Abstract A sealing washer for rotary mechanical seals, said washer being made of a hard brittle material such as ceramic and subject to cracking and disintegration under thermal shock, the washer being protected against unequal expansion due to such thermal shock by a metal band formed as a stamping and tapered so that at one end it is expanded over the washer and at its other end it has a slight clearance with respect to the washer. The band is made rigid to retain its shape by forming a radial flange at its larger end and a radius at the base of the flange serves to locate the washer in the band during assembly. The band is made to have a coefficient of expansion which is substantially the same as that of the washer.
In combination, a sealing washer for a rotary mechanical seal, said washer being comprised of a frangible material having an outer surface and a radially disposed sealing surface, and an endless metal band surrounding the sealing washer and having a contour corresponding to the contour of the said outer surface of the sealing washer and an inside dimension in its free state over a portion of its axial length which is smaller than the corresponding outside dimension of the washer, the remainder of its axial length having an inside dimension in its installed state which is greater than the corresponding outside dimension of the washer, said endless metal band acting upon said outer surface for placing the washer in radial compression at one end of said band and for transferring heat from said washer to the surrounding atmosphere at its opposite end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In combination, a sealing washer for a rotary mechanical seal, said washer being comprised of a frangible material having an outer surface and a radially disposed sealing surface, and an endless metal band surrounding the sealing washer and having a contour corresponding to the contour of the said outer surface of the sealing washer and an inside dimension in its free state over a portion of its axial length which is smaller than the corresponding outside dimension of the washer, the remainder of its axial length having an inside dimension in its installed state which is greater than the corresponding outside dimension of the washer, said endless metal band acting upon said outer surface for placing the washer in radial compression at one end of said band and for transferring heat from said washer to the surrounding atmosphere at its opposite end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination described in claim 1, said outside surface of the washer being cylindrical and the inside surface of the said unitary means being tapered in its free state, the smallest diameter of the tapered inside surface being less than the diameter of the outside surface of said washer, and the greatest diameter of the tapered inside surface being greater than the said diameter of the outside surface of said washer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination described in claim 2, said means for transferring heat from said frangible material to the surrounding atmosphere comprising a fin extending outwardly from the greatest diameter of the tapered inside surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination described in claim 2, said unitary means comprising a metal stamping, said means for transferring heat from said frangible material comprising a fin on the stamping of the same thickness as the unitary means and connected thereto by a radius which guides the washer into said stamping.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination described in claim 1, said unitary means having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the washer.