Patents Examined by Scott Cummings
  • Patent number: 6485021
    Abstract: According to the present invention, the mechanical seal unit for pumps including a fixed seal ring facing a lower pressure space and a rotatable seal ring facing a higher pressure space, comprises: at least one outlet groove disposed on a slidable seal face of the fixed seal ring and open exclusively to the lower pressure space; and at least one inlet groove disposed on a slidable seal face of the rotatable seal ring and open exclusively to the higher pressure space such that the inlet groove and the outlet groove partially meet to communicate with each other to form a fluid release passage at a certain point of rotation of the rotatable ring relative to the fixed ring. Otherwise the outlet and inlet grooves may be disposed on the rotatable ring and the fixed ring, respectively, to obtain the same effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventors: Soichiro Osaki, Rokuheiji Satoh
  • Patent number: 6010132
    Abstract: A hybrid labyrinth-brush seal is provided in a flow path between relatively moving parts such as a shaft and a fixed housing. The labyrinth seal includes a plurality of teeth extending radially from one part toward the other providing a labyrinth seal. The brush seal includes generally radially extending bristles in the form of a bristle pack extending generally radially between the teeth of the labyrinth seal toward the rotating part such that the distal ends thereof engage the rotating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Bharat S. Bagepalli, Robert H. Cromer, Osman S. Dinc, James Maynard
  • Patent number: 6007067
    Abstract: A multi-operational inflatable packer, particularly for use in oil and gas wells, comprises an outer rubber layer (5), at least two cord layers (6, 7) internal to the outer rubber layer (5), and an inner rubber layer (8); the cord layers comprise yarn of aramide fibers. The cord layers are arranged as one inner and one outer cord layer (6, 7), which are not embedded in rubber. The inner cord layer (7) comprises a thin yarn, and the outer cord layer (6) comprises a thicker yarn. Inner and outer cord layers (6, 7) are at the end of the packer anchored by a pressure sleeve (3). A packer ring of high tensile steel is situated within the pressure sleeve in direction against the packer (1), preferably having a yield strength above 700 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Espen Hiorth
  • Patent number: 5934680
    Abstract: A composite step-cut type synthetic resin seal ring having a pair of abutments provided at one circumferential point of the ring body and spaced from each other. Each abutment has end face and comprises a protrusion and a shoulder provided adjacent to each other. The protrusion is provided on one axial side of the ring body and the shoulder is provided on the other axial side of the ring body. The end face, protrusion and shoulder of one abutment are complementary in shape to the end face, shoulder and protrusion of the other abutment, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kozo Kakehi, Jiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5845910
    Abstract: An integrated sealing system for automatic transmission made up of a sole part composed essentially of annular structural metal element (10), suitable for assembling in the annular space between the main shaft (1) and semi-shaft of the wheel set (2) and casing (3) of the automatic transmission; and a set of rubber sealing elements to seal all the interstices in that area of the automotive vehicle mechanism, incorporated in the annular structural element (10) formed by radial sealing element (dynamic sealing) (11)-(12); and surface sealing (static sealing); the radial sealing element (11)-(12) consists on the whole of: a first element (11) composed of a rim (20) which seals against the main shaft (1) with a garter type spring (21) to absorb radial efforts; flanges (22) to protect the spring from being released; in addition, the radial sealing element (11)-(12) has a second element (12) consisting of: a rim (25) which seals against the wheel set semi-shaft (2), and a rim (26) that seals against the deflector (2
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sabo Industria e Comercio, Ltda.
    Inventor: Alfredo Miguel Sabo
  • Patent number: 5826883
    Abstract: There is provided an endless tubular body forming an enclosed chamber then, and granules of permanent magnet material disposed in the chamber. The body is deformable by the granules when the granules are subjected to a magnetic force. With respect to the aspect of the invention wherein seal assembly technology is the center of interest, there are provided a first member of magnetically permeable material and a second member spaced from the first member to define a passageway therebetween, and the above described sealing ring is disposed in the passageway between the first and second members and in engagement therewith. With respect to the aspect of the of the invention wherein the technology of making a seal assembly is the center of interest, there is provided a method for making the above-described seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secratary of the Navy
    Inventors: Chahee P. Cho, William P. Krol, Jr., Antonio M. Amaral
  • Patent number: 5820131
    Abstract: A Cr.sub.2 N film or a mixed Cr.sub.2 N and Cr film formed by physical vapor deposition on the outer circumferential surface of a piston ring which is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of a cylinder. The axial width of the outer circumferential surface of the piston ring is 0.6 mm or less. The nitrogen content of the film is 11 to 17 percent by weight. The Vicker's hardness of the film is in the range of HV1300 to HV2000. The thickness of the film is 3 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Teikoku Piston Ring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Tanaka, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Hiroto Fukutome
  • Patent number: 5806856
    Abstract: An on-site fillable ferrofluidic seal comprises a ferrofluidic seal having at least one ferrofluid conducting channel extending through either the magnet, through one of the pole pieces which sandwich the opposing pole ends of the magnet, or through both the magnet and a pole piece. The conducting channel extends to a location where deposited ferrofluid will be drawn to the gaps between the pole pieces and the shaft. In another embodiment a multi-stage seal is filled by displacing the pole piece/magnet assembly axially relative to the shaft so that each pole piece projection falls halfway axially between two shaft projections. The displacement alters the normal magnetic field pattern to create a substantially uniform magnetic field throughout the pole piece/shaft interface region such that ferrofluid can be drawn through the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Ferrofluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Black, Jr., William B. Mraz
  • Patent number: 5803462
    Abstract: An improved multi-layer gasket for an internal combustion engine comprises a central carrier plate and at least two surface plates disposed on opposing sides of the central carrier plate. The surface plates include a bead portion annularly located about combustion bore openings. A yieldable combustion seal ring is located radially inwardly of the bead portions, and bonded along an inner peripheral edge of the combustion bore openings at a discrete number of highly localized points by means of an elastomeric adhesive or by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J. Kozerski
  • Patent number: 5799745
    Abstract: A vehicle attitude control device including a yaw moment control mechanism for giving a yaw moment to the vehicle and controlling the yaw moment, and a controller for controlling the yaw moment control mechanism in a normal target follow-up control mode so that the actual yaw rate detected by a yaw rate sensor coincides with a target value determined on the basis of an angle of rotation of a steering wheel detected by a steering wheel angle sensor, and wherein a yaw moment reducing device is provided for reducing the yaw moment to be given to the vehicle by the yaw moment control mechanism, to a reduced value smaller than a normal value to which the yaw moment is controlled in the normal target follow-up control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Fukatani
  • Patent number: 5799950
    Abstract: The present invention includes a means of equalizing pressure within a sealed pin joint assembly. The pin joint assembly includes slidably connecting a pin through a bearing assembly fitted within a bore in an equalizer bar. The pin is circumferentially surrounded by a pair of seals disposed on either side of the bearing assembly for sealing within the equalizer bar. The seals are positioned adjacent the bearing assembly to define a pair of cavities therebetween. A receiving passage extends from a counterbore at an outer surface of the equalizer bar and terminates at the bearing assembly and is fluidly connected with the pin joint assembly. A grease zerk is disclosed within the receiving passage as a means to direct fluid into the joint wherein accumulation within the cavities is expected. As the pressure fluctuates within the cavities during operation, the lubricating fluid is free to travel through a pair of discharge passages and an interconnected cross passage therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Allen, Robert A. Lapke, Dean M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5797602
    Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly for use in a coolant circulation system of a heavy diesel engine. The seal assembly includes relatively rotatable seal rings disposed in surrounding relationship to the pump drive shaft. One seal ring is non-rotatable with respect to the drive shaft and the other is non-rotatable with respect to the surrounding housing. These seal rings have opposed annular seal faces maintained in relatively rotatable contacting relationship due to the urging of a spring which acts against the non-rotating seal ring, the latter in turn being axially movably supported on a lightweight compact mounting member which stationarily seats within the stuffing box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Pac-Seal Inc. International
    Inventor: Steven C. Less
  • Patent number: 5794939
    Abstract: A mechanical seal 30 is disclosed comprising a sleeve 32 which is adapted to be affixed to the shaft 34 of a item of mechanical equipment, together with a rotary component 42 which carries a rotary seal face 44. Two O-ring grooves 46, 48 are provided on the sleeve 32, the first 46 being remote from the rotary seal face 44 and cut somewhat deeper into the sleeve 32 than the second 48. The rotary component 42 has a first region 50 remote from the rotary seal face 44, the inner surface of which has a relatively small diameter and a second region 52 between the first region 50 and the rotary seal face 44, the inner surface of which has a larger diameter. A pair of O-rings 54, 56 are located in the O-ring grooves 46, 48 and seal against the inner surface of the rotary component 42. The net thrust, if any, acting on the rotary component 42 and hence on the rotary seal face 44 tends to close the seal face irrespective of whether the barrier fluid pressure is in excess for less than the product pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: AES Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew John Parkin
  • Patent number: 5794938
    Abstract: A brush seal for sealing a gap between two spaces at different pressures on opposite sides of a rotor and a stator. The brush seal is formed as a plurality of bristles and the bristles are mounted in the stator to project radially therefrom, across said gap, to contact the rotor. A clamping ring clamps a stack of the bristles around an annular core in U-shaped fashion with legs of the bristles extending through an annular slot towards the rotor. The clamping ring includes a C-shaped section which clamps the bristles against the core and reverse bend portions at opposite ends of the C-shaped section. The reverse bend portions are axially spaced from one another and form the annular slot through which the legs of the bristles extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Mtu Motoren-Und Turbinen-Union Munchen GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Hofner, Alfred Mayr
  • Patent number: 5794945
    Abstract: This metal gasket comprises a bead base plate with first beads and a sub-plate stacked on the bead base plate. The sub-plate is made of a thick metal plate and formed with second and third beads and stepped portions. The second beads, the third beads and the stepped portions combine to form triple seal lines, which improve the sealing function. The sub-plate is formed with the second beads opposing the first beads of the bead base plate, with the high third beads formed inside the second beads around the holes and with the stepped portions formed outside the second beads around the holes. The third beads prevent ingress of burning gases to the first beads and also serve as a stopper to prevent the first beads from being flattened completely. The third beads therefore can add durability to the sealing function realized by the first and second beads, enhancing the sealing performance of the first and second beads and reliably preventing burning gases from escaping between the opposing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Gasket Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kubouchi, Yutaka Furuta, Kazuyuki Geshi
  • Patent number: 5791659
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a pair of bead plates on which beads are formed, and an intermediate plate on which first and second stepped portions are formed. One of the bead plates is provided with auxiliary beads so as to prevent a full compression of the beads and increase the sealability. This metal gasket comprises first and second bead plates having beads and extending along the circumferences of holes, and an intermediate plate interposed between the bead plates. The intermediate plate is provided in the regions thereof which extend along the circumferences of the holes and on the inner side of the beads with first stepped portions extending toward the first bead plate, and second stepped portions extending toward the second bead plate. The second bead plate is provided with auxiliary beads extending toward the second stepped portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignees: Nippon Gasket Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazukuni Takada, Hiroshi Uemura, Masahiko Miura, Kazuya Nakata, Yoshikazu Shinpo
  • Patent number: 5791677
    Abstract: A hitch cover for preventing injury to individuals moving within the area located beneath the overhang portion of a fifth-wheel type camper trailer, the hitch cover including a cover member of an oversized solid one-piece foam rubber construction having a blind hole in the top surface for receiving therein the depending hitch pin for mounting the cover member on the hitch pin with the cover member underlying the bottom of the hitch pin support, the outer diameter of the cover member being sufficiently large as to permit the cover member to extend radially outward with its peripheral edge located beyond the front and sides of the hitch pin support, thus preventing direct contact with the hitch pin and/or the hitch pin support by an individual, such as a child, when moving within the area beneath the overhang pin and/or the hitch pin support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Barry D. Froehlich
  • Patent number: 5791654
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant gasket combined with an aircraft antenna, and more particularly to encapsulation of a conductive mesh in a pliable fluorosilicone compound that will not become bonded to mating surfaces and will also migrate upon compression during installation to the threads of attaching hardware utilized between the instrument, antenna, and aircraft structure, thereby reducing corrosion through the attaching hardware, by providing a hermetic seal around the periphery of the envelope of the attached device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrick W. Gaines, Mickey A. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5788246
    Abstract: A piston seal device has a combined oil scraping ring that includes a steel annular oil scraping ring body having an M-, I- or H-shaped cross section, and an annular coil spring. The ring body has a cross-sectional cut at one location and includes an upper rail member, a lower rail member and a strut holding the upper and lower rail members and having an annular groove in its outer circumferential side, the annular groove having a number of circumferentially spaced oil holes. The annular coil spring is fitted into the annular groove in a stretched state for urging the strut diametrically inward toward the piston rod, whereby the inner circumferential surfaces of the upper and lower rail members are brought into pressured contact with the outer peripheral surface of the piston rod owing to the constraining force of the spring. The oil scraping ring contacts the outer peripheral surface of the piston rod while flexing to follow up the shape of the surface, thereby improving the oil sealing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventors: Morio Kuribayashi, Toshiei Ihara
  • Patent number: 5788247
    Abstract: A composite gasket including facing material and a core material. The core material includes tanged portions which are formed by disturbing a surface of the core. The tang portions preferably terminate into pointed tips which penetrate the facing material when it is forced against the tangs. When sufficient force is applied against the facing material, the pointed tips of the tangs deform inwardly forming hook shaped ends. These hook shaped ends help form and maintain an excellent mechanical bond between the core material and the facing material. The forming of the tangs does not penetrate completely through the thickness of the core material but simply forms a slight divot in the surface of the core material. Thus, there is no possibility of leakage through the core material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Paul M. Tensor