Patents Examined by Karlena D. Schwing
  • Patent number: 6116616
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement is provided to close off and seal a gap between undersurfaces of a machine tool installation and a coolant collection channel. The sealing arrangement includes a pair of lengths of sealing hoses inflated with air pressure to close off and seal the gap. The inflated hose seals accommodate the variable gap created by sloping collection troughs to simplify the construction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Jack R. Bratten
  • Patent number: 6113110
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal gasket for sealing the joint surfaces of the cylinder head and the cylinder block of an internal combustion engine. The metal gasket comprises a plural number of metal plates and an annular rigid resin layer, each of the metal plates having opening(s) corresponding to the combustion chamber hole(s) of the gasket and bolt holes. The plural number of the metal plates are laminated so as to be overlaid on each other. The first metal plate disposed on the side of one outer surface of the gasket has a bent portion formed by turning back the peripheral portion of its opening, the bent portion having a curved portion and a flange portion. The bent portion encloses the peripheral portion of the opening of the second metal plate which is one of the metal plates laminated. The annular rigid resin layer is formed of, e.g., an epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Reinz Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6109617
    Abstract: A gas seal assembly which in one embodiment comprises a seal ring having a plurality of annularly spaced-apart geometric impressions which cooperate with another seal ring having an annular groove into which opens a plurality of fluid pathways, the pathways placing the space between the sealing faces in fluid communication with an annular space defined by, inter alia, the sealing rings and a seal housing which contains the seal rings. The assembly enables a gas in the annular space to be recirculated between the annular space and the space between the seal faces to facilitate separation of the seal faces when sufficiently rotated relative to one another. In another embodiment, the gas seal assembly comprises a rotary seal ring disposed between two stationary seal rings. Methods of sealing the opening between a rotary shaft and an object through which the shaft extends are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Power Packing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick Christopher Laney
  • Patent number: 6109615
    Abstract: An oil seal for a locking differential mechanism. The seal assembly includes a generally flat plate with a first generally circular oil seal adjacent an outer margin of the flat plate, a circular inner margin defining an opening in the flat plate with a second oil seal surrounding the inner margin, an oil outlet opening lying in an otherwise imperforate area between the first and second margins, and a cover for the flat plate with the cover and plate defining between them a passage for oil extending from a point radially outside the first seal to at least a point adjacent the oil outlet. The seal takes in a supply of oil from the differential sump and supplies it through the oil outlet to a multi-plate clutch which is activated only when the two axles undergo rotation relative to each other and thereby actuate a Gerotor type oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventors: Greg G. Gildea, Joseph D. Galvin, Brian Davis
  • Patent number: 6105971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal gasket for use in sealing the joint surfaces of the cylinder head and the cylinder block of an internal combustion engine. The metal gasket comprises a plural number of metal plates and a rigid resin layer, each of said metal plates having opening(s) corresponding to the combustion chamber hole(s) of the gasket and bolt holes. The plural number of the metal plates are laminated so as to be overlaid on each other. The first metal plate disposed on the side of one outer surface of the gasket has a bent portion formed by turning back the peripheral portion of its opening, said bent portion having a curved portion which defines the combustion chamber hole and a flange portion. The bent portion of the first metal plate encloses the peripheral portion of the opening of one of the remaining metal plates having a bead portion for surrounding the combustion chamber hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Reinz Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6102496
    Abstract: Display cabinet comprises a housing and a front door for closing the open front of the housing. The front door is connected to one of the housing walls for movement between the closed position and the opened position. The front door comprises a first panel member connected to the one housing wall for pivotal movement about a first axis, and a second panel member connected to the first panel member for pivotal movement about a second axis. The first and second axes are disposed generally parallel to each other such that when the front door is in the closed position, the first and second panel members lie in the same plane, and when the front door is in the opened position, the first and second panel members take an erected form of a V-shaped cross section which erected form has an edge extending along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Display Industries, LLC.
    Inventor: Dennis E. Parham
  • Patent number: 6099198
    Abstract: A axially split casing with flange connection of two casing halves, wherein the casing upper part (1) is bolted to the casing lower part (2) with split line bolts (5) on the circumference of the axial split line flange (3). An axially divided casing extension (9), which is surrounded by a coaxially arranged axially unsplit ring (11) on the outer circumference, is arranged at one or both end faces (4) of the casing upper part (1) and the casing lower part (2) in the area of the casing axis (8). Wedge-shaped tensioning elements (14), which are tensioned by means of tension bolts (15) between surfaces (13) arranged in the ring (11) and countersurfaces (12) of the collar (10) of the casing extension (9), may be additionally arranged between surfaces (12, 13) arranged in the ring (11) and the collar (10) of the casing extension (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: GHH Borsig Turbomaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Kotzur, Alfred Schlemenat, Gerd-Ulrich Woelk
  • Patent number: 6098989
    Abstract: This invention relates to a sealing O-ring of the composite metallic type with a metallic torus-shaped hollow central body (31), and at least one metallic sheet (32) surrounding this metallic body. The central body (31) is composed of a sequence forming a spiral spring with an overlap and laid out along the circumferences of meridian circles of the torus, forming a spiral spring being side by side but not touching each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Commissariat A l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Philippe Caplain, Christian Rouaud
  • Patent number: 6098991
    Abstract: A diaphragm stopper construction for a high-pressure accumulator 100 is provided which causes no damage when the diaphragm 86 deforms even if the fuel is contaminated by foreign matter and the foreign matter is caught in the slight gap 94 between the diaphragm 86 and the plate or wall 101 and deforms the diaphragm 86 as in the conventional design. The diaphragm 86 is supported and sealed by the case 85 and a plate 101, and has a secured portion 104 which is not displaced even if the pressure in the high-pressure chamber 71 fluctuates. In the gentle slope 103 of the plate 101, a rectangular groove 105 is disposed which has a rectangular cross-section and which is an annular recess portion formed around the circumference of the plate 101 in close proximity to and radially inside the innermost secured edge S of the secured portion 104, such that even if the diaphragm 86 is displaced and comes into contact with the gentle slope 103 of the plate 101, foreign matter can be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Onishi
  • Patent number: 6098988
    Abstract: A mechanism for forming a liquid-tight seal around the rotary shaft of a liquid pump having a stationary ring attached to the casing of the pump and a rotating ring attached to the rotary shaft and contacting the stationary ring. The stationary ring is formed from baked carbon, while the rotating ring is a sintered product of silicon nitride. The stationary ring has an effective seal width ratio, rp/Di, of 0.07/1 to 0.22/1, where rp is the width of the effective seal surface of the stationary ring and Di is its inside diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Kawakami, Naoki Ohta, Hiroshi Ichikawa, Masaru Kanno, Katsuharu Kinoshita, Masayasu Sakata
  • Patent number: 6098992
    Abstract: An anti-freezing seal for vehicle compartments, doors, trunks, etc. In cold climates, one of the problems is freezing shut of vehicle doors, for example, due to the moisture which accumulates on the seals during the daytime and then freezes at night. This is a problem for all vehicle compartment lids using seals to prevent leakage of moisture or dust into the compartment and can be resolved by heated or vacuum actuated seals. A heated anti-icing seal may be similar in construction with various existing compartment lid or door seals, which include a bulb or compression section, means for attaching the bulb to a compartment flange, a reflective shield, heat strip, and electrical wires or electric clips adapted to be connected to a DC or AC power supply via, for example, a switch, thermostat, and timer. The attaching means may be an adhesive or a seal setting flange compartment having grippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventors: Neil G. Long, Scott Clare
  • Patent number: 6092809
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing lubricating oil in and debris out of a final drive of an earth moving machine is disclosed. The sealing arrangement includes a secondary seal for use in severe environments to protect a primary oil seal. The secondary seal is disposed radially outboard of the primary seal and includes a continuous annular ring having a wear resistant reinforced composite sealing portion. The sealing portion is constructed of a cured mix of an elastomer and reinforcing fibers, having an axial sealing face positionable in dynamic sealing contact with a radial surface of a first member of the final drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Keifer, Stephen J. Pierz, Gregory M. Wetterich
  • Patent number: 6089574
    Abstract: An automotive boot for use with a connection such as a constant velocity joint includes a separate boot and a separate bushing. The bushing has an internal configuration which is tri-lobed to contact the surface of one of the mechanical components encapsulated by the boot. The internal surface of the skirt of the boot and the corresponding external surface of the bushing each contain interlocking components, preferentially these are ribs and corresponding grooves. The bushing is slightly larger than the boot to produce an interference fit and the ribs are slightly radially longer than the grooves are deep to deform the ribs when received in the grooves, thereby retaining the bushing without tightening the typical hose clamp and providing an effective seal between the bushing and boot to retain lubricants within the boot in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.
    Inventors: Changize Sadr, George Zoric
  • Patent number: 6085670
    Abstract: A uni-directional tilt mechanism for supporting a robotic arm mechanism or other structures includes a simplified system of two motors for tilting a support platform in one dimension. The uni-directional tilt platforms according to the invention may be stacked to provide a universally tiltable stacked platform system for supporting a robotic arm mechanism. The multi-directional tilt stacked platform system can be used to align a Z-axis of a transferred substrate with cassettes or workstations in which substrate is to be placed by the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Genmark Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Genco Genov, deceased
  • Patent number: 6086070
    Abstract: A high pressure fluid seal assembly is shown and described. The seal assembly includes a seal carrier having a bore through which a reciprocating pump plunger may pass, the seal carrier having a first annular groove concentric with the bore, and carrying an annular seal. The seal carrier further includes an integral annular guidance bearing positioned in a second annular groove of the seal carrier, the second annular groove and guidance bearing contained therein being axially spaced from the first annular groove and seal contained therein. An inner diameter of the guidance bearing is smaller than an inner diameter of the seal carrier in a region between the seal and the guidance bearing. The seal is therefore supported directly by the seal carrier, although the seal carrier is spaced from the reciprocating plunger by the guidance bearing. Frictional heating in the region of the seal is therefore reduced, thereby increasing the life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Flow International Corporation
    Inventors: Olivier L. Tremoulet, Jr., Chidambaram Raghavan
  • Patent number: 6086116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe joint for joining pipes with a bent pipe or branch (1) comprising a body (2) having an inner diameter less than the exterior diameter of the pipe (4) to be joined, and sleeve portions (3a, 3b) having an inner diameter substantially equal to the exterior diameter of the pipe (4) to be joined. Thus a step is formed between the body (2) and the sleeve portions (3a, 3b). The sleeve portion (3a, 3b) is eccentrically disposed relative to the body (2) in such a way that at the outer edge of the pipe joint the height of the step between the body (2) and the sleeve portion (3a, 3b) is substantially equal to the wall thickness (e) of the pipe (4) to be joined, and at the inner edge of the pipe joint the height of the step is less than 0.5 times the wall thickness (e) of the pipe (4) to be joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
    Inventor: Jarmo Smahl
  • Patent number: 6082840
    Abstract: A worksurface unit includes a worksurface defining a lower surface, a front edge shaped to be positioned adjacent a seated user, and a rear edge disposed opposite said front edge. The rear edge includes a substantially straight portion and a concave cut-out portion. The worksurface includes at least two legs, each having an upper end operably connected with the worksurface adjacent the rear edge, and a lower end shaped to support the worksurface on a floor. A panel is connected with and extends between the legs, and has an upper edge spaced-apart from the lower surface of the worksurface to define a passageway. The panel upper edge is sloped downwardly towards the front edge of the worksurface such that utility lines can be routed through the cut-out portion of the rear edge, through the passageway and over the sloped upper edge of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Q. Chau, Brian J. Kane, John L. McCrackin
  • Patent number: 6082740
    Abstract: A seal ring assembly for a generator includes an upper seal casing having a first radially inwardly directed channel for supporting at least one seal segment therein, the upper seal casing having a removable cap forming one side of the inwardly directed channel, and a lower seal casing having a second radially inwardly directed channel for supporting at least another seal segment. The first and second channels and the segments are adapted to be joined about a generator shaft to form a substantially 360.degree. seal, and the upper and lower seal segments in the upper and lower seal casings, respectively, are secured together at an interface therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steven William Jones, Luis Alberto Estrada, Blake Weldon Wilson
  • Patent number: 6076832
    Abstract: A split seal (1) having an annular cross-section and a central axis (X) comprises at least two components (2,3) of arcuate form, each component having two end portions (4,4',5,5') and each end portion having a surface (F1,F2) formed and arranged for mating engagement with a respective complementary end portion surface of another of the components. Each end portion surface (F1,F2) extends in an indirect manner over one of the radial width (.delta..sub.r) and the axial length (l) of the seal and each end portion surface (F1,F2) extends substantially continuously in non-reentrant manner over the other one of the radial width (.delta..sub.r) and the axial length (l) of the seal so that the matingly engaged components are substantially smoothly, relatively translatable in one of a generally axial direction and a generally radial direction. In a preferred embodiment each end portion surface (F1,F2) extends in a zigzag manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Management Consultancy Services (Scotland) Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Alexander Pow
  • Patent number: 6073933
    Abstract: A washer and dirt excluder for use with a seal. The washer and dirt excluder includes a flexible ring where that ring is in contact with an outer flange. The washer and dirt excluder further includes a stopper member located at a center point of the flexible ring. The washer and dirt excluder also includes a protrusion extending from a side of the washer opposite the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: David E. Johnston