Patents Examined by Gilbert Lee
  • Patent number: 9334959
    Abstract: In an annular groove carried by one of a pair of reciprocally movable members, a piston ring is carried by the annular groove for sealing the reciprocally movable members for minimizing fluid leakage between the members. The piston ring is an annular member that includes an outer contact surface engagable with the sidewall, an opposed inner surface, an end gap that severs the annular member and that defines spaced-apart first and second ends of the annular member, and annular member tension-relieving notches formed in the inner surface of the annular member. The notches are spaced-apart along the length of the annular member between the first end and the second end, and each notch has a blunt notch tip for inhibiting crack propagation in the annular member from said blunt notch tip when the annular member is tensioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Hartford, Joseph D. Moriarty, Kurt W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9334747
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for securing sealing elements (12, 14) in a recess (16), more particularly in an installation slot in a turbomachine, having at least one sealing support element (18) comprising at least one sealing element (12, 14). At least one fixing piece (20) is fitted between the sealing support element (18) and a clamping piece (22) associated with the sealing support element (18), and the fixing piece (20) is integrally joined to the sealing support element (18) and the clamping piece (22) by strut-like connections (24) that can be broken by the application of force. The invention also relates to a securing method and to a method for manufacturing the claimed apparatus (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MTU AERO ENGINES AG
    Inventors: Christoph Cernay, Wolfgang Schmidmayr, Thomas Hess, Julian Weber
  • Patent number: 9328825
    Abstract: An improved shaft assembly with a rigid component for facilitating sealing is disclosed. The shaft assembly includes a housing, a cap connected to the housing, a shaft operably positioned in the housing, first and second sealing elements, and the rigid component fixedly attached to the first sealing component. The first and second sealing components are in contact with the housing and the shaft. The rigid component is in contact with the first sealing component and the cap, so as to prevent the first sealing component from extruding outside the cap when the shaft reciprocally moves relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GARLOCK SEALING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher E. Tones
  • Patent number: 9322475
    Abstract: A sealing element for sealing a shaft comprises a stiffening part, a first elastomer part connected to the stiffening part and adapted to adjoin the housing part and provide a static seal relative, and a second elastomer part of an elastomer material different from the elastomer material forming the first elastomer part. The second elastomer part is connected to the stiffening part and comprises a sealing section adapted to adjoin the shaft to seal a space. The sealing section comprises a return structure for returning a leaking fluid to a space to be sealed. The sealing section also comprises a region at one axial end portion of the sealing section which is peripherally closed in itself and extends along an inner surface of a circular cylinder portion of the sealing section that is adapted to adjoin and seal the shaft as the shaft is not turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: AB SKF
    Inventors: Jürgen Kurth, Jürgen Netzer, Wolfgang Irmen, Willy Seewald
  • Patent number: 9322412
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism (85) for a seal assembly (80) for a pump drive shaft (52) of a pump, the pump shaft (52) mounted for rotation about a rotation axis. The seal assembly (80) comprises a rotating seal (81) mounted for rotation with the drive shaft (52) about the rotation axis and a static seal (84) adjacent the rotating seal (81) and axially moveable relative thereto. The adjustment mechanism (85) comprises an adjustment member (87) which is axially moveable so as to cause axial movement of the static seal (84) relative to the rotating seal (81). The mechanism further includes an actuator (88) and a transmission (93) for transmitting a motive force from the actuator to the adjustment member as a result of activation of the actuator. The transmission (93) is operatively connected to the adjustment member (87) at two spaced apart couplings (98) whereby activation of the actuator causes simultaneous transmission of the motive force to the two spaced apart couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Linatex Limited
    Inventor: Gregory Craig Dewsnap
  • Patent number: 9322476
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle engine oil seal having excellent sliding properties over the entire rotation range of engines from a low rotation range to a high rotation range. The present invention is a vehicle engine oil seal comprising: an elastic member with a seal lip portion having at least a main lip portion, wherein the elastic member is formed of a composition containing a fluororubber and a fluororesin and has projecting portions at least on a surface of the main lip portion, the projecting portions being substantially formed of the fluororesin contained in the composition, the fluororesin is a copolymer including a polymerization unit derived from ethylene and a polymerization unit derived from tetrafluoroethylene, and the fluororubber is a polymer including a polymerization unit derived from vinylidene fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Ogishi, Tetsuya Mizone, Kouhei Takemura, Tomihiko Yanagiguchi
  • Patent number: 9322287
    Abstract: A brush seal for a turbine including an annular layer of filaments having a generally L-shape including an axial portion of the filaments and a radial portion of filaments, wherein a first end of the filaments is at an end of the radial portion and faces a rotating component of the turbine and a second end region of the filaments is at an end of the axial portion of the filaments and is fastened to a stationary component of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoqing Zheng, Michael Dennis Mack, Debabrata Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9322477
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle transmission having excellent sliding properties over the entire speed range of engines from a low speed range to a high speed range. The present invention is a vehicle transmission oil seal comprising: an elastic member with a seal lip portion having at least a main lip portion, wherein the elastic member is formed of a composition containing a fluororubber and a fluororesin and has projecting portions at least on a surface of the main lip portion, the projecting portions being substantially formed of the fluororesin contained in the composition, the fluororesin is a copolymer including a polymerization unit derived from ethylene and a polymerization unit derived from tetrafluoroethylene, and the fluororubber is a polymer including a polymerization unit derived from vinylidene fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetaka Ogishi, Tetsuya Mizone, Kouhei Takemura, Tomihiko Yanagiguchi
  • Patent number: 9316314
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for placement between two components which have a planar contact surface, in particular two housing parts of a pump. The sealing arrangement has an elongate, flexible sealing element whose end region has a termination element thereon, which can carry out a sealing function. The sealing element and the termination element have an overlap region in the end region of the sealing element and thus form a first continuous sealing edge. The sealing edge is maintained also for a displacement of the end region of the sealing element in the direction of the start region within the overlap region. The termination element moreover has a first curvature. The curvature and the sealing element are configured so that the sealing element contacts the termination element along the curvature in a pressure-free state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AG
    Inventors: Paul Meuter, Thomas Welschinger
  • Patent number: 9316313
    Abstract: A piston ring formed of cast iron provides improved machinability and exceptional performance and minimum costs. The cast iron includes 2.2 to 2.9 wt. % carbon, 3.2 to 4.2 wt. % silicon, 0.75 to 1.25 wt. % copper, 1.0 to 1.5 wt. % manganese, 0.09 to 0.15 wt. % sulfur, not greater than 0.2 wt. % phosphorous, and an average carbon equivalent of 3.8. The cast iron preferably includes a matrix of martensite with MnS and carbides dispersed therein. The matrix is also preferably free of ferrite, austenite, and steadite. The cast iron is formed by casting, austenitizing, quenching, and tempering the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Haron Ogega Gekonde
  • Patent number: 9316315
    Abstract: A seal assembly seals an interface between adjacent liner sections. The seal assembly comprises a seal carrier mounted to a first plate, a seal body overlapping at least a portion of the seal carrier to define a plane of travel between the seal body and the seal carrier, and at least one resilient member configured to bias the seal body against a second plate. The seal carrier includes an indented portion that extends radially inward of the plane of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Russell P. Parrish, Jeffrey R. Lavin
  • Patent number: 9303447
    Abstract: An assembly for use on an aircraft wing having an aircraft skin and a fuel tank, the assembly comprising a metal access door for accessing the fuel tank, a metal retainer ring for engaging the wing and the access door. Fasteners removably couple the access door to the retainer ring. A lip, which may be on the wing surface, is configured to receive a perimeter of the access door when the access door is coupled to the retainer ring. A polyurethane elastomeric gel gasket having a metallic skeleton is configured to lay between the access door and a lip of the metal wing surface. Under compression, the polyurethane will deform and squeeze out the edges and flatten so as to provide metal-to-metal contact between the access door and the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Aviation Devices & Electronic Components LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dry, Matt Boyd, Kent Boomer, Jeff Busby
  • Patent number: 9303769
    Abstract: A mechanical seal comprising; a. a sleeve which is for sealing engagement with a rotating shaft; b. one or more primary or secondary sealing faces urged toward one another via a plurality of spring members; c. a gland which is for detachable attachment to a housing of within which the seal is to be situated: d. a clamp ring wherein set screws reside to provide drive between said sleeve, clamp ring and shaft; and e. one or more setting members which are detachably attached to said clamping ring to restrict axial movement and make the internal dimensions independent of tolerances and assembly accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: AES Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Parkin, Andrew Wayne Harrison
  • Patent number: 9303767
    Abstract: A seal ring 100 is configured by the combination of a first divided body 100A on a high pressure side and a second divided body 100B on a low pressure side with respect to an axis direction. The seal ring that stabilizes sealing performance while reducing rotary torque and including a recessed section 140 provided centrally in a width direction and extending in a circumferential direction and a pair of raised sections 150 provided on both sides of the recessed section 140. A through hole 141 a is provided so as to lead to a bottom surface of the recessed section 140 from an inner peripheral surface side and allows a sealed fluid to be introduced into the recessed section 140 from the inner peripheral surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9297457
    Abstract: A sealing device is capable of fixing an elastomeric seal relative to a support member without using an adhesive or an adaptor. The support member (120) is configured from a stepped annular member having a small diameter portion (121) on the sealed liquid side (L) and a large diameter portion (122) on the opposite side (A) intervened by the small diameter portion (121). The large diameter portion (122) being larger in outer diameter than the small diameter portion (121), and the elastomeric seal (110) has an interference with an inner peripheral surface of a shaft hole (31) of the housing (30) and an interference with each of the small diameter portion (121) and the large diameter portion (122), and is fixed in a state in which the elastomeric seal (110) is press-fitted in between the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole (31) and the support member (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Arita
  • Patent number: 9290838
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting diffusion of gases and/or transmission of photons through elastomeric seals and a diffusion inhibiting elastomeric seal wherein at least a portion of the surface of a diffusion inhibiting elastomeric seal is coated with a compatibly-deformable, malleable metal coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: George Herman Biallas, James Reid Boyce
  • Patent number: 9291272
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A seal body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein a labyrinth passage extends between the seal body and the sleeve, from an air side of the assembly to an oil side of the assembly, during normal use of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: Scott B Lattime, Kevin M. Dillon, Alicia Black, Richard Borowski, Roger Trentman, Stephen E. Brister, Carl F. Meadows, Brian M. Hupp, David G. Toth
  • Patent number: 9291068
    Abstract: A seal arrangement is installed between confronting co-planar portions of a low pressure steam turbine exhaust hood and a circular bulkhead that forms part of an exhaust duct structure of a steam turbine module. The seal arrangement forms a vacuum seal between the interior and exterior of the exhaust hood and comprises a flexible gasket in the form of an annular diaphragm. This diaphragm has a radially inner circumferential portion that seals with the bulkhead, a radially outer circumferential portion that seals with the exhaust hood, and a radially median resilient portion. Sealing is achieved by providing radially inner and outer clamping flanges operative to sealingly clamp inner and outer circumferential portions of the gasket to the bulkhead and the exhaust hood respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Julien Roge, Jerome Lamaque, Xavier Laurent
  • Patent number: 9291266
    Abstract: A sealing structure includes a first member (200) having a fitting groove (220); a second member (300) fixed to the first member (200); and a gasket (100) fitted to the fitting groove (220) to seal a gap between opposing surfaces of the first member (200) and the second member (300), wherein a plurality of locking protrusions (230) are provided on one of two sidewalls of the fitting groove (220), the locking protrusions (230) being spaced from each other and arranged along the direction in which the fitting groove (220) extends, and the gasket (100) is provided with a plurality of locked protrusions (120), the locked protrusions (120) being engageably locked against the respective locking protrusions (230) from a groove bottom side of the fitting groove (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nan Yu
  • Patent number: 9291268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a line duct for sealing a wall opening through which a line passes, comprising an elastomer body with a series of layers surrounding the line. The elastomer body and the series of layers are made up here of a number of respective one-piece elastomer body parts (2a, b, c, d) with shells (4a, b, c, d), according to the invention there being arranged between the shells (4a, b, c, d) of an elastomer body part (2a, b, c, d) at least two shells (4a, b, c, d) of other elastomer body parts (2a, b, c, d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hauff-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Kurz, Martin Heck, Michael Seibold