Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090250881 | LOW TORQUE HYDRODYNAMIC LIP GEOMETRY FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL ROTATION SEALS - A hydrodynamically lubricating geometry for the generally circular dynamic sealing lip of rotary seals that are employed to partition a lubricant from an environment. The dynamic sealing lip is provided for establishing compressed sealing engagement with a relatively rotatable surface, and for wedging a film of lubricating fluid into the interface between the dynamic sealing lip and the relatively rotatable surface in response to relative rotation that may occur in the clockwise or the counter-clockwise direction. A wave form incorporating an elongated dimple provides the gradual convergence, efficient impingement angle, and gradual interfacial contact pressure rise that are conducive to efficient hydrodynamic wedging. Skewed elevated contact pressure zones produced by compression edge effects provide for controlled lubricant movement within the dynamic sealing interface between the seal and the relatively rotatable surface, producing enhanced lubrication and low running torque. | 10-08-2009 |
20110006484 | ROTARY SHAFT SEALING ASSEMBLY - A rotary shaft sealing assembly in which a first fluid is partitioned from a second fluid in a housing assembly having a rotary shaft located at least partially within. In one embodiment a lip seal is lubricated and flushed with a pressure-generating seal ring preferably having an angled diverting feature. The pressure-generating seal ring and a hydrodynamic seal may be used to define a lubricant-filled region with each of the seals having hydrodynamic inlets facing the lubricant-filled region. Another aspect of the sealing assembly is having a seal to contain pressurized lubricant while withstanding high rotary speeds. Another rotary shaft sealing assembly embodiment includes a lubricant supply providing a lubricant at an elevated pressure to a region between a lip seal and a hydrodynamic seal with a flow control regulating the flow of lubricant past the lip seal. The hydrodynamic seal may include an energizer element having a modulus of elasticity greater than the modulus of elasticity of a sealing lip of the hydrodynamic seal. | 01-13-2011 |
20120013078 | LOW TORQUE HYDRODYNAMIC LIP GEOMETRY FOR ROTARY SEALS - A hydrodynamically lubricating geometry for the generally circular dynamic sealing lip of rotary seals that are employed to partition a lubricant from an environment. The dynamic sealing lip is provided for establishing compressed sealing engagement with a relatively rotatable surface, and for wedging a film of lubricating fluid into the interface between the dynamic sealing lip and the relatively rotatable surface in response to relative rotation that may occur in the clockwise or the counter-clockwise direction. A wave form incorporating an elongated dimple provides the gradual convergence, efficient impingement angle, and gradual interfacial contact pressure rise that are conducive to efficient hydrodynamic wedging. Skewed elevated contact pressure zones produced by compression edge effects provide for controlled lubricant movement within the dynamic sealing interface between the seal and the relatively rotatable surface, producing enhanced lubrication and low running torque. | 01-19-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090001671 | Rotary seal with improved film distribution - The present invention is a generally circular rotary seal that establishes sealing between relatively rotatable machine components for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion, and incorporates seal geometry that interacts with the lubricant during relative rotation to distribute a lubricant film within the dynamic sealing interface. The features of a variable inlet size, a variable dynamic lip flank slope, and a reduction in the magnitude and circumferentially oriented portion of the lubricant side interfacial contact pressure zone at the narrowest part of the lip, individually or in combination thereof, serve to maximize interfacial lubrication in severe operating conditions, and also serve to minimize lubricant shear area, seal torque, seal volume, and wear, while ensuring retrofitability into the seal grooves of existing equipment. | 01-01-2009 |
20100259015 | HYDRODYNAMIC SEAL WITH IMPROVED EXCLUSION AND LUBRICATION - A hydrodynamic sealing assembly including a first machine component defining a seal groove and a second machine component having a rotatable surface that is rotatable relative to the first machine component. A hydrodynamic seal including a seal body of generally ring-shaped configuration having a circumference and the seal body includes a sealing lip having a sealing surface contacting the relatively rotatable surface to establish a sealing interface between the sealing lip and the relatively rotatable surface. The sealing lip includes an exclusion edge of abrupt substantially circular form that is substantially aligned with a direction of relative rotation between the sealing lip and the relatively rotatable surface in a compressed, installed condition of the seal and wherein the exclusion edge is non-circular and slightly wavy in an uncompressed, uninstalled condition of the hydrodynamic seal. | 10-14-2010 |
20100264603 | ROTARY SEAL WITH TRUNCATED WAVE FORM - The present invention is a generally circular rotary seal that establishes sealing between relatively rotatable machine components for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion, and incorporates seal geometry that interacts with the lubricant during relative rotation to distribute a lubricant film within the dynamic sealing interface. A preferably curved elevated contact pressure zone serves to maximize interfacial lubrication in critical areas during severe operating conditions by utilizing lubricant that would otherwise escape at the trailing edge of the hydrodynamic waves. The zones are produced by geometry that serves to minimize lubricant shear area, seal torque, seal volume, and wear, while ensuring retrofitability into the seal grooves of existing equipment. | 10-21-2010 |
20110127725 | PRESSURE-BALANCED FLOATING SEAL HOUSING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A dynamic sealing mechanism for a machine assembly that includes a seal housing of generally cylindrical form having opposed ends, the seal housing axially positioned between a pressure housing and a retaining member and laterally translatable relative to the pressure housing. The dynamic sealing mechanism includes a shaft located at least partially within the seal housing, the shaft having a sealing surface of generally cylindrical form, relatively movable with respect to the seal housing, and having at least one radial bearing positioned radially by the shaft and locating the radial position of the seal housing. At least three fluid pressure-generated forces act axially on the seal housing to produce a net fluid pressure-generated axial force that is negligible. | 06-02-2011 |
20110140365 | ROTARY SEAL WITH SUPPORTED INLET - A hydrodynamically lubricated sealing element for applications where the pressure of a contained fluid can be significantly greater than the pressure of the seal lubricant. The sealing element retains the pressure of the contained fluid and provides hydrodynamic lubricant pumping activity at the dynamic sealing interface to enhance service life. The invention is particularly suitable for oilfield drilling swivel washpipe assemblies, downhole drilling tools, and rotary mining equipment, and for applications such as artificial lift pump stuffing box assemblies and centrifugal pumps where a rotating shaft penetrates a pressurized reservoir that is filled with abrasive-laden liquids, mixtures, or slurries. | 06-16-2011 |
20120038113 | HYDRODYNAMIC BACKUP RING - A seal backup ring is provided with undulating surfaces which create circumferential convergence with a relatively rotatable surface. The backup ring is configured so that differential pressure acting across a rotary seal forces portions of the backup ring against the relatively rotatable surface, closing, or substantially closing, the extrusion gap that the rotary seal is exposed to. In response to relative rotation between the backup ring and the mating relatively rotatable surface, the circumferential convergence promotes hydrodynamic lubrication within the dynamic interface that exists between the backup ring and the relatively rotatable surface. The modulus of elasticity of the backup ring is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the rotary seal. | 02-16-2012 |
20140035238 | DYNAMIC BACKUP RING ASSEMBLY - A seal backup ring assembly is provided that eliminates fluid differential pressure acting radially on the backup ring, preventing collapse of the backup ring against a shaft. The backup ring is assembled so that the initial clearance (extrusion gap) between the backup ring and relatively rotating member is not affected by the differential pressure acting across the assembly. This allows for an initially small extrusion gap to be present throughout the differential pressure range. | 02-06-2014 |