Patents Examined by Scott W. Cummings
  • Patent number: 5738359
    Abstract: An expandable band and locking mechanism is used to install and secure a flexible sealing element, such as a rubber seal or gasket, against an internal annular surface, such as in a manhole or pipe. The expandable band is capable of expanding and being locked at various diameters. The expandable band preferably has a plurality of deviations or ribs that provide a plurality of pressure points against the sealing element. The expandable band includes a first locking region, such as an end locking portion of the band, and a second locking region, such as one or more adjustable locking elements or notches in the band. The locking mechanism preferably includes a locking member having a first locking tab for engaging with the end locking portion of the band and a second locking tab for engaging with one of the adjustable locking elements or notches in the band. The locking mechanism further includes a housing for covering the locking member and engaging the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: NPC Acquisition Corp.
    Inventor: William P. Gundy
  • Patent number: 5692757
    Abstract: A bidirectional hydrodynamic shaft seal includes an annular plastic disk having a sealing surface or lip provided with two connected spiral grooves extending around the disk axis. One of the spiral grooves spirals outwardly in a clockwise direction, and the other spiral groove spirals outwardly in a counterclockwise direction so that the spiral grooves have multiple intersection points. The shaft seal is designed for operation in either or both directions of shaft rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Mather Seal Company
    Inventor: Carole L. Straub
  • Patent number: 5655781
    Abstract: A unitized radial and facial seal assembly intended for use between radially inner and outer relatively rotationally and axially movable members includes a facial seal which is disposed between axially spaced, radially extending flanges of a counterface and a retainer to prevent entry of external contaminants, a radial seal mounted on a casing and fixed against relative rotational and axial movement, and a wiper seal on the counterface which is disposed in sealing engagement with the radially inner member. One or more bearing members are disposed on the counterface for conjoint rotation with the radially inner member and cooperate with the wiper seal in maintaining a fixed axial relationship between the counterface and retainer. The relationship is such that the seals that rotate relative to their sealing surfaces are not exposed to axial reciprocation and the seals that undergo axial reciprocation are not exposed to relative rotation with respect to a sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Gregory H. Petrak
  • Patent number: 5630575
    Abstract: An elastic seal member includes a watertight seal around the outside of a rubber cushion between the inner and outer cylinder portions and a cover member for covering the outer face of the elastic seal member with a space therebetween so that the elastic seal member is not exposed to water pressure during washing of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Koyanagi, Yoshiaki Hamada, Hitoshi Furuhashi, Kazuhiro Yasuda
  • Patent number: 5609343
    Abstract: Provision of constrictions imparts to a sealing ring for spool valves both needing flexibility and sufficient strength to remain undetached from the spool in the spool valves. The constrictions to impart flexibility are provided on the outside of the center of the band width of the sealing ring. The ring is of a greater axial thickness on a radially inner side thereof than at the constrictions so as to be firmly fitted in a groove of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Asou, Takumi Matsumoto, Shinichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 5593165
    Abstract: A fluid cooled seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine including a first sealing element coupled to a mechanical housing of the engine, and a second sealing element connected to a shaft rotatable within the housing. The first and second sealing elements are arranged radially adjacent to one another to form a rubbing interface therebetween. A lubrication system for delivering cooling fluid to the second sealing element through a passageway arranged along the rotating shaft. The cooling fluid is discharged through a plurality of openings formed in one end of the passageway. During normal operation of the engine the centrifugal force from the rotation of the shaft flings the oil radially outward to a channel formed on the underside of the second sealing element. The channel receives the cooling fluid therein, and allows for the escape of the cooling fluid onto the underside of the second sealing element to provide a uniform thickness of cooling fluid thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Allison Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Murray, Joseph C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5588656
    Abstract: A sealing structure for use in an automobile engine includes a retainer 1, a plurality of lips 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and a metal ring 3. The retainer 1 has a main annular body made of a resin material. The lips 2a, 2b 2c, 2d are formed on the metal ring 3. After that, the metal ring 3 and the lips together are inserted in a die so as to produce the retainer 1 by an injection molding method. Thus, the retainer 1, the lips and the metal ring 3 are formed as an integral unit. Two inner lips 2a, 2d are positioned at an inner periphery of the ring 3 and contact a shaft 6 for the engine, while the other two outer lips 2b, 2c are made of a resilient or elastic material and positioned at an outer periphery of the ring 3 so that the main body of the retainer 1 supports the ring 3 and the inner lips 2a, 2d in a floating manner. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Matsushima
  • Patent number: 5566954
    Abstract: An air flow directing seal with integrally formed attachment member for attaching a seal to an automotive fan shroud is disclosed. The seal further includes an integrally formed flag portion which directs the flow of air from the radiator to the fan shroud. The attachment member includes a semi-rigid C-shaped channel that is made of a talc filled polypropylene material and further includes flexible resilient teeth integral with the inside surfaces of the C-shaped channel which aid in gripping the seal to a linear edge of the automotive fan shroud. The seal is made by a dual extrusion process whereby two types of thermoplastic materials are utilized having various physical properties in accordance with the desired specification. The flexible resilient teeth and the flag are made of the same thermoplastic rubber and the C-shaped channel is made of polypropylene during the same extrusion process. Thus, the teeth and the flag extend the entire length of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Hahn Elastomer Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hahn
  • Patent number: 5566955
    Abstract: A seal between two interlocking concrete components in which the seal (3) is bonded into the cone sleeve together with a body (12) of light material, said body providing a yielding region at the base of the sleeve near the sleeve surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Forsheda-Stefa GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Preisendoerfer
  • Patent number: 5564714
    Abstract: A rubber-like molded product with a support frame includes a support frame having a predetermined shape; a connecting member constituted by a thin film or connecting ribs and engaged with the support frame separably therefrom; and a rubber-like molded product formed integrally in a region of the connecting member in such a manner as to be capable of being cut off from the connecting member. In this rubber-like molded product with a support frame, the support frame, the connecting member, and the rubber-like molded product are formed integrally by press molding or injection molding. Only the rubber-like molded product is cut off from the support frame and the connecting member of the integrated rubber-like molded product with a support frame utilizing a pushing jig, and is fitted in a groove formed in a predetermined portion of a fitted member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Three Bond Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Katsuno, Ikuzo Usami, Noriko Mizutani
  • Patent number: 5560620
    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: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Ferrofluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Black, Jr., William B. Mraz
  • Patent number: 5558345
    Abstract: In a boat attachment structure, an inner circumferential groove is formed at an open end of a cylinder bore of a caliper. A deep bottom section and a shallow bottom section are provided on the bottom of the inner circumferential groove, and therefore a step is formed between them. A dust boot having of a cylindrical elastic body with a thickened engagement section on the peripheral surface is inserted in the cylinder bore, and the engagement section is fit in the inner circumferential groove. Since each of chips produced during machining of the groove is parted by the step, chips will not remain in the inner circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Tokico, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinzo Kobayashi, Shinji Suzuki, Takahiro Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 5558342
    Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly for creating a sealing relationship between a housing and a shaft which is rotatable relative thereto. The seal assembly includes first and second seal rings having axially adjacent and opposed flat seal faces for creating an annular sealing region therebetween. A driving member is nonrotatably secured to the shaft and positioned in close proximity to the second seal ring, and a plurality of resilient drive connectors cooperate between the drive member and the second seal ring in angularly spaced relation therearound for effecting synchronous driving rotation of the second seal ring in response to rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Durametallic Corporation
    Inventor: Josef Sedy
  • Patent number: 5556110
    Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly having a rotatable seal ring connected to the shaft and a non-rotatable seal ring connected to the housing. A cylindrical drive ring encircles the rotatable seal ring and an annular shroud is mounted to the cylindrical drive ring and extends from it terminating in an annular lip that is disposed in contacting relationship with the rotatable seal ring adjacent the seal face of the rotatable seal ring. The shroud may be provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots. A connection is provided for moving the end of the shroud toward the non-rotatable seal ring when the shaft moves toward the non-rotatable seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: BW/IP International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Marsi, Milton E. Cook
  • Patent number: 5556109
    Abstract: There is provided a seal for a starter bar head to be used in a continuous caster. The seal extends into a gap provided between the starter bar head and the side walls of a continuous casting mold under direct contact of the side faces of the starter bar head and of the mold side walls. In order to be able to produce this seal in a simple manner and to install it in a particularly quick manner, the seal is extended upwardly in the direction of the mold cavity at least as far as to the front face of the starter bar head and includes a cover part at least partially covering the front face of the starter bar head. The cover part is located to be free and uncovered relative to the mold cavity of the continuous casting mold and possibly introduced cooling scrap directly rests on the cover part of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Trauner, Gernot Lettmayr
  • Patent number: 5553866
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use in providing a dynamic fluid seal between a relatively rotating housing and shaft. The seal assembly eliminates the need for either a fixed internal thrust bearing or seal assembly contact with an adjacent inner bearing race. The seal assembly includes a spacer which provides an axial gap between a sleeve and seal support during installation. The spacer transmits the axial shaft installation load through the seal assembly into the housing. Once the seal assembly is installed, the spacer is removed, whereby the gap between the sleeve and seal support eliminates heat due to contact friction and reduces seal degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Stephen R. Heinzen
  • Patent number: 5553867
    Abstract: A chemical processing centrifugal pump is provided with a triple cartridge seal arrangement including a single inboard seal and a pair of concentric seals located rearward (i.e. outboard) of the inboard seal, the concentric seals being closest to the pump bearings for stability against vibration purposes. The passageway along the pump shaft between the inboard seal and the radially inwardmost concentric seal is filled with a pressurized barrier inert gas so as to create a gas seal while a barrier chamber defined between the concentric seals is filled with a pressurized barrier liquid. Accordingly, the concentric seals are lubricated by the barrier liquid disposed in the barrier chamber while the inboard seal is lubricated by the fluid being pumped. Optionally, the inboard seal may be lubricated by barrier liquid if such a pressurized liquid is used instead of the inert gas to fill the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Environamics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Rockwood
  • Patent number: 5553872
    Abstract: A seal for a reciprocally moving body that has at least one essentially flat boundary surface extending parallel to its longitudinal axis includes a sealing member that has a first sealing lip formed of polymer material. The first sealing lip extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and abuts the boundary surface. The first sealing lip also has a larger cross-section near a middle portion of the flat boundary surface than in an area of its lateral edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Anita Gies, Wolfgang Lipphardt, Ulrich W ustenhagen
  • Patent number: 5553870
    Abstract: A hub rotates around the end of an axle housing on a tapered roller bearing which is packed with grease. The axle housing, which is part of a drive axle, conveys lubricating oil to the interior of the hub, but the oil does not encounter the grease, for a seal, which is fitted into the end of the bearing, separates the oil from the grease. The seal pumps the grease back to the interior of the bearing and the oil away from the interior of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Edward S. Czekansky, Dennis L. Otto
  • Patent number: 5553868
    Abstract: A new throat bushing for use with rotary fluid equipment (10) having a seal cavity (28) defined by a shaft (14), a shaft housing (13), and a seal (26) engaging the shaft, which includes an annular shaped element (50, 62, 66, 90, 92, 108, 120) for securement to the housing (13) at the entrance to the cavity. The shaft can pass through the element and rotate freely, without contact. A spiral groove (64, 88, 98, 122), or multiple spiral grooves, may be cut into the radial surface (60) facing towards the seal. The groove is configured to guide any abrasives radially inwardly, away from the cavity bore, toward the shaft. Through this mechanism, any contaminants are easily removed from the seal cavity by the use of a minimum flow of clean flush injected into the seal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph R. Dunford