Sealing means

Claim 2

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sealing lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field, and means for variably magnetizing said sealing lip, said magnetizing means producing magnetization of said sealing lip which varies periodically and relatively rapidly as compared with the speed of said relative movement between values at which said sealing material of said sealing lip sets and softens, respectively, and in which said magnetizing means includes means for superposing a constant magnetization on said periodically and rapidly variable magnetization, said constant magnetization being of a strength which is sufficient alone to maintain said sealing material of said sealing lip in said set condition.

Claim 3

A sealing device in accordance with claim 1, in which said means for superposing a constant magnetization comprises a permanent magnet.

Claim 4

A sealing device in accordance with claim 2, in which said magnetizing means comprises an electromagnet having two pole pieces, said permanent magnet being arranged between said pole pieces and consisting of a material of low magnetic permeability.

Claim 5

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sEaling lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field, and means for variably magnetizing said sealing lip, said magnetizing means producing magnetization of said sealing lip which varies periodically and relatively rapidly as compared with the speed of said relative movement between values at which said sealing material of said sealing lip sets and softens, respectively, said sealing lip being provided with a flexible apron for holding said sealing material together.

Claim 6

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sEaling lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field, and means for variably magnetizing said sealing lip, said magnetizing means producing magnetization of said sealing lip which varies periodically and relatively rapidly as compared with the speed of said relative movement between values at which said sealing material of said sealing lip sets and softens, respectively, said sealing lip being provided with a flexible apron for holding said sealing material together.

Claim 7

A sealing device in accordance with claim 4, in which said apron is formed of wire mesh.

Claim 8

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sealing lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field, and means for variably magnetizing said sealing lip, said magnetizing means producing magnetization of said sealing lip which varies periodically and relatively rapidly as compared with the speed of said relative movement between values at which said sealing material of said sealing lip sets and softens, respectively, said sealing lip including bristles made of magnetizable material extending therethrough, which said bristles are attached to one of said members and extend into sliding contact with the other member.

Claim 9

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sealing lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field, and means for variably magnetizing said sealing lip, said magnetizing means producing magnetization of said sealing lip which varies periodically and relatively rapidly as compared with the speed of said relative movement between values at which said sealing material of said sealing lip sets and softens, respectively, said sealing lip including bristles made of magnetizable material extending therethrough, which said bristles are attached to one of said members and extend into sliding contact with the other member.

Claim 10

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sealing lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field, and means for variably magnetizing said sealing lip, said magnetizing means producing magnetization of said sealing lip which varies periodically and relatively rapidly as compared with the speed of said relative movement between values at which said sealing material of said sealing lip sets and softens, respectively, said sealing material being flowable in a non-magnetized condition, and means for feeding sealing material to form said sealing lip, said feed means being attached to one of said relatively movable members and having an outlet opening through which said sealing material is expelled to form said sealing lip.

Claim 11

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sealing lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field, and means for variably magnetizing said sealing lip, said magnetizing means producing magnetization of said sealing lip which varies periodically and relatively rapidly as compared with the speed of said relative movement between values at which said sealing material of said sealing lip sets and softens, respectively, said sealing material being flowable in a non-magnetized condition, and means for feeding sealing material to form said sealing lip, said feed means being attached to one of said relatively movable members and having an outlet opening through which said sealing material is expelled to form said sealing lip.

Claim 12

A sealing device in accordance with claim 7, including receiving means having an inlet opening spaced from said outlet opening and adapted to collect sealing material from the region adjacent the sealing region.

Claim 13

A sealing device in accordance with claim 7, including means for applying pressure to said sealing material to be expelled, said magnetizing means being arranged to apply a magnetic force urging said sealing material back into said outlet opening.

Claim 14

A sealing device in accordance with claim 7, in which said outlet opening is located close to or in a pole piece of said magnetizing means.

Claim 15

A sealing device in accordance with claim 7, in which said outlet opening is located between pole pieces of said magnetizing means which are of opposite polarity.

Claim 16

A sealing device in accordance with claim 10, in which said pole piece is provided with a lining of substantially nonmagnetizable material within said outlet opening, which extends to beyond the end of said pole piece.

Claim 17

A sealing device in accordance with claim 10, in which said outlet opening forms the discharge end of a reservoir space.

Claim 18

A sealing device in accordance with claim 13, in which said reservoir space and said outlet opening are formed in an insert member formed of substantially non-magnetizable material.

Claim 19

A sealing device in accordance with claim 13, in which said outlet opening protrudes beyond the free end of said pole piece.

Claim 20

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sealing lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which Is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field but is flowable in a nonmagnetized condition, and means for feeding sealing material to form said sealing lip, said feed means being attached to one of said members and having an outlet opening through which said sealing material is expelled to form said sealing lip.

Claim 21

A sealing device for sealing spaces between at least two juxtaposed relatively movable members in air-tight manner, comprising a sealing lip extending between said members formed of sealing material which Is capable of being stiffened under the influence of a magnetic field but is flowable in a nonmagnetized condition, and means for feeding sealing material to form said sealing lip, said feed means being attached to one of said members and having an outlet opening through which said sealing material is expelled to form said sealing lip.

Claim 22

A sealing device in accordance with claim 16, in which said sealing lip is provided with a flexible apron for holding said sealing material together.

Claim 23

A sealing device in accordance with claim 16, including receiving means having an outlet opening spaced from said outlet opening and adapted to collect sealing material from the region adjacent the sealing region.

Claim 24

A sealing device in accordance with claim 16, including means for applying pressure to the sealing material to be expelled from said outlet opening, said magnetizing means being arranged to apply a magnetic force urging the sealing material back into said outlet opening.

Claim 25

A sealing device in accordance with claim 16, in which said outlet opening is located close to or in a pole piece of said magnetizing means.

Claim 26

A sealing device in accordance with claim 16, in which said outlet opening is located between pole pieces of said magnetizing means which are of opposite polarity.

Claim 27

A sealing device in accordance with claim 20, in which said pole piece is provided with a lining of substantially non-magnetizable material within said outlet opening, which extends to beyond the end of said pole piece.

Claim 28

A sealing device in accordance with claim 19, in which said outlet opening forms the discharge end of a reservoir space.

Claim 29

A sealing device in accordance with claim 23, in which said reservoir space and said outlet opening are formed in an insert member formed of substantially non-magnetizable material.

Claim 30

A sealing device in accordance with claim 24, in which said outlet opening protrudes beyond the free end of said pole piece.

Claim 31

A sealing device in accordance with claim 17, in which the apron is formed of wire mesh.