US5046718A — Floating ring labyrinth-type dynamic shaft seal a…

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.

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

Floating ring labyrinth-type dynamic shaft seal and process for using same

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