US4174672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ship's propeller shaft sealing assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-12-19
•
Granted: 1979-11-20
•
Expires: 1997-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A shaft, and especially a ship's propeller shaft, sealing assembly which comprises a solid housing structure having a central bore for receiving the shaft, the housing structure accommodating two seals spaced axially along the bore and a void chamber between the seals. The void chamber gives an indication of seal failure and its radial extent is defined by a solid inner wall of the housing structure.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:41
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H23/00; B63H23/32; B63H23/321; F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/002; F16J15/004; F16J15/16; F16J15/32; F16J15/3268; B63H2023/327
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A ship's propeller shaft sealing assembly comprising a rigid housing structure accommodating two sealing means spaced axially along the shaft, the housing structure being secured to the ship's stern tube bearing so that the forward sealing means is aft of the stern tube bearing, and a chamber between the sealing means and having an outlet, an immovable rigid inner wall of the housing structure defining the radial extent of the chamber, the chamber being empty, unless there is leakage past either of the seals, and the outlet being connected to an inboard collector so as to allow such leakage to be gravity-fed from the chamber to the collector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A ship's propeller shaft sealing assembly comprising a rigid housing structure accommodating two sealing means spaced axially along the shaft, the housing structure being secured to the ship's stern tube bearing so that the forward sealing means is aft of the stern tube bearing, and a chamber between the sealing means and having an outlet, an immovable rigid inner wall of the housing structure defining the radial extent of the chamber, the chamber being empty, unless there is leakage past either of the seals, and the outlet being connected to an inboard collector so as to allow such leakage to be gravity-fed from the chamber to the collector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing structure is attached as a unit to the said bearing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which each sealing means comprises a lip-seal in sealing engagement with a liner on the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing structure is made up of a plurality of solid housing units which are releasably secured together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sealing assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which one unit of the housing structure accommodates the aft sealing means, another unit accommodates the forward sealing means, and a further unit between the units accommodating the sealing means defines the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sealing assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which the housing units for the sealing means can be made up of two or more parts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which a passage is provided in the housing structure which is open at one end to a forward sealing face of the aft sealing means, and at the other end to the outside of the housing structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A sealing assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the forward sealing means is arranged to prevent leakage of sea water from the chamber into the bearing, pressure of any sea water in the chamber serving to increase its sealing effect against ingress of that water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB650693A
Cited
US3403915A
Cited
GB1238208A
Cited
US3521890A
Cited
US3653350A
Cited
US3972396A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-19 | 1983-05-21 | 1983-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-19 | 1987-05-21 | 1987-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-19 | 1991-05-21 | 1991-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |