Patents by Inventor Bret Thomas Dana

Bret Thomas Dana has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9163730
    Abstract: A unitized radial fluid seal includes a shell having a first elastomeric seal body affixed thereto and defining a primary seal lip. A sleeve includes a substantially cylindrical, axially-extending sealing flange and a protective flange extending substantially radially from the axially-extending sealing flange. A spring radially urges the primary seal lip into sealing contact with a sealing surface of the axially-extending sealing flange. A second elastomeric seal body is affixed to the sleeve and includes a resiliently-elastic angled lip extending from a terminal end of the axially-extending sealing flange opposite of the radially-extending protective flange. The sealing surface and an axially-outward facing surface of the angled lip define an angle (?) that is between about 130-170°. The primary seal lip is axially retained between the angled lip and the radially-extending protective flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Linas Maskaliunas, Bret Thomas Dana
  • Publication number: 20140250688
    Abstract: A fluid seal assembly (the assembly) of the present invention is disposed between an outer surface, i.e. engine block or any other part that requires application of the assembly and a rotatable member, such as, for example a shaft, wherein the assembly circumscribes the shaft and lubricated the shaft and the same rotates around the axis. The assembly includes a primary seal and a wear sleeve. The primary seal includes a casing and a seal element that contacts a sealing surface on the wear sleeve. The casing includes an outer diameter and an outer seal molded onto the outer diameter. The wear sleeve has a cylindrical portion defining an inner diameter and an inner seal molded into the inner diameter of the wear sleeve. The outer and inner seals of the present invention provide improved retention in metal bores during thermal expansion and eliminate spring back effect of the assembly after installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Alfred Robert Wade, John Randolph Tipps, Bret Thomas Dana
  • Publication number: 20140042710
    Abstract: A unitized radial fluid seal includes a shell having a first elastomeric seal body affixed thereto and defining a primary seal lip. A sleeve includes a substantially cylindrical, axially-extending sealing flange and a protective flange extending substantially radially from the axially-extending sealing flange. A spring radially urges the primary seal lip into sealing contact with a sealing surface of the axially-extending sealing flange. A second elastomeric seal body is affixed to the sleeve and includes a resiliently-elastic angled lip extending from a terminal end of the axially-extending sealing flange opposite of the radially-extending protective flange. The sealing surface and an axially-outward facing surface of the angled lip define an angle (?) that is between about 130-170°. The primary seal lip is axially retained between the angled lip and the radially-extending protective flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Linas Maskaliunas, Bret Thomas Dana
  • Patent number: 8534674
    Abstract: A unitized radial fluid seal includes a shell having a first elastomeric seal body affixed thereto and defining a primary seal lip. A sleeve includes a substantially cylindrical, axially-extending sealing flange and a protective flange extending substantially radially from the axially-extending sealing flange. A spring radially urges the primary seal lip into sealing contact with a sealing surface of the axially-extending sealing flange. A second elastomeric seal body is affixed to the sleeve and includes a resiliently-elastic angled lip extending from a terminal end of the axially-extending sealing flange opposite of the radially-extending protective flange. The sealing surface and an axially-outward facing surface of the angled lip define an angle (?) that is between about 130-170°. The primary seal lip is axially retained between the angled lip and the radially-extending protective flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Linas L. Maskaliunas, Bret Thomas Dana
  • Publication number: 20120153573
    Abstract: A fluid seal assembly (the assembly) of the present invention is disposed between an outer surface, i.e. engine block or any other part that requires application of the assembly and a rotatable member, such as, for example a shaft, wherein the assembly circumscribes the shaft and lubricated the shaft and the same rotates around the axis. The assembly includes a primary seal and a wear sleeve. The primary seal includes a casing and a seal element that contacts a sealing surface on the wear sleeve. The casing includes an outer diameter and an outer seal formed onto the outer diameter. The wear sleeve has a cylindrical portion defining an inner diameter and an inner seal formed into the inner diameter of the wear sleeve. The outer and inner seals of the present invention provide improved retention in metal bores during thermal expansion and eliminate spring back effect of the assembly after installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Alfred Robert Wade, John Randolph Tipps, Bret Thomas Dana
  • Publication number: 20120126490
    Abstract: A unitized radial fluid seal includes a shell having a first elastomeric seal body affixed thereto and defining a primary seal lip. A sleeve includes a substantially cylindrical, axially-extending sealing flange and a protective flange extending substantially radially from the axially-extending sealing flange. A spring radially urges the primary seal lip into sealing contact with a sealing surface of the axially-extending sealing flange. A second elastomeric seal body is affixed to the sleeve and includes a resiliently-elastic angled lip extending from a terminal end of the axially-extending sealing flange opposite of the radially-extending protective flange. The sealing surface and an axially-outward facing surface of the angled lip define an angle (?) that is between about 130-170°. The primary seal lip is axially retained between the angled lip and the radially-extending protective flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Linas Maskaliunas, Bret Thomas Dana