Radially Translatable In Groove Patents (Class 277/580)
  • Patent number: 10385921
    Abstract: A combination bearing and seal assembly includes a tubular inner body disposable about a shaft so rotate about an axis and has a first outer circumferential surface section providing an inner bearing race and a second outer circumferential surface section spaced axially from the first surface section and providing a seal engagement surface. A tubular outer body is disposed about the inner body and has an inner circumferential surface section providing a bearing outer race and rolling elements are disposed between the two races to form a bearing. A seal member(s) form an annular seal between the inner and outer bodies and is spaced axially from the bearing. The seal member(s) have inner sealing surface(s) engageable with the inner body engagement surface when the inner body is generally stationary and the seal is configured to displace radially outwardly from the engagement surface when the inner body rotates about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignees: Aktiebolaget SKF, Kaydon Ring & Seal, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Becker, George Haynes, Craig Krull
  • Patent number: 10119359
    Abstract: A downhole plug for use in oil and gas well completions made of aluminum, dissolves in natural wellbore fluids, has a dissolvable seal made of aluminum split rings or a degradable elastomer, has a backup pump out ring, and may be provided to the well site as an interchangeable parts kit for adaption to the well's requirements, to provide an interventionless plug in a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Magnum Oil Tools International, Ltd.
    Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier
  • Patent number: 9709068
    Abstract: A mechanism for differential pressure sealing for use in a compressor, such as for fuel cell applications, is described. In a dual-stage compressor, a low pressure side and/or a high pressure side of the dual-stage compressor may include a compressor wheel supported by a shaft that can rotate about an axis of the shaft. A seal carrier may be provided that rotates with the compressor wheel and includes a groove for receiving a sealing ring, which may be a split expansion ring. A static seal plate may be positioned around a periphery of a portion of the seal carrier, such that the sealing ring can seal against a contact surface of the static seal plate when received in the groove in order to create a pressure differential seal. The low pressure side may include one sealing ring, whereas the high pressure side may include two sealing rings positioned in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn F. Thompson, Rick Johnson, John Mason, Mike Guidry, Patrick Beresewicz
  • Patent number: 8656942
    Abstract: Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to length-adjustable pressure-retaining components used in piping systems. In one illustrative embodiment, a device comprising a first pressure component and an adjustable spacer ring operatively coupled to the first pressure component is disclosed, wherein the adjustable spacer ring is adapted to adjust a combined overall length of said the pressure component and the adjustable spacer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Wong, Pablo Garce, Sandra Lipezker, Yue Gong
  • Patent number: 8523188
    Abstract: A self-centering floating seal comprising a ring having first and second diameters, wherein the ring is arranged to be installed between first and second gland components, a plurality of tabs protruding from the first diameter, wherein the tabs are operatively arranged to exert a force on the first gland component to create a radial gap between the first diameter and the first gland component, while the second diameter is arranged to engage against the second gland component for forming a sealed interface, a plurality of seats corresponding to the plurality of tabs, wherein each seat forms a recess in the first diameter of the ring for receiving one of the tabs when each tab is flexed toward the ring, and wherein the tabs are substantially equally spaced about the first diameter of the ring, and each of the tabs spans an axial thickness of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Brian Zaugg
  • Publication number: 20130069313
    Abstract: An exemplary turbomachine secondary ring seal assembly includes a base portion that extends circumferentially about an axis and a protrusion extending from the base portion toward the axis. The protrusion has a sealing surface that contacts a support to limit movement of a fluid from a first axial side of the base portion to a second opposite axial side of the base portion. The sealing surface faces the axis. The sealing surface may also face in a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Masayoshi Sonokawa
  • Patent number: 8196934
    Abstract: A slider seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a housing, a seal plate moveable relative to the housing and a retaining ring. The housing includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a recessed opening between the outer surface and the inner surface. The seal plate is received within the recessed opening. The inner surface of the housing includes a curved portion which is curved in an outward direction toward the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Logan H. Do
  • Publication number: 20110037235
    Abstract: Sandwiching of a foreign matter between a seal ring and a housing is suppressed, and abrasion of the housing and the seal ring is suppressed. The size of the diameter of a second seal portion 3 is set to be larger than the size d2 of the diameter of an inner peripheral face 81 so that the difference in diameter size between the second seal portion 3 and an inner peripheral face 81 of a housing 80 becomes 1.0 mm or less in a state before the ring body is provided in the annular gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Eguchi
  • Patent number: 7793941
    Abstract: A device for sealing between a first component and a second component is disclosed. The first component has a groove and the groove has a first wall and a second wall. The annular body includes a first side configured to selectively contact the first wall of the groove, a second side opposite the first side configured to selectively contact the second wall of the groove, a first surface in contact with the second component, and a second surface opposite the first surface. A lip is bonded to the second surface and extends at least partially around the second surface of the annular body. A pressure acting on the first side of the annular body forces the second side to contact the second wall of the groove, and a pressure acting on the second side of the annular body forces the first side to contact the first wall of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Springer, Patrick M. Gibson
  • Patent number: 7686308
    Abstract: Systems and methods associated with a fluid-activated shaft seal are provided. The system includes a housing and a seal disposed relative to the housing. The method reduces flow of a fluid between the shaft and the housing. The method involves installing the housing in an opening relative to the shaft and locating the seal relative to the housing. The seal includes a gel material that expands when exposed to a fluid. The seal reduces flow of the fluid through a gap between the housing and the shaft. Advantages of the system and method include reduced wear to the seal due to friction because the seal does not engage the shaft in the absence of a fluid. The seal engages the shaft in the presence of a fluid. Sealing quality is improved by increasing the pressure differential acting on the gel material. In some embodiments, the seal includes a lip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: MIDE Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Marthinus C. Van Schoor
  • Patent number: 7543822
    Abstract: A composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: A.W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Grimanis, Joseph K. Kaleshian
  • Patent number: 7516962
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for a non-hermetical seal between the stator and the rotor of a gas turbine. The arrangement comprises a brush seal which is arranged in a receiving chamber that is formed by at least one spacer or reinforcing element arranged between preferably two cover or guide elements. The brush seal is hub-centered via sliding elements, especially via sliding pads, said sliding elements being integrated into the spacer or reinforcing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Boeck
  • Publication number: 20080309019
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is provided. The sealing assembly includes a foil disposed circumferentially around a rotating component and configured to provide primary sealing to the rotating component between high pressure and low pressure sides and a spring system disposed adjacent to the foil. The spring system includes a plurality of features to facilitate foil surface to follow excursions of the rotating component, wherein the plurality of features provide secondary sealing from the high pressure to the low pressure sides between the foil and a stationary component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Wolfe, Kartik Mangudi Varadarajan, Mohsen Salehi, Bugra Han Ertas, Michael Vincent Drexel, Biao Fang
  • Patent number: 7413194
    Abstract: This invention provides a segmented annular seal (10) the sealing leakage gaps between relatively movable components 14,16 between high and low pressure regions in a gas turbine engine, for example for sealing an engine shaft 16. The seal comprises an annular array of circumferentially spaced and radially movable arcuate seal segments (12) which extend in a continuous end to end relationship in annular housing (14) and project radially from the housing for effecting a seal against an engine shaft (16), rotor or the like. The segments (12) are located in a channel (22) in the housing (14) sized such that the segments (12) are able to follow radial movements of the shaft (16). In order to reduce an axial loading on the segments (12) that ends to cause them to seize a pressure balance region (30) vented to the upstream pressure region is formed on the downstream side of the segments (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Christopher Wright, Gervas Franceschini
  • Patent number: 7090219
    Abstract: Sealing device for sealing at least one zone of underpressure or overpressure adjoining a moving surface that includes at least one sealing element, positionable opposite the moving surface to form a front and a rear, with respect to a surface running direction. The sealing device includes a sealing section located at the front and a ventilation section located at the rear. The sealing section is structured to sealingly interact with the moving surface; and the ventilation section is structured and arranged to form a gap with the moving surface that widens in the surface running direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Schrefl, RĂ¼diger Keinberger, Valentin Weiss, Anton Luger
  • Patent number: 7004509
    Abstract: A rotary joint comprising a stationary head including a fluid chamber therein, the chamber opening at a bottom surface of the heaf, a rotatable nipple having an outer surface and an internal axial passageway in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and a seal member disposed on the outer surface of the nipple. The seal member comprises a rigid body including a radial flange portion having opposite first and second surfaces each carrying at least one seal, the seal of the first surface sealingly engaging the bottom surface of the head. The seal member and the nipple are radially moveable in relation to the fixed head while maintaining sealing engagement between the at least one seal of the first surface of the radial flange portion and the bottom surface of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Johnson Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew H. Beach, Alan T. Ives
  • Patent number: 6522708
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for providing a seal between a nuclear reactor in-core instrument housing and an instrument contained within the housing includes a lower seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, an upper seal assembly surrounding an outer portion of the in-core instrument, a seal housing enclosing the lower and upper seal assemblies, and lower and upper compression assemblies positioned on respective ends of the seal housing. The compression assemblies each include a drive nut and a compression collar. The compression collars engage and apply an axial load on the seal assemblies to maintain a reliable seal between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument housing, and between the seal housing and the outer portion of the in-core instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Martin, James G. Tursi, Joseph M. Burger, Kurt R. Graeff
  • Patent number: 6505834
    Abstract: An embodiment providing a seal assembly for turbomachinery for controlling flow of a fluid medium in a fluid path comprises a casing having an internal pressure load path and a seal carrier chamber. A movable seal carrier is disposed within the seal carrier chamber and interposed between the pressure load path and an external flow path. In addition, a pressure selecting apparatus is coupled to the pressure load path to control flow therethrough. Moreover, the position of the movable seal carrier moves in response to a pressure differential determined by the pressure selecting apparatus between the pressure load path and the external flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Osman Saim Dinc, Mehmet Demiroglu
  • Patent number: 6504888
    Abstract: A reactor pressure vessel (RPV) for a nuclear reactor that permits measurement of the flow through each reactor internal pump (RIP) is described. The reactor pressure vessel also includes at least one reactor internal pump that includes an impeller and a pump diffuser. At least two seal rings extend circumferentially around an outer surface of the diffuser housing outer wall and are located in circumferential grooves in the housing outer wall. At least one lateral bore extends through the housing outer wall into a diffuser housing longitudinal flow passage. Each lateral bore is located in an area between two adjacent seal rings, with each inter-seal ring area containing one lateral bore. At least one pressure tap bore extends from the outer surface of the RPV bottom head petal, through the pump deck to an inner surface of a pump deck opening. Each pressure tap bore is aligned with an area in the RIP containing a corresponding lateral bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alex B. Fife, Hwang Choe, Jack T. Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6431553
    Abstract: A radially pressure balanced floating seal system is used to seal a rotating shaft, such as a drive shaft in a torpedo, or other type of vehicle or machinery. The radially pressure balanced floating seal includes an outer seal housing and an inner seal housing that floats with respect to the outer seal housing. The outer seal housing is secured proximate the shaft bearings, for example, in the tail cone of a torpedo. The inner seal housing is secured within an internal recessed region in the outer seal housing, and two or more discrete torque members or one distributed torque member extend from the outer seal housing to the inner seal housing to prevent rotation of the inner seal housing while allowing movement generally in a radial direction. The inner seal housing includes a lubricant recess formed within an internal annular aperture of the inner seal housing for containing lubricant. Double canted O-rings are disposed on each side of the lubricant recess in double canted O-ring grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Antonio M. Amaral, Stanley J. Olson
  • Patent number: 6422570
    Abstract: A lip type seal is provided with an outer ring part (31) which is tightly fitted to a seal installation part (12) of a housing (1); a seal main body (32) which is fixed to the outer ring part (31) and whose inner circumferential part extending in a bent state to the side of a sealed space (A) is sealably brought into slidable contact with an outer circumferential surface of a rotary shaft (2) inserted in the housing (1); a rear surface support plate (33) which is arranged on the rear side of the seal main body and whose outer circumferential part together with the seal main body (32) is fixed to the outer ring part (31); and a movable support plate (34) which is engaged movably in a radial direction between the seal main body (32) and the rear surface support plate (33) and whose inner diameter is clearance fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignees: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ikeda, Takeshi Yamada, Takayuki Imai
  • Patent number: 6302399
    Abstract: Sealing device for laterally sealing of at least one overpressure zone and vacuum zone in a paper machine and process for sealing a moving surface with the sealing device. The sealing device includes a moving surface adjacent to the at least one overpressure zone and vacuum zone, at least one sealing element positioned opposite the moving surface, a holder in which the sealing element is mounted for movement relative to the moving surface, at least one loading element arranged to load the sealing element in a direction toward the moving surface, and at least one reset element arranged to act against the at least one loading element and to move the sealing element away from the moving surface. A sealing gap formed during operation between the sealing element and the moving surface is set by at least one of the reset element and the loading element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Prinzing
  • Patent number: 6145843
    Abstract: This invention discloses a completely different hydrodynamic gas seal configuration from both the Rayleigh bearing and other prior art. Instead of the shallow, wide, and short single pocket geometry for the Rayleigh bearing, and instead of the multiple depth grooves of the other prior art teachings, the hydrodynamic seal in this invention has a sealing face with lift pockets therein that are deep (normally in the range of about 0.010 inches to about 0.025 inches deep), narrow, long, multiple, coextensive, parallel, and single-depth. This invention incorporates the same basic hydraulic principle of generating pressure rise by the shearing gradient between the rotating shaft and stationary carbon elements, and therefore produces a force which is opposite in direction to the rubbing force generated by the ambient pressure drop across the seal. In this invention the forces are more evenly balanced across the axial face of the seal ring segments, thereby accommodating any conicity of the shaft race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Stein Seal Company
    Inventor: Mingfong Hwang
  • Patent number: 6036191
    Abstract: A seal assembly for providing a seal between a cylindrical member and a bore formed in a housing, the housing and cylindrical member being rotatable relative to one another, the seal assembly being located within an annular groove formed in the cylindrical member and having an annular seal body of a plastics material having an outer axially extending circumferential face for sealing abutment with the bore and at least one radially extending end face for sealing abutment with a side face of the groove and a resilient ring member located in abutment with the inner axially extending circumferential face of the seal body for urging said outer circumferential face radially outward to maintain sealing abutment between said outer circumferential face and the bore during cooling of the seal and housing, the resilient ring member having an axial end face contiguous with or located in-board of said end face of the seal body, the resilient ring and seal body being interconnected so as to be axially movable in unison wit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Adwest Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Barry John Millard
  • Patent number: 5957462
    Abstract: A seal structure includes a stationary member, a rotatable member disposed within the stationary member to divide an interior of the stationary member into two chambers, a seal member mildly pressed to the stationary member and the rotatable member, and a recess for collecting grease, formed in the rotatable member. The seal structure can be used as a seal between a rotatable member and a stationary member of an air supply and gas exhaust switching mechanism of a regenerative combustion burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiko Nishiyama, Kazuhisa Mitani
  • Patent number: 5941534
    Abstract: A hydraulic seal system includes a seal ring groove and a seal ring mounted in the seal ring groove. The seal ring and seal ring groove are rotatable relative to each other, and have sealing sides, respectively, which are put into pressure contact with each other by a sealing hydraulic pressure. The seal ring is made of a synthetic resin to have a fixed elasticity. The sealing side of the seal ring is formed into a convex curved surface with its radially central portion raised, so that when a hydraulic pressure is applied, the sealing side can be compressedly deformed to define a hydraulic pocket. Thus, the formation and retaining of an oil film at the pressure contact portions of the sealing sides is promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiminobu Terao, Kouji Ueda, Yorinori Kumagai, Takamichi Shimada, Kenji Amano, Toshio Oka, Junya Nagai
  • Patent number: 5921166
    Abstract: A cylinder apparatus including a piston slidably fitted in a cylinder having a hydraulic fluid sealed therein. A piston rod is connected at one end thereof to the piston. The other end portion of the piston rod extends as far as the outside of the cylinder through a seal block fitted to an open end portion of the cylinder. The seal block retains a double seal including a rod seal that is in sliding contact with the piston rod and an O-ring that resiliently biases the rod seal toward the piston rod. The seal block is provided with a projection extending between the O-ring and the rod seal to bear a part of biasing force applied to the rod seal from the O-ring. The projection is provided at a side of the O-ring and rod seal which is remote from the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Tokico, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Machida, Tetsuo Katoh, Yasuo Inose, Hiroshi Murata
  • Patent number: 5772259
    Abstract: An actuating slide assembly for an automatic assembly machine, wherein the slide assembly includes telescoping fluid conducting conduits interconnected between the slide body and associated end block mounted for relative reciprocal movement relative to the slide body and a sealing arrangement for effecting a fluid tight seal between the relative movable telescoping conduits and associated slide body and end block. The sealing arrangement includes a sealing cartridge and associated O rings circumscribing one of the telescoping fluid conduits intermediate the opposed ends thereof to prohibit any leakage between the relative movable telescoping conduits and the associated slide body and a second sealing arrangement connecting the outer end of a telescoping conduit to its associated end block in a manner to provide a leakproof seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Robohand, Inc.
    Inventors: James Geary, Charles Smart
  • Patent number: 5765838
    Abstract: An expanded graphite sealing material is provided in which the adaptability of the principal face of an expanded graphite base member is improved, the bonding strength to a coating layer and the like can be increased, and the sealing properties can be enhanced. A method of producing such a sealing material, and a gasket sheet using the sealing material are also of concern. On at least a portion of a principal face of the expanded graphite base member in which expanded graphite particles are pressurized and integrated together, opened thin-leaf graphite portions are formed. The principal face of the expanded graphite base member having the thin-leaf graphite portions can be impregnated with a sealing member such as PTFE or covered with a coating layer. As the form of the sealing material, a sheet, a press-molded product, a fabric, a string, or a braided article can be adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahisa Ueda, Masaru Fujiwara, Terumasa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: RE42379
    Abstract: A seal for use in a surgical instrument to provide a gas-tight seal with an instrument passed through the seal. The seal can form a gas-tight seal with an instrument having a diameter within a wide range of diameters. The seal comprises a seal body, an instrument seal, and a laterally-compliant seal mounting device. The seal body includes a bore through which the instrument is passed. The instrument seal is made of an elastic material and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis defined by the bore in the seal body. The instrument seal includes an instrument port through which the instrument is passed. The laterally-compliant seal mounting device mounts the instrument seal to the seal body, forms a gas-tight seal between the instrument seal and the seal body, and allows the instrument seal to move freely laterally in response to lateral movement of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventor: Bryan E. Loomas