US3895831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal assembly providing dual seal zones
Assignee: Conax Buffalo Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-10
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1993-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A seal assembly provides spaced apart seal zones for an object which extends through an opening in a body member to provide a chamber between said zones which may be used to monitor leakage through the seals effected at said zones. An important application is in sealing the passage of a conductor through the containment wall for a nuclear reactor, although the seal assembly is applicable wherever it is desired to provide a seal between an object which penetrates a body member and that can be checked for effectiveness.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Fisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:06
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C17/00; G21C17/10; G21C17/116; F; F16; F16L; F16L5/00; F16L5/02; F16L5/14; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A seal assembly comprising an object having a cylindrical periphery which penetrates an opening through a body member, means providing an abutment portion of the wall of said opening as an annular seat; means providing a cylindrical portion of said wall spaced axially from such abutment wall portion; a first metal ferrule surrounding said object and engaged with said seat and one part of said periphery; a second metal ferrule surrounding said object and engaged with another part of said periphery; a third metal ferrule surrounding said second ferrule and engaged with such cylindrical wall portion; an annular intermediate follower engaged at one end with said first ferrule and engaged at its other end with said second and third ferrules; and thrust means engaged with said second and third ferrules applying thereto a force axially directed toward said seat effective to utilize said first ferrule to provide a first sealed engagement between said body member and said object, to utilize said second ferrule to Provide a second sealed engagement between said intermediate follower and said object and to utilize said third ferrule to provide a third sealed engagement between said intermediate follower and said body member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A seal assembly comprising an object having a cylindrical periphery which penetrates an opening through a body member, means providing an abutment portion of the wall of said opening as an annular seat; means providing a cylindrical portion of said wall spaced axially from such abutment wall portion; a first metal ferrule surrounding said object and engaged with said seat and one part of said periphery; a second metal ferrule surrounding said object and engaged with another part of said periphery; a third metal ferrule surrounding said second ferrule and engaged with such cylindrical wall portion; an annular intermediate follower engaged at one end with said first ferrule and engaged at its other end with said second and third ferrules; and thrust means engaged with said second and third ferrules applying thereto a force axially directed toward said seat effective to utilize said first ferrule to provide a first sealed engagement between said body member and said object, to utilize said second ferrule to Provide a second sealed engagement between said intermediate follower and said object and to utilize said third ferrule to provide a third sealed engagement between said intermediate follower and said body member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein said thrust means includes an annular rear follower surrounding said object and engaged with said second and third ferrules, and a rotatable cap member having a threaded engagement with said body member and engaged with said rear follower.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate follower occupies less than all of the space defined by said periphery intermediate its said parts and the portion of said wall between its said abutment and cylindrical wall portions to provide a chamber having two sealed ends, and said body member has an access opening terminating in said wall and communicating with said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A seal assembly according to claim 3 wherein said intermediate follower has inner clearance with such intermediate peripheral part, has outer clearance with such intermediate wall portion, and also has at least one hole therethrough establishing communication between said clearances.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
135 words
A seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein said seat is divergently inclined in a direction toward said first ferrule, an inclined annular first surface is on said first ferrule engaged with such inclined seat, an annular second surface is on said first ferrule convergently inclined in a direction toward said intermediate follower, an inclined annular third surface is on said intermediate fllower engaged with said second surface, an annular fourth surface is on said second ferrule convergently inclined in a direction toward said intermediate follower, an inclined annular fifth surface is on said intermediate follower engaged with said fourth surface, a sixth annular surface is on said third ferrule divergently inclined in a direction toward said intermediate follower, and an inclined annular seventh surface is on said intermediate follower engaged with said sixth surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A seal assembly according to claim 5 wherein said thrust means includes an annular rear follower surrounding said object and having an annular eighth surface divergently inclined in a direction toward said second ferrule and also having an annular ninth surface convergently inclined in a direction toward said third ferrule, and said second and third ferrules have inclined annular tenth and eleventh surfaces, respectively, engaged with said eighth and ninth surfaces, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seal assembly according to claim 6 wherein each of said ferrules is a continuous ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A seal assembly according to claim 7 wherein each of said ferrules is composed of a material more malleable than that of which said body member and followers are composed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A seal assembly according to claim 8 wherein each of said ferrules is composed of copper coated with silver and said body member and followers are composed of stainless steel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A seal assembly according to claim 4 wherein said body member is provided with a passage communicating with said chamber and further comprising detection means operatively associated with said passage for sensing the integrity of said sealed engagements.
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) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |