Radially Backed By Resilient Or Elastomeric Member Patents (Class 277/589)
  • Publication number: 20080315144
    Abstract: A ball valve having improved sealing between the valve member and the valve body is presented. Improved sealing is realized by providing a sealing member that is allowed to float on the outer surface of the valve member in the closed position. By being able to float on the outer surface, the sealing member can compensate for any variations in the valve member as a result of machining tolerances or variations in position of the valve member due to changes in pressure within the valve, thereby providing dynamic sealing The dynamic sealing is also provided by configuring the valve member such that it causes the sealing member to be exposed to a higher biasing force in the closed position than in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: TAC, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt R. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7461708
    Abstract: A drill bit and seal assembly therefor include a seal gland, an elastomeric sealing seal disposed in the seal gland and having a dynamic sealing surface and a static sealing surface, and at least one auxiliary elastomeric annular seal member disposed between the static sealing surface of the sealing seal and the seal gland. The auxiliary annular seal member serves to prevent relative movement of the sealing seal relative to the surfaces of the seal gland and to permit sealing seals of various cross-sections and shapes to adapt to and function with a conventionally sized and shaped gland. The auxiliary annular seal member is sized and configured and its material properties selected so as to impart the appropriate squeeze to the sealing seal to provide the desired contact pressure and footprint. Choice of the appropriate auxiliary seal member may permit the same sized seal to be employed in seal glands of differing sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yong, Sudarsanam Chellappa
  • Publication number: 20080272557
    Abstract: A seal assembly including a first rigid shield having an annular sealing member of elastomeric material, and a second rigid shield mounted facing the first and having respective sliding surfaces for a first and second annular sealing lip of the annular sealing member, which extend towards the second rigid shield to exert axial sealing pressure and radial sealing pressure, respectively; wherein the first annular sealing lip has a radial seat facing the opposite way to the second annular sealing lip and housing a toroidal spring, which exerts a radial thrust on the first annular sealing lip eccentrically with respect to an elastic hinge defined by a root portion common to the first and second annular sealing lip, and having a centre of rotation located along a line extending through a V-shaped sealing edge of the first annular sealing lip and forming a 20° to 60° angle with a radial plane; the root portion being defined between two opposite annular recesses of the annular sealing member, which have a U-shaped r
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Claudio Foti
  • 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: 7311182
    Abstract: To make a sealing and guiding packet available to shock dampers in order to minimize or even entirely prevent the negative effects of the so-called stick-slip effect and thus permit greater riding comfort, a sealing and guiding packet is proposed which comprises the following features: a) A cylindrical gasket (6) surrounding an oscillating piston rod (10) and in contact with the latter, which has a first and a second end face (6a, 6b) and a cylindrical mantle surface (6c), b) a cylindrical elastomer element (7) surrounding the ring (6), which has two radially extending flanges (7a, 7b), which thrust the ring (6) resiliently against the end faces, and which [elastomer element] has a radially extending third flange (7c) which biases the ring against the piston rod surface; as well as c) tightening elements (1; 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; 4) which in the working state keep the elastomer element (7) under bias both in the axial and in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Nevoigt, Steffen Lang
  • Patent number: 7195246
    Abstract: A sealing material for sealing liquid composed of a seal main body of resin, having a U-shaped cross section and a concave groove opening to an axis direction, and an O-ring of rubber fit to the concave groove of the seal main body used for medical appliances and paint appliances. The seal main body is provided with an end lip portion on a side along the axis direction and a main lip portion on a middle position of the axis direction on a sliding face side, and, in a pressure-receiving state in which pressure works on the side along the axis direction and the O-ring is compressed, a dimension of the axis direction from a base end face of the seal main body on other side along the axis to a cross-section central point of the O-ring and another dimension of the axis direction from the base end face to an end portion of the main lip portion are set to be approximately equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoshiba, Yasuji Kanou
  • Patent number: 7195469
    Abstract: In a scroll fluid machine, a stationary scroll and an orbiting scroll are provided. On the stationary scroll opposing the orbiting scroll, an annular groove is formed. An O-ring, a flexible support ring and a sliding member are put in the annular groove. The support ring has legs between which the O-ring is held. The sliding member in sliding contact with the annular groove is placed on the support ring, thereby decreasing deterioration and keeping stable sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Anest Iwata Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Tsuchiya, Youhei Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7168361
    Abstract: A high pressure piston for use within a liner for a reciprocating pump comprises an elastomeric seal and an annular bearing ring. During the pump's pressure stroke at least a portion of the bearing ring elastically expands radially to narrow or close the extrusion gap, thus tending to block elastomer extrusion and establish sliding contact between the bearing ring's outer surface and the liner. An extrusion control groove located radially inward from the peripheral bearing ring contact surface of certain embodiments also tends to block elastomer extrusion. Under reduced pressure on the pump's return stroke, the bearing ring elastically contracts radially, slightly widening the extrusion gap. On the pump's return stroke the slightly wider extrusion gap allows cooling water directed generally toward the proximal flange of the piston hub to better cleanse, as well as cool, the liner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 7083170
    Abstract: A rod or piston primary seal, which includes a primary seal (2) facing the space (1) to be sealed and a secondary seal (3) facing away from it, in which the primary seal (2) is fitted into the groove (4), of a holding element (5), open in the direction of the relatively movable machine part (11) which is bounded, on the side facing away from the space (1) to be sealed, by a first side surface (7) which extends essentially at right angles to the sealing axis (6), and includes a sealing edge ring (8) made of tough, hard plastic which has a sealing edge (9) lying adjacent to the machine part (11) and is pressed with its sealing edge (9) onto the machine part (11) by a profile ring (10) made of elastomeric material which is supported on the bottom surface (12) of groove (4) and lies adjacent to sealing edge ring (8) with its inner surface (13), the sealing edge ring (8) having a profile bounded essentially by a right angle between the sealing edge (9) and the bounding surface (14) facing the first side surface (7
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Dieter Von Borstel, Günter Reichow, Hans-Jürgen Timmermann
  • Patent number: 6997461
    Abstract: A seal system for use in high speed, high pressure applications including a rigid retainer and a resilient body covering the retainer having pressure balancing control. Reduced clearance of the metal case retainer prevents seal extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Trelleborg Sealing Solutions U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Troy Smith, Larry J. Castleman
  • Patent number: 6913266
    Abstract: A sealing device for a shaft (2) or rod which is movably disposed in a guide arranged between a high-pressure space (10) and a low-pressure area (11) of a pressure-resistant housing (1) bounding the high-pressure space (10), and which is surrounded by a sealing ring (3), is further developed such that the sealing ring (3) is partially deformed by means of a deformable pressure ring (4) supported under pressure at the outer circumference and circumferentially rests against the shaft (2) or the rod or almost rests against the shaft (2) or the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hammelmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jarchau, Egbert Helmig, Burkhard Helmig
  • Patent number: 6910692
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Precix, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Malone, Donald Maher
  • Patent number: 6905144
    Abstract: A sealing system adapted for placement into an exterior groove of a structure. The sealing system includes a seal ring having a generally ‘L’-shaped cross-section. The sealing system further includes a canted-coil spring. The seal ring includes an inner surface, an outer surface and two side surfaces. The seal ring's inner surface features a groove that increases the ring's flexibility. The seal ring's outer surface protrudes outwardly until it is pushed inwardly through contact with an inner surface of an external structure. As the outer surface moves inwardly, it causes a compression of the spring while a part of the seal ring flexes and bends about the seal ring's groove. At the same time, the outer surface becomes reoriented in a manner that cause its shape to change to a flatter configuration that is more complementary to the inner surface of the internal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • 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: 6796216
    Abstract: Guide for the piston rod of a piston-cylinder assembly, especially for a vibration damper, a shock-absorbing strut, or a level-control device. The guide has a guide body with an outer end surface holding a piston rod seal, where the piston rod is installed in the guide and sealed with freedom to move in the axial direction. The piston rod seal has an axial extension opposite the piston-cylinder assembly, which extension is held in an annular recess in the end surface, which recess is spaced from the piston rod and coaxial to the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Werner Kuchheuser
  • 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: 6607197
    Abstract: A sealing device for sealing the gap between two relatively moving members is provided with a pivot point on its cross-sectional perimeter. As pressure against the seal increases, the seal rotates about the pivot point, resulting in an increased sealing surface area on the seal. Additionally, a recess is provided on the cross sectional perimeter, advantageously offering a more frictionless sealing relationship between the seal and the moving member. Further, a recess is provided on outer portion of the cross sectional perimeter on a surface of the seal that would contact an energizer ring, the recess eliminating a dynamic interface between the energizer ring and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Sealing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Baehl, Larry Castleman
  • Patent number: 6571822
    Abstract: A relief valve having blow down values of 5% or lower is disclosed. The low blow down values are the result of reducing friction within the relief valve. The relief valve includes a movable plunger. Clearance is provided whereby the plunger does not experience significant friction as it moves into sealing contact with the seal assembly. An energized seal assembly forms a tight seal against the plunger while creating little friction, as the seal is elastomeric and the point of contact is minimized. The relief valve further includes an outlet port, which is adjustable 360° about the relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Neugebauer, Richard R. Watson
  • 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: 6454272
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement is designed for sealing a space that extends between high and low pressure areas and that is defined between a first apparatus part and a cylindrical surface of a second apparatus part, the first and second apparatus parts being mutually moveable in a reciprocating manner along the axis of said cylindrical surface. The sealing arrangement includes an annular sealing member of resilient material having a radially outer peripheral surface extending between axially opposite first and second end surfaces facing the high and low pressure areas, respectively, and a radially inner peripheral surface for providing a sealing engagement with the cylindrical surface of the second apparatus part at a contact area, and for defining with the cylindrical surface a first space widening or diverging from the contact area toward the low pressure area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: W. S. Shamban Europa A/S
    Inventor: Gert Iversen
  • Patent number: 6450502
    Abstract: A sealing device for sealing the gap between two relatively moving members is provided with a pivot point on its cross-sectional perimeter. As pressure against the seal increases, the seal rotates about the pivot point, resulting in an increased sealing surface area on the seal. Additionally, a recess is provided on the cross sectional perimeter, advantageously offering a more frictionless sealing relationship between the seal and the moving member. Further, a recess is provided on outer portion of the cross sectional perimeter on a surface of the seal that would contact an energizer ring, the recess eliminating a dynamic interface between the energizer ring and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: TI Specialty Polymer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Baehl, Larry Castleman
  • Patent number: 6315301
    Abstract: Rotating machine seal device is improved so that seal plate is fitted to rotating portion firmly, thereby self-induced vibration of the seal plate is reduced and occurrence of abrasion or thinning of the seal plate due to the self-induced vibration and sealing deterioration accompanying therewith are prevented. In rotating machine seal device having seal plate (2) inserted into groove (1a) provided in disc portion (1) driven rotationally, said seal device being for sealing fluid between fluid passage (12) on outer circumferential side of said groove (1a) and fluid passage (14) on inner circumferential side of said groove (1a), said seal plate (2) is divided into plural pieces along circumferential direction thereof to be inserted into said groove (1a) of the disc portion (1) and spring plate (3) is disposed on inner circumferential side of said seal plate (2) so that said seal plate (2) is pressed against seal surface (1b) of said groove (1a) by spring force of said spring plate (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sunao Umemura, Jun Kubota, Koichi Akagi, Masaki Ono
  • Patent number: 6305483
    Abstract: Multi-piece seals of this invention include an annular seal body that is formed from an elastomeric energizing material, and that has a static seal surface along one surface and a contacting surface along another surface. A remaining seal portion in the form of a seal jacket or seal cap is connected to the seal body along the contacting surface to provide a dynamic sealing surface thereto. The seal jacket or cap is formed from a material that is different from the seal body and, more Specifically, from a material that displays improved wear resistance when compared to the seal body. A preferred seal jacket or cap material is a composite construction including a nonelastomeric polymer fabric that is impregnated with an elastomeric material. The seal jacket or cap is configured to connect with the seal body by mechanical attachment means independent of chemical cross-linked bonding. Multi-piece seals of this invention can be formed from two components, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Portwood
  • Patent number: 6283667
    Abstract: The present oil filled pin joint includes at least one buffer member for absorbing rapid pressure increases or spikes in the oil contained in the joint. The present pin joint includes a pin, at least two opposed members joined by the pin for movement one relative to the other, the members defining a space therebetween, and at least one seal disposed between the opposed members sealably enclosing the space. The at least one buffer member is disposed in communication with the space, the space having a volume defined by the opposed members, the at least one seal, and the at least one buffer member. The space is at least substantially filled with oil and the opposed members are relatively movable to effectively trap at least some of the oil in the space and pressurize the trapped oil, the at least one buffer member being resiliently compressible by the pressurized trapped oil to reduce the pressurization to avoid damaging the at least one seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Neitzel
  • Patent number: 6267380
    Abstract: The choke arrangement comprises an elastic choke ring which consists of a single piece with a gap formed by a parting joint. The choke arrangement: further comprises a support ring which is arranged directly adjacent to the choke ring in the axial direction, with the support ring serving, among other things to cover over the gap of the choke ring. An advantage of the choke arrangement with an elastically resilient choke ring is to be seen wherein the choke ring reacts to dynamic pressure changes and thereupon changes its sealing properties. A peak in pressure produces an increased difference in pressure at the choke arrangement, whereby the elastic choke ring is pressed against the sliding surface of a piston rod and effects an increased sealing action, so that the pressure peak cannot propagate to a sealing ring placed after the choke arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Sulzer-Burckhardt AG
    Inventor: Norbert Feistel
  • Patent number: 6224064
    Abstract: A seal for use in spherical disc type butterfly valves. The seal is T-shaped on the inside diameter region where contact is made with the disc and is cupped on radially opposite sides by contoured lips on the seal retainer ring and valve body such that the seal cannot be deformed by pressure by being pressed radially outwardly but rather is cupped by lips of retainer and valve body. The seal also has a rectangularly shaped region on the outside diameter for press fitting into the valve body. The seal has a groove containing a compressed spring element. The seal allows slight twisting motion about the fixed base region and radially toward the compressed spring element such that the seal can move axially with the disc under pressure to maintain uniform sealing contact with the disc without the seal becoming damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen V. St. Germain
  • Patent number: 6217030
    Abstract: A seal for acceptance in an annular gland in a piston comprises an annular primary sealing element, an annular secondary sealing element disposed radially inwardly of the primary sealing element, and a pair of axially spaced back up rings disposed in axially spaced relation on opposite sides of the primary sealing element and having radially inner portions, respectively, engaged with the primary sealing element so as to lock the backup rings in the gland of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Richard D. Zitting
  • Patent number: 6179296
    Abstract: Dual functioning seals for use in forming a lubricant seal in a rotary rock bit comprise an annular elastomeric seal body having a dynamic seal surface for sealing against a dynamic surface and a static seal surface for sealing against a static surface. The seal body has an asymmetric axial cross-sectional geometry the dynamic seal surface having a greater radius of curvature than that of the static seal surface. The dynamic and static seal surfaces are formed from different elastomeric materials, and the dynamic seal surface is formed from an elastomeric material that is harder and more wear resistant than the elastomeric material used to form the static seal surface. A rotary rock bit seal constructed in this manner is well adapted to accommodate the different operating conditions and sealing requirements that exist both at the dynamic and static surfaces of the seal to ensure optimal seal performance and, thereby enhance the service life of the rock bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris E. Cawthorne, Sujian Huang, Zhigang Fang, Michael A. Siracki
  • 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: 6170830
    Abstract: Dual functioning seals for use in forming a lubricant seal in a rotary rock bit comprise an annular elastomeric seal body having a dynamic seal surface for sealing against a dynamic surface and a static seal surface for sealing against a static surface. The seal body has an asymmetric axial cross-sectional geometry the dynamic seal surface having a greater radius of curvature than that of the static seal surface. The dynamic and static seal surfaces are formed from different elastomeric materials, and the dynamic seal surface is formed from an elastomeric material that is harder and more wear resistant than the elastomeric material used to form the static seal surface. A rotary rock bit seal constructed in this manner is well adapted to accommodate the different operating conditions and sealing requirements that exist both at the dynamic and static surfaces of the seal to ensure optimal seal performance and, thereby enhance the service life of the rock bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris E. Cawthorne, Sujian Huang, Zhigang Fang, Michael A. Siracki
  • Patent number: 6161834
    Abstract: A seal is provided for an offshore fluid swivel to seal a gap passage (34) leading from a transfer chamber (20) to the environment, which uses pressured fluid to apply a variable pressure that pushes the seal tightly against a sealed surface (52) on one side of the gap passage. In one arrangement, a ring-shaped seal device includes a seal body (82) of largely U-shaped cross-section, with a base (84) and a pair of legs (86, 88) extending from opposite sides of the base, with the base and at least one leg sealing against walls of the cavity that holds the seal. A hose (90) lies between the two legs and against the base of the seal body, and pressured fluid of greater than chamber fluid pressure is applied to the hose to expand it and thereby push apart the legs of the seal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Imadco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Pollack, Robert M Hobson
  • 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: 6092809
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing lubricating oil in and debris out of a final drive of an earth moving machine is disclosed. The sealing arrangement includes a secondary seal for use in severe environments to protect a primary oil seal. The secondary seal is disposed radially outboard of the primary seal and includes a continuous annular ring having a wear resistant reinforced composite sealing portion. The sealing portion is constructed of a cured mix of an elastomer and reinforcing fibers, having an axial sealing face positionable in dynamic sealing contact with a radial surface of a first member of the final drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Keifer, Stephen J. Pierz, Gregory M. Wetterich
  • Patent number: 6068459
    Abstract: A tip seal for use in a scroll-type vacuum pump includes a seal element and an energizer element affixed to the seal element. The scroll-type vacuum pump includes first and second scroll blades that are nested together to define one or more interblade pockets, and an eccentric drive that produces orbiting movement of the first scroll blade relative to the second scroll blade. At least one of the first and second scroll blades has a seal groove along an edge thereof. The tip seal is positioned in the seal groove between the first and second scroll blades. The energizer element is formed of a resilient material having multiple compressible voids, so that the energizer element having compressible voids is more compressible than the resilient material alone, when confined by the seal groove. In one embodiment, the energizer element is a foam such as a low porosity urethane foam. In another embodiment, the energizer element is an elastomer material having a predetermined pattern of voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans T. Clarke, Anthony G. Liepert
  • Patent number: 6030682
    Abstract: A container for aerosols which contains 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, or a mixture thereof as a propellant, wherein the container has at least one elastomeric sealing member comprising a thermoplastic copolymer of about 80 to about 95 mole percent ethylene and a total of about 5 to about 20 mole percent of one or more comonomers which may be 1-butene, 2-hexene, and 1-octene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Paul E. Marecki
  • Patent number: 5921166
    Abstract: A cylinder apparatus including a piston slidably fitted in a cylinder having a hydraulic fluid sealed therein. A piston rod is connected at one end thereof to the piston. The other end portion of the piston rod extends as far as the outside of the cylinder through a seal block fitted to an open end portion of the cylinder. The seal block retains a double seal including a rod seal that is in sliding contact with the piston rod and an O-ring that resiliently biases the rod seal toward the piston rod. The seal block is provided with a projection extending between the O-ring and the rod seal to bear a part of biasing force applied to the rod seal from the O-ring. The projection is provided at a side of the O-ring and rod seal which is remote from the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Tokico, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Machida, Tetsuo Katoh, Yasuo Inose, Hiroshi Murata
  • Patent number: 5845909
    Abstract: A stuffing box 10, 60 designed for sealing engagement with a rod member R includes a plurality of stacked packing rings 32, 110, 150, 210, and a gland member 42, 64 axially moveable relative to the stuffing box body 12, 62 for varying the compressive force on the packing rings. Each packing ring comprises an annular rubber carrier 34, 112, 152, 212 having tapered upper and lower surfaces, and an annular plastic dynamic seal 36, 114, 154, 214 for sealing engagement with the rod member. Gland member 42, 64 exerts an axially compressive force on the radially exterior portion of each angularly wedged packing ring and thereby generates a radial inwardly directed biasing force on each plastic dynamic seal through the rubber carrier for sealing engagement of the dynamic seal with the rod member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Flow Control Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence F. Angelo, J. William Heathcott, Stephen L. Witte, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5842701
    Abstract: Dual functioning seals for use in forming a lubricant seal in a rotary rock bit comprise an annular elastomeric seal body having a dynamic seal surface for sealing against a dynamic surface and a static seal surface for sealing against a static surface. The seal body has an asymmetric axial cross-sectional geometry the dynamic seal surface having a greater radius of curvature than that of the static seal surface. The dynamic and static seal surfaces are formed from different elastomeric materials, and the dynamic seal surface is formed from an elastomeric material that is harder and more wear resistant than the elastomeric material used to form the static seal surface. A rotary rock bit seal constructed in this manner is well adapted to accommodate the different operating conditions and sealing requirements that exist both at the dynamic and static surfaces of the seal to ensure optimal seal performance and, thereby enhance the service life of the rock bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris E. Cawthorne, Sujian Huang, Zhigang Fang, Michael A. Siracki
  • Patent number: 5820130
    Abstract: The mechanical seal for movable joints of machines comprises at least two pairs of nonelastomer cylindrical rings (4, 5, 16) ground to each other with their faces and having their outer surfaces eccentrically displaced, and the rings themselves cooperate with an elastomer element (3, 15). One of the surfaces of the elastomer element (3, 15) (an outer or an inner one, respectively), has eccentrically arranged shoulders (17, 18, 19, 20) or borings (6, 7). The seal rings (4, 5, 16) have concentric cylindrical surfaces and are fitted on the shoulders (17,18,19,20) or in the borings (6,7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Boris Semenovich Zakharov
  • Patent number: 5769428
    Abstract: A device for oil-impermeably sealing a stationary hood (6) off from a rotating, tumbling barrel, containing at least one stationary packing cord (7) which is forced against a race (8) by a pre-stressed and compressed gasket (9). The race is part of the barrel and rotates along with it. A cap (10) is connected to the hood (6) and demarcates in conjunction with part of the hood's end wall a region of expansion for the packing cord (7) and the gasket (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: A. Friedr. Flender AG
    Inventor: Mark Rypalla
  • Patent number: RE36452
    Abstract: An elastomeric o-ring rock bit seal is disclosed with two or more integrally bonded elastomers or phenolic type materials joined together to form the seal. The dynamic sealing face adjacent the journal bearing is fabricated from an elastomer/phenolic engineered specifically for wear resistance The bulk of the seal adjacent the static seal retention cavity typically formed in the rotary cone is molded from an elastomer engineered specifically for precise control of the seal contact force adjacent the dynamic seal face when the seal is compressed against the dynamic face by the seal retention cavity in the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Upton, Michael E. Hooper, Jerry Pyka, Robert Chambers, Gary Portwood, Randy Johnston