US3929340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal with pumping action
Assignee: Chicago Rawhide Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-11
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-11-11
Abstract
Abstract Various oil seal constructions are described in which the flexible primary lip portion is defined by converging first and second, at least partially axially undulating, frusto-conical surfaces disposed respectively at first and second included angles with respect to the axis of said seal unit, facing respectively the exterior and interior of a region to be sealed, with the lip engaging an oppositely directed surface portion of a sealed element in fluid-tight relation along an undulating seal band area formed by the convergence of said undulating frustoconical surfaces, with said first angle being smaller than said second angle. The lip or contact patterns include sinusoidal, cycloidal, zig-zag or chevron forms, and various other forms as well. In certain forms, the surfaces undulate radially only, while in still other forms, the surfaces meeting to define the seal band undulate both radially and axially, while the seal band is in all cases of substantially constant radius. A method of making portions of a mold for forming such seals is also disclosed. The seals provide an excellent static seal and also return fluid along a shaft or the like to the sealed region by a so-called hydrodynamic pumping action.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn W Peisker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/32; F16J15/328; F16J15/3244; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
333 words
An oil seal unit for creating a fluid seal between a pair of relatively movable elements, at least one of which is arranged for rotation about a given axis, and unit having a mounting portion thereof adapted to be fixedly associated in use with the first of said elements, and a generally annular, flexible primary lip portion disposed in a position of use, in a generally facing relation to said second element and defined at least partially by converging first and second, at least partially axially undulating frusto-conical lip surfaces meeting each other along an axially undulating seal band area formed at the convergence of said undulating lip surfaces, said seal band undulating so as to have portions thereoF lying on either side of an imaginary plane lying parallel to the plane of said seal mounting portion and substantially perpendicular to said given axis of said movable member, said first lip surface at least partially facing the surface of said second element lying on the exterior of a region in which a fluid is to be sealed, and said second lip surface at least partially facing the surfaces of said second element lying on the interior of said region in which said fluid is to be sealed, the included angle between said first lip surface and the surface of said second element being from about 15* to about 30* and the included angle between said second lip surface and the surface of said second element being from about 40* to about 60*, said angles being measured as said seal is in a normally installed position of use over said second member, each of said angles being substantially constant throughout the circumferential extent of said lip surfaces, with the amplitude of said seal band undulations being from about 0.003 inches to about 0.015 inches to either side of said imaginary plane, and with said seal band area of said seal as said seal is formed being of substantially constant radius throughout its entire extent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
333 words
An oil seal unit for creating a fluid seal between a pair of relatively movable elements, at least one of which is arranged for rotation about a given axis, and unit having a mounting portion thereof adapted to be fixedly associated in use with the first of said elements, and a generally annular, flexible primary lip portion disposed in a position of use, in a generally facing relation to said second element and defined at least partially by converging first and second, at least partially axially undulating frusto-conical lip surfaces meeting each other along an axially undulating seal band area formed at the convergence of said undulating lip surfaces, said seal band undulating so as to have portions thereoF lying on either side of an imaginary plane lying parallel to the plane of said seal mounting portion and substantially perpendicular to said given axis of said movable member, said first lip surface at least partially facing the surface of said second element lying on the exterior of a region in which a fluid is to be sealed, and said second lip surface at least partially facing the surfaces of said second element lying on the interior of said region in which said fluid is to be sealed, the included angle between said first lip surface and the surface of said second element being from about 15* to about 30* and the included angle between said second lip surface and the surface of said second element being from about 40* to about 60*, said angles being measured as said seal is in a normally installed position of use over said second member, each of said angles being substantially constant throughout the circumferential extent of said lip surfaces, with the amplitude of said seal band undulations being from about 0.003 inches to about 0.015 inches to either side of said imaginary plane, and with said seal band area of said seal as said seal is formed being of substantially constant radius throughout its entire extent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An oil seal unit as defined in claim 1 in which said angle between said first lip surface and said second element is about 20*.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An oil seal unit as defined in claim 1 in which said included angle between said second lip surface and said second element is about 45*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An oil seal unit as defined in claim 3 in which said amplitude is from about 0.005 inches to about 0.010 inches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
An oil seal unit as defined in claim 1 which further includes an annular, generally radially acting spring associated with and partially received within a portion of said seal lip, said spring means being disposed generally radially of said seal band and somewhat axially thereof in the direction of said exterior of said sealed region so as, when said seal is associated in use with said second element, to lessen said angle between said first lip surface and said second element by deformation of said sealing lip in the immediate vicinity of said seal band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An oil seal unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the entire circumferential extent of said seal band comprises between two and six undulations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An oil seal unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the entire circumferential extent of said seal band comprises two undulations of sinusoidal form, the amplitude of said undulation being about 0.005 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An oil seal as defined in claim 1 wherein the entire circumferential extent of said seal band comprises six undulations of sinusoidal form, the amplitude of said undulation being about 0.010 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
An oil seal unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said first frusto-conical lip surface comprises two surface portions, the first of said two surface portions having a forward edge forming a part of said seal band and the second portion having a forward edge spaced from said seal band and meeting said first surface portion along a rear edge thereof, there being smaller and larger angles respectively between said first and second portions and the surface of said second element, said smaller angle being about 15*, as said seal is formed.
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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |