Seal Combined With Indicator, Sampler, Or Inspection Feature Patents (Class 277/317)
  • Patent number: 11499640
    Abstract: An expansion joint seal has a core of resiliently-compressible material, a sensor, and a sensor-signal receiving device to identify internal and/or environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schul International Co., LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Fiorilla, Michael M. Sebold, Donny Wallis, Stephen M. Pierson
  • Patent number: 11236579
    Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Mitchell, Gary D. Ingram
  • Patent number: 11125646
    Abstract: A seal detection device includes at least one seal with an outer surface where the outer surface is partially made up of a lateral surface and an axial surface. The at least one seal is provided with at least one seal mark and is placed on the lateral surface or the axial surface of the at least one seal. The at least one seal may be further provided with a unique code and may be associated with relevant seal data such as seal material, date of installation, last maintenance date, next scheduled maintenance/replacement, material safety data sheet(s), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Mark C. Sitko, Larry J. Castleman
  • Patent number: 11015655
    Abstract: A bearing seal assembly includes at least one seal unit and at least one pulse wheel attached to the seal unit in an interference-fit and/or a materially bonded manner. The seal unit may include a radially outer member surrounding a radially inner member, the radially inner member may have a cylindrical seal surface and a flange projecting radially outwardly from an end of the seal surface and the radially outer member may have a metal profile element at least partially covered by an elastomer body that defines a first seal lip that directly contacts the cylindrical seal surface of the radially inner member. The pulse wheel may be attached to the radially outer member by a radially inwardly directed flange of the metal profile element overlying a radially outer edge of the pulse wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Dominique Shah, Volker Wendt
  • Patent number: 11009075
    Abstract: A bearing device for a vehicle wheel is provided with: an outer member; an inner member; a ball row; and a seal member for sealing the space between the outer member and the inner member due to a seal plate in which a sealing lip is formed being fitted into an opening in the outer member, a slinger being fitted on the inner member, and the sealing lip coming into contact with the slinger; wherein the slinger is formed so as to cover the end surface of the opening in the outer member, the slinger is provided with a cylindrical wall part extending in the axial direction of the inner member, a labyrinth is configured between the slinger and the end surface of the opening in the outer member, and another labyrinth is configured by the wall part being disposed between the outer member and the sealing lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Mitsuishi, Motohiro Tada
  • Patent number: 10907688
    Abstract: A radial gap between an outer circumferential surface of an encoder member joined to an outward flange portion of a slinger and an inner circumferential surface of a seal body includes a first gap portion and a second gap portion closer to an inward flange portion of a core metal than the first gap portion is. The outer circumferential surface that defines the first gap portion is a cylindrical outer circumferential surface, and the radial gap in the first gap portion is substantially constant in an axial direction. The outer circumferential surface that defines the second gap portion is a conical outer circumferential surface reduced in diameter as approaching the inward flange portion of the core metal in the axial direction, and the radial gap in the second gap portion is gradually increased as approaching the inward flange portion of the core metal in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michiyuki Kamiji, Takahiko Sato, Shinichi Akashi, Yusuke Iizawa
  • Patent number: 9140617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement including a torque sensor for measuring the torque acting on a first shaft and including a rotational angle index unit. The first shaft is supported by at least one bearing, the seal of the bearing including a magnetic index encoder that is detected by at least one magnetic sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Henrik Antoni
  • Publication number: 20150097339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing arrangement (1) for conveying devices, in particular for gear pumps, in which an inner space (5) can be sealed off from an outer space (6), wherein the sealing arrangement comprises at least two parts (2, 3) each having at least one sealing surface (20, 21), wherein the sealing surfaces (20, 21) comprise: a first seal (11) along a first, medial perimeter of the sealing surface (20, 21), a second seal (12) along a second, lateral perimeter of the sealing surface (20, 21), a recess (15) between the first seal (11) and the second seal (12), characterized in that the recess (15) can be connected to a source (30) of a flushing medium such that the recess (15) can be actively flushed with the flushing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: DOVER PUMP SOLUTIONS GROUP (EUROPE) GMBH
    Inventor: René Triebe
  • Publication number: 20150014935
    Abstract: A cassette seal includes a first and a second ring, wherein the axial sections and the radial sections of the first and second ring are aligned approximately parallel to one another, forming an interior in which a sealing arrangement arranged on the first ring engages in the direction of the second ring and a gap is formed between the radial section of the first ring and the axial section of the second ring. A fixed additional element extends on the side of the axial section of the second ring facing away from the interior, and the rises in the direction of the radial section of the first ring above the axial section of the second ring with a protrusion. The protrusion has a downward slope in the direction of the second ring, to form the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Haepp, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 8739841
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vent tube apparatus, system and methods incorporating a traceable material such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for use in conjunction with a filling machine during container filling operations for a quicker and more accurate detection of the location of the vent tube after it has become detached from a filling machine during filling operations, and to increase the safety of the filling operation and reduce costs and time when a malfunction occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dorcia, LLC
    Inventors: Grant Cook, Daniel Namie
  • Publication number: 20140049008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing system comprising a seal that retains a liquid in a space between two concentrically mounted and relatively rotatable components. According to the invention, the sealing system comprises at least one magneto-elastic resonance sensor for measuring at least one parameter of interest associated with the sealed liquid, based on a detected resonant frequency of the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Sebastian Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8651801
    Abstract: A seal monitoring and control system for a gas lubricated non-contacting seal includes various sensors providing signals to a programmable logic control system. The control system is disposed to determine a presence of an anomalous operating condition of the seal, for example, based on phase, relative position of rotor to stator or other signals in combination provided by the various sensors to provide an output signal, which in one embodiment performs at least one mitigating process to correct the anomalous operating condition by adjusting at least one operating parameter of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventors: Elhanafi A. Shamseldin, Joe Delrahim, Paul A. Hosking, Joseph L. Savio, Vladimir Bakalchuk
  • Patent number: 8540249
    Abstract: To monitor a sealing arrangement for sealing a shaft relative to a stationary part having a shaft sealing ring with a shaft conductor surface arrangement, a stator sealing ring with a stator conductor surface arrangement that is insulated from the shaft conductor surface arrangement, and a capacitive measuring arrangement, the stator conductor surface arrangement has a first stator conductor surface and at least a second stator conductor surface that is electrically insulated from the latter, and the shaft conductor surface arrangement has at least one shaft conductor surface, and the measuring arrangement has a device for detecting an electric capacitance between two stator conductor surfaces of the stator conductor surface arrangement, the electric capacitance between two stator conductor surfaces of the stator conductor surface arrangement is detected during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
    Inventor: Edgar Prellwitz
  • Patent number: 8474824
    Abstract: A method of assembling a pressure sensing module includes affixing a pressure sensor unit to an alignment tool and indexing the alignment tool to a circuit board. After the pressure sensor unit is attached to the circuit board, a seal plate is indexed thereto. A locator feature indexes receptacle elements on the circuit board, alignment tool, and seal plate. An integrated seal module includes a mounting plate having first and second opposing faces, and at least one locator hole and one or more pressure passages extending therethrough. A unitary seal member effects a fluid seal between the pressure ports and the first face and the pressure sources and the second face. A seal member and locator bushings may be formed as a single, continuous liquid injection molded framework, including portions encased by the mounting plate. Pressure passages provide fluid to pressure sensors, which may be overmolded in the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Louis Dell'Eva, Robert John Kanda, Eugene Francis Moody
  • Patent number: 8448949
    Abstract: A sealing assembly is equipped with life-sensing means in terms of wear (12a, 12b), thermal degradation, physical damage, chemical incompatibility and structural breakdowns within the sealing assembly, and means (22a, b) for transmitting an output of the sensing means to detect a change in the sealing environment or an impending seal failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Shelby F. Stewart, Shonda Peters, Eric J. Banks, Kevin M. Pascal
  • Patent number: 8353519
    Abstract: A sealing device includes a stationary side installation ring fixed to a stationary side member, a rotation side installation ring fixed to a rotation side member, a stationary side lip integrally provided on the stationary side installation ring and slidably contacting the rotation side installation ring, rotation side lips integrally formed on the rotation side installation ring and slidably contacting the stationary side installation ring, and a pulsar ring for a rotary encoder integrally formed on the rotation side installation ring, and magnetized to be multipolar. The rotation side installation ring includes first and second rotation side installation rings which are attached to each other. The rotation side lips are provided on the first rotation side installation ring at a relatively inner side. The pulsar ring is provided on the second rotation side installation ring at a relatively outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8304119
    Abstract: In order to inhibit a gasket (1) adhered to a plate body such as a separator (3) of a fuel battery or the like from being adversely affected by an elution component from an adhesion means, the gasket has a main lip (11), a back surface seal portion (12) formed in a back surface of the main lip and closely contacted with a separator (a plate body to be adhered) (3), an adhesion portion (14) arranged in a position in an opposite side to a space (S) to be sealed with respect to the back surface seal portion (12) and adhered to a bottom portion (31a) of a gasket installation groove (31) of the separator (3) via an adhesive agent (2), and an adhesive agent sump (15) formed between the back surface seal portion (12) and the adhesion portion (14) and holding an excess adhesive agent (2a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nok Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kurano, Takashi Mashimo
  • Publication number: 20120267858
    Abstract: A seal failure prediction system consisting of a seal component and a member conveniently placed; such member, which may be in the form of a strip, a set of wires, or a single wire, generating a characteristic electrical or audible signal when the seal component wears a certain amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BAL SEAL ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Rust
  • Patent number: 8186202
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing tubing to a device, the apparatus including: a first seal configured to seal the tubing to the device, the first seal having a device side in contact with the device and an interior side opposite the device side; a test sleeve configured to surround the first seal and to seal to the device using a second seal; a third seal disposed at the test sleeve and configured to seal the tubing to the test sleeve wherein the test sleeve, the second seal, and the third seal form a pressure boundary about the first seal; a test port disposed at the test sleeve, the test port being in communication with seals, wherein the test port is configured to connect to a seal test device to test the integrity of the seals in communication with the test port; and a plug configured to seal the test port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis F. Lafleur, Ralph Joseph Robert, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120049464
    Abstract: An encoder-equipped sealing device includes two seal members arranged to face opposite each other and each having a reinforcing ring with an L-shaped cross section. Each of the reinforcing rings has a cylindrical portion and a flange portion extending from one end of the cylindrical portion in a direction perpendicular to the cylindrical portion. One seal member includes an elastic seal formed in such a manner as to be supported by the reinforcing ring of this seal member, with the elastic seal extending toward the other seal member such that a seal portion is formed between the elastic seal and the other seal member. The other seal member includes an encoder on a side of the flange portion of the other seal member that is opposite a side facing the one seal member. The one seal member includes an elastic element formed in such a manner as to be supported by the flange portion of this seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Hironori YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8087673
    Abstract: A sealing device comprises a stationary-side installation ring (11) fixed to an outer stationary-side member (201), a rotation-side installation ring (12) fixed to an inner rotation-side member (202), a stationary-side lip (13) provided on the stationary-side installation ring (11) to be slidably in contact with the rotation-side installation ring (12) by its tip, rotation-side lips (14, 15) formed on the rotation-side installation ring (12) to be slidably in contact with the stationary-side installation ring (11) by their tips, a pulsar ring (17) formed of a synthetic resin or rubber-like elastic material mixed with magnetic powder on the rotation-side installation ring (12) and multipolar magnetized, and a collar portion (17a) formed on an outer periphery of the pulsar ring (17) at the outer side than the rotation-side lips (14, 15) to closely face the stationary-side member (201) or the stationary-side installation ring (11), thereby an excellent sealing ability being given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110254228
    Abstract: A process chamber that provides an interior surface and an exterior surface is confined within a containment chamber. Secured to the containment chamber is a collar that communicates with the process chamber. A seal formed between the process chamber and the collar, includes at least an adjustable backing ring encircling the exterior surface of the process chamber, a preload ring secured to the collar, and a sealing structure encircling the process chamber and positioned between the adjustable backing ring and the preload ring. The adjustable backing ring is adjustably secured a predetermined distance from the preload ring, based on a perimeter dimension of the process chamber, to form the seal between the process chamber and the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: POOLE VENTURA, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur W. Custer, III, Henry J. Poole, Mark R. Erickson, Nader Jamshidi, Aaron L. Dingus
  • Publication number: 20100283208
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing element for a bearing, in particular a rolling contact bearing, and to a bearing, in particular a rolling contact bearing, wherein the sealing element comprises a sealing means (8) composed of an elastic material, and also at least one support element composed of a rigid material, an IC identification (2), and an antenna (3) for the IC identification (2). The problem of improving the abovementioned sealing element and the bearing in such a manner that the sealing element remains sufficiently stable mechanically and the operation of the antenna suffers little interference is solved, according to the invention, for the abovementioned sealing element and the abovementioned bearing in that the at least one support element (6) is formed from a non-metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Joachim Hering, Michael Pausch
  • Patent number: 7815193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dry-running piston rod sealing arrangement (1) for sealing a piston rod (2) mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The sealing arrangement comprises at least one sealing ring (5) having a sealing surface (5a), an actuator (7), a sensor (8), and a chamber ring (3) containing the sealing ring (5). The actuator (7) comprises an active connection in relation to the sealing ring (5), such that the sealing surface (5a) can be radially displaced in relation to the piston rod (2). The actuator (7) can be controlled according to a measuring value detected by the sensor (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Burckhardt Compression AG
    Inventors: Norbert Feistel, Georg Samland
  • Publication number: 20100230901
    Abstract: A magnetic fluid rotary feedthrough has a multi-stage magnetic fluid rotary seal adapted to provide a magnetic fluid seal about a shaft for extending between a first environment and a second environment, one or more sensors integrally mounted within the magnetic fluid rotary feedthrough to sense one or more physical parameters of the multi-stage magnetic fluid rotary seal, signal processing electronics mounted to or incorporated in the magnetic fluid rotary feedthrough to receive one or more sensor output signals from the one or more sensors, to process the one or more sensor output signals and to output one or more electronic processing signals, and one or more output devices operatively connected to receive the one or more electronic processing signals from the signal processing electronics to indicate the condition of the multi-stage magnetic fluid rotary seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: FERROTEC (UK), LTD.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Brooks, Jeffrey C. Lewcock, David Johansen
  • Publication number: 20100171269
    Abstract: To monitor a sealing arrangement for sealing a shaft relative to a stationary part having a shaft sealing ring with a shaft conductor surface arrangement, a stator sealing ring with a stator conductor surface arrangement that is insulated from the shaft conductor surface arrangement, and a capacitive measuring arrangement, the stator conductor surface arrangement has a first stator conductor surface and at least a second stator conductor surface that is electrically insulated from the latter, and the shaft conductor surface arrangement has at least one shaft conductor surface, and the measuring arrangement has a device for detecting an electric capacitance between two stator conductor surfaces of the stator conductor surface arrangement, the electric capacitance between two stator conductor surfaces of the stator conductor surface arrangement is detected during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: MAN TURBO AG
    Inventor: EDGAR PRELLWITZ
  • Publication number: 20100135605
    Abstract: A core of a fixed-side sealing member has a fitting cylindrical part fitted with the fixed-side sealing member. An outer end portion of the fitting cylindrical part is insertion-molded to be disposed within a resin member. An outer edge portion of the fitting cylindrical part in an axial direction thereof is bent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ishii, Nobutsuna Motohashi, Yasushi Kadota
  • Patent number: 7708282
    Abstract: A gasket for the cylinder head of a motor-vehicle engine includes a body including a polymeric matrix containing a reinforcement material including a dispersion of nanofibers or nanotubes of electrically conductive material. Each nanotube or nanofiber has a substantially elongated shape. A uniform distribution of electrodes is associated to the body. Two layers of electrically insulating material are arranged on the top and bottom surfaces of the body, one on top of and one underneath the polymeric matrix, and designed to insulate electrically the dispersion of nanofibers or nanotubes contained therein. Control and processing means are designed to be connected to any pair of electrodes of the distribution for determining any variation of load applied in an axial direction to the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Antonino Veca, Stefano Alacqua, Alessandro Zanella, Gianfranco Innocenti
  • Patent number: 7694976
    Abstract: To reduce an installing space and simplify a mounting structure of a sensor (40) of a rotary encoder, a sealing device with a sensor has a retainer (10) having a fitting tube section (11) and an installation flange section (12) expanding outside thereof and fixed to an engine block (2), and a sealing device body (20) fitted to the fitting tube section (11) and slidably contacted with an outer surface of the crank shaft (4), a sensor (40) detecting a rotation of a pulsar ring (30) rotating together with the crank shaft (4) is attached to a sensor installation section (13) in the installation flange section (12), and a pulsar body (32) of the pulsar ring (30) is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends in a circumferential direction coaxial with the fitting tube section (11) between the fitting tube section (11) and the sensor installation section (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20100084819
    Abstract: A surface seal for sealing a riveted and/or screwed joint between a first and a second component of an aircraft. The surface seal is arranged in the region of joining surfaces of the first and the second component. The surface seal is formed with a pressure-resistant plastic film that is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on both sides. The surface seal 1 may furthermore comprise elements for detecting cracks. A method for producing a riveted and/or screwed joint between a first and a second component of an aircraft is also provided, with the joint being sealed with the surface seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Stehmeier, Thomas Beumler
  • Patent number: 7675212
    Abstract: A sealing device in which a magnetic encoder is protected so as to improve detecting precision and reliability, without increasing the number of parts and assembling time and without enlarging a setting space, the sealing device is structured such that a detected portion is arranged in the sealed fluid side of an annular member. A first annular member fitted to a shaft is formed with an axial direction portion and diametrical direction portions extending in the inward and outward diametrical directions from the axial direction portion. One of the diametrical direction portions supports the detected portion in the sealed fluid side. A seal lip is in slidable contact with the other diametrical direction portion for sealing, and the seal portion is formed with the seal lip and the micro space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090315267
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing between two members includes a polymer seal disposed between the two members, a measurement device, and an evaluation unit. The measurement device is at least partially disposed within the polymer seal, is configured for measuring an aspect of the polymer seal indicating sealing performance of the polymer seal, and is configured for creating a signal corresponding to a measured aspect of the polymer seal. The evaluation unit is configured for evaluating the signal corresponding to the measured aspect of the polymer seal and for determining a sealing performance capability of said polymer seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Larry Castleman
  • Patent number: 7578495
    Abstract: The present invention is a leak prevention system that monitors and detects loosening of a valve. The leak prevention system includes a biasing member, a tightening member, and a pulling member. The biasing member has a first end and a second end, the first end being in communication with the tightening assembly, while the second end being in communication with the pulling assembly. The tightening assembly is carried by the valve, is adapted to tighten the packing nut should packing from the valve loosen. The pulling assembly is adapted to pull the tightening assembly via the biasing member after packing wears away, such that the wearing away loosens the tightening assembly and the constant force of the biasing member, supported by the pulling assembly, causes the tightening assembly to move. After packing has worn away, a visual indication can indicate to an operator that the valve may soon leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Damon Eric Woodson
  • Publication number: 20090200746
    Abstract: An encoder-equipped sealing device, that is, a sealing device that has an encoder incorporated therein is disclosed, which comprises a combination of seal elements, each of which includes an annular metal core having a substantially L-shaped cross section and including a cylindrical portion and a flange portion provided on one end of the cylindrical portion and extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the cylindrical portion extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Hironori Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20090113989
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon liquid-seal device is provided. The device includes first and second conduits in fluid communication with each other such that the first and second conduits define a flow path therethrough configured to pass a hydrocarbon vapor. The first and second conduits are in a spaced relationship and are not rigidly coupled to one another for isolating a vibration or movement respectively therein. The device further includes a liquid disposed within a space between first and second end portions of the first and second conduits, respectively, such that the liquid blocks the space between the first and second end portions and seals the hydrocarbon vapor in the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Gerard W. Bilski
  • Patent number: 7464939
    Abstract: A sealing device with a rotation detecting element, capable of detecting rotation even when fluid such as engine oil is an object to be sealed, comprises a stationary side sealing element (seal ring) (12) fixed to the stationary side (3), a rotation side sealing element (slinger) (14) installed on the rotation side (2) and made to be in slidably and hermetically contact with the stationary side sealing element (12), and a to-be-detected disc (15) for rotation detection attached to the rotation side (2) and positioned at the atmosphere side from a sealing and sliding section (S) between the stationary side sealing element (12) and the rotation side sealing element (14), wherein the outer peripheral edge of the to-be-detected disc (15) closely faces in the radial direction the stationary side sealing element (12) side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7458727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seal arrangement for sealing off at least one radial interspace between at least one bearing ring which can rotate and at least one rotationally fixed bearing ring. The seal arrangement is provided with at least a first carrier, the first carrier carrying at least one resilient seal and being fixed to a rotationally fixed bearing ring, and a second carrier, the second carrier being fixed to the bearing ring that can rotate and carrying at least one encoder. The encoder has an outwardly oriented circumferential surface in the shape of a truncated circular cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Niebling, Jens Heim, Heinrich Hofmann, Darius Dlugai, Roland Langer
  • Patent number: 7460010
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for detecting the rotational motion of a shaft in a machine housing, comprising a measuring transmitter, which is connected to the shaft, at least one measuring sensor, which is provided on the machine housing, and a measuring transducer connected to a measuring sensor. The invention is characterized in that the measuring sensor(s) (8 and 15 to 20) is/are supplied with current by a separate energy accumulator (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Eric Kammerer, Dominique Lutaud
  • Publication number: 20080211191
    Abstract: An improved structure for sealing a through-hole formed in a plastic hollow product when mounting a component such as a sensor on the product is provided. A cylindrical section is provided in a peripheral wall of the plastic hollow product as projecting radially outwardly from the peripheral wall and an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section defines the through-hole for communication between the interior and the exterior of the product. A sensor component is mounted with its sensor portion extending through the through-hole and an O-ring is disposed between the sensor portion and the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical section which is backed by a component mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Excell Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nakagawa, Takashi Tamura
  • Publication number: 20080150238
    Abstract: To reduce a space to install a sealing body (10) and the magnetic encoder (11) between relatively movable members (2, 4, a hermetically sealing device comprises a magnetic sensor (60) installed to a stationary side member (3) attached to a housing (2), a magnetic encoder (50) having a holder (51) fixed to a rotating shaft (4) and an encoder main body (56) magnetized in the circumferential direction at a predetermined pitch, connected to a cylindrical portion (52) of the holder (51), and opposed to the magnetic sensor (60), and a sealing body (10) provided with a core metal (20), where a cylindrical portion (22) extending in the axial direction from a flange portion (21) clamped by the housing (2) and the stationary side member (3) is close to the cylindrical portion (52) of the holder (51), and a lip portion (40) sealing the circumferential surface of the rotary shaft (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Yarimizu, Shinji Nagasawa, Naoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7318589
    Abstract: A pulser ring and a second seal ring are separately formed. When a multipolar magnetic rotor of the pulser ring is bonded to an outer circumferential face of an outer cylindrical portion of an annular core portion, the multipolar magnetic rotor is opposed to a magnetic sensor in the radial direction. Due to the above structure, the multipolar magnetic rotor can be strongly supported by an outer cylindrical portion of the annular core portion. Therefore, even when a rotary centrifugal force is given to the multipolar magnetic rotor, it can not be swung in the radial direction. Accordingly, an interval of the multipolar magnetic rotor and the magnetic sensor in the radial direction, which are opposed to each other, can be maintained constant irrespective of an intensity of the centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignees: Jtekt Corporation, Uchiyama Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kageyama, Katsura Koyagi, Masahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7316401
    Abstract: A static gasket assembly having a grid-like carrier (10, 10?) formed as a mesh of overlapping strands. Openings (16-22) are created strategically in the carrier (10, 10?) with the severed ends of the strands forming cantilever stems (12) projecting inwardly. Any one of a variety of specially configured sealing elements (24, 30, 32, 36, 38) are pressed into the respective openings (16-22) with the cantilever stems (12) engaging a peripheral groove (26) in each sealing element to retain the respective sealing elements in position. The gasket assembly is then placed over a surface to be sealed (40) and the carrier (10, 10?) can either be removed, or remain as a permanent fixture of the gasket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Arvid A. Casler
  • Patent number: 7290452
    Abstract: A remote process seal system is provided. The seal system includes at least one remote process seal assembly coupled to a process pressure transmitter via a coupling filled with an incompressible fluid. The incompressible fluid is contacted by at least one getter to reduce instabilities caused by the release of hydrogen gas accumulating over time. In one aspect, a layer of getter material is deposited or placed within the pressure transducing portion of the remote process seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 7254879
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd
    Inventors: Michael T. Romanyszyn, Perry McGuar
  • Patent number: 7232129
    Abstract: To prevent lowering and unstableness of magnetic force and trouble caused by influence of muddy water or the like entered between the magnetic encoder (21) and a magnetic sensor (6), a sealing apparatus (4) comprises an approximately C-shaped protecting annular member (11) fitted to one of an inner member (1) and an outer member (2), a first encoder member (12) having a cylinder portion (12a) fitted to the protecting annular member (11), a second encoder member (13) held between the protecting annular member (11) and the first encoder member (12), a seal annular member (14), and a seal member (15) which is vulcanized and bonded to the seal annular member (14) and has seal lips slidably contacting with the protecting annular member (11) and the encoder member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7185893
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a metallic flat gasket with at least one sealing layer with at least one port, with a sensor layer corresponding to the ports being deposited on at least one surface of the sealing layer. This sensor layer consists of a compression protection layer and at least one break, in which a sensor element is at least partially installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Torsten Wampula, Josef Ludwig, Alfred Weiss, Gunther Unseld, Matthias Laske, Friedrich Dillenz
  • Patent number: 7168291
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes measuring wear of the barrel using a gage plug in a measuring aperture in the barrel or an ultrasonic thickness gauge and measuring feedscrew wear with an eddy current sensor or a dial indicator mounted in the measuring aperture. A system gathers wear data from various production installations, analyzes the data to predict remaining life of the barrel and the feedscrew and generates an order for replacement parts to be manufactured and shipped just prior to the end of the remaining life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Glycon Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kuhman, Richard T. Harris, Christopher W. Barr
  • Patent number: 7134316
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes a measuring aperture formed in a wall of the barrel, a gage plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture and having an inner end curved to correspond to a curvature of a surface of the central bore surrounding an inner end of the measuring aperture, and a retaining plug releasably retained in the measuring aperture for maintaining the gage plug in place. When the plugs are removed, the gage plug can be measured for barrel wear and a probe can be inserted into the measuring aperture for determining feedscrew wear. A test bar simulating feedscrew wear is used to calibrate the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kuhman Investment Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kuhman, Richard T. Harris
  • Patent number: 7086275
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a machine element, preferably a shaft, with at least one sealing ring and a depot for absorbing a leak. The system is monitored with a measuring device that includes a condenser, and the depot serves as a dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Eberhard Bock
  • Patent number: 7017913
    Abstract: An axial shaft seal disposed between a housing wall and a rotating shaft includes an outer ring insertable into the housing wall in a stationary and sealing manner and an inner ring connectable to the shaft in a non-twisting and sealing manner. The outer ring includes a sleeve having a polymer material extending radially inward and having a spring bellows form. A radially inward end portion of the sleeve has a first sealing surface. The inner ring includes a ring flange extending radially outward so as to provide a second sealing surface for axially mating the first sealing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Thomas Klenk, Eberhard Bock, Thomas Kramer, Werner Hufnagel, Martin Heldmann, Markus Clemens, Gilbert Pataille