Installation, Removal, Assembly, Disassembly, Or Repair Feature Patents (Class 277/370)
  • Patent number: 8215645
    Abstract: A floating air seal to seal a lower pressure chamber from a higher pressure chamber and allow for both axial and radial shifting of the rotor with respect to the stator while maintaining the sealing capability. The floating seal includes an annular piston that slides within an annular groove formed within the stator in an axial direction with an annular flange secured to it that forms an annular manifold between the piston and the flange. The annular piston includes a plurality of feed holes that open into the annular manifold, and the annular flange includes a plurality of baffle holes that open into the annular manifold but offset from the feed holes so that Helmholtz excitations of the rotor disk do not occur. The baffle holes open into an outer annular groove that forms an air cushion against the rotor disk surface due to the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wilho V Aho, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8176740
    Abstract: A method of refurbishing a seal land on a transition piece of a turbomachine includes applying a wear strip to a wall surface of the seal land, and covering the wear strip with a slot protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jere Allen Johnson, Prahlad Kalidas
  • Publication number: 20120107115
    Abstract: Mechanical seals, seal assemblies and pumps are disclosed. A mechanical seal includes a sealing member and a mount that forms part of a mounting assembly to mount the sealing member to a support structure of the seal. In an embodiment, the mount forms part of a seal assembly and is an elastomeric ring bonded to the sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Ricardo Abarca Melo, Rodrigo Guzman Castro, Osvaldo Quiroz Venegas
  • Patent number: 8167314
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an annular face seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes a mounting ring, a mounting member, a rotor, and a stator. The mounting ring has a width extending between a first axial end and a second axial end. The mounting member has a clamp portion and a biasing portion. The clamp portion extends axially between a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface. The biasing portion includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment has a width and a rotor contact surface. The rotor has a rotor seal surface and a clamp portion having a width. The stator has a stator seal surface that is aligned with the rotor seal surface. The mounting ring is disposed radially inside of the rotor and radially inside of at least part of the biasing portion, and is disposed in contact with the second clamping surface of the clamp portion. The rotor contact surface of the biasing portion is disposed in contact with the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: M. Rifat Ullah
  • Patent number: 8157267
    Abstract: A seal system is adapted for use in gas flow systems. The seal system has two seal faces and a longitudinally compressible seal spring-biased between the seal faces. The seal has a bellows configuration and opposite ends in sealing contact with the seal faces, such that at least one end of the seal is free to move relative to the corresponding seal face while maintaining the sealing contact. The seal system is particularly suited for use in sealing an engine to an exhaust member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Mast
  • Publication number: 20120080852
    Abstract: A seal cartridge assembly for installing the elements of a mechanical sealing arrangement in a rotodynamic pump provides, as part of the seal cartridge, a shaft sleeve that supports certain of the non-rotating elements of the sealing arrangement, and facilitates placement of the sealing elements by providing shearable pin elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Kim M. Arnold, James G. Shaw, Amber Broderick
  • Patent number: 8128095
    Abstract: An improved mechanical shaft seal to give a tight seal between relatively rotating machine parts and prevent the escape of particulate material into the atmosphere or into the mechanical components of the housing under adverse operating conditions. The seal provides a grease chamber that prevents solid particles from reaching the main seal by migration within the mechanical shaft seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Plattco Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Surprenant, Patrick J. Noel, Jeffrey S. Spooner
  • Publication number: 20120043724
    Abstract: An inter stage seal housing for a turbine engine having upper and lower half inter stage seal housings in which a contact sealing surface of the seal housing is restored after an interval of engine operation. The contact sealing surface is restored by fitting a replaceable wear strip on the downstream sealing surface of the seal housing. In order to fit the replaceable wear strip, a circumferential groove is machined along an outer peripheral edge of the seal housing. The groove is machined to include axial location and radial retention such that the wear strips can be slid into the upper half and lower half inter stage seal housing circumferentially from the horizontal joint. The groove includes through holes and the wear strips include corresponding threaded holes such that the wear strips can be fastened in the groove by fasteners and fastener retention hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Santo F. Scimeca, Chad Garner
  • Patent number: 8091897
    Abstract: A split mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The split mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith. A holder assembly receives one seal element and may include a double-angled lead-in to facilitate installation of the seal element. The holder assembly may include a detent groove for receiving and retaining an O-ring disposed about the seal element. The static housing may comprise two mating segments having overlapping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: A.W. Chesterton Company
    Inventor: Bryan Giard
  • Patent number: 8047549
    Abstract: A magnetic fluid shaft-sealing device includes a seal cover (3) attached to a pump housing (1) in which a rotary shaft (2) is mounted. The seal cover (3) includes: a shaft hole (33) extending along an axis, an annular recess (36) formed in an outer end face (32) around the shaft hole (33), and an inner ring portion (363) defined between the annular recess (36) and the shaft hole (33). A collar (4) is mounted around the rotary shaft (2) to rotate therewith and includes a first end (41) received in the annular recess (36) and around the inner ring portion (363). A magnet (6) and two pole pieces (5) are mounted between an outer periphery (364) of the inner ring portion (363) and the first end (41) of the collar (4). A gap (71) is formed between an inner periphery (440) of the first end (41) of the collar (4) and outer peripheries of the pole pieces (5), and a magnetic liquid (7) is filled in the gap (71) to provide a liquid seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Chang Cheng Kung
  • Patent number: 8042813
    Abstract: A shaft-sealing device includes a seal cover (3) attached to a pump housing (2) in which a rotary shaft (1) is mounted. The seal cover (3) includes a shaft-sealing section (381) and a coolant outlet (326) intersecting the shaft-sealing section (381) at an opening (329). A fender (34) projects from a side (328) of a circumference of the opening (329) into the shaft-sealing section (381). The fender (34) has a side face (340) facing the opening (329) and guiding a coolant into the coolant outlet (326) through the opening (329) when the coolant fed into the shaft-sealing section (381) flows through the opening (329) and encounters the side face (340). A shaft sleeve (4) extends through the seal cover (3) and is mounted around the rotary shaft (1) to rotate therewith. A pumping ring (6) is mounted in the shaft-sealing section (381) and securely mounted around the shaft sleeve (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Chang Cheng Kung
  • Publication number: 20110221136
    Abstract: A split mechanical end face seal assembly has a split gland plate assembly, a split mating seal ring assembly, a split primary seal ring assembly and a split biasing assembly. The segmented mating seal ring is axially and radially supported on the segmented mating ring adapter by resilient connector strips as pre-assembled sub-assemblies and the resilient connector strips axially non-rigidly support the mating seal ring within said mating ring adapter assembly. An axially movable primary sealing ring assembly includes a segmented primary seal ring. The biasing assembly is pre-assembled into the gland plate assembly and urges the primary seal ring into sealing relation with the mating seal ring. A method of installation includes resilient axial and radial support of the mating seal ring segments in mating ring adapter segments by the resilient connector strip for installation as a pre-assembled sub-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: John Crane Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Dudek
  • Patent number: 7959156
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use with a rotating shaft comprises a seal ring, a seal ring shell and bellows. The seal ring defines an axially extending annular surface and a radially extending seal face. The seal ring shell includes a foot portion connected to a radially extending shin portion located radially outward of the foot portion. The foot portion defining an axially extending engagement surface in interference-fit engagement with the annular surface of the seal ring. The engagement surface is positioned so as to have a near-zero moment about the center of gravity of the seal ring due to the engagement. The bellows defines an effective diameter at zero pressure applied on the seal ring. The interface of the foot portion with the seal ring defines an interference diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventors: Prithwish Basu, David P. Casucci
  • Patent number: 7955462
    Abstract: This method to allow the use of low VOC (volatile organic compounds) solvents in blanket cleaning operations and the resultant product that is produced by this method involves the retrofitting of currently existing seals on printing press so that operators can use low VOC solvents in place of high VOC solvents. High VOC solvents are harmful to the atmosphere and humans alike. As VOC are lighter than the surrounding air, humans are subjected to inhalation of these harmful vapors which cause respiratory and other health ailments. The VOC continue to rise, mixing with nitrogen oxides, until they reach the troposphere forming thick layers of ozone or smog. The current movement of municipalities to limit the use of high VOC solvents have lead printers and others to use low VOC solvents which are inherently less evaporative than high VOC solvents. This lack of evaporation causes problems with having to handle greater volumes of waste to handle and dispose properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Tubbs
  • Patent number: 7946590
    Abstract: A face seal for a gas turbine engine comprises a seal body that has a contact face to engage a rotating surface. The contact face is defined as an area extending radially between an inner diameter of the seal body and an outer diameter of the seal body at one seal end. A ratio of the outer diameter to the inner diameter is at least 1.054.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Dobek, Harold K. Shaffer, Mark Story
  • Patent number: 7886459
    Abstract: A device and method for assisting in the removal of fluid, such as water, and related moisture from a bladder of a fluid storage device, such as a personal hydration pack or reservoir, is disclosed. The device has a three-dimensional structure or profile so that, when inserted within the bladder, the bladder is held in an open configuration or position, which allows any water or fluid to drain out and allows evaporation to the atmosphere of moisture to occur through the port of the bladder used to fill the device. In one form, the device has an insertion section having portions of elongated structure having a smaller size than the opening so that the insertion section can be fed into the bladder, and the overall insertion section has a profile larger than the opening so that the bladder is held open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: John Robert Ruess
  • Patent number: 7878509
    Abstract: A mechanical seal has a seal cover attached to an outer surface of a device body, a fitting surface through which a shaft is insertable, and defines a space further away from a machine than the fitting surface. A quenching path penetrates the space and supplies quenching fluid therein. A first seal ring has a movement surface fitted to the fitting surface and a seal surface inward of the space section. A second seal ring has a relative slide seal surface in tight contact with the seal surface of the first seal ring and a seal surface that faces a restriction surface. A seal collar holds the second seal ring in a sealed state and is sealingly fixed to the shaft. A packing is in tight contact with the seal surface of the second seal ring and the restriction surface to prevent quenching fluid from leaking out of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7870654
    Abstract: A primary technical goal of a mechanical seal device of the present invention is to decrease assembly cost thereof as well as machining cost thereof and to prevent wear of seal surfaces by preventing occurrence of squealing noises of the seal surfaces. The mechanical seal device comprises a first seal ring which is one of a pair of seal rings and disposes an engagement portion at the outer circumferential surface, a retainer ring which has a first support portion supporting an inner diameter surface of the first seal ring and a second support portion engaging the engagement portion and is fixed with either a seal housing or a shaft, and a gasket which joins the retainer ring and the first seal ring in a sealing manner, wherein an engagement clearance (C) formed in a rotational direction between the engagement portion and the second support portion is within 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Kametaka, Kenji Kiryu
  • Patent number: 7837199
    Abstract: A face seal includes a seal seat and a seal element carried by a seal housing. The seal element cooperates with the seal seat to establish a seal. The housing includes a support for the seal element and a shroud for effecting a gradual transition between a normal condition and a deteriorated condition. The shroud may have a tip whose properties differ in lubricity, hardness or abradability relative to other portions of the seal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Colin D. Craig, Enzo Dibenedetto, Christopher P. Kmetz, Jonathan L. Miller, Mark R. Sondeen
  • Patent number: 7819405
    Abstract: A mechanical seal that prevents deposition of a degradation material generated on a sliding interface is to be provided. In a mechanical seal including a sleeve that rotates with a rotating shaft, a seal cover fixed to a housing, a rotating ring attached to the sleeve and a fixed ring attached to the seal cover and disposed in sliding-contact with the rotating ring via a sliding interface perpendicular to the rotating shaft scraping member is provided on the sleeve at a position close to an inner edge of the sliding interface so as to remove a degradation material from the inner edge of the sliding interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd, Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ohama, Yasushi Amano, Hajime Tsubono, Kouji Akiyama, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20100244385
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an annular face seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine is provided that includes a mounting ring, a mounting member, a rotor, and a stator. The mounting ring has a width extending between a first axial end and a second axial end. The mounting member has a clamp portion and a biasing portion. The clamp portion extends axially between a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface. The biasing portion includes a first segment and a second segment. The second segment has a width and a rotor contact surface. The rotor has a rotor seal surface and a clamp portion having a width. The stator has a stator seal surface that is aligned with the rotor seal surface. The mounting ring is disposed radially inside of the rotor and radially inside of at least part of the biasing portion, and is disposed in contact with the second clamping surface of the clamp portion. The rotor contact surface of the biasing portion is disposed in contact with the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: M. Rifat Ullah
  • Patent number: 7802974
    Abstract: A compressor includes a male rotor (26) having a screw-type boy portion (30) extending from a first end (31) to a second end (32) and held within a housing assembly for rotation about a first rotor axis (500). A female rotor (27, 28) has a screw-type female body portion (33, 34) meshed with the male body portion and extending from a first end (35, 36) to a second end (37, 38) and held within the housing assembly for rotation about a second rotor axis (501, 502). An end seal (120) has a first surface (126) engaging the female body portion first end and being asymmetric around the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Rockwell, Frederick L. Miller, Jr., Yan Tang
  • Patent number: 7793940
    Abstract: An end face seal having two thin, opposed faces of a composite PDC/tungsten carbide or like material for example of a thickness of from about 2 to 5 mm to about 10 to 15 mm, brazed or adhesively adhered by an epoxy resin to a substrate of tungsten carbide or silicon carbide/nitride formed in a ring shape. Thereafter, the PDC layer is finish lapped to a flatness of about 1 to about 10 helium lightbands, with a rough lapping to 3 or 4 helium lightbands, and a finish lapping of about 1 helium lightband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Martin
  • Publication number: 20100164180
    Abstract: A seal and seal assembly for providing a seal between an outer shaft and an inner shaft. The assembly includes a seal subassembly disposed between the shafts. The subassembly includes a split carbon ring, a solid outer ring, and a spring mechanism provided between the split carbon ring and the solid outer ring. The carbon ring is radially split into a plurality of segments having splits between ends of adjacent segments. The segments include a circumferential inner radius and a sealing dam on the circumferential inner radius. The solid outer ring includes a sealing face and a plurality of hydrodynamic grooves provided on a radial face. The spring mechanism may be configured to engage a portion of an outer diameter of the split carbon ring and a portion of an inner diameter of the solid outer ring and to urge the split carbon ring radially towards the inner shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Short
  • Patent number: 7727133
    Abstract: Apparatus for creating a seal between an axle journal and a bearing housing is disclosed, particularly for use in apparatus for dewatering or washing material suspensions. The apparatus includes a stator ring, a pair of diagonally disposed guide pins supporting the stator ring with respect to the bearing housing so that the stator ring can be angled in a plane with respect to the pair of guide pins, a sealing ring for creating a seal between the stator ring and the axle journal, a bellows for creating a seal between the bearing housing and the stator ring, and at least one resilient member for urging the stator ring in abutment against the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jörgen T. Lundberg, Fredrik Pontén
  • Patent number: 7712744
    Abstract: A gland plate includes a rigid, disk-shaped element that includes at least one radially extending wall having a thickness of from about 0.1 to 4 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: AES Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Alan James Roddis
  • Publication number: 20100109250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding seal (12) made of a carbon and/or graphite material having a sliding surface. To simplify the manufacturing process without any loss of sealing effect, it is proposed that the sealing surface (18) of the unused sliding seal (12) should have at least one peripheral protrusion (20) that is supportable on a surface (14) to be sealed and serves as the breaking-in aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Werner Hueck
  • Patent number: 7708283
    Abstract: A split mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The split mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith. A holder assembly receives one seal element and may include a double-angled lead-in to facilitate installation of the seal element. The holder assembly may include a detent groove for receiving and retaining an O-ring disposed about the seal element. The static housing may comprise two mating segments having overlapping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: A.W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Henri V. Azibert, Christopher A. Kowalski, Ann T. Attenasio
  • Patent number: 7651099
    Abstract: A seal is used between a housing and a shaft having an axis. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion engageable with each other and movable relative to each other. The first portion and the second portion are configured to be received in a cavity between the shaft and the housing. The first portion is engageable with the shaft such that the first portion is substantially stationary relative to the shaft and to inhibit passage of contaminants from the exterior of the cavity through the cavity toward the axis. The second portion is engageable with the housing such that the second portion is substantially stationary relative to the housing and to inhibit passage of the contaminants from the exterior through the cavity toward the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Publication number: 20090174149
    Abstract: A mechanical seal device which is reduced in friction when seal surfaces slide on each other, prevented from abrasion on seal surfaces, is prevented from abnormal abrasion on the seal surface of a sealing ring and joining split surfaces, is prevented from seizure or squeal phenomena on seal surfaces when seal surfaces are abrasion-rotated and kept in a dry-friction state, is simplified in structure thereof, and is easier to assemble and disassemble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20090152818
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for rotationally fixing a seal ring (4) of a mechanical seal assembly retained at a mounting component (1) to be axially movable, comprising a force transmitting ring (10) retained at the mounting component to be axially movable and a rotation prevention device comprising at least one first engaging member (17) configured to engage with the mounting component and the force transmitting ring in a form-fit manner and at least one second engaging member (18) configured to engage with the force transmitting ring and the seal ring in a form-fit manner, the first engaging member being arranged circumferentially offset with respect to the second engaging member, characterized in that the engaging members (17, 18) protrude axially from the force transmitting ring (10) or the seal ring (4) toward the respectively other component (seal ring or force transmitting ring) and are configured to be received in axial recesses (19, 20) provided in the respectively other component wi
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Burgmann Industries GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Droscher, Armin Laxander, Gunther Lederer, Petia Philippi, Andreas Schrufer
  • Patent number: 7431304
    Abstract: A face seal is provided with a constriction ring around a rubber boot that constricts the normal outward bulging of the flex section of the rubber boot as it folds and tries to roll forward over itself during axial deflection. The constriction caused by the constriction ring provides for increased frictional hysteresis during compression and decompression of the boot flex section. This increased hysteresis increases the dampening capacity of the seal design and, therefore, reduces undesired vibrations and seal noise generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: John C. Dahlheimer
  • Patent number: 7427071
    Abstract: A divided driver device (5) for a mechanical face seal for non-rotatable assembly on a rotary component and for the transmission of a torque to a seal ring (2) held in non-rotatable manner on the driver device. The driver device (5) is divided in at least a single radial plane so as to form sections in the form of segments of a circle that are adapted to be clamped together to form a ring shape and furthermore, it is axially sub-divided into a divided retaining ring (14) for retaining the seal ring (2) and a divided mounting ring (16) for non-rotatable mounting to the rotary component. The rings (14, 16) are coupled together for rotation in common, as indicted by (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Burgmann Industries GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Giggenbacher, Günther Lederer, Dieter Pfeil, Michael Riedl, Jörg Thelke
  • Patent number: 7370864
    Abstract: A mechanical seal for providing a fluid-tight seal between a rotating shaft and a stationary housing comprises a first pair of seal members for sealing and separating a process fluid from a barrier fluid and a shuttle. The first pair of seal members comprises a first rotatable seal ring having a rotary seal face and a first stationary seal ring having a stationary seal face engaging the rotary seal face. The shuttle member is positioned relative to the rotary seal ring or the stationary seal ring and axially movable between a first position and a second position in response to changing pressure conditions within the mechanical seal thereby maintaining the mechanical seal regardless of the change in pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: A.W. Chesterton Company
    Inventor: Henri V. Azibert
  • Patent number: 7311307
    Abstract: A seal seat assembly utilizes a positive mechanical drive between a seal seat and the bore of a pump component, which in turn is mounted to and driven by the shaft by means of a positive mechanical engagement therebetween. The grommet accommodates the positive mechanical drive between the seal seat and the pump component. The seal assembly enables a robust, easily assembled three-component sub-assembly of the seal seat, grommet and pump component that can be handled as a single unit, and which easily installs onto, seals with, and becomes rotationally locked to a shaft. The positive engagement features, retaining features and static sealing features are axially aligned to provide an axially-compact seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Freudenberg-Nok General Partnership
    Inventor: John C Dahlheimer
  • Publication number: 20070290449
    Abstract: An improved mechanical shaft seal to give a tight seal between relatively rotating machine parts and prevent the escape of particulate material into the atmosphere or into the mechanical components of the housing under adverse operating conditions. The seal provides a grease chamber that prevents solid particles from reaching the main seal by migration within the mechanical shaft seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: PLATTCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dean Surprenant, Patrick J. Noel, Jeffrey S. Spooner
  • Publication number: 20070267819
    Abstract: A split mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The split mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith. A holder assembly receives one seal element and may include a double-angled lead-in to facilitate installation of the seal element. The holder assembly may include a detent groove for receiving and retaining an O-ring disposed about the seal element. The static housing may comprise two mating segments having overlapping surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY
    Inventors: Henri V. Azibert, Christopher A. Kowalski, Ann T. Attenasio
  • Publication number: 20070267818
    Abstract: A split mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The split mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith. A holder assembly receives one seal element and may include a double-angled lead-in to facilitate installation of the seal element. The holder assembly may include a detent groove for receiving and retaining an O-ring disposed about the seal element. The static housing may comprise two mating segments having overlapping surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: A.W. CHESTERTON COMPANY
    Inventor: Bryan Giard
  • Patent number: 7293778
    Abstract: A seal is used between a housing and a shaft having an axis. The seal includes a first portion and a second portion engageable with each other and movable relative to each other. The first portion and the second portion are configured to be received in a cavity between the shaft and the housing. The first portion is engageable with the shaft such that the first portion is substantially stationary relative to the shaft and to inhibit passage of contaminants from the exterior of the cavity through the cavity toward the axis. The second portion is engageable with the housing such that the second portion is substantially stationary relative to the housing and to inhibit passage of the contaminants from the exterior through the cavity toward the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: John E. Rode
  • Patent number: 7237778
    Abstract: The invention is a shut-off seal assembly for use with the drive assembly of fluid-containing vessels. The shut-off seal assembly first locks the seal carrier of the drive assembly in place so that it may not rotate in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction. The seal carrier includes a pair of notches into which a pawl may be fitted preventing seal carrier rotation. The seal carrier surrounds a sleeve which includes a plurality of slots. A backwards rotation of the drive shaft causes drive pins to slide in the angled slots, thereby causing the seal element to move forward and create a seal between the drive assembly and the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: ProQuip, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Althouse, III
  • Patent number: 7118324
    Abstract: A CO2 compressor for an air conditioner of a motor vehicle is suggested having a sealing device, assigned to the driveshaft of the CO2 compressor, which is implemented as a sliding ring. The CO2 compressor features a lubrication device, in which the sealing device is supplied a lubricant flow effected by centrifugal forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: LuK Fahrzeug-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Hinrichs, Peter Kuhn, Frank Obrist
  • Patent number: 7090221
    Abstract: A seal contact surface of a seal lip member and a protruding lip member of an end face seal are separated from each other and frictional heat generated at the seal lip member due to sliding motion is prevented from being transferred to the end face seal for softening the material, thus the seal capability is improved. A protruding lip member (3) provides a seal by making an angle to a seal surface (11B) of a seal ring (11) in radially outward a direction and a lip portion (15A) of a seal lip member (15) is disposed inside an inner diameter surface (11A) of the seal ring (11) for effecting a seal against a sealing object fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsui, Yoshiaki Takigahira
  • Patent number: 7080510
    Abstract: An exhaust gas sealing system for a turbocharger includes a control valve for controlling a flow of an exhaust gas in a turbine housing, a shaft extending to an outside of the turbine housing through a bearing bore provided on the turbine housing, one end of the shaft being fixed to the control valve, and a sealing member for preventing the exhaust gas from leaking to the outside of the turbine housing through a gap formed between the bearing bore and the shaft. The sealing member includes a through-hole forming a gap with the shaft smaller than a gap formed between the bearing bore and the shaft. One side of the sealing member is pressed against a sealing face and is provided within a cavity formed in the turbine housing and including the sealing face on a peripheral side of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Ishihara, Kazunari Adachi, Takashi Sakumoto, Shinji Kono
  • Patent number: 7066469
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a machinery housing includes a seal ring having a micro heat exchanger and a gland plate for securing the seal ring to the machinery housing. The gland plate includes a cooling fluid port in communication with the micro heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignees: University of Kentucky Research Foundation Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University, Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Lyndon Scott Stephens, Kevin W. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7040627
    Abstract: A seal assembly which is secured to a rotating shaft and which seals around the shaft. The seal assembly has molded grooves adjacent to the shaft which grasp the shaft and prevent leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph Bartle
  • Patent number: 7029012
    Abstract: A seal that provides sealing between a rotatable shaft and a housing has a stationary part for connection to the housing and a rotary part for rotation with the shaft. The rotary part includes a sleeve for mounting on the shaft. One end of the sleeve is provided with a non-elastometric sealing arrangement. The sealing arrangement has sealing surfaces for contacting outer circumferential surfaces of the sleeve and the shaft as well as means for effecting sealing engagement between each of said sleeve and said shaft and a respective sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: AES Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Alan James Roddis
  • Patent number: 6976681
    Abstract: A slide ring seal assembly includes a slide ring having an axially extending annular leg. The leg has radially outer and radially inner circumferential surfaces and a free axial end. A plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses are provided in leg at the free axial end thereof. Each recess extends from the radially outer surface to the radially inner surface. An annular sealing body surrounds the leg and is seated thereon. Circumferentially spaced, radially inward-oriented extensions forming part of the annular sealing body and projecting into respective recesses are provided in the leg for effecting a form-locking connection between the slide ring and the annular sealing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Friedberg GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Henning Zutx
  • Patent number: 6969071
    Abstract: A face seal assembly including an annular mating ring housing having a proximal end surface with a channel therein, a mating ring insert disposed in the channel, the mating ring insert including a mating ring compressed within a first band to maintain the integrity of the mating ring. An annular sealing ring housing has a distal end surface with a channel therein, and a sealing ring insert is disposed in the channel, the sealing ring insert including a sealing ring compressed within a second band to maintain the integrity of the sealing ring. The mating ring faces the sealing ring to prevent fluid from escaping therebetween. A method of making such a face seal assembly is also disclosed as is a complete face seal assembly useful in the top drive unit of an offshore drilling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: PerkinElmer, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald M. Berard
  • Patent number: 6962340
    Abstract: A primary technical goal of the present invention is to improve the durability and the seal performance of a cup gasket for a mechanical seal device which retains a seal ring. The mechanical seal device disposes a cup gasket made of a resilient rubber material between the mounting surface of the first seal ring and the step shoulder installation surface in which the cup gasket retains a support plate in an integral manner and the support face of the support plate facing opposite relative to and in approximately parallel with the mounting surface of the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6935632
    Abstract: A spacing mechanism is provided for locating at least one rotatable component relative to a stationary component of a mechanical seal. The spacing mechanism is configured to automatically disengage from the rotatable seal component, and/or its associated hardware, upon rotation of the rotatable seal component. The spacing mechanism may be configured to axially and/or radially locate one or more rotatable components relative to one or more stationary components and may be configured to automatically disengage from the rotatable seal component by the rotation of the rotatable seal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: A. W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Henri V. Azibert, Wayne E. Spritz