US5046718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating ring labyrinth-type dynamic shaft seal and process for using same
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1989-12-28
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Granted: 1991-09-10
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Expires: 2009-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A process for providing a seal around a reciprocating and/or rotating shaft as in an apparatus for manipulating a fluid at least in part by the rotary and/or reciprocal motion of the shaft, involving the insertion of substantially identically configured free-floating seal elements into the gap between the shaft and its housing, and the improved apparatus resulting therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 II Robert A. Hay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/40; F16J15/406; F01; F01C; F01C19/00; F01C19/12; F01C19/125; F16J15/34; F16J15/3436; F16J15/44; F16J15/441; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A process for providing a seal around a relatively movable shaft, comprising the step of at least locally dividing a flow channel defined by an operationally required local clearance h between the shaft and a stationary member associated with the shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for providing a seal around a relatively movable shaft, comprising the step of at least locally dividing a flow channel defined by an operationally required local clearance h between the shaft and a stationary member associated with the shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process as defined in claim 1, wherein: a flow channel of clearance h or greater is defined around a circumference of the shaft; and said flow channel is divided into a plurality of concentric flow subchannels around said circumference of said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as defined in claim 2, wherein said flow channel is generally annular in configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as defined in claim 3, wherein: the number n of concentric flow subchannels is uniform about the circumference of the shaft; and said n concentric flow subchannels are generally annular in configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as defined in claim 2, wherein the number n of concentric flow subchannels is uniform around the circumference of the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as defined in claim 2, wherein the number n of concentric flow channels is not uniform about the circumference of the shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for providing a seal around a relatively movable shaft against leakage of a shear-thinning fluid, comprising the steps of: at least locally dividing a flow channel defined by an operationally required local clearance h between the shaft and a member associated with the shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created: and at least locally expanding one of said flow channel and said plurality of flow subchannels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for providing a seal around a relatively movable shaft against leakage of a shear-thinning fluid, comprising the steps of: at least locally dividing a flow channel defined by an operationally required local clearance h between the shaft and a member associated with the shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created: and at least locally expanding one of said flow channel and said plurality of flow subchannels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A seal assembly for use in combination with a relatively movable shaft, comprising means for at least locally dividing a flow channel created by an operationally required local clearance h between the shaft and a stationary member associated with the shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A seal assembly for use in combination with a relatively movable shaft, comprising means for at least locally dividing a flow channel created by an operationally required local clearance h between the shaft and a stationary member associated with the shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A seal assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said free-floating seal elements are substantially identically configured.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A seal assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein: said flow channel is generally annular in configuration: the number n of flow subchannels is uniform about a circumference of the shaft; and said (n-1) substantially identically configured free-floating seal elements comprise rings of substantially rectangular cross-section having a smallest inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of the shaft defining said flow channel of clearance h in combination with said stationary member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A seal assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein: said flow channel is generally annular in configuration: the number n of flow subchannels is uniform about a circumference of the shaft; and said (n-1) substantially identically configured free-floating seal elements comprise rings of a cross-sectional configuration which has a central substantially rectangular portion with tapered end portions, said rings having a smallest inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of the shaft defining said flow channel of clearance h in combination with said stationary member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A seal assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said tapered end portions are substantially symmetrically tapered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A seal assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said (n-1) substantially identically configures free-floating seal elements are of a cross-sectional configuration which has a central substantially rectangular cross-section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A seal assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said (n-1) substantially identically configured free-floating seal elements are of a cross-sectional configuration which has a central substantially rectangular portion with tapered end portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seal assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein said tapered end portions are substantially symmetrical.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
In an apparatus for manipulating a fluid at least in part by the relative motion of a shaft, the improvement comprising a seal assembly associated with said relatively movable shaft, wherein said seal assembly includes means for at least locally dividing a flow channel defined by an operationally required local clearance h between said shaft and a stationary member associated with said shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
In an apparatus for manipulating a fluid at least in part by the relative motion of a shaft, the improvement comprising a seal assembly associated with said relatively movable shaft, wherein said seal assembly includes means for at least locally dividing a flow channel defined by an operationally required local clearance h between said shaft and a stationary member associated with said shaft into a plurality of flow subchannels of average dimension h/n (n-1) free floating elements into said flow channel, where n is the number of flow subchannels locally so created.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said free-floating elements are substantially identically configured.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein: said flow channel is generally annular in configuration: the number n of flow subchannels is uniform about a circumference of the shaft; and said (n-1) substantially identically configured free-floating elements comprise rings of substantially rectangular cross-section having a smallest inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of the shaft defining said flow channel of clearance h in combination with said stationary member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein: said flow channel is generally annular in configuration; the number n of flow subchannels is uniform about a circumference of the shaft; and said (n-1) substantially identically configured free-floating elements comprise rings of a cross-sectional configuration which has a central substantially rectangular portion with tapered end portions, said rings having a smallest inner diameter which exceeds the outer diameter of the shaft defining said flow channel of clearance h in combination with said stationary member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said tapered end portions are substantially symmetrically tapered.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said (n-1) substantially identically configured free-floating elements are of substantially rectangular cross-section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said (n-1) identically configured free-floating elements are of a cross-sectional configuration which has a central substantially rectangular portion with tapered end portions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said tapered end portions are substantially symmetrically tapered.
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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) | 1994-09-09 | 1995-03-11 | 1995-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | 1999-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-09 | 2003-03-11 | 2003-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |