Flexible Ring Patents (Class 277/311)
  • Publication number: 20150121850
    Abstract: A fluid injector includes a valve assembly constructed and arranged to control flow of fluid from an inlet to an outlet of the injector. A metal housing surrounds at least a portion of the valve assembly. A plastic body is molded over at least a portion of the housing. A distal end of the body defines an integral stepped portion extending from the body. A carrier surrounds at least the distal end of the body. A seal member is in contact with at least the stepped portion and a surface of the carrier to prevent liquid from entering a space between the housing and the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. McFarland, Todd M. Detweiler, Keith A. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20150001016
    Abstract: A contaminant mitigation device for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging to protect the critical operating area of the slack adjuster. The critical operating area of a slack adjuster includes the components that are configured to operate together to adjust the brake rigging. The slack adjuster includes at least a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing the critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The contaminant mitigation device includes a sealing system configured for cooperating with at least one of the main housing portion, cone nut housing portion, and overtravel housing portion to seal the critical operating area against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein and/or to at least reduce the exposure of this area to fluid and/or contaminants. The contaminant mitigation device can also include a drainage system associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Shaun T. Whalen, Peter Paul Gregar, Scott Lee Natschke, Wajih Kanjo, Michael Koziol
  • Publication number: 20140339772
    Abstract: A rotating control device for sealing about a drill string having a change in outer diameter can include a seal which rotates with the drill string, the seal including at least two chambers connected by a passage, and a fluid which flows between the chambers via the passage in response to displacement of the outer diameter change through the seal. A method of sealing can include forming at least two chambers in a resilient material of a seal, displacing the outer diameter change into the seal, thereby transferring fluid from a first chamber to a second chamber, and displacing the outer diameter change out of the seal, thereby transferring the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. One of the chambers can increase in volume while the other of the chambers decreases in volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVIECES, INC.
    Inventor: Mohamed A. Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20140125012
    Abstract: A compressible sealing ring assembly seals an annulus between a radially outer member and a radially inner member. The sealing ring comprises one or more sealing ring members (28), a radially outer wall for sealing with the inner wall of the radially outer member and radially inner wall for sealing with the outer wall of the radially inner member. A compression ring member (10) having a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface exerts an axial force on a sealing ring member to deform the sealing ring member to maintain a seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: PGI INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
    Inventor: Ricardo Lee
  • Publication number: 20130252743
    Abstract: A sealing element for sealing a joint chamber of a constant velocity joint is disclosed. The sealing element comprises an inner collar for providing a sealing connection relative to an inner joint part of the constant velocity joint, an outer collar for providing a sealing connection relative to an outer joint part of the constant velocity joint, and a membrane portion which extends between the inner collar and the outer collar. The membrane portion between the inner collar and the outer collar is fold-free and substantially conical in shape. A joint assembly having a constant velocity joint and a sealing element is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Cermak, Michael Zierz
  • Patent number: 8460256
    Abstract: A fluid collection system includes a disposable collection container and a disposable collection container receiving housing, the housing having a cavity and a suction source. The fluid collection container may include a flexible liner and a shelf for diverting fluid from the suction and to assist with a collapse of the liner during evacuation of the fluid from the liner. The collection container receiving housing may include a piston assembly having a main piston body and a scraper ring. The collection container receiving housing may include a piston stop feature. The system may include a partially hydrophobic filter and a flat surface suction tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Allegiance Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Michaels, Russ A. Johnson, Eric D. Hill
  • Publication number: 20130087976
    Abstract: A seal for sealing a space between a shaft and a housing, includes a base member coupled with one of the housing and the shaft and a generally annular, elastomeric sealing member sealingly contactable with the other one of the housing and the shaft. The sealing member is coupled with the base member such that the sealing member is circumferentially strained to reduce friction between the sealing member and the other one of the housing and the shaft. The seal assembly is preferably formed by providing a base member having a generally annular carrier portion and a generally annular, elastomeric sealing member, coupling the sealing member with the annular portion of the base member, and plastically deforming at least a section of the base member carrier portion such that the sealing member is circumferentially strained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Yefim Epshetsky, Alex Paykin, Michel Organisciak
  • Publication number: 20120138416
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for sealing a first oil environment, which is located on a first side of a movable piston guided in a hollow chamber, from a second oil environment, which is located on a second side of the piston. The piston can move back and forth in the hollow chamber between the two oil environments in the axial direction by a piston stroke length (d). Two annular seal elements are disposed around the movable piston so as to sealingly contact the inner circumferential wall of the hollow chamber. The annular seal elements are spaced from each other by at least a distance (D) in the axial direction that is greater than or equal to the piston stroke length (d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Jurgen KURTH
  • Publication number: 20080272554
    Abstract: A rod sealing system for use with a hydraulic cylinder is disclosed. The hydraulic cylinder has a cylinder tube and a cylinder head defining a working chamber. A piston is disposed for linear reciprocable movement within the working chamber and is connected to a piston rod projecting outwardly through the cylinder head. The rod sealing system includes a primary seal acting between the cylinder head and the piston rod and a secondary seal acting between the cylinder head and the piston rod. The rod sealing system also includes a back-up seal acting between the cylinder head and the piston rod and the cylinder head has a bypass channel fluidically connecting the working chamber with a chamber in the cylinder head between the back-up seal and the primary seal. Flow of hydraulic fluid through the bypass channel is selectively allowed or prevented with a bypass valve to selectively equalize the pressure across said back-up seal when the back-up seal is not in service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Robert W. Nagel
  • Patent number: 7296585
    Abstract: A reduced component wear valve is comprised of a valve body having a passage therethrough and a disc attached to a rotatable shaft. The disc is utilized with a seal forming a gap between the disc and the seal proximate to the rotational axis of the disc. When the disc is in the open position, the seal major axis is greater then the disc diameter and they do not touch. As the disc rotates to near closure, the disc perimeter engages the minor axis of the seal (which is smaller than the disc diameter), and the disc stretches the seal in the minor axis direction thus decreasing the major axis such that the gap is closed. The seal can be pre-formed in an elliptical shape or it can be formed into an elliptical shape by a retaining mechanism. The seal may be a single-piece or a multi-piece assembly press-fit into the valve body. Zero or light disc to seal contact during the majority of the valve disc rotation minimizes valve seal wear and rotational friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Philip Wayne Eggleston, James Leroy Lounsberry, Wilbur Dean Hutchens
  • Publication number: 20070241513
    Abstract: A seal device, which accommodates axial displacement between a housing and shaft of an item of rotating equipment, includes a stator which locates into the housing of a piece of rotating equipment. A first rotor locates on the shaft of the rotating equipment and a second rotor is rotationally coupled to the first rotor and is permitted axially to float with respect to the first rotor. The device provides sealing integrity when the shaft is both idle and operational. The sealing device may be used, for instance, in a double ended centrifugal pump where shaft displacement occurs from thermal expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Alan James Roddis
  • Publication number: 20040066005
    Abstract: A seal has a metallic body having a convoluted cross-section extending between first and second ends and a first generally interior surface extending between the first and second ends and a second generally exterior surface extending between the first and second ends. An adhesive is located in one or more locations on at least one of the surfaces, the adhesive holding the body in a longitudinally contracted condition. There are related methods of manufacture. In related methods of use, the adhesive is caused to release, allowing the seal to expand toward the relaxed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Peter G. Amos, D. Gregory More, Ian W. Boston
  • Patent number: 6547250
    Abstract: A seal assembly for providing sealing between a movable cylindrical body and a housing body comprises separate sealing mechanisms for providing static and dynamic sealing. The seal assembly is associated in fixed relationship with either the cylindrical body or the housing body and provides a static seal with the body it is associated with and a dynamic seal with the body that moves relative to the seal assembly. The static sealing mechanism is temperature-activated so that within the operating temperature range, a metallic member of the static seal mechanism is pressed tightly against the associated body to provide a fluid tight static seal. The temperature-activation is caused by the metallic member having a different thermal expansion coefficient than the associated body. The dynamic seal may employ known dynamic sealing mechanisms such as spring-energized seals, interference fit seals, and/or temperature-activated seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Westport Research Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Noble, Thomas Brook, Bruce Muehlchen
  • Patent number: 6267380
    Abstract: The choke arrangement comprises an elastic choke ring which consists of a single piece with a gap formed by a parting joint. The choke arrangement: further comprises a support ring which is arranged directly adjacent to the choke ring in the axial direction, with the support ring serving, among other things to cover over the gap of the choke ring. An advantage of the choke arrangement with an elastically resilient choke ring is to be seen wherein the choke ring reacts to dynamic pressure changes and thereupon changes its sealing properties. A peak in pressure produces an increased difference in pressure at the choke arrangement, whereby the elastic choke ring is pressed against the sliding surface of a piston rod and effects an increased sealing action, so that the pressure peak cannot propagate to a sealing ring placed after the choke arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Sulzer-Burckhardt AG
    Inventor: Norbert Feistel
  • Patent number: 6226851
    Abstract: When a seal (10) with a lip (10A) is slid onto a shaft (14), the seal (10) is first slid from a D-cut portion (14C) to the end of a shaft body (14B) contiguous to the D-cut portion (14C), and then is slid at a first speed (at 40 mm/s) from this end to a position in which the seal (10) does not come into contact with a large-diameter portion (14A) of the shaft (14). Since there is a strong possibility that the lip (10A) of the seal (10) will have been completely curled at this time. the seal (10) is pulled out at a second speed (at 10 mm/s) on the shaft body (14B) from this position toward the D-cut portion (14C), and the seal (10) is again slid inward at a third speed (at 70 mmls) from this position to an appropriate position. Thus, the seal (10) is slid without the lip (10A) being curled. The sliding operations at the second and third speeds may be performed a plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Nakajima, Motoi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 6223424
    Abstract: When a seal (10) with a lip (10A) is slid onto a shaft (14), the seal (10) is first slid from a D-cut portion (14C) to the end of a shaft body (14B) contiguous to the D-cut portion (14C), and then is slid at a first speed (at 40 mm/s) from this end to a position in which the seal (10) does not come into contact with a large-diameter portion (14A) of the shaft (14). Since there is a strong possibility that the lip (10A) of the seal (10) will have been completely curled at this time. the seal (10) is pulled out at a second speed (at 10 mm/s) on the shaft body (14B) from this position toward the D-cut portion (14C), and the seal (10) is again slid inward at a third speed (at 70 mm/s) from this position to an appropriate position. Thus, the seal (10) is slid without the lip (10A) being curled. The sliding operations at the second and third speeds may be performed a plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Nakajima, Motoi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 5961123
    Abstract: A sealing element for a packer or bridge plug or other downhole tool is illustrated which employs the use of back-up rings above and/or below a resilient seal. The various sleeves which are moved with respect to each other to compress the sealing element are made so that they are physically connected to the back-up rings. As a result, upon run-in, inadvertent compression of the seal is prevented and upon release, a physical separation occurs between the back-up ring and the sealing element, which allows the sealing element to expand and relax. Subsequent upward movement of the packer or bridge plug easily deflects the back-up ring since the sealing element is no longer in a compressed state directly underneath it. The packer then can easily be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary Ingram, Jose Barragan
  • Patent number: 5779244
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes first and second annular members which reside in axial juxtaposition to be carried by one of a pair of coaxially movable components for sealingly engaging the other of the pair of components. The assembly may be carried in an annular groove formed in one of the components. Further provided is a generally cup shaped carrier for holding the assembly in a counterbore coaxially formed in the outer one of the components. One of the annular members may include a recess for receiving the other member. Each of the members is severed by an end gap which lie along divergent axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventors: Maurice J. Moriarty, Joseph E. Whitesell