Seal Including Fluid Pressure Equalizing Or Balancing Feature Patents (Class 277/926)
  • Patent number: 11359478
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a plunger/packing set of a fluid end has a lubricating fluid reservoir, a pump cooperative with the lubricating fluid reservoir so as to pump a lubricating fluid from the lubricating fluid reservoir toward the plunger/packing set, a primary pressure transducer cooperative with the pump so as to measure a pressure of the lubricating fluid exiting the fluid pump, a secondary pressure transducer cooperative with the fluid end so as to measure a pressure of the lubricating fluid exiting the plunger/packing set, and a controller connected to the second pressure transducer so as to obtain a representation of the pressure measured by the secondary pressure transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Kennis Baskin
  • Patent number: 9027932
    Abstract: A sealing system for a pump having a plunger includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of the plunger. Primary and secondary seals are located within the internal chamber and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The primary seal communicates with the fluid being pumped. A barrier fluid chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure referencing device has an inlet port in communication with the pumped fluid and an outlet port providing fluid at a pressure magnitude equal to a peak pressure of the pumped fluid. A pressurizing device is in communication with the fluid at the peak pressure and the barrier fluid to maintain the barrier fluid pressure at a magnitude greater than the peak pressure of the pumped fluid such that the pumped fluid is restricted from leaking past the primary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Clyde Union Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert H. Tackett, James A. Cripe, Gary Dyson, Peter Thompson
  • Patent number: 8511219
    Abstract: A sealing system for a pump includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of a plunger. A primary seal is translatable within the chamber in sealing relation with the housing. The primary seal includes first and second elastomeric members adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The first and second elastomeric members are spaced apart from one another a distance greater than or equal to a maximum stroke of the plunger. A secondary seal is spaced apart from the primary seal and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. A chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressurizing device maintains a pressure of barrier fluid at a magnitude greater than a peak pressure of a fluid pumped by the plunger such that the pumped fluid is restricted from entering the barrier fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Clyde Union Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert H. Tackett, James A. Cripe, Gary Dyson, Peter Thompson
  • Patent number: 8474433
    Abstract: During engine braking of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas pressure increases and this is used to pressurize the seals between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing so as to prevent oil leakage into the compressor housing. Immediately after engine braking, stored exhaust gas pressure is used to pressurize the seals at the turbine end so as to prevent oil leakage into the turbine housing. In an alternative arrangement the exhaust gas is used to generate a reduced pressure in the bearing housing to increase the pressure gradient across the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Pierre French
  • Patent number: 8342202
    Abstract: A pipe coupling member for high-pressure fluid such as liquefied hydrogen includes a seal ring having a highly effective sealing function to prevent leakage of the fluid. The seal ring (72) is set in a seal ring setting space (39) defined by a second radial surface (36) and a seal ring setting surface (38) of a first tubular member (20), a forward end surface of a second tubular member (22), and the outer peripheral surface of a valve seat member (24). A forward end portion of the second tubular member (22) is provided with a communication hole (84) radially penetrating the forward end portion. The pressure of the high-pressure fluid on the downstream side of a valve seat surface (52) causes a fluid path in the second tubular member to be communicated with the sealing ring setting space (39) via the communication hole (84) and via a gap between the seal ring setting surface (38) and the outer peripheral surface of the forward end portion of the second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Nishio, Kunihiko Goto, Kazunori Aoki, Osamu Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Tashiro, Goro Suzuki, Shinichi Nomura, Kosei Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8191460
    Abstract: A sealing system for a pump having a plunger includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of the plunger. Primary and secondary seals are located within the internal chamber and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The primary seal communicates with the fluid being pumped. A barrier fluid chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure referencing device has an inlet port in communication with the pumped fluid and an outlet port providing fluid at a pressure magnitude equal to a peak pressure of the pumped fluid. A pressurizing device is in communication with the fluid at the peak pressure and the barrier fluid to maintain the barrier fluid pressure at a magnitude greater than the peak pressure of the pumped fluid such that the pumped fluid is restricted from leaking past the primary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Clyde Union Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert H. Tackett, Jr., James A. Cripe, Gary Dyson, Peter Thompson
  • Patent number: 8070008
    Abstract: A plug to hermetically seal an aperture in a sheetmetal, or in the floor of a vehicle, comprising, a cap covering the aperture and comprising an external, circumferential flange resting on one side of the sheetmetal or of the floor and fitted with a first circumferential seal, an affixation portion entering said aperture and, a second circumferential seal configured at the cap or at the affixation portion and being a distance from the first seal and resting against the sheetmetal or the said floor, a cavity being subtended by the sheetmetal or said floor, the two seals and at least one wall of the plug, where said plug, includes a pressure-compensating chamber, which communicates with the cavity and, which compensates a change in pressure, caused by a change in temperature, inside the cavity, by changing the volume of the pressure-compensating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulf Janke
  • Patent number: 7784395
    Abstract: A sealing system for a pump having a plunger includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of the plunger. Primary and secondary seals are located within the internal chamber and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The primary seal communicates with the fluid being pumped. A barrier fluid chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure referencing device has an inlet port in communication with the pumped fluid and an outlet port providing fluid at a pressure magnitude equal to a peak pressure of the pumped fluid. A pressurizing device is in communication with the fluid at the peak pressure and the barrier fluid to maintain the barrier fluid pressure at a magnitude greater than the peak pressure of the pumped fluid such that the pumped fluid is restricted from leaking past the primary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Clyde Union Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert H. Tackett, James A. Cripe, Gary Dyson, Peter Thompson
  • Patent number: 7743823
    Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Murl Ray Richardson, Thomas L. Pettigrew, Kurt D. Vandervort, Kenneth D. Young
  • Patent number: 7387178
    Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Neville, James L. Larsen, Steven W. Peterson, Manikiran Bandi, Alan Lockstedt, Peter T. Cariveau, Alysia C. White, Anthony Griffo, Michael Siracki
  • Patent number: 7201241
    Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Neville, James L. Larsen, Steven W. Peterson, Manikiran Bandi, Alan Lockstedt, Peter T. Cariveau, Alysia C. White, Anthony Griffo, Michael Siracki
  • 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: 6976548
    Abstract: Self relieving seals of this invention comprise an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface for contact with respective drill bit sealing surfaces. The seal includes a pair of external surfaces that each extend along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces. The seal includes one or more relief ports that are disposed through the seal body and that have openings through each of the seal body external surfaces. The relief port can be specially configured, e.g., have different diameter sections of constant or variable dimensions, to provide a degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal body when the seal is loaded within the drill bit. The seal may include an element, e.g., solid, tubular, or porous, disposed within the relief port to provide a further desired degree of control over pressure equalization through the seal when the seal is loaded within the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Neville, James L. Larsen, Steven W. Peterson, Manikiran Bandi, Alan Lockstedt, Peter T. Cariveau, Alysia C. White, Anthony Griffo, Michael Siracki
  • Patent number: 6974387
    Abstract: A flexible bellows, such as for protecting the end of a longitudinally movable steering rack, has a hollow connector mounted on it adjacent its larger diameter fixing collar. The connector enables a connection to be made from the interior of the bellows through a similar connector on a second bellows covering the opposite end of the rack and thus to the interior of the second bellows. As the rack moves to and fro, compressing one bellows and expanding the other, the increased pressure in the compressed bellows is automatically transferred to the expanded bellows. The connector is pre-produced, such as from relatively rigid material by a moulding operation, and then placed in the mould which is used for producing the bellows. A parison or preform of thermoplastics material is placed in the mould and then blown to form the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Draftex Industries Limited
    Inventors: Jacques Houis, Yann Lelievre, Rémi Boyen
  • Patent number: 6858150
    Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device with liquid seal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Stephan B Sears
  • Patent number: 6739592
    Abstract: A brush seal device is mounted to one of two parts that move relative to each other with a gap therebetween, and seals the gap between the parts. Even when a brush seal abuts on the other part, it is deformed accordingly. As a result, wear of the brush seal is prevented. The brush seal device includes: a brush seal formed from bristles arranged into a wall shape, and including an attachment portion formed by connecting the bristles together at one end, and a free end face facing an opposing surface of the other part; a back plate connected to the attachment portion of the brush seal, and including a support surface for supporting a side surface of the brush seal; and a retaining plate for retaining the attachment portion of the brush seal between the retaining plate and the back plate. The support surface of the back plate and an opposing surface of the brush seal are disposed at a distance from each other. The bristle of the brush seal has a diameter of 0.15 mm to 0.008 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Eagle Engineering Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Kono
  • Patent number: 6364316
    Abstract: An annular sealing apparatus is disclosed for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in the bore, the bore and rotating member bounding a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower pressure fluid region therebetween, the sealing apparatus inhibiting fluid leakage between the high and lower fluid pressure regions, the sealing apparatus has a fore cover plate disposed in the high fluid pressure region and aft cover plate disposed in the lower pressure fluid region. A sealing element comprised of a plurality of comb-like diaphragm members is disposed between the two cover plates. Each of the diaphragm members has a foot portion with a groove. At low rotational speeds the foot portion abuts against the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gulshan K. Arora
  • Patent number: 6241254
    Abstract: The invention relates to the sealing of detachable joints of the pipelines and manifolds by using metal elastic gaskets. A detachable stationary sealing device comprises the flanges having sealing surfaces, being tapered for one of the flanges and concave for another, a sealing gasket and a retaining releasing ring. The gasket is provided with elastic tabs being in contact with the sealing surfaces of the flanges, and an annular projection, the inner cylindrical surface of which is in contact with the outer cylindrical surface. The retaining releasing ring is of C-shaped cross-section and is fixed in the annular groove made on said cylindrical surface of the flange. The annular projection of the gasket is provided with the transversal external projection that fits into the groove of the retaining ring. The use of the invention reduces dimensions while increasing its reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Nauchno-Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie “Energomash”Imeni Akademika V.P. Glushko”
    Inventors: Boris Mikhailovich Gromyko, Evgeny Mikhailovich Matveev, Jury Vasilievich Mitjukov, Igor Alexandrovich Mikhalev
  • Patent number: 6196550
    Abstract: An annular sealing apparatus is disclosed for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in the bore, the bore and rotating member bounding a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower pressure fluid region therebetween, the sealing apparatus inhibiting fluid leakage between the high and lower fluid pressure regions, the sealing apparatus has a fore cover plate disposed in the high fluid pressure region and aft cover plate disposed in the lower pressure fluid region. A sealing element comprised of a plurality of comb-like diaphragm members is disposed between the two cover plates. Each of the diaphragm members has a foot portion that seals against the rotating member. A fore spacer is disposed between said fore cover plate and said sealing element and an aft spacer is disposed between said aft cover plate and said sealing element. The aft spacer has a plurality of cavities that are separated from the low fluid pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Gulshan K. Arora, Donald L. Glick
  • Patent number: 6173962
    Abstract: A brush seal includes a mounting ring that carries radially inwardly directed bristles. A backing member attached to the mounting ring is positioned alongside the bristles. A chamber defined by the bristles and the backing member is pressurized with fluid to counteract the lateral forces imposed upon the bristles by a region of high fluid pressure that they are operationally adjacent. As a result of this balancing of forces, the bristles are free to move radially inward and outward so that their free ends remain in sealing engagement with an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Morrison, Peter A. Withers, Terence V. Jones, Peter E. Wood
  • Patent number: 6168162
    Abstract: A self-centering brush seal is disposed in an annular groove formed in a stationary component about a rotatable component, the stationary and rotatable components having a common axis. The brush seal includes a plurality of bristles projecting into sealing engagement with the rotating component. The brush seal has a radial clearance in the groove enabling the brush seal for free-floating radial excursions within the groove to maintain concentricity with the rotary component notwithstanding deviation of the axis of rotation of the rotating component relative to the axis of the fixed component. In another form, the brush seal comprises a plurality of arcuate segments having a helical coil spring biasing the segments for radial movement enabling the tips of the bristles to seal against the rotatable component. In a further embodiment, leaf springs bias each segment to maintain its bristles in engagement with the rotatable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: George Ernest Reluzco, Donald Ernest Woodmansee, Osman Saim Dinc, Norman Arnold Turnquist, Christopher Edward Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6158745
    Abstract: A fluid pressure relief seal for preventing the ingress of fluid into a container and for venting fluid from the container is disclosed. The fluid pressure relief seal works in conjunction with a container having a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle has a mouth and at least one aperture in the receptacle for venting fluid from the container, while the lid covers the mouth and is engagable with the receptacle. The fluid pressure relief seal comprises a fluid-impermeable washer elastically stretched over an exterior of the receptacle and compressed between the lid and the receptacle when the lid and receptacle are engaged to prevent the passage of fluid into or out of the container. The fluid pressure relief seal also comprises a fluid-impermeable lip seamlessly molded with the washer and elastically stretched over the exterior of the receptacle and apertures in the receptacle for venting fluid from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin John Deighton
  • Patent number: 6110045
    Abstract: A hydraulic torque impulse generator (16) of the kind having a motor rotated drive member (18;50) formed with a fluid chamber (19;53), an impulse receiving output member (20;51) coaxial with the drive member (18;50) and extending into the fluid chamber (19;53), a hydraulic peak generating mechanism (24-27;54-59) in the fluid chamber (19;53) for producing torque impulses at relative rotation between the drive member (18;50) and the output member (20;51), and a variable volume accumulator chamber (32;64) located in the drive member (18;50) and connected to the fluid chamber (19;53) for compensating for occurring volume changes in the hydraulic fluid, wherein the accumulator chamber (32:64) is divided into a first compartment (40;71) and a second compartment (42;72) by an elastically deflectable membrane (39;73), a passage (43;65) connects the first compartment (40;71) to the fluid chamber (19;53), and the second compartment (42;72) comprises at least partly a yeildable means for biassing the membrane (39;73) to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Knut Christian Schoeps
  • Patent number: 6105945
    Abstract: An inverted strut damper includes an external cylinder which has an expanded midsection and a vertically moveable damper tube arranged concentrically within the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder and tube arrangement form a lubricating oil supply reservoir. Disposed at a top and a bottom of the outer cylinder is a respective oil seal and bearing arrangement. The upper bearing is adjacent to the lubricating oil reservoir and upon upper movement of the damper tube, oil is supplied to the upper bearings and seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Takeuchi, Hironobu Hosoda
  • Patent number: 6000701
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal system and method for sealing against the flow of a fluid along a rotating member according in which a fixed housing surrounds the rotating member and one or more sealing members extend from the housing and engage the rotating member for wiping a portion of the fluid off of the rotating member and thus preventing the wiped fluid from passing through the sealing member and along the rotating member. The rotation of the rotating member causes air to flow outwardly from the shaft to normally promote the flow of the fluid along the rotating member and through the sealing member, and a member is associated with the housing for breaking the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Raymond W. Burgess
  • Patent number: 5799952
    Abstract: A brush seal element (14) comprises a mounting ring (20) that carries radially inwardly directed bristles (21). A backing ring (23) attached to the mounting ring (20) is positioned alongside the bristles (21). A chamber (25) defined by the bristles (21) and the backing ring (23) is pressurised with fluid to counteract the lateral forces imposed upon the bristles (21) by a region of high fluid pressure that they are operationally adjacent. As a result of this balancing of forces the bristles (21) are free to move radially inward and outward so that their free ends (22) remain in sealing engagement with an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Morrison, Peter A. Withers, Terence V. Jones, Peter E. Wood
  • Patent number: 5738358
    Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated interference type rotary shaft seal suitable for environmental exclusion and high pressure lubricant retention which incorporates composite multiple modulus construction and a non-planar flexible environmental edge heel geometry which cooperate to resist high pressure extrusion damage while minimizing interfacial contact pressure and accommodating radial shaft motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Kalsi Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Manmohan S. Kalsi, Lannie Dietle