the second rotor part (3). The second portion (11) of the groove has an outer annular recess (12) and an inner annular recess (16) whereas the second annular portion (14) of the sealing ring (1) has at least one projection (15), which is arranged to at least partly fill up the outer recess of the groove (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventor: Sven Hedin
  • Patent number: 6672591
    Abstract: A mechanical seal provides a sealing between a rotatable shaft and a housing. The seal has a stationary part for connection to the housing and a rotary part for rotation with the shaft. Mating sealing faces are carried by the stationary and rotary parts and the rotary parts are mounted on the drive shaft for rotation therewith. Each sealing face is held relatively stationary to their respective stationary or rotary part by means of at least one link member extending therebetween. The link member is arranged for at least limited longitudinal rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: AES Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Easa Taheri Oskouei
  • Patent number: 6655695
    Abstract: A composite face seal having an annular seal rotor with a metal base portion and a radially extending flange. The flange having first and second axially facing surfaces. A first ceramic ring is mounted to the first surface of the flange by a first braze joint and a second ceramic ring is mounted to the second surface of the flange by a second braze joint. The composite face seal assembly further includes an annular stator having an axially facing surface that sealingly engages an axially facing surface of one of the ceramic rings. Each of the braze joints may comprise a molybdenum ring disposed between two braze rings or, for thicker seal assemblies, molybdenum and nickel rings disposed between braze rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Sund, Charles J. Gasdaska, James V. Guiheen, Lennox Bruce, M. Rifat Ullah, William L. Giesler
  • Patent number: 6655693
    Abstract: A non-contacting gas compressor seal assembly is disclosed with an intermediate buffer chamber. The process gas is corrosive or otherwise hazardous and is contained from entering the atmosphere by pumping the barrier gas toward the process fluid. The inboard seal of the assembly is designed to maintain a sealing relationship in the event of loss of buffer gas pressure by operating as a non-contacting seal on the process fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Hosanna, Joseph Savio, Alan D. Baureis
  • Publication number: 20030214099
    Abstract: A seal assembly including a rotatable seal head subassembly also includes a fan that rotates with the seal head assembly, with the fan drawing air through a pump housing for purposes of cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: John C. Dahlheimer
  • Patent number: 6616144
    Abstract: A mechanical seal for providing a seal around the drive shaft of a variable displacement swash plate type compressor used in an air conditioning system for a vehicle comprising a rotating bearing surface, an associated stationary bearing surface and a lubricant embedded in the stationary bearing surface. During operation of the compressor, the rotating bearing surface is caused to move against the stationary bearing surface causing lubricant to be released between the bearing surfaces, thereby providing efficient lubrication of the bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Theodore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6616145
    Abstract: A face seal device for use with components rotating at a high rotational speed includes a non-rotating face seal ring (5) and a rotary face seal ring (11) mounted in a loose fit on and rotatable together with the rotary component. The rotary face seal ring includes a sealing face (6) which, in operation, is essentially radially aligned for cooperation with an opposite sealing face (16) of the non-rotating face seal ring. The rotary face seal ring is formed of at least a base portion (20) and an extension portion (21). The extension portion provides an additional mass and has an areal center of gravity axially spaced from the areal center of gravity of the base portion An axial spacing z between the areal centers of gravity and the mass m of the extension portion are in specific relationship with each other, whereby in operation a torque directed towards the non-rotating face seal ring is applied to the rotary face seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Burgmann Dichtungswerke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Berthold Schulten, Werner Wolf, Peter Haselbacher, Thomas Keller
  • Patent number: 6601854
    Abstract: A shaft seal in which a rotary dealing part is mounted coaxially with a sealing element and forms therewith a primary seal between opposed faces of the sealing element and the rotary sealing part to substantially prevent fluid flow across the primary seal from a high pressure radial side to a low-pressure radial side. Secondary and tertiary seals are also provided between the high-pressure and low-pressure radial sides; and between an auxiliary sleeve and the seal housing, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Jacques Auber
  • Patent number: 6592365
    Abstract: A multiple-piece seal is used for a cure oven circulating fan. The seal may be readily positioned along the length of the shaft to control the small clearance between the rotating seal and the oven such that there is no contact between the seal and the oven, but the flow of heated air from the oven is substantially reduced and redirected away from the bearings of the circulating fan. The multiple-piece design permits seal replacement without having to disassemble the shaft, so that the seal may be replaced entirely from the outside of the oven, saving substantial down-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Clifford L. Johns
  • Patent number: 6589049
    Abstract: A rotary seal assembly for a rotary kiln having a hood and a rotary drum with an opening formed between the drum and the hood, and an end. The rotary seal assembly includes a flexible framework arrangement that attaches to the end. The rotary seal assembly includes a riding surface that engages the drum as the drum rotates and connects with the framework arrangement in response to the movement of the drum as the drum rotates end. The rotary seal assembly includes a seal that is supported by the riding surface and is in essentially 360 degree contact with the drum when it is rotating and seals the opening between the drum when it is rotating in the hood to prevent fluid flow into and out of the end. A method for sealing an opening formed between a drum and a hood. The method includes the steps of attaching a flexible framework arrangement to the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: IGS, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Robert Sutton, Kinsley Madison Desch
  • Publication number: 20030122309
    Abstract: In a gas turbine, a supplemental seal is provided between an annular axially facing sealing surface of a nozzle support ring and an annular axially opposed sealing surface formed by circumferentially adjacent nozzle segments. Each segment carries an inner rail mounting a chordal hinge seal which engages the sealing surface of the nozzle support ring. That seal is supplemented by a generally arcuate V-shaped seal between the sealing surfaces which opens radially inwardly toward a high pressure leakage path past the chordal hinge seal. The supplemental seal is initially compressed and maintained in a compressed condition during installation by application of a solder. At operating temperature, the solder melts away, releasing the supplemental seal to seal between the nozzle support ring and nozzle segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Abdul-Azeez Mohammed-Fakir, Mahmut Faruk Aksit, Ahmad Safi, Srikanth Vedantam, Ning Fang
  • Publication number: 20030122313
    Abstract: A primary object of the present invention is to achieve a high sealing performance, to collect hazardous gas contained in a sealed process fluid, and to realize an easy disposition of a mechanical seal device. A typical configuration is that the end face of a shaft sleeve engages a rotary shaft by a step shoulder of the shaft which is disposed in the sealed fluid side relative to the stationary seal ring, and that the inner diameter of the end face is set larger than the inner diameter of the sealed fluid pressure surface on the back face of the stationary seal ring. This construction makes it easy to dispose a mechanical seal device and with this mechanical seal device, the sealed process fluid is securely sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030098547
    Abstract: The mechanical seal (3) includes: a rotary side sliding ring (32) which is supported by the large diameter side outer circumferential face (23) of the annular step section (21) of the rotary shaft (2) via the rotary side O-ring (37) and press-fitted into the annular step section (21) by gas pressure in the device; and an unturnable stationary side sliding ring (31) which is fixed onto the seal housing (1) side via the stationary side O-ring (33) being capable of moving in the axial direction and being able to come into close contact with the sliding protrusion (323) of the rotary side sliding ring (32) due to the spring (36) so that the airtightly sealed sliding face S is formed. The rotary side sliding ring (32) is made of self-lubrication sliding material, and the stationary side sliding ring (31) is made of sliding material, the Young's modulus of which is higher than that of the self-lubrication sliding material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamada, Takayuki Imai, Yoshiaki Takigahira
  • Patent number: 6568685
    Abstract: A fluid and/or gas treatment unit containing a dynamic rotating assembly for passage of a fluid and/or gas therethrough comprises a housing having a generally cylindrical body and end walls, and a generally cylindrical member rotatable in the chamber and having a peripheral wall and end surfaces. A shaft extends coaxially through coaxial apertures in the housing end walls, and through a coaxial passage in the rotatable member with which it is engaged to rotate as a unitary assembly. Adjacent the inner surface of each end wall of the housing are, seriatim, a resiliently deflectable biasing element, a generally circular wear plate and a resiliently compressible, generally circular sealing member between the wear plate and the cylindrical member and rotatable therewith. A generally circular bearing member extends about the generally circular sealing member and the cylindrical member and is rotatable therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Seitz Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Milano, Jr., Paul Dubreuil, Jeffery Bricker
  • Patent number: 6568684
    Abstract: A method of forming a seal assembly around a shaft is disclosed. The method includes (a) urging a first seal member against a second seal member so as to produce a load between a first seal face and a second seal face, (b) measuring the load produced between the first seal face and the second seal face during the urging step, and (c) securing a first support member to the shaft when a predetermined load value between the first seal face and the second seal face is attained so as to fix the relative position between the first seal member and the second seal member such that the predetermined load is substantially maintained between the first seal face and the second seal face. An associated seal assembly geometry is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Timothy M. Waters
  • Patent number: 6561515
    Abstract: A split seal component includes two seal face segments in two holder halves and a method of assembly and installation. Each seal face segment has a primary sealing surface and a section extending axially from each primary sealing surface. The holder halves are adapted to be joined together to rigidly hold the circular seal face. The holder being constructed and arranged to mount to a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Northeast Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl C. Bjornson
  • Patent number: 6550778
    Abstract: An axial face seal has a sliding ring and/or a counter-ring for use with an elastic roll body. The ring has a seal leg having a sliding surface, and a supporting portion with a conical circumferential surface outside of the sliding surface for accommodating the elastic roll body. The seal leg also has an extended region that extends past the supporting portion. A reinforcement for the extended region is located between the extended region and the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Burscheid GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Henning Zutz
  • Patent number: 6517077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical seal that may control the pressure between sliding faces of sliding rings in the mechanical seal portion and also clean and sterilize the sliding faces reliably, and an agitating device and process using the mechanical seal. The rotary ring rotatable together with the revolving shaft and the fixed ring disposed opposite to said rotary ring on the agitating tank side include controlling mechanisms for controlling the pressure or the gap between both sliding faces respectively. Said controlling mechanism is a piston placed within the cylinder provided in the casing, and positive or negative pressure is applied through said piston to the fixed ring for control of the pressure between the sliding faces by changing the pressure of fluid such as air supplied into the cylinder. In cleaning and sterilizing operations, negative pressure is used to open the gap between the sliding faces to allow passage of cleaning liquid or steam for sterilization between both sliding faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: M. Technique Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Enomura
  • Patent number: 6517078
    Abstract: A face seal device for use with components rotating at a high rotational speed includes a non-rotating face seal ring (5) and a rotary face seal ring (11). The rotary face seal ring is mounted in a loose fit for common rotation with a rotating component and includes a sealing face (6) which, in operation, is essentially radially aligned for cooperation with an opposite sealing face (16) of the non-rotating face seal ring. A heavy-mass-contributing element (22) is arranged to rotate in common with the rotating component and engages a portion of the rotary face seal ring. The center of gravity of the heavy-mass-contributing element is axially spaced from that of the rotary face seal ring, whereby, in operation, a torque directed towards the non-rotating face seal ring is applied to the rotary face seal ring. This torque arises from the centrifugal forces that correspond to the mass-contributing element and the spacing between the centers of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Burgmann Dichtungswerke GmbH and Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Schruefer, Werner Wolf, Guenther Lederer, Peter Droescher, Josef Nosowicz, Georg Steigenberger
  • Publication number: 20030025275
    Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a housing, a shaft, and a face seal system. The shaft is mounted within the housing and is capable of being rotatably driven. The face seal system is positioned intermediate the housing and the shaft, the face seal system being configured for promoting at least one of a substantially constant load versus deflection curve and a substantially flat loading curve with respect to wear thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy F. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020190475
    Abstract: A mechanical seal for providing a seal around the drive shaft of a variable displacement swash plate type compressor used in an air conditioning system for a vehicle comprising a rotating bearing surface, an associated stationary bearing surface and a lubricant embedded in the stationary bearing surface. During operation of the compressor, the rotating bearing surface is caused to move against the stationary bearing surface causing lubricant to be released between the bearing surfaces, thereby providing efficient lubrication of the bearing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Michael G. Theodore
  • Patent number: 6494458
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a rotatable shaft, comprising means to generate pressure differentials and temperature through pumping action and means to seal fluid, for example of the non-contact helical groove type. Sealing means are positioned outboard of pumping means. Fluid in liquid form is heated and depressurized on passage through pumping means of vortex or viscous shear type, thereby changed from liquid to gas. Gasified fluid is then sealed by sealing means for low leakage operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Karl E. Uth
  • Patent number: 6474652
    Abstract: A shaft seal device is provided which is capable of sealing a rotary shaft in a positive and reliable manner without requiring a periodical lubricant-supplying operation, and is free from contamination of its environment, products, etc. by splashing of excess lubricant leaking from the oil seal lip. An annular sealing channel is formed in at least one of the opposite ends of a housing of a bearing unit, in which is accommodated an annular lubricant-bearing polymer member fitted on the rotary shaft. The polymer member has an inside diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the rotary shaft at an initial stage of rotation of the rotary shaft. The polymer member has at least part of opposite end surfaces or outer peripheral portion thereof disposed substantially in contact with opposite lateral wall surfaces of the sealing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Masachi Hosoya, Kazuaki Konishi, Toshikazu Yabe
  • Publication number: 20020158416
    Abstract: A non-contacting gas compressor seal assembly is disclosed with an intermediate buffer chamber. The process gas is corrosive or otherwise hazardous and is contained from entering the atmosphere by pumping the barrier gas toward the process fluid. The inboard seal of the assembly is designed to maintain a sealing relationship in the event of loss of buffer gas pressure by operating as a non-contacting seal on the process fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: JOHN CRANE INC.
    Inventors: Rich Hosanna, Joseph Savio, Alan D. Baureis
  • Patent number: 6471214
    Abstract: A seal suitable for a driveshaft of a pump for cryogenic media. The seal can operate without extraneous confining gas, runs frictionless and assures a long service life, which was unattainable so far. The seal is designed as a tandem axial face seal. A sliding ring has sliding faces on both sides with spiral-shaped grooves terminating at an outer periphery, and the sliding ring is fixedly mounted on a driveshaft. The sliding faces each is adjoined by a sliding ring. The sliding ring is tightly connected via a metal bellows with the housing cover on the pump side, and the sliding ring via the metal bellows with the housing cover on the motor side. With the tandem axial face seal, the pump process pressure is sealed with respect to atmospheric pressure, and only a small, controlled gas leakage occurs. The process gas remains 100% pure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Cryomec AG
    Inventors: Jean Elie Tornare, Philippe Drouvot
  • Patent number: 6460858
    Abstract: The compression ring 21 is mounted on the seal ring 20 at the end thereof. The compression ring 21 has the outer circumference projections 30 that are fixed in the groove 40 extending in the axial direction at the inner surface of the flange 22 . With this construction, the compression ring 21 can move in the axial direction and is stopped in the rotational direction. The compression ring 21 is pressed by the springs 23. Thus the compression ring 21 works as a stopper to stop the rotation of the seal ring 20 and as a spring receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Tanken Seal Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munenari Kitajima, Masayuki Toyoshima, Hiroshi Oka
  • Publication number: 20020135132
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for use to seal the drive shaft entry opening on the stationary end plate of a bead mill, wherein the stationary and rotary faces of a mechanical seal are preferably held in operative contact by a bellows which acts as a spring biasing means. Use of the bellows inside of the bead mill allows the rotary and stationary faces of the mechanical seal to remain in constant contact, and thus acts to prevent loss of grinding material and/or the slurry to be ground through either the mechanical seal surface, or the spring biasing means. An improved bead mill sealing structure is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Walter Telewiak, Ronald S. Warner
  • Publication number: 20020125648
    Abstract: The ready-to-mount axial face seal comprises a rotating unit of a shaft protection sleeve pushable over the pump shaft with a longitudinal section projecting out of the housing of the pump and fastenable to this shaft, with a spring-loaded axial face seal ring surrounding the shaft protection housing and with an elastic sealing ring in the shaft protection sleeve as well as a stationary unit, surrounding the shaft protection sleeve, of a counter ring on which the axial face seal ring bears and of an assembly part for fastening the axial face seal on the pump housing. In relation to the diameter of the pump shaft the wall thickness of the shaft protection sleeve is smaller than with the known shaft protection sleeve. Furthermore the outer diameter of the axial face seal ring and of the counter ring in relation to the same diameter of the pump shaft is an associated standard diameter of an axial face seal without shaft protection sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS A/S
    Inventors: Per Frost Vedsted, Helge Grann, Carsten H. Pedersen