Fluid Leakage Patents (Class 277/320)
  • Patent number: 11692902
    Abstract: Techniques implementing and/or operating a system includes a pipe segment and a test head assembly secured to the pipe segment. The pipe segment includes tubing that defines a pipe bore through the pipe segment and a fluid conduit in a tubing annulus of the pipe segment. The test head assembly includes barrier material poly welded to the tubing of the pipe segment to facilitate sealing the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus from environmental conditions external to the tubing of the pipe segment and a fluid port fluidly connected to the fluid conduit defined within the tubing annulus to enable integrity of the tubing to be tested at least in part by flowing a test fluid into the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus via the fluid port, extracting fluid from the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus via the fluid port, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Leger, Ashesh Srivastava
  • Patent number: 11293554
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a sealing system for a motor that includes a first sealing element configured to be circumferentially disposed around a rotor shaft of the motor. The sealing system also includes a second sealing element configured to be circumferentially disposed around the rotor shaft. A sealing tip of the first sealing element is configured to lift from a surface of the rotor shaft in response to a pressurized fluid directed between the first sealing element and the second sealing element. Additionally, the first sealing element and the second sealing element are configured to radially float around the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Paul W. Snell
  • Patent number: 11162426
    Abstract: An assembly of a servo pump and a hydraulic motor. The assembly has a housing which contains the pump and the motor. The motor has a rotating body which rotates under the motive power of a pressurised motor liquid flow. The motor has a high pressure region which receives the pressurised motor liquid flow, and a low pressure region through which the motor liquid flow leaves the motor. The pump also has a rotating body. The pump has a low pressure region which receives servo liquid flow to be pumped by its rotating body, and a high pressure region through which pressurised servo liquid flow leaves the pump. Each rotating body is mounted on a respective journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Martin K. Yates, Stephanie E. Watkins, Geir Leivseth
  • Patent number: 11098610
    Abstract: In a steam turbine seal packing performance monitoring system, steam pressure is measured by installing a pressure sensor inside a seal packing for preventing steam from leaking, so that pressure information can be transmitted using magnetic field communication in order to externally monitor seal packing performance. The system includes a seal packing unit that is installed on a rotor shaft and has a plurality of seal packs disposed along an axial direction of the rotor shaft; a pressure sensor installed inside the seal packing unit to detect a pressure of steam leaked from inside the seal packing unit and to transmit a magnetic field signal by converting a detection signal indicative of the detected pressure into the magnetic field signal; and an adapter for receiving the magnetic field signal, converting the received magnetic field signal into pressure data, and calculating a leakage amount of steam based on the pressure data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: DOOSAN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Chul Lee, Jong Min Choi, Hyun Woo Son
  • Patent number: 11073210
    Abstract: Sealing element for producing an electrically conductive connection between a first machine element and a second machine element, including at least one sealing disc and a support ring, the support ring comprising an axial flange and a radial flange, the sealing disc being formed from an electrically conductive non-woven fabric, and the sealing disc being secured at least in sections along the axial flange by means of a clamping connection between the support ring and the second machine element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Guenter Hintenlang, François Colineau, Martin Heldmann, Frank Guder, Jens Hofmann
  • Patent number: 11060943
    Abstract: Techniques implementing and/or operating a system includes a pipe segment and a test head assembly secured to the pipe segment. The pipe segment includes tubing that defines a pipe bore through the pipe segment and a fluid conduit in a tubing annulus of the pipe segment. The test head assembly includes barrier material poly welded to the tubing of the pipe segment to facilitate sealing the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus from environmental conditions external to the tubing of the pipe segment and a fluid port fluidly connected to the fluid conduit defined within the tubing annulus to enable integrity of the tubing to be tested at least in part by flowing a test fluid into the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus via the fluid port, extracting fluid from the fluid conduit defined in the tubing annulus via the fluid port, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Trinity Bay Equipment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Leger, Ashesh Srivastava
  • Patent number: 10962116
    Abstract: A rotary seal comprises a seal element comprising a disc-shaped body having a first axial side and an opposed second axial side. The seal element further comprises a radially inner central circular opening for receiving a rotary shaft, the opening having an inner periphery for sealing engagement with the shaft. A radially outer rim portion of the seal element comprises an axially facing annular sealing surface provided on the first axial side for sealing engagement in use with an opposed axially facing sealing surface of an adjacent first static housing and an axially facing pocket provided on the second axial side and having an axially facing surface for receiving, in use, an annular elastomeric biasing element. At least one drainage passage is formed through the outer rim portion from an inlet on the second axial side to an outlet on a radially outer portion of the rim portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CLAVERHAM LIMITED
    Inventors: George Edmond, Simon Ennor, Jonathan Robins, Paul Bowles, Pawel Kwasniewski
  • Patent number: 10928268
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodologies relating to improved gas detection in closed systems are provided. More specifically, the present systems provide for the mixing, conditioning and production of a detection gas comprising, for example, predetermined ratios of nitrogen and methane gas, such predetermined ratios operative for enhancing imaging of gas leaks detected using infrared thermography imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Phil McNeil
  • Patent number: 10738641
    Abstract: A dry gas seal for sealing the shaft of a turbomachinery, provided with means for the continuous health monitoring of the dry gas seal comprising one or more sensors adapted to measure strains and/or loads induced to the primary ring of the dry gas seal and/or strains induced to one or more of the elastic elements coupled to the primary ring and/or adapted to measure displacements of the primary ring or of an element coupled to the primary ring, for an early detection of failure of the seal, thus enabling main failures early detection capability and proactive maintenance actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE TECNOLOGIE SRL
    Inventors: Filippo Gerbi, Emanuele Rizzo, Andrea Bernocchi, Marco Marrazzo, Leonardo Baldassarre, Amelia Lavinia Ricchiuti
  • Patent number: 10662730
    Abstract: A blowout preventer is disclosed that includes a housing defining a central passage. The central passage is configured to receive a tubular string therethrough. In addition, the blowout preventer includes a packing element disposed in the central passage. The packing element includes an elastomeric member, and a rigid insert mounted to the elastomeric member. The insert includes an extendable tip assembly configured to extend a movable member away from the rigid insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Lydia Mata Mireles, Sergio Garcia, Nathan Follett
  • Patent number: 10655498
    Abstract: A turbomachine with a shaft supporting a turbine wheel is supported for rotation in a housing. The shaft extends through a bore in the housing and a bearing assembly is disposed in the bore. The turbomachine has a first lubricating fluid slinger comprising a screw thread that is engageable with a threaded section of the shaft such that the first lubricating fluid slinger is screwable along the threaded section of the shaft so as to apply a compressive preload to the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Ltd.
    Inventors: James Donaldson, Prabhu Ramasamy, Paul Brierley
  • Patent number: 10620056
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing a process variable, includes a housing and a process variable sensor that has an electrical characteristic that changes with a process variable. A first sealed portion is configured to be exposed to a process fluid. The process variable sensor is mounted relative to the first sealed portion. A second sealed portion couples the first sealed portion to the housing. The second sealed portion has at least one seal that fluidically isolates the first sealed portion from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Thies, Richard Llagas, Ulrich Thiel, Dirk W Bauschke
  • Patent number: 10590791
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a fluid passageway from contaminants is disclosed. The fluid passageway is formed by a rotating shaft entering an opening in a housing. The fluid passageway connects an interior of the housing, and any exterior of the housing. The seal assembly includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member, which divides the fluid passage into an interior section, an open section, and a sealed section. The interior section is exposed to the interior of the housing. The sealed section is fluidly sealed between the interior section and the open section. A sensor is disposed within the sealed section. The sensor is configured to sense the contaminants within the sealed section and is electronically coupled to a controller configured to send an alarm signal. The sensor is a moisture sensor and extends into an annular recess formed in the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Weir Slurry Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Patent number: 10465678
    Abstract: A piston rod assembly includes a piston rod having a first end configured to contact fluid, a packing retainer through which the piston rod extends, and one or more packing rings. The packing retainer includes one or more leakage ports forming passageways between an inner surface and an outer surface of the packing retainer. The one or more packing rings surround the piston rod, are adjacent the inner surface of the packing retainer, and are positioned between the one or more leakage ports and a bottom end of the packing retainer. The one or more leakage ports are positioned so that fluid that leaks past the one or more packing rings will flow through the one or more leakage ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota
    Inventors: Steve J. Wrobel, Justin G. Johnston, Christopher A. Lins, Brian M. Mulgrew
  • Patent number: 10408763
    Abstract: Methods and systems of testing for a gas leak between an inlet zone and an outlet zone of a gas flow component in a shut state are provided. Different tracer and carrier gases are used. The carrier gas is circulated through the outlet zone of the gas flow component to purge the tracer gas from this outlet zone. A spectroscopic emission from the carrier gas indicative of an amount of the purged tracer gas is monitored. A test flow of the tracer gas is introduced in the inlet zone of the gas flow component, and the inlet pressure is increased for successive pressure increments. The presence of a gas leak is determined upon detecting an intensity step variation in the monitored spectroscopic emission following one of the pressure increments in the inlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Mécanique Analytique Inc.
    Inventor: Yves Gamache
  • Patent number: 10378544
    Abstract: Modules for protecting pumps are provided having a sensor detecting leaks of the pump seal, a sensor detecting rain and/or a sensor detecting that the pump is running dry and thus is overheated. Each sensor communicates with a circuitry configured to shut down the pump until the problem is resolved and to send a notice or alarm to a person or a system. A reset button may be provided to override the shutdown of the pump by the circuitry. Methods of using the modules are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Rosser Rejniak, John Alan Rejniak
  • Patent number: 10161314
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system associated with an engine having a central longitudinal axis, comprising: a first shaft axially extend along the central longitudinal axis, a second shaft coaxial with the first shaft, a first air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a first axial location, a second air seal that seals between the first shaft and the second shaft at a second axial location, a high pressure compressor section that provides air to the first air seal and the second air seal, at least one buffer passage, and a meter connected to the buffer passage that exhausts a portion of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Parnin
  • Patent number: 9957828
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a fluid passageway from contaminants is disclosed. The fluid passageway is formed by a rotating shaft entering an opening in a housing. The fluid passageway connects an interior of the housing, and any exterior of the housing. The seal assembly includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member, which divides the fluid passage into an interior section, an open section, and a sealed section. The interior section is exposed to the interior of the housing. The sealed section is fluidly sealed between the interior section and the open section. A sensor is disposed within the sealed section. The sensor is configured to sense the contaminants within the sealed section and is electronically coupled to a controller configured to send an alarm signal. The sensor is a moisture sensor and extends into an annular recess formed in the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Weir Slurry Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Patent number: 9803493
    Abstract: A turbine bearing and seal assembly is disclosed. The turbine bearing and seal assembly may have a turbine cartridge. The turbine cartridge may have a compressor end and a turbine end opposite the compressor end. The turbine bearing and seal assembly may also have a bearing attached to the turbine cartridge. The bearing may be disposed between the compressor end and the turbine end. The turbine bearing and seal assembly may further have a seal collar attachable to a shaft. The seal collar may be disposed within the turbine cartridge adjacent the turbine end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Svihla, Raji Rexavier, Joshua D. Schueler
  • Patent number: 9726313
    Abstract: A gasket is for an annular compact flange. The compact flange includes two joinable flange halves which are formed with contact surfaces facing each other, and at least one of the flange halves having an axial, centric bore. An annular gasket groove is arranged in each of the flange halves, which is arranged to sealingly receive a common gasket. The gasket groove has a proximal side and a distal side relative to the bore, the distal side, which is conical, forming a groove sealing surface against the gasket. The gasket, which seals at the groove sealing surface, is formed with a plate portion positioned between the contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: Morgan Haringstad
  • Patent number: 9645038
    Abstract: A method of measuring a flow rate of a first fluid through a rotary seal of a gas turbine engine comprising controlling a probe flow of a second fluid at an intra-seal cavity and measuring a pressure change in the first fluid caused by the probe flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Colin Bird
  • Patent number: 9488188
    Abstract: A compressor including: a substantially tubular casing; a substantially cylindrical lid that is provided inside an inner periphery of the casing so as to close off both ends of the casing; a space that is enclosed by the lid and an inner circumferential surface of the casing so as to accommodate a blade; and a seal member that is provided so as to extend in a circumferential direction on the space side of an outer circumferential surface of the lid. A recessed portion, extending inward in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the lid, is provided on the lid at a position between the seal member and the end surface at the space side of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Ota
  • Patent number: 9482589
    Abstract: Provided herein is a leak detector comprising: a flat base sheet bound by an outer perimeter and an interior aperture; a wick material barrier coupled to the base between the aperture and the outer perimeter in a continuous or substantially continuous strip around the aperture, the wick material barrier interrupted by one or more gap regions, each gap region defined by a pair of wick material projections starting at either end of the gap region and extending radially outward; a liquid sensor in fluid communication with the pair of wick material projections; and a liquid-impermeable material coupled to the base sheet and surrounding the pair of wick material projections to form a liquid-impermeable enclosure defining an interior cavity comprising the pair of wick material projections and the liquid sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Mahdi Ghodrati
  • Publication number: 20140151966
    Abstract: A final drive transmission includes concentric inner and outer metal face seals at an interface between fixed and rotating housing sections for preventing oil contaminating material from entering the housing. Each face seal includes identical metal face seal rings that are biased into sealing engagement with each by identical frusto-conical elastomeric rings. The metal rings are generally L-shaped in cross section, with the metal rings of the outer face seals being constructed to withstand extreme conditions by making their cross section approximately twice that of the inner metal rings. Together with interface surfaces, the assembled inner and outer face seals define a sealed cavity which contains lubrication oil. A reservoir of oil with an oil level sensor is coupled to the sealed cavity and in this way it is determined whether or not oil is leaking from the cavity so that steps may be taken to avoid a catastrophic failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Donald O. Johannsen, Denis J. Roling
  • Patent number: 8662099
    Abstract: An example valve shaft apparatus includes a shaft having a stationary seal and a dynamic seal spaced from the stationary seal. The stationary seal defines a first leakage detection area adjacent the stationary seal and the dynamic seal defines a second leakage detection area adjacent the dynamic seal. A seal leakage detector is integrally formed with the shaft to provide a visual indication of process fluid leakage within the first leakage detection area or within the second leakage detection area. The seal leakage detector has a passageway in fluid communication with the first leakage detection area and the second leakage detection area. The passageway has a cross-sectional profile that changes between the first and second leakage detection areas to prevent fluid from flowing from one of the leakage detection areas into a body of the fluid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm
  • Publication number: 20140049008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing system comprising a seal that retains a liquid in a space between two concentrically mounted and relatively rotatable components. According to the invention, the sealing system comprises at least one magneto-elastic resonance sensor for measuring at least one parameter of interest associated with the sealed liquid, based on a detected resonant frequency of the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Sebastian Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8216463
    Abstract: A water filter cartridge particularly suited for a water filtration system incorporated into refrigerators includes an outer housing, a water filtration media inside the housing, and a cap affixed to an end of the housing to thereby enclose the filtration media. A portion of the cap defines a large cylindrical cavity having a channel formed therein which is positioned so that an O-ring provides a substantially water-tight seal when the filter cartridge is in an operative position in a manifold. The O-ring prevents water from otherwise flowing through the channel and externally of the water filtration system. Under normal water pressure the water filtration system will immediately visually exhibit a substantial leak if the filter cartridge is coupled to the manifold of the water filtration system in the operative position without the O-ring being positioned in the large cylindrical cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Michael T. Baird
  • Patent number: 8176932
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices for conveying or containing fluids under pressure in which seals are provided with a defined path to vent fluid in the event of a seal failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Angelosanto, Joseph A. Luongo, Frank Rubino
  • Publication number: 20110185793
    Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for a joint between a first pipe segment having a first flange and a second pipe segment having a second flange. The seal assembly has at least one primary sealing member mounted on the first flange and forming a loop around the first pipe segment and at least one supplemental sealing member mounted on the first flange between the first pipe segment and the at least one primary sealing member, the at least one supplemental sealing member forming a loop around the first pipe segment. The seal assembly also has a first sealed containment area that is formed between the at least one primary and at least one supplemental sealing members when the at least one primary and at least one supplemental sealing members are compressed and a plurality of conduits formed in the first flange and extending from a first face of the first flange oriented away from the second flange to a second face of the first flange oriented toward the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lannie D. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20100207379
    Abstract: A fluid conduit coupling for a turbofan engine wherein the engine has a gas path defined by inner and outer duct walls and the exterior surface of the outer duct wall is readily accessible for visual inspection. In one example, a first fluid line extends across the gas path between the inner and outer duct walls and a second fluid line is connected to the first fluid line at the level of the outer duct wall. The first fluid line may include a female coupling member and the second fluid member may include a mating male coupling member. An annular sealing member is associated with the first and second couplings and a leak path is defined between the annular sealing member and the exterior surface of the outer duct wall, whereby fluid may be detected by visual inspection of the outer duct wall if a leak should occur at the annular sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Bryan W. Olver
  • Publication number: 20100163638
    Abstract: Various exemplary illustrations of a piston rod seal are disclosed. An exemplary piston rod seal may include a piston rod guide for guiding a piston rod that supports a scraping piston configured to scrape paint residue from an inner wall of a pipeline cylinder. The piston rod may further include a first seal for sealing the piston rod guide relative to the piston rod, and a second seal for sealing the piston rod guide relative to the piston rod, where the second seal is arranged axially offset relative to the first seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder
  • Patent number: 7716967
    Abstract: A leak detector sleeve allows performing leak detection at a flanged joint. The leak detector sleeve is made of elastomeric material that allows achieving a gas-tight seal when the leak detector sleeve encircles a flanged joint. The leak detector sleeve includes a hole that communicates with a gap in the flanged joint, thereby allowing the tip of a sniffer probe to be placed in or near the hole to detect whether the flanged joint is leaking. The leak detector sleeve is made of material that will withstand the operating temperature of the flanged joint without becoming hardened or brittle. A method for detecting a leak using the leak detector sleeve allows for efficiently and conveniently detecting leaks. In addition, the sleeve may be easily used and reused without the adverse effects or intensive manual labor required in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: WEW LLC
    Inventors: John Martin Woods, Robert Stephen Elbert, Daniel J. Wimer
  • Patent number: 7665480
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and devices for conveying or containing fluids under pressure in which seals are provided with a defined path to vent fluid in the event of a seal failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: John Angelosanto, Joseph A. Luongo, Frank A. Rubino
  • Patent number: 7426936
    Abstract: A redundant sealing system with secondary containment for preventing leakage of fluid along a valve shaft is provided. The system comprises a first set of dynamic seals, a second set of dynamic seals, an auxiliary barrier fluid chamber, and a barrier fluid indicator. The first and second set of dynamic seals are in spaced relation to each other a distance equal to or further than a maximum stroke length of an actuatable valve stem. The auxiliary barrier fluid chamber is interposed between the first and second sets of dynamic seals. The barrier fluid indicator has a piston in a primary barrier fluid chamber. A first face of the piston is exposed to the auxiliary barrier fluid chamber. A second face of the piston is exposed to a barrier fluid and inhibited from fluid communication with the auxiliary barrier fluid chamber by a dynamic seal in the first set of dynamic seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Jeff A Gessaman, Steven Charles Stumbo, Kevin E. Greeb, Wade A. Burdick
  • Publication number: 20080157477
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a leak in a mechanical seal separating the side of a conveyor unit which is in contact with a medium from an electric drive which is arranged outside the medium. If there is a leak, the escaping medium is detected by a sensor element which is arranged in a hollow space, which is bounded by a removable component, and serves to identify escaping medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Bruno Gaus, Ingo Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20080072661
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in the production of a test specimen bottle from a container which is adaptable for containing a liquid and has a sealing surface intended for mating with a sealing closure. The test specimen bottle is utilized in a test for evaluating the integrity of a sealing closure. The apparatus comprises a scoring head which has a body and at least one blade mounted to the body. The body includes mounting structure associated with the body for connecting the body to a force applying mechanism for transmitting force to the body so that when the blade mounted to the body is positioned adjacent to the sealing surface of the container, a force can be applied to the body that causes the blade to score the sealing surface to thereby produce a test specimen bottle from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Prestley, Dennis Broeske
  • Patent number: 7316154
    Abstract: A multifunctional seal that in one embodiment includes on each contact surface multiple redundant seals, sensors and sensor circuitry between each seal, and a power source and embedded electronic components and circuitry within the central core region. The seal is constructed to detect fluid leak progression using redundant sealing and sensors located between each set of seals to allow for the detection of leak propagation prior to leakage outside the sealed containment or transfer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Odyssian Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Barton E Bennett
  • Patent number: 7086275
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a machine element, preferably a shaft, with at least one sealing ring and a depot for absorbing a leak. The system is monitored with a measuring device that includes a condenser, and the depot serves as a dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Eberhard Bock
  • Patent number: 7073794
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing a machine element, preferably a shaft, with a sealing ring and leak-detection means that comprises a sensor for detecting the leak, and a depot for picking up the leak. The depot is monitored by the sensor and the depot consists of an absorbent and/or swellable material, and is arranged so as to permit delayed leak detection by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Eberhard Bock, Erich Prem, Rolf Vogt
  • Patent number: 7004470
    Abstract: An arrangement for access to the external cylindrical/barrel shaped surface (16b) of a gasket (16) in flange connections in a piping installation in which the piping installation comprises flange halves (1, 1?) of the type in which a gasket (16) is positioned between the flange halves (1, 1?) and the gasket (16) is designed to seal against seating surfaces (2a, 2c) formed by annular grooves (2, 2?) in the opposite end faces of the flange halves (1, 1?), and where annuli (22, 22?) are defined by the end faces (16c) of the gasket (16) and the grooves (2, 2?), which thereby seal along the inner and outer periphery, and where at least one groove (14) runs from the annular groove (2, 2?), essentially in the radial, outward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Ann Helen Hystad
  • Patent number: 6979002
    Abstract: Advantageous seal systems (1500) are provided that include a barrier member movable relative (1504) to a shaft (1550) to allow sequential engagement of resilient seal members (1506), e.g., lip seals, with the shaft. Movement of the barrier member (1504) may be effected manually or through introduction of pressurized fluid to effect piston-like movement. The disclosed seal assemblies may include an automatic leak detector and may utilize such leak detection to effectuate automatic movement of the barrier member. The barrier member may be moved relative to the shaft while the shaft is in movement, e.g., rotating or reciprocating, thereby permitting seal maintenance without interruption in operation. As seal members are sequentially brought into sealing engagement with the shaft, the previously engaged seal members contribute to the sealing performance of the seal assembly, although no longer effective to establish a stand-alone seal with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Ashbridge & Roseburgh Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Ramsay
  • Publication number: 20040232620
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing a machine element, preferably a shaft, with a sealing ring and leak-detection means that comprises a sensor for detecting the leak, and a depot for picking up the leak. The depot is monitored by the sensor and the depot consists of an absorbent and/or swellable material, and is arranged so as to permit delayed leak detection by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Eberhard Bock, Erich Prem, Rolf Vogt
  • Patent number: 6817228
    Abstract: Pumps and valves with movable parts, such as a plunger, typically have seals around the part. The seals may isolate one chamber from another to prevent leakage across the seals. The pressure in one chamber may be different from the pressure in another adjacent chamber, thereby creating a pressure differential across the seal. When the seal is working properly, the pressures in the adjacent chambers remain constant approximately. However, when a seal leaks, pressure will leak across the seal. As such, the chamber with the lower pressure will show an increase in pressure due to seal leakage. Thus, monitoring pressure changes in the chamber with low pressure, or pressure differentials between chambers, serves as an indicator for leakage across the seal and impending seal failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Upton, Joe Hubenschnmidt
  • Patent number: 6802203
    Abstract: A rotary seal machine is provided and includes a motor drive shaft which extends into and through a canister. A test seal specimen surrounds the shaft in the outer wall, and contaminant circulates through the canister for inducing leakage of the contaminant through the seal being tested. The seal and protruded shaft are visually exposed from outside the outer wall so that contaminant leakage past the seal can be visually detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Warn Industries
    Inventors: Bryan M. Averill, Nathan W. Butler, Oliver Heravi, Scott J. Pugliese
  • Patent number: 6796324
    Abstract: A fugitive emission collection device for acquiring an atmosphere sample around a seal is provided. The emission collection device has a rigid member that forms a low impedance cavity shaped to overlay a seal. The emission collection device has a conduit with an inlet in fluid communications with the low impedance cavity and an outlet that can be connected to a chemical sensing system to analyze the atmosphere sample for emissions leaking from the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: John Patrick Dilger, Jerry Marvin Ceaser
  • Patent number: 6779798
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement includes a sealing ring (1) having a sealing lip (3) which is curved forward in the direction of the area to be sealed off (2). The sealing lip (3) is pre-tensioned so as to surround and form a seal around the circumference of the machine element (4) to be sealed off. The sealing lip (3) has, on the side facing radially away from the machine element (4), at least one recess (5). The recess (5) only connects and allows flow between the area to be sealed off (2) and the surrounding area (6) if the sealing ring (1) is incorrectly mounted and the sealing lip (3) is erroneously curved forward in the direction of the surrounding area (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Fabrice Fougerolle
  • Patent number: 6658901
    Abstract: An indication device for a laundry washing machine, which has a treatment chamber (12) for laundry that can be pressurized in order to treat the laundry with a cleaning agent. The treatment chamber is provided with an opening (13), which in the treatment position is covered by a door (16) fixed to a surrounding housing (11) and is sealed from the housing by means of a sealing arrangement. The sealing arrangement comprises at least two gaskets (19, 20) surrounding the opening and forming an intermediate space (23) that via a channel (24) is arranged to communicate with atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Göran Uhlin, Sten Håkan Almström
  • Patent number: 6592126
    Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly includes a leak detector mounted thereon for detecting low rates of liquid leakage across the seal rings of the mechanical seal. The leakage detector collects the liquid leakage and includes a fiber optic sensor for detecting the leakage once the flow rate of the leakage becomes excessive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventor: Duane J. Davis
  • Publication number: 20030111795
    Abstract: A leak path device included in the fabrication and design of a part which allows air or fluid to escape to the outer perimeter of the part. One such path is an outward spiral leak path which can be produced on screw machine equipment without secondary fabrication operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Eric S. Glassman, Edward J. Kowalcyk
  • Patent number: 6554024
    Abstract: A visual signal of pressure between valve stem seals is given by a rising ring, which moves upwardly with the upper stem seal when there is pressure between the stem seals. The rising ring is held to the stem or valve body around the stem by a retaining ring. The rising ring, in its up position, precludes removal of the retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Cameron Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Mefford, Paul M. Gutmann, Daryl L. Ard