US3823950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improved pressure vented wear ring assembly for use in rotary machinery
Assignee: Delaval Turbine California Inc
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Filing: 1972-10-24
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1992-10-24
Abstract
Abstract An improved, pressure vented, wear ring assembly is herein described for use in rotary machinery having a substantial axial pressure gradient. A rotor shaft contacting element, in the form of a plastic wear ring, is mounted in a holding member to extend generally co-axially about the axis of rotation of the rotor member. The holding member substantially encloses all but the rotor engaging portion of the wear ring and is formed with pressure relieving apertures, or exhaust ports, to release high pressure fluid, trapped between opposing surfaces of the wear ring and the holder, to a low pressure region. An intermediate ring or liner is interposed between the wear ring and the holder member, which intermediate ring comprises a porous, nonextrudable member having a relatively high compressive strength. The porous member is operable to direct the trapped high pressure fluid axially, radially and circumferentially of the wear ring, to the exhaust ports formed in the holder, while maintaining the wear ring in a properly aligned, operational posture.
Inventors
- 👤 H Pedersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:21
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D11/00; F01D11/02; F01D11/025; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/44; F16J15/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In rotary machinery, including a wear ring element mounted in a holding member to extend generally co-axially about a rotatable shaft, a low pressure fluid region and a high pressure fluid region being disposed on opposite axial sides of the wear ring, and the holding member being formed with a port for exhausting high pressure fluids trapped between the wear ring element and the holding member, the improvement comprising: means disposed intermediate said wear ring and said holding member for directing the trapped high pressure fluid axially, radially and circumferentially of the wear ring to the exhaust port of the holding member; said means being further operable to maintain the wear ring element in a properly aligned operational posture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In rotary machinery, including a wear ring element mounted in a holding member to extend generally co-axially about a rotatable shaft, a low pressure fluid region and a high pressure fluid region being disposed on opposite axial sides of the wear ring, and the holding member being formed with a port for exhausting high pressure fluids trapped between the wear ring element and the holding member, the improvement comprising: means disposed intermediate said wear ring and said holding member for directing the trapped high pressure fluid axially, radially and circumferentially of the wear ring to the exhaust port of the holding member; said means being further operable to maintain the wear ring element in a properly aligned operational posture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said last mentioned means comprises an annular member consisting of a porous material having sufficient compressive strength to maintain the holding member and wear ring element in a predetermined spaced relationship with respect to the shaft, while maintaining axially, radially and circumferentially extending fluid passageways for directing the trapped high pressure fluid to the exhaust port of the holding member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said porous material consists of fiber metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement according to claim 2, whereIn said porous material consists of a wire mesh.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said porous material consists of a sintered ceramic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pressure vented fluid seal assembly for rotary machinery comprising, in combination: labyrinth serrations formed on a rotor member of the machinery to extend generally in radial planes, a wear ring disposed co-axially about and in rubbing contact with the outer peripheries of said serrations, a high pressure fluid region being developed on one axial side of said wear ring and a low pressure fluid region being disposed on an opposite axial side of said wear ring, a holding member for maintaining said wear ring in an operational posture, an exhaust port being formed in said holding member for exhausting high pressure fluid trapped between said wear ring and said holding member to the low pressure fluid region, and an annular porous member disposed between said holding member and said wear ring for radially spacing said wear ring from said holding member and for carrying the trapped high pressure fluid from between said holding member and said wear ring radially, axially and circumferentially of the wear ring to said exhaust port of said holding member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
175 words
A pressure vented fluid seal assembly for rotary machinery comprising, in combination: labyrinth serrations formed on a rotor member of the machinery to extend generally in radial planes, a wear ring disposed co-axially about and in rubbing contact with the outer peripheries of said serrations, a high pressure fluid region being developed on one axial side of said wear ring and a low pressure fluid region being disposed on an opposite axial side of said wear ring, a holding member for maintaining said wear ring in an operational posture, an exhaust port being formed in said holding member for exhausting high pressure fluid trapped between said wear ring and said holding member to the low pressure fluid region, and an annular porous member disposed between said holding member and said wear ring for radially spacing said wear ring from said holding member and for carrying the trapped high pressure fluid from between said holding member and said wear ring radially, axially and circumferentially of the wear ring to said exhaust port of said holding member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 6, wherein said holding member is formed with a circumferentially extending groove disposed about an internal surface thereof for communicating said exhaust port with high pressure fluid passing through said annular porous member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 6, wherein said holding member is formed to define an annular space for snugly receiving said annular porous member and said wear ring, said holding member having generally radially extending, mutually inclined walls at least partially defining said annular space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein said exhaust port comprises a generally axially extending passageway formed in said holding member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 6, wherein said annular porous member consists of fiber metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 6, wherein said annular porous member consists of a sintered ceramic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 6, wherein said annular porous member consists of a wire mesh.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
For use in a fluid seal assembly surrounding the rotor of a rotary machine and including a wear ring and a wear ring holder formed with an exhaust port: an annular porous member sized to fit snugly between opposing faces of the wear ring and the wear ring holder, and said annular porous member being formed with interstices operable to carry fluid radially, circumferentially and along substantially the entire axial length of said annular porous member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
For use in a fluid seal assembly surrounding the rotor of a rotary machine and including a wear ring and a wear ring holder formed with an exhaust port: an annular porous member sized to fit snugly between opposing faces of the wear ring and the wear ring holder, and said annular porous member being formed with interstices operable to carry fluid radially, circumferentially and along substantially the entire axial length of said annular porous member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 13, wherein said annular porous member consists of fiber metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 13, wherein said annular porous member consists of a sintered ceramic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 13, wherein said annular porous member consists of a wire mesh.
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) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |