Patent US3874678A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3874678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal mechanisms
Assignee: CHARLES WESTON AND CO Ltd
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Filing: 1973-05-30
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-05-30
Abstract
Abstract The seal mechanism for location around a rotatable shaft or tube through which fluid can be passed, the seal mechanism comprising a stationary annular casing into which fluid is fed and an internal sleeve rotatable with the shaft or tube, there being loaded face type seals between the sleeve member and casing. The sleeve member allows passage of fluid to and from the rotating shaft or tube under the influence of a valve means.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles William Potter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:07
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L27/00; F16L27/08; F16L27/087; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/907; Y10S277/929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A seal mechanism for encompassing a rotatable member having an internal passage open to the rotatable member exterior and along which fluid under pressure is to be transmitted via the seal mechanism, the seal mechanism comprising: a. a stationary annular casing surrounding the rotatable member and having radially inwardly directly end walls, b. a fluid inlet passage for ingress of fluid to the casing interior, c. a co-axial sleeve within the casing and also surrounding the rotatable member for rotation therewith, the casing and sleeve between them defining an annular chamber and the sleeve being provided with two ports for allowing fluid communication between the annular chamber and the internal passage of the rotatable member, d. spring-loaded radial face-type sealing means accommodated within the annular chamber for sealing gaps between the casing end walls and sleeve, e. a normally-open centrifugal valve in one of the ports and closable at a predetermined rate of rotation of the rotatable member, and f. a normally-closed check valve in the other port for releasing fluid pressure from the chamber when the centrifugal valve is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A seal mechanism for encompassing a rotatable member having an internal passage open to the rotatable member exterior and along which fluid under pressure is to be transmitted via the seal mechanism, the seal mechanism comprising: a. a stationary annular casing surrounding the rotatable member and having radially inwardly directly end walls, b. a fluid inlet passage for ingress of fluid to the casing interior, c. a co-axial sleeve within the casing and also surrounding the rotatable member for rotation therewith, the casing and sleeve between them defining an annular chamber and the sleeve being provided with two ports for allowing fluid communication between the annular chamber and the internal passage of the rotatable member, d. spring-loaded radial face-type sealing means accommodated within the annular chamber for sealing gaps between the casing end walls and sleeve, e. a normally-open centrifugal valve in one of the ports and closable at a predetermined rate of rotation of the rotatable member, and f. a normally-closed check valve in the other port for releasing fluid pressure from the chamber when the centrifugal valve is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A seal mechanism according to claim 1 further comprising means constraining the check valve to a closed position, which means comprises: a. an actuating ring within the chamber and against the inner periphery of which a stem of the check valve engages, b. resilient means urging the actuating ring against the check valve stem to maintain the check valve closed, and c. a rotatable emergency valve mounted in the casing and operatively engaging the actuating ring bodily to move the actuating ring against the action of the resilient means to open the check valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A seal mechanism according to claim 2, in which the actuating ring has an external wedge-shaped groove formed in its circumference, and the emergency valve has a rotatable stem formed with a bore having ports which, in one angular position of the stem, place the chamber in communication via the bore with atmosphere, and, on the stem, a wedge head engaging in the wedge-shaped groove and disengagable therefrom when the stem is in the said one angular position to move the actuating ring against the action of the resilient means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A seal mechanism according to claim 1 in which the sealing means comprises, in rubbing contact, spring-loaded rotary rings mounted on the sleeve and stationary sealing rings secured to the casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A seal mechanism according to claim 1, comprising a fluid supply pipe connected to the fluid inlet passage, and a three-position control valve associated with the supply pipe to supply, exhaust, or prevent flow of fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A seal mechanism according to claim 2, in which the emergency valve is manually rotatable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seal mechanism according to claim 5, in which the three-position control valve is manually operable.
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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |