US4180983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for preventing leakages of working fluid from a heat engine
Assignee: Alstom SA
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Filing: 1978-04-10
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Granted: 1980-01-01
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Expires: 1998-04-10
Abstract
Abstract The invention comes within the field of heat engines which operate by means of a fluid which flows in a closed circuit. A device characterized by the fact that the engine is placed in a sealed chamber and that its output shaft is coupled to a transmission shaft which does not undergo any bending stress, having a seal where the transmission shaft passes through the chamber, the seal being permanently in contact with a lubricant during operation and when the engine is stopped. The invention applies in particular to isolated low or medium power engine installations which require only slight supervision.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Maginot
- 👤 Roger Le Peutrec
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:08
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02F; F02F11/00; F02G; F02G1/00; F02G1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A device for preventing leakages of a working fluid from an engine which operates by means of the internal energy of the fluid and which operates in a closed cycle, the improvement wherein: the engine is supported inside a fixed and sealed chamber with its output shaft extending vertically downwards, a transmission shaft is aligned with said engine output shaft and coupled to said output shaft by means of a coupling allowing some radial and axial play, said transmission shaft passing through said chamber, a lower bearing axially fixing the transmission shaft and an upper bearing radially fixing said transmission shaft but allowing a free axial expansion thereof, a rotating seal ring in the vicinity of the lower bearing which fixes the shaft axially and cooperating with a fixed seal ring integral with said chamber, said seals being lubricated by means of a lubricant contained in the lower part of said chamber, lubricant supply orifices for said seals being provided in a support bushing for the seals and the bearings, at a higher level than that of the bottom of the chamber, and heating means for keeping the lubricant at a temperature causing the evaporation of said fluid which is contained in the lubricant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
204 words
A device for preventing leakages of a working fluid from an engine which operates by means of the internal energy of the fluid and which operates in a closed cycle, the improvement wherein: the engine is supported inside a fixed and sealed chamber with its output shaft extending vertically downwards, a transmission shaft is aligned with said engine output shaft and coupled to said output shaft by means of a coupling allowing some radial and axial play, said transmission shaft passing through said chamber, a lower bearing axially fixing the transmission shaft and an upper bearing radially fixing said transmission shaft but allowing a free axial expansion thereof, a rotating seal ring in the vicinity of the lower bearing which fixes the shaft axially and cooperating with a fixed seal ring integral with said chamber, said seals being lubricated by means of a lubricant contained in the lower part of said chamber, lubricant supply orifices for said seals being provided in a support bushing for the seals and the bearings, at a higher level than that of the bottom of the chamber, and heating means for keeping the lubricant at a temperature causing the evaporation of said fluid which is contained in the lubricant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the engine is a two screw engine, the screws having parallel axes and meshing together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3831381A
Cited
US4005580A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-31 | 1983-07-02 | 1984-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-31 | 1987-07-02 | 1988-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-31 | 1991-07-02 | 1992-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |