US3887197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal system
Assignee: General Atomics Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-17
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1992-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A seal system is described for a shaft which extends between two regions which are to be isolated. The seal includes a seal housing which defines an annular land facing on the shaft and which defines an annular labyrinth facing on the shaft. The housing also defines a collection cavity communicating with the spaces between the land and the shaft and between the labyrinth and the shaft. Fluids compatible with the fluids in each of the two regions to be isolated are introduced, respectively, to the space between the land and the shaft and to the space between the labyrinth and the shaft. These fluids are collected in the cavity and are removed therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Davorin D Kapich
- 👤 Glenn C Thurston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/002; F16J15/004; F16J15/16; F16J15/40; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A seal system for a shaft which extends vertically between a first region in which a liquid is present and a second region in which a gas is present, comprising, a seal housing defining an annular land and an annular labyrinth for facing on the shaft, said land being spaced axially along the shaft above said labyrinth, said seal housing further defining an annular fluid collection cavity for communicating with the space between said land and the shaft and the space between said labyrinth and the shaft, said seal housing further defining an annular recess in said labyrinth intermediate the ends thereof, means for introducing the liquid into the space between said land and the shaft, means for introducing the gas into said annular recess, a nozzle for injecting the liquid into said cavity at a level below the level of liquid therein, said nozzle being vertically oriented to inject the liquid vertically upward, and a diffuser communicating with said cavity and aligned to receive fluid from said nozzle for removing liquid and gas entrained therein from said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A seal system for a shaft which extends vertically between a first region in which a liquid is present and a second region in which a gas is present, comprising, a seal housing defining an annular land and an annular labyrinth for facing on the shaft, said land being spaced axially along the shaft above said labyrinth, said seal housing further defining an annular fluid collection cavity for communicating with the space between said land and the shaft and the space between said labyrinth and the shaft, said seal housing further defining an annular recess in said labyrinth intermediate the ends thereof, means for introducing the liquid into the space between said land and the shaft, means for introducing the gas into said annular recess, a nozzle for injecting the liquid into said cavity at a level below the level of liquid therein, said nozzle being vertically oriented to inject the liquid vertically upward, and a diffuser communicating with said cavity and aligned to receive fluid from said nozzle for removing liquid and gas entrained therein from said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
179 words
A seal system for a shaft which extends vertically between a first region in which a liquid is present and a second region in which a gas is present, comprising, a seal housing defining an annular land and an annular labyrinth for facing on the shaft, said land being spaced axially along the shaft above said labyrinth, said seal housing further defining an annular fluid collection cavity for communicating with the space between said land and the shaft and the space between said labyrinth and the shaft, said seal housing further defining an annular recess in said labyrinth intermediate the ends thereof, means for introducing the liquid into the space between said land and the shaft, means for introducing the gas into said annular recess, a nozzle for injecting the liquid into said cavity at a level below the level of liquid therein, said nozzle being vertically oriented to inject the liquid vertically upward, and a diffuser communicating with said cavity and aligned to receive fluid from said nozzle for removing liquid and gas entrained therein from said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
179 words
A seal system for a shaft which extends vertically between a first region in which a liquid is present and a second region in which a gas is present, comprising, a seal housing defining an annular land and an annular labyrinth for facing on the shaft, said land being spaced axially along the shaft above said labyrinth, said seal housing further defining an annular fluid collection cavity for communicating with the space between said land and the shaft and the space between said labyrinth and the shaft, said seal housing further defining an annular recess in said labyrinth intermediate the ends thereof, means for introducing the liquid into the space between said land and the shaft, means for introducing the gas into said annular recess, a nozzle for injecting the liquid into said cavity at a level below the level of liquid therein, said nozzle being vertically oriented to inject the liquid vertically upward, and a diffuser communicating with said cavity and aligned to receive fluid from said nozzle for removing liquid and gas entrained therein from said cavity.
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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |