Extrusion Preventing (i.e., Antiextrusion) Structure Patents (Class 277/584)
  • Patent number: 7793944
    Abstract: In a sealing device (1) installed in an installation groove (4) provided in one member (2) of two members (2, 3) facing to each other so as to be brought into close contact with the other (3), the sealing device has a seal ring (11) and a backup ring (21) arranged in a low-pressure side (L) of the seal ring (11), the installation groove (4) has a slope bottom surface (4c), the backup ring (21) has a slope surface (21a). The sealing device (1) is to be made such that the seal ring (11) made of a rubber-like elastic body is prevented from being damaged by the backup ring (21) made of a hard material. In order to achieve this object, a second backup ring (31) is arranged between the seal ring (11) and the backup ring (21), and formed by a softer material than the backup ring (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nok Corporation
    Inventor: Masaya Otuka
  • Patent number: 7651100
    Abstract: An improvement in a seal assembly for sealing with a rotatable component extending within the seal assembly and defining a longitudinal axis of rotation, the seal assembly being of a type including a seal element retained by a seal housing, where one of the seal element and the seal housing is constructed from a compressible material, where the seal element includes a seal engagement surface and where the seal housing includes a housing engagement surface. The improvement includes one of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface being comprised of the compressible material and the other being oriented in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of rotation of the component extending within the seal assembly and defining a depression for providing an isolated gap between the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface for receiving the compressible material to restrain movement of the seal element relative to the seal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Cargill
  • Patent number: 7648144
    Abstract: In a sealing device of the present invention, a support ring is fitted in an annular recessed part formed on the inner peripheral surface of a seal lip part independently of a reinforcement ring to support the seal lip part from the inner peripheral side, and the support ring is supported axially by a reinforcement ring via an interposed part. Thereby, when a rotating shaft is inserted into the seal ring, a contact area between a seal part and the rotating shaft can be made appropriate, and when a high pressure is applied to the seal lip part, an increase in contact area between the seal part and the rotating shaft can be suppressed within an appropriate range and the seal part becomes able to follow the eccentricity of the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masamitsu Sanada
  • Publication number: 20090267307
    Abstract: A high pressure tube seal is provided including a rigid cylindrical tube having an elastomeric seal body molded to an outer surface of the cylindrical tube. The elastomeric seal body includes a pair of raised seal bead portions at opposite ends of the seal body and a pair of recessed groove portions adjacent to the pair of recessed seal bead portions. A pair of anti-extrusion rings are disposed in the recessed groove portion in the cylindrical tube and includes a radially outwardly extending annular portion disposed between a pair of recessed groove portions of the elastomeric seal body. The anti-extrusion rings provide increased pressure sealing capability as compared to conventional tube seal designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: FREUDENBERG-NOK GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Timothy T. Smith, David M. Seaborn
  • Patent number: 7604243
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a composite seal may include a first, substantially annular seal element having an upper body portion, a neck portion, and an axial protrusion. The upper body portion includes opposing inclined surfaces extending toward the neck portion defining a first angle. The axial protrusion includes opposing inclined surfaces extending toward an axial end of the axial protrusion defining a second angle, wherein the first angle and the second angle are substantially similar. The composite seal may further include a second, substantially annular seal element having a mouth portion, a neck portion and a recess portion, wherein the axial protrusion is configured to be complementarily engaged with the recess portion in an interlocking manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Macrotech Polyseal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Zitting, Tadd M. McBride, A. Todd Hagen
  • Publication number: 20090230632
    Abstract: A seal is formed from one or more elastomeric materials having a low glass transition temperature for high pressure, and both high and low temperature sealing applications. In an exemplary embodiment, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material may be ?35° C. or lower. The seal is adapted to repeatedly form and maintain a seal across a temperature range from 0° C. or lower to +122° C. or greater at pressures up to 15,000 p.s.i.g. or greater. The invention has numerous applications, such as for land-based use, marine surface and marine subsea uses. An anti-extrusion device may circumscribe the upper and lower edges of the material body. The invention also comprises fabrication methods for elastomer or polymeric seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Donald R. Petrash, Steven C. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090189358
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an annular seal (e.g., an o-ring) and a backup ring to provide support to the annular seal. A gland is provided to accommodate the backup ring and the annular seal. The gland has a contact surface which is adapted to contact a corresponding contact surface of the backup ring upon inserting the backup ring into the gland. The diameters of the contact surfaces of the backup ring and gland are sized such that the contact surface of the backup ring radially interferes with the contact surface of the gland, thereby urging the backup ring out of the gland. A retention mechanism, such as interlocking grooves, protrusions, ridges, notches, slots, or the like may be provided in the backup ring and gland respectively to prevent the backup ring from completely exiting the gland.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Briscoe, James McPherson, David A. Pixton
  • Publication number: 20090121443
    Abstract: To reduce a shaft insertion load and prevent extrusion of a seal ring to the low pressure side, a sealing device (1) has a seal ring (20) in an installation groove (10) formed on a shaft (2) to have a tapered groove bottom section (12) and a backup ring (30) having a tapered section (35) corresponding to the tapered groove bottom section (12), a gap (g) is provided between a side wall surface (11) at the low-pressure side (L) of the mounting groove (10) and a side end surface (32) of the backup ring (30), a peripheral surface (34) of the backup ring (30) at the opposite side of the tapered section (35) has a tapered surface (36) which comes closer to a peripheral surface (3a) of a housing (3) at the low-pressure side (L), and the tapered section (35) is formed to have a two-staged taper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Kanagae
  • Patent number: 7516963
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing arrangement with an elastic sealing ring, which is located in sealing fashion between a first and a second component in a continuous groove (3) running around the first component, and is compressed in the groove in installed state, deforming its cross-section. At least one supporting ring (21, 22) is provided, which lies in sealing fashion against the sealing ring, while an opposite, supporting surface (9) lies against a groove flank (6) The supporting ring (21, 22) is positioned by the compressed sealing ring (2) in its position at the gap (13) to be sealed between the first and second components. As a result, extrusion of the sealing ring through the gap provided between the two components to be sealed is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: GAPI Technische Produkte GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Meller
  • Patent number: 7491044
    Abstract: A sealing device includes a stationary member, an orbiting member, a tip end surface of which slides on an inner face of the stationary member, and a sealing member to be fitted into a sealing groove engraved on the tip end surface. A sliding contact surface of the sealing member is pressed onto an inner surface of the stationary member with a predetermined force to slide on the inner surface in order that fluid sealing is secured between the sliding contact surface of the sealing member and the inner surface of the stationary member. The sealing member is divided into two parts of an upper ring and a lower ring, with the upper ring contacting the sliding contact surface and the lower ring facing a bottom surface of the sealing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Anest Iwata Corporation
    Inventor: Tamotsu Fujioka
  • Patent number: 7377482
    Abstract: A gasket ring assembly for use with the rotating ball in a ball valve, the gasket ring assembly including a substantially L-shaped support and a toroidal elastomer gasket. The substantially L-shaped support includes a horizontal section and a vertical section. The horizontal section includes a groove and a tooth for holding the toroidal elastomer gasket in place. The toroidal elastomer gasket is fixedly attached to the substantially L-shaped support and is in direct contact with the outer surface of the rotating ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventors: Giovanni Cipolla, Sandro Bonomi
  • Patent number: 7341258
    Abstract: A seal assembly seals first and second operational surfaces spaced apart by a gap. The first surface includes a seal groove having a base surface and first and second side surfaces. A sealing element in the seal groove has a foot portion extending parallel to the base surface which engages the second operational surface. A leg portion extending from the foot portion toward the base surface has first and second surfaces. A back-up ring adjacent to the sealing element prevents extrusion of the sealing element into the gap. A first side of the back-up ring mates with the second surface of the leg portion, and a second side mates with one of the first and second side surfaces of the seal groove. An energizer element located between the base surface and the foot portion applies uniform pressure to the leg and foot portions when the energizer element is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Greene, Tweed of Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Augustus Brooks Holt, Paul E. Roberts, Alan P. Schofield
  • Patent number: 7240904
    Abstract: A secondary sealing element comprises a base body (12) made of a synthetic material and comprising a base portion (13) and a seal portion (14) which each comprise coaxially aligned, axially adjacent through bores (17, 31) for the passage of a component, and an annular disc element (25) accommodated in the base portion and comprising a through bore (30) coaxially aligned with the through bores in the base and seal portions and being made of a material which differs from that of the base body. In the unloaded state, the through bore (30) of the annular disc element (25) has a radial dimension d which is greater than that D2 of the through bore (31) in the seal portion (14) and smaller than that D1 in the base portion (13) of the base body (12). The annular disc element consists of a carbon material. An important field of application for the secondary sealing element is that of mechanical face seals for sealing relatively moveable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Burgmann Industries GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Dröscher, Klaus Lang, Günther Lederer, Josef Nosowicz, Andreas Schrüfer, Georg Steigenberger, Peter Waidner
  • Patent number: 7140616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device which is provided with an annular circumferential groove in a preceding sealing washer and having a sealing body disposed in the groove. The width and depth of the groove are larger than the cross-section of the sealing body so that the sealing body can be axially moved in the groove and may be forced against the wall of the groove and the tool shank by inner pressure provided, for example, by a coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Rego-Fix AG
    Inventor: Ernst Gerber
  • Patent number: 7025357
    Abstract: A shaft seal includes an elastomeric annular body having an outwardly protruding annular lip. An annular outer case is embedded into the body. An annular insert is positioned adjacent the outer case. An annular inner case is embedded into the body adjacent the insert. The outer case, the insert, and the inner case support the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew C. Spain, Robert P. LaPlante
  • Patent number: 6957605
    Abstract: A high pressure piston for use within a liner for a reciprocating pump comprises an elastomeric seal and a metallic annular bearing ring having relatively high heat conductivity compared to the liner and seal. During the pump's pressure stroke a portion of the bearing ring elastically expands radially to narrow or close the extrusion gap. Narrowing the gap decreases the tendency for extrusion of piston seal elastomeric material, while closing the gap tends to block elastomer extrusion and establish sliding contact between the bearing ring and the liner. Sliding contact between the bearing ring and liner prevents portions of the piston hub (e.g., a transverse flange) from contacting the liner and damaging it. The heat-conductive bearing ring improves scavenging of frictional heat near the extrusion gap, extending the service life of piston seal elastomer while reducing bearing ring and liner wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 6863278
    Abstract: A back-up ring is disclosed wherein the ring is a knitted mesh section substantially surrounded by an outer coating covering substantially all of the knitted wire mesh section, the coating having contact with the outer and inner surface of an annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: John D. Morvant
  • Patent number: 6840520
    Abstract: A seal assembly is adapted for use in a valve having a trim cage with an inner surface extending along an axis and a plug sized to fit inside the trim cage inner surface, wherein the plug is adapted to move along the axis. The seal assembly includes a spring-loaded seal ring disposed between the plug and the trim cage inner surface, the seal ring including a center spring member and a jacket formed of a fluoropolymer resin to tightly seal between the plug and the trim cage inner surface. A first wiper ring is disposed between the plug and the trim cage inner surface and positioned axially upstream of the seal ring, and a second wiper ring is disposed between the plug and the trim cage inner surface and positioned axially downstream of the seal ring. Each of the first and second wiper rings has an outside surface sized to engage the trim cage inner surface and is formed of a material sufficiently rigid to scrape foreign material from the bore surface yet sufficiently soft to minimize damage to the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Wayne R. Faas, Ted D. Grabau, Kimball R. Barron
  • Patent number: 6805360
    Abstract: The regulator connects to a high pressure fluid supply and regulates the pressure to a downstream apparatus. If an over-pressure occurs, it is vented to atmosphere. A segmented body reduces production cost. An elongate control stem engages a supply seal assembly and a vent seal assembly and moves axially with respect to these seal assemblies to achieve regulation and venting. Both the supply seal assembly and the vent seal assembly are bi-directional and operate when forces are applied from opposing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Thomas W. Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 6769695
    Abstract: An improved support for a seal is provided in the form of a back-up ring that reduces or eliminates the gaps between a pump plunger and a high pressure cylinder of a pump. The support includes a back-up ring having opposed first and second faces with a wall thickness disposed between the faces. The back-up ring includes a frustro-conical concave surface on the first face and a frustro-conical convex surface on the second face. Also provided are a packing assembly including at least one back-up ring and a reciprocating pump incorporating the at least one back-up ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: KMT Waterjet Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Stephens
  • Patent number: 6758478
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a shaft has a flange fixed to a work piece having a bore hole therein. The flange encircles the shaft and includes a triangular shaped projecting member having first and second surfaces extending from the flange into the bore hole. An angle is formed between the first and second surface. The first surface of the projecting member is in contact with an inner surface of the bore hole or the outer surface of the shaft. An o-ring encircles the shaft and a backup ring is positioned within a space between the shaft, the flange and the o-ring or between the bore hole, the flange and the o-ring. Subject to axial forces, the backup ring undergoes a wedging action between the shaft and the triangular shaped projecting member or between the bore hole and the triangular member to seal where the shaft penetrates the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alejandro Moreno
  • Patent number: 6726220
    Abstract: A dual seal assembly for providing a seal between a reciprocating rod and the gland is described. The dual seal includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first seal element is constructed of a material having a different hardness than the material forming the second seal element. The first and second seal elements each include a seal edge contacting the rod to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the rod. At least a portion of one of the first seal element and the second seal element engages the gland to form the seal between the rod and the gland. By varying the hardness of the materials forming the seal elements, the first seal element and the second seal element can be configured to provide different functions within the dual seal assembly and can cooperatively provide an effective fluid seal under a wide range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: A. W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Grimanis, Mark W. Stremeckus
  • Patent number: 6712362
    Abstract: In a master/slave cylinder system for clutches or brakes, primary seals have bevels which interact with similar bevels of formations on housings of the respective cylinders. Along with the lowest possible friction in the region of the sealing lips, this permits carrying out uncomplicated pressure/negative-pressure filling in the case of the master cylinder. The primary seals slide by the wedge of effects in the direction of the pressure on the bevels of the annular formations and reduce the annular bearing face of the sealing lip in a frictionally optimized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Klaus Krappmann, André Gemeinhardt, Hai Sui, Dieter Gebauer, Boleslaw Tulaczko, Volker Stampf
  • Publication number: 20030230855
    Abstract: A composite elastomeric seal for sealing fluid line members is provided. The composite seal comprises an outer U-shaped seal body and an inner elastomeric portion. The U-shaped seal body comprises inner and outer extending arms, each arm having a shaped contour and two protruding lip portions. One set of lips of the outer seal wraps around the inner elastomeric portion, and the other set of lips provides an auxiliary seal for sealing the fluid line members together. The invention further includes sealing assemblies that employ the composite seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Precix, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Malone, Donald Maher
  • Patent number: 6663112
    Abstract: A sealing device for sealing a joint which is constituted by two sealing surfaces facing each other. The sealing surfaces are displaceable in parallel in relation to each other. The sealing device comprises a sealing element consisting of elastomeric materials of at least two different hardnesses. The sealing element is compressed in the joint while contacting the sealing surfaces. The sealing element forms two portions of elastomeric material having low hardness, said portions contacting the sealing surfaces. The elastomeric material having high hardness is positioned between the portions having low hardness and contacting the sealing surfaces. The elastomeric material having low hardness and contacting the sealing surfaces. The elastomeric material having high hardness is adapted at parallel displacement of the sealing surfaces from the position for forming the joint to increase its size in a direction transversely in relation to the sealing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Enebacken Skrea AB
    Inventor: Sten Sporre
  • Patent number: 6648337
    Abstract: A backup ring is provided adjacent a seal apparatus for delivering a controlled space between two relatively moving parts. The backup ring provides protection against seal extrusion and failure, and can provide an auxiliary seal when needed. The backup ring includes either an arcuate surface that deforms under pressure, or a cantilever portion that deforms under pressure, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Sealing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Baehl, Larry J. Castleman
  • Patent number: 6626438
    Abstract: A multi-tube hydraulic cylinder includes annular seal assemblies joining adjacent tubes. Each assembly includes an annular primary seal member and an annular base seal member. The primary seal member is formed from relatively soft elastomer and includes inner and outer seal ribs which engage the bottom of a seal groove and the surface of an adjacent tube. The primary seal member is mounted on the base seal member, is formed from an elastomer harder than the material in the primary seal member, and includes inner and outer seal ribs and a heel facing outwardly of the seal groove on the end of the base member away from the seal ribs. The base member has an axial length greater than its radial thickness. When the seal assembly is compressed between the two tubes the seal ribs of the two members provide low pressure and high pressure seals for confining hydraulic fluid in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: HPS, Inc.
    Inventor: Elond W. Walden
  • Publication number: 20030160395
    Abstract: A multi-tube hydraulic cylinder includes annular seal assemblies joining adjacent tubes. Each assembly includes an annular primary seal member and an annular base seal member. The primary seal member is formed from relatively soft elastomer and includes inner and outer seal ribs which engage the bottom of a seal groove and the surface of an adjacent tube. The primary seal member is mounted on the base seal member, is formed from an elastomer harder than the material in the primary seal member, and includes inner and outer seal ribs and a heel facing outwardly of the seal groove on the end of the base member away from the seal ribs. The base member has an axial length greater than its radial thickness. When the seal assembly is compressed between the two tubes the seal ribs of the two members provide low pressure and high pressure seals for confining hydraulic fluid in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Elond W. Walden
  • Publication number: 20030111801
    Abstract: An improved support for a seal is provided in the form of a back-up ring that reduces or eliminates the gaps between a pump plunger and a high pressure cylinder of a pump. The support includes a back-up ring having opposed first and second faces with a wall thickness disposed between the faces. The back-up ring includes a frustro-conical concave surface on the first face and a frustro-conical convex surface on the second face. Also provided are a packing assembly including at least one back-up ring and a reciprocating pump incorporating the at least one back-up ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Stephens
  • Publication number: 20030090067
    Abstract: A back-up ring is disclosed wherein the ring is a knitted mesh section substantially surrounded by an outer coating covering substantially all of the knitted wire mesh section, the coating having contact with the outer and inner surface of an annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: John D. Morvant
  • Patent number: 6502826
    Abstract: A piston seal for sealing a high pressure hydraulic cylinder includes a rigid seal ring, an elastomeric energizer ring, and a mask structure. The mask structure is effective in decreasing explosive decompression of air entrapped under the surface of the elastomeric energizer ring that causes pitting and deterioration of the elastomer of the energizer ring by masking the energizer ring material from harmful ingress and egress of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schroeder, Richard L. Tennis
  • Patent number: 6497416
    Abstract: A back-up ring is disclosed wherein the ring is a knitted mesh section substantially surrounded by an outer coating covering substantially all of the knitted wire mesh section, the coating having contact with the outer and inner surface of an annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: John D. Morvant
  • Patent number: 6386548
    Abstract: A dual seal assembly for providing a seal between a reciprocating rod and the gland is described. The dual seal includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first seal element is constructed of a material having a different hardness than the material forming the second seal element. The first and second seal elements each include a seal edge contacting the rod to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the rod. At least a portion of one of the first seal element and the second seal element engages the gland to form the seal between the rod and the gland. By varying the hardness of the materials forming the seal elements, the first seal element and the second seal element can be configured to provide different functions within the dual seal assembly and can cooperatively provide an effective fluid seal under a wide range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: A. W. Chesterton Company
    Inventors: Michael P. Grimanis, Mark W. Stremeckus
  • Patent number: 6382634
    Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricating seal has a generally circular seal body defining a static sealing surface and having a dynamic sealing lip projecting from the seal body and defining a dynamic sealing surface, a non-hydrodynamic edge and a non-circular angulated flank having a flank angle. The flank angle and the dynamic sealing surface have theoretical intersection being positioned from the non-hydrodynamic edge by a variable distance having a minimum dimension being greater than {fraction (1/16)} inch and also having a maximum dimension. The circular seal body defines a theoretical center-line and, when viewed in a longitudinal cross-section taken along the theoretical center-line, a hydrodynamic inlet curve is shown that blends the theoretical intersection between the flank angle and the dynamic sealing surface. This hydrodynamic inlet curve is tangent to the dynamic sealing surface at a location of tangency and has a rate of curvature less than the rate of curvature of a ⅛ inch radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Kalsi Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Lannie L. Dietle, Manmohan S. Kalsi
  • Patent number: 6367812
    Abstract: A radial shaft-sealing ring with a sealing (1) ring made of a polymer with sealing properties, rubber for example. The sealing ring has at least one lip (2) that rests on the shaft (4) against a backing ring (3) at the side not subject to pressure. The lip is permanently fastened to a reinforcing ring (5). The cross-section of the reinforcing ring in accordance with the invention is L shaped with at least one wall that extends radially inward and rests against and partly covers the backing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Carl Freudengerg
    Inventors: Hans Reinhardt, Rolf Vogt
  • Patent number: 6305695
    Abstract: A gasket (40) has a trough (44) in a supporting sheet (42) thereof. The trough has a bead (52) mounted therein. Said bead has a transverse cross section defined by lower (56) and side (58) surfaces which conform to and engage bounding surfaces of the trough, and also defined by an upper surface (60) which, in an uncompressed state of the bead, defines a projection (54) extending out of the trough. The surface (60) also defines a recess (62) extending parallel to said projection, the recess being formed within said trough. Said projection (54) is positioned on one side of the longitudinal center-line (70) of the bead (52) and said recess (62) is positioned on the other side of said center-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Technology Limited
    Inventor: Janet Kirsten Wilson
  • Patent number: 6302405
    Abstract: A seal assembly formed of a T-seal, a pair of back-up rings abutting each side of the T-seal, and a bearing abutting the side of each of the back-up rings. The T-seal is formed of a elastomer material, the back-up ring is formed of a PTFE (polytetraflouroethylene polymer) material, and the bearings are formed of a carbon reinforced PEEK (polyetheretherketone) material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Charles N. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6267383
    Abstract: A sealing-device having a body section and an anti-extrusion section is shown, the body section being disposed on top of the anti-extrusion section. The body section includes sealing surfaces for enclosures in which the sealing device is located. the anti-extrusion section prevents extrusion of the body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: John D. Morvant
  • Patent number: 6176343
    Abstract: A steering gear housing part (112) has a tubular portion (184) with an annular inner end surface (188). The housing part (112) is constructed with reference to a corresponding hydraulic fluid power cylinder (114) so as to be receivable in an installed position in which the tubular portion (184) extends inward through an open end (182) of the power cylinder (114) in an interference fit with the power cylinder (114). When the housing part (112) is in its installed position, the inner end surface (188) of the tubular portion (184) abuts an annular hydraulic fluid seal (162) in the power cylinder (114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Vincent, Bobby Joe Adams, Jr., Mark A. Skelton, Michael Lewis Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6173968
    Abstract: A sealing ring assembly for sealing a joint between two members (20, 22). An annular sealing ring 28 abuts an annular backup ring (38, 44) of substantially the same diameter. The annular backup ring is split to permit radial expansion and has a greater thickness on its outer periphery than on its inner periphery. When the joint being sealed (24) is under high pressure, the sealing ring urges the backup ring to expand radially to cover any gap (32) between the members being sealed, maintaining the seal, even under high temperature conditions, and preventing the sealing ring from extruding into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Nelson, Robert E. Borate
  • Patent number: 6173964
    Abstract: A seal assembly seals a cylindrical clearance space between first and second coaxial members, and is installed in a coaxial annular groove in the first member. The groove has a mouth, first and second side walls, and a base wall extending therebetween. An elastomeric annular seal element has in toroidal cross-section an axial leg and a radial leg. The axial leg extends axially along the groove base wall and includes axial end portions and a mid-portion therebetween. The radial leg extends radially from the mid-portion toward and through the groove mouth, and has opposing side surfaces and a contact surface therebetween. The contact surface is outside the groove and sealingly contacts the second member. A non-elastomeric annular back-up element is positioned adjacent one of the seal element radial leg side surfaces, and prevents extrusion of the seal element when pressure is applied adjacent the other side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Greene, Tweed of Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Merle L. Bell, Ian Gravill
  • Patent number: 6173965
    Abstract: A seal bearing assembly and method for a pneumatic actuator is provided for placement within a groove in an actuator piston. For maintaining a compact size of the piston, the piston preferably has only a single encircling piston groove. In accord with the present invention, a compressible seal and bearing ring are positioned adjacent each other within the single piston groove. The compressible seal ring and bearing ring are sized so that side-to-side movement is possible within the piston groove until the piston is inserted into the pneumatic actuator cylinder. Upon insertion of the piston, compression of the seal ring causes the diameter of the seal ring to expand within the piston groove thereby securing the seal bearing assembly into a fixed position that prevents side-to-side movement of the assembly. The bearing is preferably non-metallic and centralizes the piston within the actuator cylinder to prevent metal-to-metal contact, scoring, and resulting wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Leopold J. Niessen
  • Patent number: 6129358
    Abstract: A unidirectional rod sealing ring adapted for forming a sealed condition in association with a member such as a piston rod or shaft axially movable in a bore of a hydraulic cylinder, the sealing ring including an elastomeric ring member having an axially facing sealing face, an opposite axially facing pressure face, a circumferential radial outer surface, and a circumferential radial inner surface, the elastomeric ring member being cooperatively receivable in an annular groove around the bore of a hydraulic cylinder with the sealing face in position in opposed relation to a first axial groove wall, and the pressure face positioned in opposed relation to an opposite second groove wall, the sealing face including at least one continuous annular bead of relatively small radial extent positioned for sealably engaging the first axial groove wall, and the radial inner surface including an inner most circumferential lip of relatively small axial extent positioned for circumferential sealed engagement with the member
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Kiesel, Anthony D. Friend
  • Patent number: 6123337
    Abstract: A high performance rock bit journal seal is formed from a composite material comprising an elastomeric material and a nonelastomeric polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably in the form of fibers compiled or woven into a sheet. The elastomeric material may include one or more lubricant additives. The composite seal material comprises a number of repeating sheets of polymeric fabric that are bonded together with the elastomeric material. The seal can either be formed entirely of the composite seal material or partially of the composite material, in which case it is preferred that the seal wear or dynamic surface be formed from the composite material and the remaining portion of the seal be formed from an elastomeric material. The seal can be used as a primary journal seal, or as a secondary journal seal in a dual seal bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhigang Fang, Sujian Huang, Chris E. Cawthorne, Brian A. James, G. Steve Kyker, Robert Denton, Roger Didericksen
  • Patent number: 6116610
    Abstract: A seal between a pair of relatively axially movable coaxial components is provided by a spring energised plastic seal which is located axially with respect to the outer component to separate a high pressure fluid area from a low pressure fluid area, the spring energised plastic seal has a plastic ring, the plastic ring defining a body portion and a pair of sealing elements, the sealing elements extending coaxially to the high pressure side of the body portion and being spaced radially by spring means, into sealing engagement with opposed surfaces of the two components, a projection extending axially from the low pressure side of the body portion adjacent the external diameter thereof, said projection engaging an axial projection on the outer component so that engagement thereof will support the plastic ring radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: John Crane (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Martyn Goldswain, Lev Uryevich Roberts
  • Patent number: 6113108
    Abstract: A buffer seal is provided and adapted to absorb high pressures. The buffer seal includes a body portion and a sealing portion with a backup ring disposed in a groove adjacent to the sealing portion. The sealing portion has a first surface that is perpendicular to a reference axis of the buffer seal and a second surface that forms an acute angle with the reference axis, preferably less than thirty degrees. The first surface of the sealing portion extends axially from the body portion to form a shoulder. The shoulder functions during use to provide a surface that pressurized fluid can act against to urge the sealing portion against a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Friend, Donald S. Jackson, Mark J. Kiesel
  • Patent number: 6098987
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a groove or seal gland in a relatively stationary machine part for sealing an axially displaceable machine part extending therethrough comprises a relatively flexible seal element supported by a relatively rigid support element. The seal element has a static seal that bears on a radial wall of the seal gland to provide superior back-pressure relief while maintaining proper seal element position in the seal gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Macrotech Polyseal, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadd McBride
  • Patent number: 6029980
    Abstract: A radial shaft seal for use on a shaft, said radial shaft seal including a rigid insert generally having a L-shaped cross section. The shaft seal including a circumferential seal body molded around the insert. The shaft seal further including an exclusion lip integral with the seal body, the exclusion lip having a venting mechanism. The venting mechanism allows fluid transfer into the primary sealing lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Michael Downes
  • Patent number: 5975538
    Abstract: A lip seal for use in low torque, high pressure applications including a rigid retainer, a resilient body essentially covering the retainer and an inner support member. The inner support member provides spacing and orienting functions for the other elements. The inner support member has a radial dimension and outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of an outer axial wall of the retainer so that a gap is maintained between the retainer and the inner support member under a variety of pressure, torque and shaft deflection conditions. Gap maintaining elements, preferably in the form of axially extending guides, prevent contact between the rigid seal elements. The guides may further comprise nub portions at one end which contain the inner support member in the cavity prior to installation on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: John Crane Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Krause, Scott C. Spencer, Donald C. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5921556
    Abstract: A seal that is particularly suitable for use in a gas spring and other high pressure hydraulic and pneumatic sealing applications and that minimizes the leakage of relatively high pressure gas and lubricating oil from the rod end of the gas spring or the other applications. The generally annular seal body includes radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces and non-concave axial facing surfaces. Lobes for sealing, wiping and directing enhanced forces project radially beyond the planes of the radially inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces. The seal also includes a wiper insert that has a parabolic shaped radially outwardly facing surface and a radially inwardly facing surface, and that is secured in a recess adjacent to the front corner of the seal body's radially inwardly facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: AVM, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Douglas Bauman, James B. Chamberlin, Jack R. Roach, Mark S. Jeffries