US4300775A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid-filled radial seal
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1979-08-13
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Granted: 1981-11-17
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Expires: 1999-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A liquid-filled radial seal (12) includes an annular seal portion (36) and an annular body portion (34) connected thereto and defining an internal chamber (44) with an incompressible liquid (56) therein. The seal portion (36) has a sealing surface (64) and a cross sectional configuration tapering divergingly away from the sealing surface (64) to a cylindrical reference boundary (38) located between the portions (34,36). The chamber is spaced radially away from the reference boundary (38) and the free radial distance between the chamber (44) and the sealing surface (64) is preferably a preselected proportion of the overall radial height of the seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Reginald K. Ringel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:39
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/32; F16J15/3204; F16J15/3224; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/935; Y10S277/944; Y10S277/945; Y10S277/946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A liquid-filled radial seal (12) comprising: an annular body portion (34) having a substantially cylindrical seating surface (40) and defining an internal chamber (44); an incompressible liquid (56) substantially filling the chamber (44); and an annular seal portion (36) having a substantially cylindrical sealing surface (64), the seal portion (36) being radially connected to the body portion (34) along a cylindrical reference boundary (38) and having a cross sectional configuration tapering divergingly and radially away from the sealing surface (64) toward the reference boundary (38), the free radial distance "h" between the chamber (44) and the sealing surface (64) being proportioned within a range of about 25 to 50% of the free radial overall height "H" of the seal (12) between the cylindrical surfaces (40,64).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A liquid-filled radial seal (12) comprising: an annular body portion (34) having a substantially cylindrical seating surface (40) and defining an internal chamber (44); an incompressible liquid (56) substantially filling the chamber (44); and an annular seal portion (36) having a substantially cylindrical sealing surface (64), the seal portion (36) being radially connected to the body portion (34) along a cylindrical reference boundary (38) and having a cross sectional configuration tapering divergingly and radially away from the sealing surface (64) toward the reference boundary (38), the free radial distance "h" between the chamber (44) and the sealing surface (64) being proportioned within a range of about 25 to 50% of the free radial overall height "H" of the seal (12) between the cylindrical surfaces (40,64).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein the chamber (44) defines a pair of sidewalls (52) having substantially parallel inner and outer surfaces (50, 42), each sidewall having a thickness "t" proportioned in a range of about 10 to 20% of the axial width "w" of the seal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein the sealing surface (64) has a coefficient of friction less than 0.15.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein in the free state the body portion (34) is a symmetrical quadrilateral in cross sectional configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein the seal portion (36) tapers divergingly away from the sealing surface (64) solely to the reference boundary (38) in a symmetrical manner in the cross sectional configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seal (12) of claim 5 wherein the chamber (44) is located radially inwardly and away from the reference boundary (38).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein in the free state the seal portion (36) is a symmetrical trapezoid in cross sectional configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein the seal portion (36) has first and second elements (58,60) connected together, the second element (60) defining the sealing surface (64) and being constructed of a relatively low friction material, the first element (58) being constructed of an elastomeric material different than the relatively low friction material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein the liquid (56) includes water and ethylene glycol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein in the free state the seal portion (36) has opposite conical side surface portions (70).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein the material of the body portion (34) is selected from the group consisting of nitrile rubber, natural rubber, chloroprene rubber, and urethane materials.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The seal (12) of claim 11 wherein the sealing surface (64) thereof is of a material selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene polymer, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, acetal resin, and filled nylon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The seal (12) of claim 1 wherein in the free state the internal chamber (44) is generally of rectangular cross sectional configuration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-16 | 1985-05-18 | 1985-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-16 | 1989-05-18 | 1989-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-16 | 1993-05-18 | 1993-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |