US4973068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential surface roughness dynamic seals and bearings
Assignee: University of New Mexico
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Filing: 1989-05-26
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Granted: 1990-11-27
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Expires: 2009-05-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a dynamic seal or bearing interface having areas with different roughnesses. The different surface areas both provide asperity tip load support for the opposing interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan O. Lebeck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J9/00; F16J9/26; F16C; F16C29/00; F16C29/02; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/043; F16J10/00; F16J10/02; F16J10/04; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/34; F16J15/3404; F16J15/3408; F16J15/3412; F16J15/3424; F05; F05C; F05C2203/00; F05C2203/08; F05C2203/0865; F05C2203/0882; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A dynamic seal or bearing interface having a surface comprising: a first interface area which provides a first amount of surface roughness which provides asperity tip load support; and a second interface area which provides a second amount of surface roughness which provides asperity tip load support, said second amount of surface roughness within said second interface area being different from said first amount of surface roughness within said first interface area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A dynamic seal or bearing interface having a surface comprising: a first interface area which provides a first amount of surface roughness which provides asperity tip load support; and a second interface area which provides a second amount of surface roughness which provides asperity tip load support, said second amount of surface roughness within said second interface area being different from said first amount of surface roughness within said first interface area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of providing a greater number of asperity tips per unit surface area in said first interface area than in said second interface area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein one of said interface areas comprises land and dam portions in a radial land-dam mechanical face seal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein one of said interface areas comprises spiral grooves in a spiral groove mechanical face seal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 2 further comprising valleys between said asperity tips, and said valleys in said second interface area having a greater depth from said asperity tips than the depth of the valleys in said first interface area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said surfaces have valleys between said asperity tips, said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said valleys in said first interface area being shallower than in said second interface area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein one of said interface areas comprises spiral grooves in a spiral groove mechanical face seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein one of said interface areas comprises land and dam portions in a radial land-dam mechanical face seal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said surfaces have valleys between said asperity tips, said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said valleys and said asperity tips defining a mean surface level from each of said first and second interface areas, said mean surface level in said first interface area being shallower than in said second interface area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said second amount of surface roughness is different form said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said first interface area and said second interface area comprising materials different from each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said first interface area and said second interface area comprising identical material and one of said interface areas further comprising selectively altered regions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A dynamic seal or bearing interface as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of asperities in said second interface area having greater peak to valley height than in said first interface area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said second amount of surface roughness is different form said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said first interface area and said second interface area comprising materials different from each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said first interface area and said second interface area comprising identical material and one of said interface area further comprising selectively altered regions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said surfaces have valleys between said asperity tips, said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said valleys in said first interface area being shallower than in said second interface area.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said surfaces have valleys between said asperity tips, said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of said valleys and said asperity tips defining a mean surface level for each of said first and second interface areas, said mean surface level in said first interface area being shallower than in said second interface area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein one of said interface areas comprises land and dam portions in a radial land-dam mechanical face seal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein one of said interface areas comprises spiral grooves in a spiral groove mechanical face seal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said interface areas comprises spiral grooves in a spiral groove mechanical face seal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein one of said interface areas comprises land and dam portions in a radial; land-dam mechanical face seal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said second interface area has a mean surface level deeper than said first interface area.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said second amount of surface roughness is different from said first amount of surface roughness as a result of providing a greater average depth for fluid flow in said second interface area than in said first interface area.
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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) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-05-28 | 1994-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-26 | 1998-05-28 | 1998-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-26 | 2002-05-28 | 2002-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |