Interfitting Or Overlapping Patents (Class 277/419)
  • Patent number: 8740226
    Abstract: In a system for contactlessly sealing a rotably mounted shaft from a housing, and a gear unit, oil is provided in the interior of the housing, the rotating shaft in particular projecting from the interior to the outer area, wherein a centrifugal disk is provided, which is connected to the shaft in torsionally fixed manner and has at least partially radially extending bores, which connect oil from a centrifugal chamber to a catch basin surrounding the centrifugal disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sew-Eurodrive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ingo Schütterle, Andreas Heβ
  • Patent number: 8506170
    Abstract: A bearing is disclosed comprising an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. A relatively non-resilient isolator seal is mounted to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventor: Christopher E. Hosmer
  • Patent number: 8444153
    Abstract: An arrangement (30, 80) for sealing a shaft (40, 60, 90, 110) in a casing (31, 81) by a hydraulic seal (50, 70, 100, 120) includes at least one essentially annular, radially inwardly open cavity (51, 71, 101, 121) and at least one essentially annular, radially outwardly directed sealing element (54, 74, 102, 122) which projects into the cavity (51, 71, 101, 121). To provide a hydraulic shaft seal, in which swirl and friction losses in the sealing medium are low and no leakage occurs, the hydraulic seal (50, 70, 100, 120) is arranged on the inner side (42, 62, 92) or on the outer side (111) of the shaft (40, 60, 90, 110) and the cavity (51, 71, 101, 121) or the sealing element (54, 74, 102, 122) of the hydraulic seal (50, 70, 100, 120) is connected to a wall (32, 82) of the casing (31, 81).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Miklos Gaebler, Stefan Hein
  • Patent number: 8434766
    Abstract: A seal is provided for preventing axial leakage through a radial gap between a stationary structure and a rotating structure. The radial gap is defined by an inner radial surface opposing an outer radial surface across the radial gap. The seal includes at least one land disposed on one of the inner radial surface and outer radial surface. At least one first tooth and at least one second tooth project from the other of the radial surfaces. The second tooth is shorter than the first tooth. At least one of the first tooth and second tooth, is configured to extend at an angle upstream. This angle is defined between a radial surface from which the first or second tooth projects and an upstream surface of the same tooth. The angle is less than or equal to about 80 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaoqiang Zeng, Jonathon Edward Slepski, Tao Guo, Joshy John, Sudhakar Neeli
  • Patent number: 8424877
    Abstract: A method and systems for a purged seal for an annular space are provided. The purged seal includes a first baffle element that extends from an inner surface of the annular space into the annular space at an oblique angle and a second baffle element that extends from an outer surface of the annular space above the first baffle element in a direction opposite gravity flow into the annular space wherein the second baffle element extends at an oblique angle. The system also includes a third baffle element that extends from the inner surface above the first baffle element in a direction of gravity flow into the annular space wherein the third baffle element extends into the annular space at an oblique angle with respect to the inner surface and wherein a distal end of the third baffle element is positioned proximate a distal end of the second baffle element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Constantin Dinu, James Michael Storey, Aaron John Avagliano, Douglas S. Byrd, Shaoping Shi, Judeth Brannon Corry, Allyson Joy Jimenez Huyke
  • Patent number: 8329267
    Abstract: A flexible edge seal is provided for a vacuum insulating glazing unit having a first glass pane and a second glass pane spaced-apart from the first. The edge seal comprises a seal member formed of a hermetically bondable material and having a first end, a second end and a center section disposed therebetween. The first end is hermetically bondable to a first glass pane. The second end is hermetically bondable to a second glass pane. The center section comprises a plurality of convolutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eversealed Windows, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Bettger, David H. Stark
  • Patent number: 8303257
    Abstract: An arrangement between blade elements in a blade row in a turbine is described. Each blade element has at least one shroud element and a blade airfoil which abuts on, and is connected to, the shroud element, and essentially extends radially with regard to a principal axis of the blade row. When installed, the shroud element sides, which extend circumferentially, abut on the respectively adjacent shroud element of the respectively adjacent blade element, each forming an essentially radial gap. At least one blade element has a projection which projects into the shroud element of the abutting blade element and extends in the circumferential direction, and at least one blade element has a recess which accommodates such a projection. In the region of the projection or recess there is a stepped region of the radial gap, and the guiding of the radial gap in this stepped region is a labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Thomas Heinz-Schwarzmaier, Ulrich Rathmann, Carlos Simon-Delgado
  • Patent number: 8283023
    Abstract: A flexible edge seal for a vacuum insulating glazing unit. The flexible edge seal comprises an elongate first edge seal portion having a substantially constant first cross-section and including a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a first center portion therebetween. An elongate second edge seal portion has a substantially constant second cross-section and includes a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a second center portion therebetween. Each bonding flange includes a substantially flat portion adapted for hermetic bonding to a surface of a different one of a pair of glass panes. The weld surfaces are hermetically joined to one another forming a hermetic seal therebetween. At least one of the first center portion and the second center portion has a convolute cross-section and is asymmetrical to the other center portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Eversealed Windows, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Mott, Kenneth Bettger, Elliot Brown
  • Patent number: 8240674
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seal with non-contact adjacent deflector rings, arranged concentrically to each other, about a common rotation axis, whereby, on a first deflector ring of the deflector rings, at least two axially-adjacent radial lips are embodied an said radial lips are embodied such as not to come into contact with a second deflector ring of the deflector rings and an annular hollow cavity is embodied between two axially-adjacent radial lips and the second deflector ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Erwin Hartmann, Wilhelm Walter
  • Patent number: 8172917
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for purifying gas while bleeding a crank housing, said apparatus (10) comprising a housing (12) inside which a separator chamber (14) is provided, a rotor arrangement with a rotor shaft (32) that is rotatably mounted in the housing and a centrifugal rotor (39) located in the separator chamber (14), and a fluid driving device (64) for driving the rotor shaft (32) by means of a driving fluid, the driving device (64) being disposed in a driving chamber (60) that is separated from the separator chamber (14) by means of a housing partition (16), and the rotor shaft (32) extending through a breakthrough in the housing partition (16). In the case of this device, it is provided that a labyrinth-type seal (70) is provided in the zone of the breakthrough in order to seal the driving chamber (60) from the separator chamber (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Tumba AB
    Inventors: Serge Kup, Mats-Orjan Pogen, Ingvar Hallgren
  • Patent number: 8083236
    Abstract: An improved staggered seal assembly uses a static element and a rotating element to create a seal. The static element surrounds the rotating element and has at least one fin. The rotating element has at least one long fin and a set of shorter fins. A third component has a staggered fin. The fins create a leakage flow path which throttles the leakage across the seal from a high pressure zone into a low pressure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl A. Colson, Craig M. Beers
  • Publication number: 20110272893
    Abstract: Labyrinth seal for a turbomachine having a plurality of elongated seal blades arranged along a longitudinal direction of the labyrinth seal next to one another and at a distance from one another so that a chamber is formed between adjacent seal blades. The seal blades each have a free end and at least one seal wall extending in longitudinal direction of the labyrinth seal. A seal gap is formed between each free end and the seal wall, adjacent chambers being in fluid communication with one another by the seal gap so that a working fluid impinging on the labyrinth seal can flow through the labyrinth seal in a throttled manner in a throttling direction proceeding from a first seal blade to a final seal blade. A fluid discharge device is provided that is arranged to bring about a continuous reduction in a specific enthalpy of the working fluid by discharging working fluid from the labyrinth seal along the throttling direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
    Inventor: Tilmann RAIBLE
  • Publication number: 20110068540
    Abstract: An improved staggered seal assembly uses a static element and a rotating element to create a seal. The static element surrounds the rotating element and has at least one fin. The rotating element has at least one long fin and a set of shorter fins. A third component has a staggered fin. The fins create a leakage flow path which throttles the leakage across the seal from a high pressure zone into a low pressure zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Darryl A. Colson, Craig M. Beers
  • Patent number: 7857321
    Abstract: A bearing seal device has an air purge mechanism that includes a rotor connected to the shaft of a piece of rotating equipment and a stator connected to the housing for the rotating equipment. An air passage extends between an inlet and an outlet and is at least partially defined by circumferentially extending stator and/or rotor surfaces. Preferably, the stator incorporates an orifice, which permits the attachment of an air supply line. The air purge mechanism may include a self-compensating air supply regulator device, located adjacent a circumferential air distribution cavity and substantially adjacent to one or more atmospheric communication orifices. The bearing seal device provides sealing integrity when the shaft is both idle and operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: AES Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Alan James Roddis
  • Publication number: 20100276892
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a packing seal has a plurality of lands that align with annular teeth. Each land has opposite axial sides relative to a rotational axis of a rotary component. Each land also has a recess in at least one of the opposite sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nestor Hernandez Sanchez, Dhaval Ramesh Bhalodia
  • Publication number: 20100166544
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a turbomachinery including a labyrinth seal easy to fabricate and adapted to prevent unstable vibration of a rotor. A turbomachinery according to this invention includes a labyrinth seal 2 formed by dividing the seal into segments 7 in a circumferential direction and combining the segments 7 whose comb teeth 5 differ in height. The labyrinth seal 2 preferably includes two kinds of segments 7 whose comb teeth 5 differ in height for each kind of segment, and the segments 7a of the greater comb tooth height are arranged in a certain reference direction on a cross section right-angled to a rotational axis, and in a direction opposite to the reference direction, and the segments 7b of the smaller comb tool height are arranged in a direction right-angled to the reference direction, and in a direction opposite to that right-angled to the reference direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yamaguchi, Yohei Magara, Toyomi Yoshida, Michiyuki Takagi, Kenichi Murata, Takeshi Kudo
  • Patent number: 7631878
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first sealing means partially encompassed within second sealing means and in cooperative communication with said second sealing means; a third sealing means, said second sealing means partially encompassed within third sealing means and in cooperative communication with said third sealing means, said third sealing means attached to said housing or vessel and allowing said first sealing means and second sealing means to cooperatively respond to said forces produced by angular misalignment of said shaft during rotation of said shaft while maintaining defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Isotech of Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoelhe
  • Patent number: 7563079
    Abstract: An exemplary system for a turbomachine includes a bore extending from an inner end to an outer end with an inner seat proximate to the inner end and an outer seat proximate to the outer end, a rotatable shaft with an inner slot and an outer slot, an outer seal ring capable of being received by the outer slot and capable of being seated in the outer seat and an inner seal ring capable of being received by the inner slot, capable of bridging the outer seat and capable of being seated in the inner seat where an axial width of the inner seal ring exceeds an axial width of the outer seal ring. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Grover Aguilar
  • Publication number: 20090058013
    Abstract: A uniquely configured rotating seal tooth is used in conjunction with commonly used labyrinth-type seals that provide a seal between a rotating component and a stationary component. The uniquely configured rotating seal tooth produces a compression mechanism to counter leakage flow through the labyrinth of seal teeth, thereby lessening the pressure gradient that drives leakage and reversing the direction of some of the leakage flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Alan Bulgrin, Ralph Chris Bruner, Robert Craig Akin
  • Patent number: 7445213
    Abstract: A stepped labyrinth seal for a turbomachine, the seal having a stepped portion with a redirecting groove formed thereon to redirect a leakage flow through the gap in substantially a reverse direction and onto a surface of the finger such that the dynamic pressure of the leakage flow is not substantially reduced and the static pressure increased. The cavity formed between adjacent fingers has a flow guiding surface that maintains the dynamic pressure of the flow, thereby keeping the flow at high velocity and low static pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip C. Pelfrey
  • Publication number: 20080256912
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for purifying gas while bleeding a crank housing, said apparatus (10) comprising a housing (12) inside which a separator chamber (14) is provided, a rotor arrangement with a rotor shaft (32) that is rotatably mounted in the housing and a centrifugal rotor (39) located in the separator chamber (14), and a fluid driving device (64) for driving the rotor shaft (32) by means of a driving fluid, the driving device (64) being disposed in a driving chamber (60) that is separated from the separator chamber (14) by means of a housing partition (16), and the rotor shaft (32) extending through a breakthrough in the housing partition (16). In the case of this device, it is provided that a labyrinth-type seal (70) is provided in the zone of the breakthrough in order to seal the driving chamber (60) from the separator chamber (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL TUMBA AB
    Inventors: Serge Kup, Mats-Orjan Pogen, Ingvar Hallgren
  • Patent number: 7419164
    Abstract: A shaft seal serves to reduce leakage between a rotating shaft and a static shell. The shaft seal includes a plurality of compliant plate members, each having a root and a tip. The compliant plate members are secured to the static shell at their root in facing relation. The tips of the compliant plate members define a sealing ring between the static shell and the rotating shaft. An axial flow resistance member is disposed within the compliant plate members and serves as a barrier to axial leakage flow between the compliant plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shorya Awtar, Norman Arnold Turnquist
  • Patent number: 7396017
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first sealing means partially encompassed within second sealing means and in cooperative communication with said second sealing means; a third sealing means, said second sealing means partially encompassed within third sealing means and in cooperative communication with said third sealing means, said third sealing means attached to said housing or vessel and allowing said first sealing means and second sealing means to cooperatively respond to said forces produced by angular misalignment of said shaft during rotation of said shaft while maintaining defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Isotech of Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoelhe
  • Patent number: 7066719
    Abstract: An exemplary bore for a shaft of a turbomachine includes a longitudinal axis extending generally from an inner end to an outer end of the bore, an outer seat disposed proximate to the outer end of the bore at an outer seat radius for an outer seal ring wherein the outer seat comprises an inner end, an outer end, a step at the inner end extending radially inward to a step radius, and a chamfer at the outer end extending radially inward over an outward axial distance to a chamfer plateau radius and an inner seat disposed inward the outer seat at an inner seat radius for an inner seal ring wherein the outer seat radius exceeds the inner seat radius. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Grover Aguilar
  • Patent number: 7052014
    Abstract: The assembly includes rotor and stator elements each having an inclined plane or surface juxtaposed to each other. This is a metallic assembly and the rotor and stator also have juxtaposed cavities. The stator cavity being of sufficient size to accommodate a sealing member. The inclined surfaces are flexed with the inclined plane or surface of the rotor forced over the inclined plane or surface of the stator to lock the rotor and stator together with the sealing member enclosed between the rotor and stator. The sealing member does not rotate with the stator. The seal contains at least one labyrinth formed with the rotor and stator, are adjacent each other and lock together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, William L. Steinert
  • Patent number: 7044471
    Abstract: A cartridge seal is co-axially secured within the circular aperture of a back plate bolted to a pump housing. Annular recesses are provided around inner and outer sides of the back plate, surrounding the circular aperture. The cartridge-type seal includes a stationary gland assembly and a rotatable shaft collar assembly. The inner side of the gland assembly includes a taper bore surrounding the pump drive shaft, and a circumferential lip. The lip nests within the inner annular recess of the back plate. The outer side of the gland assembly includes a circumferential groove. The collar assembly is locked to the drive shaft by means of setscrews. A snap-ring within the circumferential groove of the gland assembly is located within the outer side recess of the back plate. The snap-ring precludes axial movement of the gland assembly, while allowing quick removal and replacement of the cartridge seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventors: Robert L. Elliott, Bryan D. Hampton
  • Patent number: 6923449
    Abstract: A baffle seal at the opening (31) for the load-transmitting member (20) in a balance housing (30) has at least one sleeve-shaped ring element (11, 110), fastener means (23) attached to the housing (30) and serving to hold the sleeve-shaped ring element in a stationary working position surrounding the opening, and a cover cap (1) with at least one sleeve-shaped ring (10, 10?, 12) that is axially movable relative to the sleeve-shaped ring element. The ring element is releasable so that it can be separated from the balance without dismantling other parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Rudolf Burkhard, Luzi Hess, Willi Graf
  • Patent number: 6843482
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a seal between first and second relatively rotatable parts of machines which operate in an environment comprising dust, grit or other finely divided solid material entrained in air, water or other fluid. The seal includes a rotor and a stator between which there is an annular passage with substantial clearance between the interfacing surfaces defining the passage. The solid material entrained in the fluid which enters the annular passage is deposited in layers on the interfacing surfaces when the mechanism is in use. The layers substantially reduced the cross sectional size of the annular passage and restrict flow of the fluid there through. The annular passage may be rendered tortuous by providing the rotor with annular fins which in use project into annular recesses in the stator, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Christopher Frederick Bayne
  • Patent number: 6834860
    Abstract: A non-contacting seal which includes a stationary tooth that radially overlaps a tooth on a rotatable shaft, with the sealing action resulting from controlled clearance both radially between stationary tooth and the shaft, and axially between the stationary tooth and the shaft. The seal may also be in the form of a stationary tooth that is approximately in the same radial plane as a tooth on a rotatable shaft, with the sealing action resulting from both a controlled clearance gap between the two teeth and from the momentum of liquid traveling outward from the rotating tooth making it difficult for the liquid to turn to go axially through the gap between the rotating tooth and the stationary tooth. The seal may also comprise the combination of the two seals described above or a pair of the same seals, i.e., two radially overlapping or two in the same radial plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Comptec Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Rinaldo
  • Patent number: 6726214
    Abstract: A wrap-around interlocked labyrinth seal adapted to be mounted upon a rotating shaft, having a rotor and a stator. A flange positioned on the stator completely encircles the rotating shaft. The stator is interlocked by positioning a cover of the stator within a radial opening of the rotor and interlocking the cover with an enclosure member of the rotor. One embodiment of the seal includes an interlocking member as part of the cover. The interlocking member interlocks with a flange of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: JM Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: George Fedorovich
  • Patent number: 6485022
    Abstract: A two-piece interlocked labyrinth seal device for providing a seal between a housing and a shaft formed of two ring members, specifically a rotor and stator, connected to each other by a plastically deforming unitizing element. The rotor further includes one or a series of protrusions and recesses for providing a tortuous passage for fluid travel within the seal device. The system can be used on rotating shafts, rotating bores or as a baffle and has improved oil retention and water exclusion properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: JM Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: George Fedorovich
  • Patent number: 6471215
    Abstract: A grease purgeable dynamic labyrinth sealing device is disclosed which includes a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof and a rotor having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof. The stator annular engagement flange and the rotor annular engagement flange have coacting means for mechanically interlocking the stator and the rotor. In one embodiment, means, such as, for example, a plurality of apertures, are operatively formed in the stator for allowing excess grease applied to the bearing housing to move through the stator and out of the stator such that the grease purgeable dynamic labyrinth sealing device maintains proper position relative to the bearing housing and is rotatable with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC
    Inventors: James Drago, Joel R. Shaw, Jeffrey M. Grudzien
  • Patent number: 6419233
    Abstract: An improved shaft seal assembly is disclosed having a stator including a main body and axial and radial projections therefrom. The rotor is radially extended and encompasses the axial and radial projections from said stator. The passageway formed between the radial projection of the stator and the rotor results in an axial passageway having its opening facing rearwardly from the rotor and away from the source of impinging coolant and/or contaminant. The dimension of interface gap between the rotor and the radial projection from the stator, which the access to the shaft of any impinging material, is fixed at a predetermined value and does not vary with the relative movement between the rotor and the stator. The novel seal assembly of this invention thus provides improved rejection or warding off of contaminates from ingress into the labyrinths and ultimately restrained from attacking the bearing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Isotech of Illinois, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Orlowski
  • Patent number: 6390477
    Abstract: A bearing isolator seal having a shaft seal assembly that includes a stator housing comprising two components, an interior and an exterior component, the two stator housing components being selectively connectable, and axially positionable (relative to the radial faces of the rotor), disconnectable via screw threads on similar structures formed thereon to enable a perishable rotor component to be readily replaced with the stator components being reusable with a new rotor, the assembled stator housing, having an inner radially extending face with a pair of spaced concentric annular flanges of substantially frusto-conical shape extending from a larger diameter end that is fixed to the inner radially extending face to a smaller diameter free end, and a rotor having a peripherally extending radial flange that is fixed to a hub of the rotor and has a contact sealing surface that contacts the free end of the annular flanges of the stator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Garlock Inc
    Inventors: James Drago, Joel R. Shaw, Larry E. Strohm
  • Patent number: 6336637
    Abstract: An interlocked labyrinth seal adapted to be mounted upon a rotating shaft, having a rotor and a stator. The stator completely surrounds the shaft. A flange positioned on the stator completely encircles the rotating shaft. The seal rotor includes alternating annular protrusions and annular grooves, and the stator is interlocked with the rotor by an annular protrusion positioned within one of the annular protrusions of the rotor. One embodiment of the seal includes an oil-side passageway which is positioned generally perpendicular to the rotating shaft. The passageway extends in a radial direction away from the shaft. The seal further includes an air-side opening on the stator. The rotor may also include a slinger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: JM Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: George Fedorovich
  • Patent number: 6311984
    Abstract: The improved bearing isolator permits the use of vapor or a combination of a vaporized substance with a carrier to lubricate bearings while containing the vaporized substance in the housing and permitting the carrier, having been stripped of its substance, to escape to the atmosphere. This novel coalescing unit also has a positive coalescence both during operation and at static condition. This invention will retain the vaporized substance in the housing after coalescence so that it may be reclaimed or reused as desired. The novel coalescing unit of this invention may be utilized with any seal assembly which will prevent or minimize the escape of the lubricant in liquid form from the housing, the coalescing member separate the mist from the carrier and coalesces the substance of the vapor to be retained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Inpro Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Orlowski
  • Patent number: 6273429
    Abstract: A labyrinth cartridge seal having a shell and a plurality of sleeves having corresponding portions to prevent axial and radial movement therebetween and particularly a labyrinth cartridge seal for use in a compressor for compression of a gas, such as oxygen, which restricts leakage of pressurized gas to a drive mechanism such as an oil lubricated gear box, to thereby reduce the likelihood of explosions. In one embodiment, the labyrinth cartridge seal includes a shell comprising a passageway therethrough, and four spaced-apart, concentrically aligned sleeves, axially and radially supportable along the passageway and generally sealable with the shell to define three separate chambers around the shaft. The shell has three ports, each one opening onto a different one of the three separate chambers for venting or receiving a supply of buffering gas. Also disclosed is a compressor incorporating such a labyrinth cartridge seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Michael J. Dudinetz, Kenneth W. Streifert, Ralph F. Hubert
  • Patent number: 6220603
    Abstract: A segmented seal ring and spring system for very low pressure drop zones in steam turbines for minimizing leakage between rotating and stationary components, and preventing damage and wear thereto, including a segmented seal ring, with first springs biased against the seal segments to urge the segments radially inwardly toward a small clearance position of the seal ring with respect to the turbine shaft secondary springs to counter the weight of the segments; with the combination of said springs gently urging the seal segments into the small clearance position while allowing clearance enlargement with small resulting forces on the shaft during periods of misalignment and rubbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Ronald Earl Brandon, David Earl Brandon
  • Patent number: 6189892
    Abstract: A high differential pressure type end rotor seal that is applicable to a steam cooled type gas turbine with the aim to reduce steam leakage to a minimum without being affected by deviation of fins due to thermal elongation. An end rotor rotational seal of a double strip seal type is structured such that fins (3,5) on a stator side (1) and fins (4,6) on a rotor side (2) are arranged in a confronting arrangement and an alternating arrangement. A fin-to-fin pitch (P) is set in a range of 2 to 6 mm and a clearance (C) between apexes of the fins is set in a range of 0.3 to 1.0 mm, thereby a high differential pressure type rotational seal is obtained having minimum steam leakage without being affected by deviation of fins due to thermal elongation between the stator side and the rotor side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Uematsu, Rintaro Chikami, Kazuharu Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 6168163
    Abstract: A shaft seal is interposed between a tank and a rotating shaft extending through the tank and having a non-rotatable stator fixed to the tank and a rotor fixed for rotation to the shaft. A multiple labyrinth structure is formed between the rotor and the stator for preventing the ingress of contaminants from the tank and the egress of lubricant from the shaft. A self-aligning arrangement is constructed and arranged to permit the stator to shift axially along the shaft and compensate for various forces inflicted on the shaft as the shaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mixer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Thorson, Robert L. Komassa
  • Patent number: 6164657
    Abstract: A seal between a housing and a shaft is formed of two ring members interlocked together. The two ring members include a rotor and a stator which are interlocked so as to provide a labyrinth passageway for preventing contaminants from reaching a rotating shaft. The stator includes a main portion, which functions to direct fluid from the rotating shaft back into a housing, and a cover portion which covers the rotor, cooperates with the rotor to provide the labyrinth passageway, and includes all opening for directing the contaminants out of the seal. The stator main portion includes a plurality of annular ridges and grooves and an axial groove. The stator cover portion includes an annular recess, which receives an annular protrusion of the rotor. The stator main portion is located axially adjacent to the rotor, while the cover portion is located radially adjacent to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: JM Clipper Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Merkin, George Fedorovich, Kenneth J. Sharrer
  • Patent number: 6155574
    Abstract: A sealing device (4) is provided for sealing between a first member (1) and a second member (2) and comprises a first sealing element (10), provided on the first member and extending thereabout towards the second member, and a second sealing element (20), provided on the second member and extending towards the first member without direct contact with the first sealing element (10). The first sealing element (10) comprises a first flange member (12) extending towards the first member (1) forming a first chamber (13) and the second sealing element (20) comprises a second flange member (22) extending towards the second member (2) and forming a second chamber (23). The flange members (12, 22) are provided overlapping each other in such a manner that the first flange member (12) extends in the second chamber (23) and the second flange member (22) extends in the first chamber (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Claes Goran Carlsson, Peter Franzen, Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Hans Moberg, Stefan Szepessy, Mikael Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 6113105
    Abstract: A rotary shaft bearing isolator seal where the shaft extends into dry comminuted material providing a stator having a very small tolerance between the rotor on the shaft and the stator containing downwardly sloping circular portions adjacent complimentary inwardly extending and outwardly extending portions of said rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Merrick Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6073777
    Abstract: A fluid swivel of the type that includes a transfer chamber (56) formed between inner and outer main parts (52, 54), is constructed so sand and other particles settling out of the fluid, does not find its way into the lower gap passage (86) and quickly wear out a seal. A second of the main parts has a lower wall with a raised barrier (110) close to the top (122) of the lower gap passage. The first main part lower wall forms a first barrier (112) in the form of a projection that lies closely over the second barrier. The two barriers are closely spaced to form an entrance region (120) leading to the lower gap passage, with the entrance region including an upstream entrance part (132) that extends vertically or at an upward incline to discourage the migration of sand therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Imodco Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Jansen
  • Patent number: 6024362
    Abstract: A seal cartridge adapted to be mounted upon a rotating shaft, including a rotor and a stator, the rotor and stator being arranged to create a labyrinth portion and a contact portion. The rotor includes a radially outwardly directed surface and the stator includes a flange biased toward the rotor surface to create the contact portion. The rotor and stator create a labyrinth portion with a pair of inwardly facing ridges positioned within a pair of outwardly facing grooves. The stator may include a shoulder for positioning the seal cartridge with respect to the housing, or instead a sloped surface. A spring may be used to bias the flange firmly toward the contact surface of the rotor. The rotor may also have a flange which deforms and fits within an annular notch of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: JM Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: George Fedorovich
  • Patent number: 6017037
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal device formed of a rotor and a stator connected together by an annular protrusion located within a recess. The rotor has a slinger located on the housing side of the rotor/stator interface. The stator has a plurality of alternating annular ridges and grooves which, together with an axial groove, direct fluid back into the housing to which the stator is attached. One of the ridges is positioned within the slinger recess, such that fluid traveling along a shaft to which the rotor is attached is slung off the slinger into the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: J.M. Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: George Fedorovich
  • Patent number: 5967524
    Abstract: A system for providing a labyrinth seal and a contact seal between a housing and a shaft is formed of a stator and a rotor connected to each other. The stator includes a flange biased toward the rotating shaft to prevent fluid from exiting the housing. The rotor rotates frictionlessly relative to the stator, creating a two-piece non-contact labyrinth seal to prevent contaminants from entering the housing. The rotor and stator may be held together by an annular protrusion located within a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: JM Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: George Fedorovich
  • Patent number: 5951020
    Abstract: The improved shaft seal assembly is disclosed to permit the use of vapor or a combination of a vaporized substance with a carrier on one side of the seal while preventing the movement of the vapor or the vaporized substance from the housing containing said vapor. This novel seal assembly will be an effective seal both during operation and in a static mode. It will also retain the vaporized substance after coalescence so that it may be reclaimed or reused as desired. The novel seal of this invention provides for coalescence in a radial passage between the stator and a second rotor, thus, avoiding any changes, impediments, or variations with relation to the shaft. The novel seal assembly permits the escape of the carrier from the vessel having the vapor or the vaporized substance with a carrier, while retaining the coalesced substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Inpro Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Orlowski
  • Patent number: 5913812
    Abstract: A turbine air sealing and condenser air removal system for use in steam plant equipment is arranged to increase steam plant efficiency, reduce oxygen concentration in condensate being returned to the steam generators, and simplify system arrangement and maintenance. This system incorporates dry running shaft seals at the high and low pressure turbine shaft glands. The turbine shaft glands are exhausted to a vacuum header which is exhausted by vacuum pumps. Air from the condenser is also exhausted to the common vacuum header. Non-rotating air seals on the turbine such as valve stem seals, which must only accommodate linear movement, can incorporate metallic bellows or conventional packings to prevent air leakage into the steam path or steam leakage out into the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Smith, Glenn N. Levasseur, John H. Chapman, Daniel J. Link, Kevin M. Didona
  • Patent number: 5910094
    Abstract: A fire seal (52) for an aircraft propulsion system including at least one mating plate pair (54) formed between a nozzle body (44) and an outer structure (24) and a support pylon (26). The mating plate pairs (54) each include an upper plate row (58) and a lower plate row (60), both rows extending in an arc (66) about an upper region (56) of the propulsion system, with a vertical overlap (88) existing between the upper and lower plate rows. A gap (90) exists between the upper plate row (58) and lower plate row (60) of each mating plate pair (54), preferably at all times. A seal region (62) exists between the forward-most mating pair and the aft-most mating pair. A pressure equalization mechanism controls pressure between the area forward of the seal region (62) and the area aft of the seal region (62). A number of endplates (110) are positioned at various longitudinal locations near the lateral ends of the mating plate pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kurt R. Kraft, Gary L. Vieth, Peter J. Louden