US3880434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealing device for shaft of machines
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1974-01-22
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1994-01-22
Abstract
Abstract The device is constituted by a first dry-friction seal which prevents a first fluid from penetrating into an intermediate chamber, a second dry-friction or lubricated seal which prevents a second fluid from penetrating into the same intermediate chamber, the chamber being intended to collect leakages of the first and second fluids and being in turn divided into two compartments separated by an annular device for receiving an auxiliary fluid which is intended to prevent mixing of the first and second fluids, each compartment being connected to a circulation system for recovering the mixture of auxiliary fluid with said other fluids respectively through corresponding extraction orifices.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Echard
- 👤 Jean Louis Lacourieux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/40; F16J15/002; F16J15/004; F16J15/34; F16J15/3404; F16J15/3408; F16J15/3412; F16J15/342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A sealing device for shaft ends connecting two machines containing respectively fluids which have to be prevented from mixing with each other, wherein said device is constituted by a first dry-friction seal which prevents the first fluid from penetrating into an intermediate chamber, a second dry-friction or lubricated seal which prevents a second fluid from penetrating into the same intermediate chamber, said chamber being intended to collect leakages of tHe first and second fluids and being in turn divided into two compartments separated by an annular device for receiving an auxiliary fluid which is intended to prevent mixing of the first and second fluids, each compartment aforesaid being connected to a circulation system for recovering the mixture of auxiliary fluid with said other fluids respectively through corresponding extraction orifices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sealing device for shaft ends connecting two machines containing respectively fluids which have to be prevented from mixing with each other, wherein said device is constituted by a first dry-friction seal which prevents the first fluid from penetrating into an intermediate chamber, a second dry-friction or lubricated seal which prevents a second fluid from penetrating into the same intermediate chamber, said chamber being intended to collect leakages of tHe first and second fluids and being in turn divided into two compartments separated by an annular device for receiving an auxiliary fluid which is intended to prevent mixing of the first and second fluids, each compartment aforesaid being connected to a circulation system for recovering the mixture of auxiliary fluid with said other fluids respectively through corresponding extraction orifices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the orifices of one of the two compartments are protected against any powdered deposits produced by the first and second fluids or as a result of contacting of said fluids by means of a centrifuging device mounted on the rotary shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein one or both of said compartments are in turn divided into two half-compartments by means of a deflector, each half-compartment aforesaid being connected respectively through one or two orifices to two extraction circuits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said annular device for separating the intermediate chamber is constituted by at least two rotary cheeks rigidly fixed to the shaft, each rotary cheek aforesaid being placed against stationary spacer members at the minimum distance permitted by the expansion of the assembly, said spacer members being fitted in position against the shaft at the minimum distance which permits frictionless rotation of said shaft, a spacer member being pierced radially by a duct which has its opening between the two cheeks and through which an auxiliary fluid is introduced between the two compartments aforesaid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sealing device according to claim 4, wherein each cheek is provided on at least one face with tracks in the form of spiral grooves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein said annular device is constituted by a stationary distributor-ring which is fitted in position against the shaft at the minimum distance which permits frictionless rotation of said shaft, said distributor-ring being provided with a circular groove which surrounds the shaft, a duct being formed in said distributor-ring up to the circular groove in order to supply said groove with auxiliary fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A sealing device according to claim 6, wherein said distributor-ring is constituted by two half-rings assembled together, an annular slot being formed between the two half-rings, the rate of flow of fluid within said annular slot being lower than the rate of flow in the duct through which the auxiliary fluid is supplied.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A sealing device according to claim 6, wherein said distributor-ring is connected to the stationary portion by two leak-tight flexible membranes, the duct for supplying the distributor-ring with auxiliary fluid being such as to have its opening between the two flexible membranes aforesaid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sealing device according to claim 6, wherein said distributor-ring which is elastically mounted around the shaft is connected to a fixed spacer member by means of a leak-tight bellows seal in concentric relation with the shaft which applies said spacer member in leak-tight manner against another spacer member connected to the stationary portion, the duct for the supply of auxiliary fluid being intended to open between the two spacer members aforesaid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A sealing device according to claim 6, wherein said distributor-ring is provided at the level of the friction surface against the shaft with a stack consisting of a plurality of annular components of lubricating material, said annular components being maintained in relatively spaced relation by means of distance-pieces and applied in frictional contact with the shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
A sealing device according to claim 6, wherein said distributor-ring comprises two annular components which are self-centered on the shaft by the stream of auxiliary gas which escapes between said components and said shaft, said two annular components being applied in leak-tight manner by means of an elastic device which tends to maintain them in spaced relation against two thrusT-bearing rings carried by said distributor-ring, the auxiliary fluid supply duct being located within the distributor-ring between the two self-centered annular components.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein said annular device is constituted by one or two seals which operate on the hydrostatic or aerostatic principle by means of the auxiliary fluid having leakages which are distributed within the two compartments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sealing device according to claim 1 in which the supply of auxiliary fluid is put into communication with the atmosphere.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary gas is nitrogen.
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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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |