C-, U-, Or V-shaped Patents (Class 277/647)
  • Patent number: 7568897
    Abstract: A compressor may include a housing, a compression mechanism supported within the housing, and a seal assembly. The housing may include a suction pressure region and a first discharge passage in communication with a discharge pressure region. The compression mechanism may include a second discharge passage in communication with the first discharge passage. The seal assembly may be sealingly engaged with the housing and the compression mechanism to define a chamber and to provide sealed communication between the first and second discharge passages. The seal assembly may include a seal member engaged with the compression mechanism and including a leg having an opening therein. The leg may isolate the chamber from the discharge pressure region when in a first position and may provide communication between the chamber and the discharge pressure region through the opening when in a second position different than the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter T. Grassbaugh, John D. Prenger, Christopher Stover, Xiaogeng Su, Hanqing Zhu
  • Publication number: 20090168314
    Abstract: A gasket includes an elastic member absorbing an external shock, a conductive member surrounding the elastic member, and a reinforcing member disposed within the conductive member and extending along a bottom surface and a side surface of the conductive member. A screen spacer includes an elastic member absorbing an external shock, and a reinforcing member disposed on one side of the elastic member. A display device includes a driving circuit substrate supplying a driving signal to a display panel, a chassis receiving the display panel and the gasket attached to the driving circuit substrate and contacting the chassis, the gasket grounding the driving circuit and the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Joon PARK, Ha-Yun KANG, Gun-Ho KIM, Duk-Hwan KANG, Jae-Kook KIM
  • Publication number: 20090155671
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seal (10) intended to be inserted between a first and a second member, said seal comprising two contact portions (16) spaced from each other along a spacing direction, respectively intended to contact in a tight manner said first and second members, said contact portions (16) being made of a first alloy displaying superplasticity properties under predetermined stress conditions including predetermined temperature conditions, said contact portions (16) being supported by a support (22) arranged therebetween, produced so as to display, under said predetermined temperature conditions, a greater mechanical compression resistance in said spacing direction than that of the contact portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L' ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Magali REYTIER, Raphael COUTURIER, Olivier GILLIA, Emmanuel RIGAL
  • Patent number: 7530574
    Abstract: The present invention features a flange to flange dynamic seal and sealing system, particularly suited for use within high temperature, high pressure environments, such as a delayed coking process. The dynamic flange seal and sealing system comprises two primary elements or seals, each of which are capable of independently forming a flange seal between two flanged components or combining to create a flange seal. The flange seal created by the dynamic flange seal and sealing system is capable of being maintained in light of, or rather the sealing system adapts to, any structural or environmental changes within the connected flanges. As such, the flange seal may be a dynamic flange seal or a static flange seal or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: Ruben F. Lah
  • Patent number: 7524468
    Abstract: A safe, reliable chemical reactor (1, 20) with a simple construction, easy to assemble and to disassemble comprises a casing (2), a male member (3) supported by the casing (2) and inserted with a certain clearance in a female member (4) associated to the casing (2), as well as a metallic foil (10) capable of being deformed fixedly connected to the male member (3) and protruding into said clearance (8), in order to hinder the fluid passage through the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Ammonia Casale S.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Rizzi
  • Publication number: 20090102131
    Abstract: A hermetic seal includes a spring seal compressed with a limited sealing force between sealing surfaces. The sealing surfaces surround a gas-filled cavity that houses heat sensitive components. The hermetic seal includes a film that joins the spring seal to the sealing surfaces. The film includes a material that is softenable by heat to hermetically seal the spring seal to the sealing surfaces. The hermetic seal includes an externally accessible surface for selectively application of the heat to the film, without overheating the heat sensitive components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Neal Frank Gunderson
  • Patent number: 7497443
    Abstract: A resilient, flexible, pressure-activated, high-temperature seal is adapted to be interposed between high and low pressure regions to provide sealing between opposing surfaces of adjacent relatively movable structures. The seal comprises at least one C-shaped sheet element. The C-shaped element design enables the seal to be pressure-activated to provide a radially outward biasing force, responsive to a seal-activating pressure differential acting across the seal thereby increasing resiliency. A centrally-located, resilient core structure provides load bearing and insulating properties. In an exemplary embodiment where at least two seal elements are used, each layer has a cutout slot pattern and the remaining strip material pattern. The slots provide flexibility to the seal, enabling the seal to be manually contoured to seal around corners and curves. The strip material of each layer covers the slots in each adjacent layer to minimize leakage through the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Bruce M. Steinetz, Patrick H. Dunlap, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7488258
    Abstract: A universal joint boot having a boot body including a bellows part and an opening portion which is formed in one end of the bellows part and into which a case for receiving one member of two members moving relatively to each other is inserted. An annular adaptor is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion and has an outer peripheral surface formed nearly in the same shape as the inner peripheral surface. The adaptor has a fixing portion that is pressed by the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion of the boot body, thereby being fixed to the case. A reversing portion is located opposite to the fixing portion with the opening portion between them and sandwiches the opening portion together with the fixing portion. A folding portion is located where the reversing portion is folded back to the outside. Hence, the universal joint boot can be easily assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Ono, Takashi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 7484636
    Abstract: A fuel cap comprising a closure unit adapted to be fitted into an opening of a filler neck having ridges formed on its inner side face intermittently in the circumferential direction, so that it may be secured to the filler neck by engaging with the ridges during a turning operation. The closure unit includes a closure body, a seal ring, a turning control sleeve, a sliding sleeve, a base and a coil spring. The amount of the spacing formed between the lower end of the sliding sleeve and the base is set smaller than an amount of the downward sliding of the sliding sleeve, which is caused when the engagement protrusions formed on the outer side face of the sliding sleeve slip into lower face of the ridges formed on the inner side face of the filler neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Asteer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Yoshida, Takami Ono
  • Publication number: 20090001307
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a metal valve stem seal and sealing system comprising a valve body; a metal valve stem housed within the valve body; a bonnet member housed within the valve body; a U-shaped metal stem gasket positioned between the metal valve stem and the bonnet member, wherein the gasket has a first lip member and a second lip member each having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a metal wedge ring fitted between the first and second lip members; and, at least one metal energizing spring adjacent the wedge ring, wherein the metal energizing spring applies a sufficient force to the wedge ring to cause the wedge ring to apply a sufficient contact pressure to the first and second lip members to form a seal between the gasket and the metal valve stem and to form a seal between the gasket and the bonnet member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Roberto Roberto Pozzati
  • Publication number: 20080315534
    Abstract: A lip gasket (1) designed to be mounted between the lid (2) and the bowl (3) of a cooking appliance (4) for the purpose of providing sealing between the lid (2) and the bowl (3), the gasket (1) comprising at least first and second lips (1A, 1B), interconnected by a heel, the lips (1A, 1B) and the heel (1C) being such that, when the lips (1A, 1B) are brought together, they are suitable for defining a closed interstitial space (100), the gasket (1) being characterized in that it is provided with at least one geometrical discontinuity (80) suitable for acting, when the lips (1A, 1B) are brought together, to provide at least one path (9, 90) for putting the interstitial space (100) into communication with the outside. The invention applies to household cooking appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Marie-Aurore Claire Seurat Guiochet, Pierre Michel Cartigny, Jean-Marie Daniel Anota
  • Patent number: 7464940
    Abstract: A composite seal for sealing in high temperature applications includes an inner spring for controlling the sealing load or the spring rate, and an outer jacket for providing a sealing surface. In one embodiment, the inner spring, which be made from cast blade alloys, includes a plurality of flexible fingers which are inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer jacket having a continuous outer sealing surface. The spring rate of the jacket is preferably at least about 50% less than the spring rate of the spring in order to achieve desired sealing. In one embodiment, one or more of the flexible fingers a single crystal construction and are supported by a holding ring. The axis of the finger may preferably be positioned parallel to a softer crystallographic direction of the blade alloy of the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Amitava Datta
  • Publication number: 20080264504
    Abstract: A control valve having a shiftable valve plug includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a longitudinal axis, a generally cylindrical valve cage disposed within the valve body and sized to receive the valve plug, with the valve cage including at least one aperture comprising at least a portion of the flow passage, a portion of the valve cage disposed adjacent a portion of the valve body at an interface. A seal having a C-shaped cross section is provided and is disposed at the interface between the valve cage and the valve body, and a retainer is disposed adjacent the interface and positioned to secure the seal against movement along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald R. Bush, Wade J. Helfer
  • Publication number: 20080258398
    Abstract: The technology of the present application provides seal to be engaged between a fitting and a port to prevent leaking of media passing through the fitting and port. The seal includes upper and lower protruding portions that are compressible and deformable to provide higher sealing forces and an air tight seal at standard industry torque and compression load values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Mark S. Whitlow, Jeff Farris
  • Publication number: 20080252022
    Abstract: A seal (1) for sealing between two surfaces lying generally perpendicular to each other, the seal (1) comprising a first profile (2) which has a base (21) adapted to be fixed sealingly to a first surface and an upstand (24) which projects from the base (21) and which defines respective inner and outer opposed surfaces (27,28), and a second profile (3) which overlies the upstand (24) of the first profile (2) and which, when viewed in section, comprises inner and outer depending limbs (31,32) which engage slidably respective ones of the opposed inner and outer surfaces (27,28) of the upstand (24) of the first profile (2), wherein at least one of the inner and outer depending limbs (31,32) of the second profile (3) bears resiliently against the respective surface (s) (27,28) of the upstand (24) of the first profile (2) in sliding engagement therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Barry Philip McComb
  • Patent number: 7431307
    Abstract: A low leakage seal for separating two environments and contacting a component surface is provided. The seal includes a base and an annular rib. The annular rib is coupled to and extends from the base. The annular rib includes at least one contact surface configured to contact the component surface having a plurality of angularly cut radial grooves formed therein. The annular rib flexes and pressure energizes in the presence of a pressure differential between the two environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Anderson, William L. Giesler, Brad King, Jimmy D. Wiggins
  • Patent number: 7425003
    Abstract: A low leakage seal for separating two environments and contacting a component surface is provided. The seal includes a base and an annular rib. The annular rib is coupled to and extends from the base. The annular rib includes at least one contact surface configured to contact the component surface having a plurality of angularly cut radial grooves formed therein. The annular rib flexes and pressure energizes in the presence of a pressure differential between the two environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Anderson, William L. Giesler, Brad King, Jimmy D. Wiggins
  • Patent number: 7401788
    Abstract: A seal for use in temperature and pressure extremes is disclosed. It features springs internal to the sealing members and the ability to seal against pressure differentials from opposed directions. A spacer ring prevents contact from oppositely oriented seal components and at the same time prevents spring and seal collapse under extreme loading conditions. The seal assembly is self-centering in a downhole seal bore and can be used on tools delivered on wireline, where the insertion forces available are at a minimum. The seal can withstand pressure differentials in excess of 13,500 PSI and temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald D. Williams, Edward Wayne Welch, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080156298
    Abstract: In order to create a fluid-tight seal relative to a seal seat edge (422), especially a cylinder head (40), in a sealing device for a fuel injector (1), particularly for a nozzle retaining nut (10) of the fuel injector (1), the sealing device has a sealing area (12) that is provided with a concave zone (122) having a radially circumferential concave outer contour (124) which can be made to sealingly rest against the seal seat edge (422).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Roman Brauneis, Delan Jovovic
  • Patent number: 7393451
    Abstract: A compressible boot seal for sealing the side of a vertical traveling water screen with flights. The boot seal is formed by a U-shaped, bent nylon plate having a bottom base that resides in the boot section at the lower end of the traveling water screen and two upwardly extending arms that are attached at their distal ends to a side of the water screen support. The plate is bent at the intersection of the base and the arms to form a living hinge that allows the plate to deflect toward the side of the support on contact with side edges of the flights. The hinge seals the plate against the side edges of the flights. A resilient filler material fills the void between the plate and the side of the support to prevent sand and debris from interfering with the deflection of the side seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Philip J. Wunsch, Rocky Portillo
  • Patent number: 7373951
    Abstract: A control valve having a shiftable valve plug includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a longitudinal axis, a generally cylindrical valve cage disposed within the valve body and sized to receive the valve plug, with the valve cage including at least one aperture comprising at least a portion of the flow passage, a portion of the valve cage disposed adjacent a portion of the valve body at an interface. A seal having a C-shaped cross section is provided and is disposed at the interface between the valve cage and the valve body, and a retainer is disposed adjacent the interface and positioned to secure the seal against movement along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders
  • Patent number: 7331612
    Abstract: A low profile tension style flexible joint for pneumatic ducting may be useful as, for example, a joint for aircraft engine pneumatic ducting. The joint of the present invention may be used at both ends of a duct that passes high temperature (up to about 1200Ā° F.) and high pressure (up to about 110 psia) compressor air to the combustor of a turbomachine. Some turbomachines, such as the turbo engine of a jet-powered aircraft, require a very short curved duct to fit into an unusually small aircraft installation envelope. Moreover, these installations also require those features found in conventional flex joints, including being able to support the axial load inherent in pressurized ducting systems. Unlike conventional flexible joints, such as ball joints, gimble joints and pressure compensated joints, the low profile tension style flexible joint of the present invention provides a low profile, low weight design with the ability to support the axial load inherent in pressurized ducting systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Cristopher Frost, Richard D. Kocher
  • Patent number: 7316402
    Abstract: A seal for restricting leakage of a fluid from a first chamber, through a gap between two components, to a second chamber is provided. A slot is formed in each of the two components. The slots face one another and are open to the gap. Each slot contains a longitudinal axis, an upstream surface proximate the first chamber and a downstream surface proximate the-second chamber. Disposed in the slots and spanning the gap is a bridging assembly comprising first and second bridging elements. Each bridging element contains a sectional profile, transverse to the longitudinal slot axis, that is wave shaped. The bridging elements further contain a crest portion disposed between two trough portions with the crest portions nesting together. When installed, the trough portions are disposed in the slots and the crest portions are disposed in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Comeil Paauwe
  • Patent number: 7303194
    Abstract: An improved seal retainer for an undersea hydraulic coupling member, which utilizes pressure energized metal seals to maintain fluid integrity. One or more metal seals designed to have a press or interference fit are utilized in such a way that pressurized fluid trying to escape past the seal actually helps to pressure energize the seal to ensure a better seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 7281715
    Abstract: A cooktop gasket includes a sealing body having a stem extending from an upper portion of the gasket and terminating in a retention knuckle. A base is provided that includes a support portion integrally connected to a locking portion, the locking portion having an inner leg, an outer leg, and a retention channel positioned between the inner and outer legs. The retention channel is capable of the receiving the stem of the sealing body when the sealing body and the base are in an engaged position to maintain the relative positions of the base and sealing body. A sealing cam on the stem biases the inner leg toward a cooktop edge to seal against the edge of the cooktop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: M Management-Tex, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tyler G. Boswell
  • Patent number: 7281521
    Abstract: The sealing element has a ring consisting of an elastic material. The ring consists of a continuous support section, a first sealing lip, formed thereon for sealing the injector casing and a second sealing lip for sealing the cylinder head. The sealing lips project substantially inwards in a radial direction and together with the support section form a continuous groove of the ring. An alignment member is at least partially positioned in the groove of the ring, the alignment member is configured such that when a valve stem portion of the injector casing is positioned through the ring, the alignment member physically contacts the valve stem portion at two or more distinct locations to fix the ring non-positively around the valve stem portion such that the ring is prevented from physically contacting the valve stem portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Neumaier
  • Patent number: 7252294
    Abstract: A weather strip has a trim part adapted to be mounted on a flange, a seal part having a hollow portion and a cover lip. The trim part has a bottom wall portion, and an interior and an exterior side wall portions which constitute a pair of side wall portions and is formed into a shape, as a whole, having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and an insert of a center bonded type is embedded in the interior of the trim part so constructed. In a skeletal piece of the insert, an angle ?a formed by a bottom wall part embedded in the bottom wall portion and an internal part embedded in the interior side wall portion and an angle ?b formed by the bottom wall part and an external part embedded in the exterior side wall portion are made to form acute angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Yamada, Satoshi Inagaki, Hiroshi Kuzuya
  • Patent number: 7201381
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a resilient, annular, metallic seal member having a generally ā€œjā€ shaped cross-section. The annular, metallic seal member includes a first end portion having a first distal end, a generally curled second end portion that extends to a second distal end, and a central body portion between and contiguous with the first and second end portions. The annular, metallic seal member has a first side and an opposite second side. The second end portion curls in a first direction in accordance with a predetermined radius such that the second distal end is located across from the first side of the annular, metallic seal member and the first and second distal ends do not face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: American Seal and Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Horace P. Halling
  • 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: 7168569
    Abstract: An oil and gas drilling installation having a drill rig with a bell nipple having an outlet at a predetermined elevation, a screening machine having a feeder and an angularly adjustable vibratory frame, a weir positioned between the feeder and the vibratory frame, the weir having an elevation which is lower than the predetermined elevation of the outlet of the bell nipple but immediately above the portion of the screen frame adjacent to the weir, and a downwardly inclined conduit between the bell nipple conduit and the feeder. A vibratory screening machine and feeder combination including an angularly adjustable vibratory frame on the vibratory screening machine, and a weir and flexible seal between the feeder and the vibratory frame at an elevation which is immediately above the portion of the vibratory frame which is adjacent to the weir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Derrick Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Peresan
  • Patent number: 7134671
    Abstract: A seal having a body portion, at least one lip portion extending from the body portion, and a protrusion formed on the at least one lip portion. The lip portion and protrusion formed thereon may each include an arcuate segment wherein the arcuate segment of the protrusion exhibits a smaller radius than the arcuate segment of the lip portion. The protrusion further includes a surface or a segment adjoining its arcuate segment on the intended fluid or upstream side of the seal. The segment of the protrusion on the intended fluid side may be configured to be substantially perpendicular with the surface of a machine element with which it comes in contact. The configuration and orientation of the protrusion enables the seal to apply an increased contact force over a reduced area, improving penetration of any fluidic film formed on the surface of the machine element and thereby reducing leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Macrotech Polyseal, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Thomas Duke, A. Todd Hagen
  • Patent number: 7128323
    Abstract: Primary objective of the present invention is to provide a seal device wherein the seal surfaces of the device are always brought into close contact against the side walls of the mounting slot regardless of fluid conditions. The seal device has two seal portions located to both sides of a bight shaped elastic portion which has a ā€œUā€-shaped cross section wherein the respective seal portions have a first side portion and a second side portion. The second side portions of the seal portions abut against each other in a symmetric manner in order to form a ā€œWā€-shaped seal body element. The end portions of the both second side portions of the seal body element are joined and seal surfaces are defined on the outer side surfaces of the both first side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Eagle Engineering Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Iguchi, Hidetoshi Kasahara, Jun Hiromatsu
  • Patent number: 7100925
    Abstract: A pressure-energized, annular metallic seal is provided that includes a central annular portion and a pair of annular leg portions extending from the central portion. Each leg portion includes a convex sealing surface lying in sealing plane. One of the leg portions preferably has an annular flange offset from its sealing plane in an axial direction towards the sealing plane of the other leg portion. One of the leg portions preferably has at least one radially extending tab projecting further than adjacent parts of the seal. The seal is preferably manufactured by first cutting a first annular edge in a metallic sheet material, then bending the sheet material substantially into the shape of the seal, and then cutting a second annular edge to complete the shape of the seal. The second annular edge preferably defines the annular flange and/or the at least one tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Perkin Elmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Swensen, Stephen Rowland
  • Patent number: 7093820
    Abstract: A low leakage seal for separating two environments and contacting a component surface is provided. The seal includes a base and an annular rib. The annular rib is coupled to and extends from the base. The annular rib includes at least one contact surface configured to contact the component surface having a plurality of angularly cut radial grooves formed therein. The annular rib flexes and pressure energizes in the presence of a pressure differential between the two environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Anderson, William L. Giesler, Brad King, Jimmy D. Wiggins
  • Patent number: 7090459
    Abstract: A seal having a first seal mechanism adapted for insertion between a first structure and a second structure, wherein the first structure is in communication with a first medium and the second structure is in communication with a second medium. The seal also includes a second seal mechanism, which is pressuringly biasable against the first seal mechanism and against the second structure by the second medium. In certain embodiments, a system has a first structure in communication with a first medium and a second structure houses a seal assembly between the first and second structures. The seal assembly includes an interface seal disposed against the first structure and a flexible seal pressuringly biased against the second structure and the interface seal by a second medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nitin Bhate, Raymond Edward Chupp, Kevin Bruce, Alberto Jose Negroni, Ronald Ralph Cairo
  • Patent number: 7090224
    Abstract: Primary objective of the present invention is to effect a seal against assembly clearances formed between components which admit flows of high temperature fluids or are subjected to vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Eagle Engineering Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Iguchi, Jun Hiromatsu, Toru Kono
  • Patent number: 7073796
    Abstract: A metallic packing is used to seal a connection between steam pipes. The metallic packing has an annular basement. This annular basement has an opening that joins the holes of the steam pipes. Two annular lips project from an inner circumference of the annular basement towards a central axis of the opening. Each annular lip steps away form the other lip, and the distance between free ends of the lips is longer than the width of the annular basement along the direction of the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadateru Tanioka, Mituo Ukai, Tadao Yashiki
  • Patent number: 7032905
    Abstract: A seal includes a resilient carrier with opposed limbs holding sealing rings that engage sealing surfaces. The seal is oriented so that a space between the limbs is exposed to a higher than ambient pressure that biases the limbs apart to increase the force pressing the sealing rings against sealing gland surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Michael J. Mullally
  • Patent number: 7021061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat shield arrangement for a hot gas conducting structure, in particular a metal component of a gas turbine unit or combustion chamber, with the heat shield elements anchored adjacently on a support structure to cover a surface. Said heat shield elements each comprise a lateral groove, arranged in the region of the edge of the surface thereof facing the hot gas, at least two adjacent shield elements are connected by at least one seal element mounted in the groove. The seal element is embodied as a sealing flap, which may be displaced from a first position to a second position and vice versa, whereby the first position is an open position without a sealing effect and the second position is a closed position with a sealing effect. According to said method the sealing flap is moved from the first to the second position by the movement of a heat shield element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 7021632
    Abstract: A secondary seal gasket is formed of a graphite material for higher temperature applications. The gasket is formed by multiple wraps of a graphite ribbon and then is shaped in a mold to provide a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration having a self-energizing spring disposed therein. The gasket is formed from an L-shaped ribbon wrap having additional ribbon overwraps thereon to define a gasket ring which is then molded in a die press to form the U-shape. The L-shaped ribbon wrap thereby extends axially and then radially outwardly to define an end wall of the gasket to impede migration of fluid between the axial ribbon wraps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: Ronald L. Grace
  • Patent number: 6997677
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a steam turbine is provided. The method includes performing a finite element analysis to determine a cross-section of a sealing member, positioning the sealing member in a leakage path defined between an inner casing and an outer casing such that a leakage flow activates the sealing member. The apparatus includes a groove defined in a channel, a divider positioned in the channel such that a gap defined between the divider and the channel defines a leakage path, and a sealing member that extends at least partially within the groove and positioned to substantially prevent a flow though the leakage path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Munshi, Bernard Arthur Couture
  • Patent number: 6983940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a resilient, annular, metallic seal member having a generally ā€œjā€ shaped cross-section. The annular, metallic seal member includes a first end portion having a first distal end, a generally curled second end portion that extends to a second distal end, and a central body portion between and contiguous with the first and second end portions. The annular, metallic seal member has a first side and an opposite second side. The second end portion curls in a first direction in accordance with a predetermined radius such that the second distal end is located across from the first side of the annular, metallic seal member and the first and second distal ends do not face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: American Seal And Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Horace P. Halling
  • Patent number: 6962373
    Abstract: A pipe fitting includes a body having sockets for receiving pipes therein and a composite gasket housed within a circumferential gasket retention housing integral with the socket. The composite gaskets include a V-shaped carrier of relatively stiff plastic having an elastomeric seal portion bonded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Plastic Trends, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Houghton
  • Patent number: 6932353
    Abstract: A seal has a metallic body having a convoluted cross-section extending between first and second ends and a first generally interior surface extending between the first and second ends and a second generally exterior surface extending between the first and second ends. An adhesive is located in one or more locations on at least one of the surfaces, the adhesive holding the body in a longitudinally contracted condition. There are related methods of manufacture. In related methods of use, the adhesive is caused to release, allowing the seal to expand toward the relaxed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter G. Amos, D. Gregory More, Ian W. Boston
  • 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: 6905125
    Abstract: An annular-shaped metal gasket, which can reduce a tightening force necessary to a seal and easily manage the manufacturability and the characteristics thereof, the metal gasket, in an annular-shaped metal gasket having a cross section provided with an outer circumferential opening and formed in one of a laterally U-shape, voids are formed to the innermost circumferential portions on the two confronting flat sealing surfaces of the metal gasket that are in contact with opponent surfaces, each void having a width equal to or more than 40% of the central wall thickness t0 of a bight section and a height equal to or more than 5% of the height H of the gasket, wherein the cross section of the gasket is formed in a tuning-fork shape. A tightening force necessary to the seal can be reduced by forming the cross section of the metal gasket in the tuning-fork shape and providing the voids with the surfaces of the metal gasket in contact with the opponent surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Nichias Corporation
    Inventors: Hideshi Shibata, Kanji Hanashima
  • Patent number: 6899341
    Abstract: The sealing element has a ring consisting of an elastic material. The ring consists of a continuous support section, a first sealing lip, formed thereon for sealing the injector and a second sealing lip for sealing the cylinder head. The sealing lips project substantially inwards in a radial direction and together with the support section form a continuous groove of the ring. The axial thicknesses of the sealing lips are measured in such a way that said sealing lips have a deformable plasticity for sealing purposes, which depends on a predetermined force that is used to fix the injector in the cylinder head. The radial thickness of the support section is greater than the axial thickness of the sealing lips and is measured in such a way that the support section prevents the sealing element from being compressed, when said element is placed between the injector and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Neumaier
  • Patent number: 6871962
    Abstract: A one piece, double gland, quad lobe design gasket system for use in a projection system that redundantly seals in the liquid present in a coupler supporting a projection lens in alignment with a projection optical signal generation device (e.g., a Cathode Ray Tube). The coupler defines a cooling chamber between said projection lens and said projection signal generating device and is filled with liquid in order to transport the optical signal between the projection optical signal generation device and projection lens while minimizing contrast distortion. In order to prevent leaking from the cooling chamber between the coupler and projection signal generation device, an improved sealing system is used by providing two separate channels in the coupler and using the integral double gland, quad lobe gasket. Each gland is placed in a corresponding groove in the coupler thus creating two separate lines of seal that keeps the liquid in the coupler from leaking out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Electronic Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Kane
  • Patent number: 6860719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing between an inner casing and an outer casing is provided. The method includes positioning a first sealing member in a leakage path defined between an inner casing and an outer casing such that leakage flow in a first direction activates the first sealing member, and positioning a second sealing member in the leakage path such that leakage flow in the first direction bypasses the second sealing member, and such that leakage flow in an opposite second direction activates the second sealing member. The apparatus includes a pair of circumferential grooves in a channel, a divider positioned in the channel that defines a leakage path, a first sealing member positioned to seal against a flow in the leakage path in a first direction, and a second sealing member positioned to seal against a flow in the leakage path in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Steven Sebastian Burdgick
  • Patent number: RE39973
    Abstract: A metallic seal is provided that concentrates the available load over a narrow band to produce a sealing dam over a sufficient width to minimize leakage on a molecular level. The metallic seal has a first annular beam section, a second annular beam section, and inner and outer surfaces extending between the first and second annular beam sections. One of the inner and outer surfaces has an annular recess that at least partially defines an annular column section of material extending substantially perpendicular between said first and second annular beam sections thereto. The first annular beam section has a first non-sealing surface and a first raised portion with a first annular sealing surface facing in a first axial direction to contact a first member for creating a first annular sealing dam therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: PerkinElmer, Inc.
    Inventors: John Loyd Spence, Kevin R. Felber