Patents Examined by Nicholas L Foster
  • Patent number: 11549623
    Abstract: The pipe ball joint includes a casing having a socket portion with a substantially spherical interior surface and a first pipe segment extending from the socket portion. The socket portion has an annular groove disposed adjacent the partially spherical interior surface. A ball pipe section includes a ball segment received in the socket portion of the casing and a second pipe segment extending from the ball segment. A seal assembly is received in the annular groove of the casing and is disposed against the ball segment of the ball pipe section. The seal assembly includes a plurality of nested seal rings that each include a concave face and a convex face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Freudenberg Oil & Gas, LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Wallace, Reza Payvar
  • Patent number: 11543030
    Abstract: An electrically isolating gasket is disclosed wherein a coating layer is disposed on at least one conductive surface, and in some embodiments, on all surfaces or at least all of the conductive surfaces. The electrically isolating gasket includes a core gasket component, a ring seal component, and a non-conductive inner seal component. The coating layer can be, for example, polyimide, polyamide, ceramic, and aluminum oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Garlock Pipeline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Brown, Ryan Buttimer, T. Scott Tanner, Christopher Remley
  • Patent number: 11530749
    Abstract: Provided is a seal ring configured so that stable lubrication performance can be provided across a wide range of rotation speed. A seal ring for sealing a clearance between a rotary shaft and a housing includes multiple static pressure grooves provided at a sliding surface of the seal ring and arranged in a circumferential direction, the static pressure grooves being opened on a sealed fluid side and closed on an outer diameter side, a circumferential length of each of the static pressure grooves being shorter than a radial length of each of the static pressure grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Wataru Kimura, Yuichiro Tokunaga, Yoshiaki Takigahira, Toru Kono, Hidetoshi Kasahara, Jun Hiromatsu, Takafumi Ota
  • Patent number: 11530721
    Abstract: A sealing device includes a metal core configured to be attached to a stationary member of a bearing mechanism, an annular slinger configured to be attached to a rotary member of the bearing mechanism, a seal member attached to the metal core, and a discharge body. The discharge body includes a base having discharge holes, an attachment that is continuous with the base and attached to the slinger, and fins protruding from the base. The discharge body is configured to be rotated together with the slinger. A communication space surrounded by the slinger and the seal member is configured to communicate with an external space of the bearing mechanism via an opening. At least the fins of the discharge body are positioned in the communication space. When the rotary member rotates, an inflow flowed into the communication space is moved by the fins toward the external space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ichinohe, Kengo Ito, Yasufumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11530748
    Abstract: The shape of a back-up ring is a V-shaped sectional shape. In the back-up ring, an annular concave surface part having a V-shaped sectional shape serving as a valley toward a high-pressure side is formed on a surface part on a side that faces a seal ring, and an annular convex surface part having a V-shaped sectional shape serving as a peak toward a low-pressure side is formed on a surface part opposite to the side that faces the seal ring. When a high pressure is applied from a high-pressure side, the back-up ring is deformed such that V-shaped angles of an annular concave surface part and an annular convex surface part are increased as the annular concave surface part is pressed against the seal ring, and is brought into close contact with a housing and a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: ARAI SEISAKUSHO CO, LTD., HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Haruki Nobori, Yuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11519506
    Abstract: A seal for a vacuum lifter and method of manufacture wherein the seal has a continuous unbroken outer fluid resistant skin of elastomer which forms a boundary around a homogeneous cellular structure with no interior seams or joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Vacuworx Global, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Denton, James Ray Podesta, William J. Solomon
  • Patent number: 11519537
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for flanges is described. The sealing assembly includes a wedge, a first sealing element, a second sealing element, and a fastener. The wedge has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The first surface defines a pressure void with a first flange and a second flange. The first sealing element engages the second surface of the wedge and the first flange. The second sealing element engages the third surface of the wedge and the second flange. The fastener couples the first sealing element, the first flange, the second flange, and the second sealing element together. The wedge slides toward the sealing elements responsive to a pressure increase in the pressure void. The sealing elements force the flanges toward each other responsive to the wedge sliding toward the first sealing element and the second sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Endre Balint
  • Patent number: 11519505
    Abstract: A multi-layer metal gasket includes a first functional layer and a second functional layer. A bore and a fastener hole extend through the first and second functional layers. The first functional layer has a first embossment protruding toward the second functional layer and the second functional layer has a second embossment protruding toward the first functional layer. The first embossment and the second embossment each encircle the bore. An intermediate layer is between the first and second functional layers. The intermediate layer extends between the first embossment and the second embossment and extends from the first and second embossments to the fastener hole. A spacer layer is between the intermediate layer and the first functional layer. The spacer layer has an inner edge defining a hole through the spacer layer. The inner edge encircles the first embossment. The spacer layer extends from the inner edge to the fastener hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
    Inventors: Richard Michael Larson, Bartosz Gagor
  • Patent number: 11506286
    Abstract: A seal including a first portion having a first width that extends in a radial direction of the seal, a second portion that is joined with the first portion and having a second width that is smaller than the first width, and a first recess that is located in the first portion to reduce a width expansion of the first portion when the seal is compressed in an axial direction of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Pär Ström, Magnus Gullberg
  • Patent number: 11499639
    Abstract: A sealing system including an annular support, an annular sealing element and an annular shielding element; a first and a second lip of the sealing element interact slidingly with an abutment surface of the shielding element and each include: a root portion which extends perpendicularly in cantilever fashion from a flange portion of the annular support; a flexing portion, which extends in cantilever fashion from the root portion in an oblique direction with a thinner radial thickness, delimited by an annular internal surface facing the abutment surface and by an annular external surface facing towards the support, consisting of surfaces of revolution generated by segments of circumference; and a contact portion including a wedge-shaped overhang and a step portion flanking the overhang, which forms with the abutment surface a first and a second angle (?,?), the first angle facing the annular support and being smaller than the second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Gianni Alvise Cognolato, Claudio Foti, Adriano Valsania
  • Patent number: 11499634
    Abstract: Briefly, the present invention relates, in one embodiment, to a gasket for sealing a filter housing to a filter mount. The gasket may have an upper body and a lower body which seals between the filter housing and filter head. The gasket may include chamfered surfaces to allow for properly sealing against manufacturing tolerances, and may include an annular groove which receives the filter housing and stabilizes the gasket during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Des-Case Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Cooper Pride, Derek Keith, Jay Michael Cooper
  • Patent number: 11486447
    Abstract: A dry-lubricating apparatus, for press fitting onto a mating part, includes (a) a frame, (b) a rubber gasket fixed to the frame to create an interference with a mating surface of the mating part so as to enable the press fitting, and (c) a lead-in edge fixed to at least one of the frame and the rubber gasket. The lead-in edge includes a dry lubricant such that, when the dry-lubricating apparatus is slid onto the mating part, along the mating surface and with the rubber gasket trailing the lead-in edge, a portion of the dry lubricant is abraded off the lead-in edge to reduce friction between the rubber gasket and the mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CONSOLIDATED METCO, INC.
    Inventor: Linas Maskaliunas
  • Patent number: 11480250
    Abstract: V-springs each with a plurality of V-bodies and wherein each V-body has two legs, one shorter than the other. Seal assemblies each with a sealing element having a spring cavity and having a V-spring located therein, the V-spring having a plurality of V-bodies and wherein each V-body each comprising two legs, a long leg that is longer in length than a short leg. The long leg, the short leg, or both long and short legs of the V-bodies can each have one or more bends or inflection points to change a projection of the long leg, the short leg, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 11473394
    Abstract: A pipe coupling device includes a body configured to connect a first pipe segment to a second pipe segment, a sealing device carried by the body, and an activation unit. The sealing device includes a circumferential element including a first material and a peripheral element connected to an edge of the circumferential element and including a second material that is different from the first material. The activation unit is configured to adjust the sealing device to an activated state in which the sealing device extends radially from the body to form at least a portion of a seal with a pipe that surrounds the body, such that the seal fluidically isolates a first annular region between the first pipe segment and the pipe along a first side of the seal from a second annular region between the second pipe segment and the pipe along a second side of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Victor Carlos Costa de Oliveira, Khaled K. Abouelnaaj
  • Patent number: 11460109
    Abstract: A gasket has a plurality of gasket members including annular reinforcing rings formed around respective axes and annular elastic body parts that are formed around the respective axes and that are formed from elastic bodies attached to the respective reinforcing rings. Outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of the reinforcing rings are close to each other, and the plurality of the elastic body parts are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daichi Makinae
  • Patent number: 11459904
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes first and second split-ring seals. The first split-ring seal includes circumferentially separated first and second ends, laterally separated first and second edges, a first sealing lobe adjacent the first edge, and a first integral clip portion adjacent the second edge. The first sealing lobe has a curved surface extending laterally outward from the first edge. The second split-ring seal is slidably received and nested in the first seal. The second split-ring seal includes circumferentially separated third and fourth ends and laterally separated third and fourth edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Ponchak, Frederick M. Schwarz, David L. Motto
  • Patent number: 11454565
    Abstract: A seal apparatus provides sufficient sealing and is compact and inexpensive. The seal apparatus includes a thread part screwed to the screw fastening part of a hollow component; a seal part that moves along an axis of the screw part and comes into pressure contact with the screw fastening part of the hollow component; a stopper part fixed to the screw part that restricts the movement of the seal part; a pressed part that moves the seal part into pressure contact with the screw fastening part; a spring disposed between the pressed part and the stopper part; and an accumulator formed between the stopper part and the seal part and into which a test fluid which is introduced into the hollow component for inspection flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SANOH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Shiina, Miyuki Takahashi, Kazuyuki Haraga, Hideharu Shimura, Yasuyuki Kunugiza, Yorichika Takizawa
  • Patent number: 11454321
    Abstract: A stuffing box assembly for a fluid end of a hydraulic fluid pump includes a first stuffing box member having a first plunger bore configured to receive a plunger of the hydraulic fluid pump and a plurality of seals. The first stuffing box member further comprises a first bore spaced apart from the plunger bore. A second stuffing box member has a threaded stuffing nut bore configured to receive a stuffing nut of the hydraulic fluid pump. The second stuffing box member further comprises a second bore spaced apart from the stuffing nut bore. A fastener is configured to extend through the first and second bores to secure the first stuffing box member to the second stuffing box member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: GD ENERGY PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Chance Ray Mullins, Peter Ross Ehlers
  • Patent number: 11448320
    Abstract: A sealing device is located between an inner member and an outer member that rotate relative to each other. The sealing device includes a tubular part that is to be mounted on a cylindrical end portion of the outer member, an annular part connected to an end of the tubular part and having a portion located radially inside the end portion of the outer member, at least one lip extending from the annular part toward the inner member. Each of the annular part and the tubular part includes an elastic part and a rigid part. At least one of an upper surface of the annular part that is opposite to the tubular part and a lower surface of the tubular part that is opposite to the annular part is formed of the elastic part. Multiple protrusions are formed on at least one of the upper surface of the annular part and the lower surface of the tubular part, the protrusions protruding along an axial direction of the sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Masahiro Seki
  • Patent number: 11434999
    Abstract: Valve stem packing assemblies may include at least one end ring and at least one sealing ring. The at least one end ring may include an inner ring and an outer ring. Valves include a valve body, a valve stem, and a valve stem packing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: Richard J. Gradle