US3701536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Labyrinth seal
Assignee: Garrett Corp
•
Filing: 1970-05-19
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1990-05-19
Abstract
Abstract This labyrinth seal has first and second relatively movable members with a rub-tolerant layer on one and spaced, continuous projections on the other. The projections have relatively thin edges initially disposed in closely spaced relation to the surface of the rub-tolerant layer, and when relative movement between the members takes place, some engagement of the edges with the rub-tolerant layer may take place. The layer is of a composition such that when the edges of the projections engage it during relative movement, some of the material will be compressed or moved to one or both sides of the projections to form grooves. The displaced material builds up at the sides of the grooves and increases their effective depth. The spacing of the projections exceeds the potential relative lateral movement between the members so that the resulting ribs at the sides of the grooves will not be destroyed. The resulting interfitting projection edges and grooves form a tortuous passage and reduce the flow of fluids between the members.
Inventors
- 👤 Jennifer V Matthews
- 👤 Thomas T Hamrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:23
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/44; F16J15/445; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/935; Y10S277/939; Y10S277/941
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A labyrinth seal between two relatively rotatable members which are normally concentrically disposed but potentially capable of limited eccentric and axial relative movement during at least one critical stage of operation, comprising: a. a malleable layer on the first of said members, said layer being of a thickness exceeding the potential eccentric relation of said members and composed of a ductile metal having a melting point exceeding 1,200* F and having a porosity which facilitates movement of some of the metal to either side when subjected to the application of force over a limited area; and b. a plurality of spaced, continuous projections on the second of said members, each of said projections having a relatively thin edge initially spaced between 0.002 and 0.006 inches from said malleable layer and serving, when engaged therewith during such critical stage of operation, to laterally displace a portion of said material and form a groove with the displaced material accumulated at at least one side thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A labyrinth seal between two relatively rotatable members which are normally concentrically disposed but potentially capable of limited eccentric and axial relative movement during at least one critical stage of operation, comprising: a. a malleable layer on the first of said members, said layer being of a thickness exceeding the potential eccentric relation of said members and composed of a ductile metal having a melting point exceeding 1,200* F and having a porosity which facilitates movement of some of the metal to either side when subjected to the application of force over a limited area; and b. a plurality of spaced, continuous projections on the second of said members, each of said projections having a relatively thin edge initially spaced between 0.002 and 0.006 inches from said malleable layer and serving, when engaged therewith during such critical stage of operation, to laterally displace a portion of said material and form a groove with the displaced material accumulated at at least one side thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the spacing of the projections on the second member exceeds the possible relative axial movement between said members whereby a definite ridge between adjacent grooves formed in said first member by relative eccentric rotation will be maintained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the malleable layer is composed of a sintered metallic fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 3 in which the sintered metallic fiber layer is composed of previously fabricated sheet material attached to the first of said members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the malleable layer is composed of sintered metallic fiber identified commercially as FELTMETAL.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which each continuous projection has an edge Width to diameter ratio of substantially 0.010 to 1.5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the malleable layer is composed of groups of particles of the metal projecting at a predetermined angle and in spaced relation from one another to yield a selected porosity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 7 in which said predetermined angle is between 15* and 45* relative to the surface of the first member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the malleable layer is composed of a material containing aluminum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the malleable layer is composed of a material containing aluminum and nickel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the malleable layer is composed of a material containing silver.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A labyrinth seal as set forth in claim 1 in which the malleable layer is composed of a material containing silver and manganese.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a seal between two relatively rotatable members which are normally disposed between 0.002 and 0.006 inches spaced concentric relationship but potentially capable of limited eccentric relation during at least one critical stage of operation, a part comprising: a. a tubular support with an internal surface; and b. a layer of rub-tolerant porous material affixed to said internal surface of the support, said layer being of a thickness exceeding the potential eccentric relation of said members and composed of a malleable metal with a melting point exceeding 1,200* F and having the characteristic of being deformable when subjected to the application of localized force and secured to the support such that groups of particles of the metal project at an angle from the internal surface toward one end of the support in spaced relation to yield a predetermined porosity such as to facilitate the movement of some of the metal to either side when subjected to the application of force over a limited area.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
In a seal between two relatively rotatable members which are normally disposed between 0.002 and 0.006 inches spaced concentric relationship but potentially capable of limited eccentric relation during at least one critical stage of operation, a part comprising: a. a tubular support with an internal surface; and b. a layer of rub-tolerant porous material affixed to said internal surface of the support, said layer being of a thickness exceeding the potential eccentric relation of said members and composed of a malleable metal with a melting point exceeding 1,200* F and having the characteristic of being deformable when subjected to the application of localized force and secured to the support such that groups of particles of the metal project at an angle from the internal surface toward one end of the support in spaced relation to yield a predetermined porosity such as to facilitate the movement of some of the metal to either side when subjected to the application of force over a limited area.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The seal part as set forth in claim 13 in which the layer of rub-tolerant porous material is initially provided with grooves disposed in predetermined spaced relation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The seal part as set forth in claim 13 in which the rub-tolerant layer is lightly machined to provide the part with a predetermined inner diameter and maintain said predetermined porosity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |