US3679217A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic shutdown seal
Assignee: A-C COMPRESSOR Corp A CORP OF
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Filing: 1970-10-27
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A rotary shaft seal is provided with a sealing fluid to seal a process fluid. A spring-biased mechanical shaft seal automatically closes and seals the process fluid from the atmosphere when the sealing fluid pressure is lost. During machine operation the pressure generated by the sealing fluid overcomes the force of the springs to open the mechanical seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Lesiecki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/002; F16J15/008; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/93
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
331 words
In combination with a housing surrounding a rotatable shaft, means for sealing a high pressure fluid area from a low pressure fluid area comprising: a sealing fluid inlet passage in said housing; a sealing fluid outlet passage in said housing; a sealing fluid source in communication with said inlet passage supplying pressurized fluid thereto; walls defining a cooling passage connecting said inlet and outlet passages; a pumping chamber in said housing defined by a rotational wall and an adjacent stationary wall, said pumping chamber being in fluid communication with said inlet passage at a point downstream from the connection of said cooling passage to said inlet passage; a radial fluid passage defined by a rotational wall and a stationary wall in fluid communication with said high pressure area; a transfer passage defined by a rotating surface and a stationary surface connecting said pumping chamber in fluid communication with said radial passage, said radial passAge exerting a backward pressure on said sealing fluid in opposition to the pressure created in said pumping chamber; annular rotational means associated with said shaft; annular nonrotational means surrounding said shaft and supported for axially slidable movement relative to the other means said axially slidable nonrotational means defining one wall of said cooling passage; a sealing fluid pressure chamber exposed to said axially slidable nonrotational means, said pressure chamber being in fluid communication with said sealing fluid downstream from said pressure chamber; a first pair of sealing elements on said rotational and nonrotational means; a second pair of sealing elements associated with said axially slidable nonrotational means in said cooling passage; and mechanical biasing means in contact with said axially slidable means urging said sets of sealing elements toward contact with one another, said biasing means exerting a force sufficient to cause said sealing elements to close and block the flow of high pressure fluid through said radial passage and close said cooling passage after the pressure of said sealing fluid has dropped below a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
331 words
In combination with a housing surrounding a rotatable shaft, means for sealing a high pressure fluid area from a low pressure fluid area comprising: a sealing fluid inlet passage in said housing; a sealing fluid outlet passage in said housing; a sealing fluid source in communication with said inlet passage supplying pressurized fluid thereto; walls defining a cooling passage connecting said inlet and outlet passages; a pumping chamber in said housing defined by a rotational wall and an adjacent stationary wall, said pumping chamber being in fluid communication with said inlet passage at a point downstream from the connection of said cooling passage to said inlet passage; a radial fluid passage defined by a rotational wall and a stationary wall in fluid communication with said high pressure area; a transfer passage defined by a rotating surface and a stationary surface connecting said pumping chamber in fluid communication with said radial passage, said radial passAge exerting a backward pressure on said sealing fluid in opposition to the pressure created in said pumping chamber; annular rotational means associated with said shaft; annular nonrotational means surrounding said shaft and supported for axially slidable movement relative to the other means said axially slidable nonrotational means defining one wall of said cooling passage; a sealing fluid pressure chamber exposed to said axially slidable nonrotational means, said pressure chamber being in fluid communication with said sealing fluid downstream from said pressure chamber; a first pair of sealing elements on said rotational and nonrotational means; a second pair of sealing elements associated with said axially slidable nonrotational means in said cooling passage; and mechanical biasing means in contact with said axially slidable means urging said sets of sealing elements toward contact with one another, said biasing means exerting a force sufficient to cause said sealing elements to close and block the flow of high pressure fluid through said radial passage and close said cooling passage after the pressure of said sealing fluid has dropped below a predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |