US5676472A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary labyrinth seal
Assignee: Azenta Inc
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Filing: 1995-07-10
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Granted: 1997-10-14
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Expires: 2015-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A rotary seal is located in a gap between an inner surface and an outer surface. A radial bearing allows the inner and outer surfaces to rotate relative to each other. A radial barrier includes a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the inner surface interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the outer surface. The flanges may be angled and have an upturned lip located at an inner edge of each flange. The radial seal may include a magnet. A robotic arm has a first housing with a top surface and an aperture therein. A shaft extends up through the aperture, and there is a gap between the shaft and an inner edge of the aperture. A splash guard may extend over said gap, and an indentation in said top surface may at least partially surround the gap.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd Solomon
- 👤 Donald J. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:03
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J21/00; B25J21/005; B25J19/00; B25J19/0075; F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/72; F16C33/76; F16C33/80; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A radial seal comprising: an inner surface; an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces separated by a gap; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the inner and outer surfaces to rotate relative to each other; and a radial barrier located in said gap, the barrier including a plurality of angled annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the inner surface interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to said outer surface, each of said flanges having an upturned lip at an inner edge thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A radial seal comprising: an inner surface; an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces separated by a gap; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the inner and outer surfaces to rotate relative to each other; and a radial barrier located in said gap, the barrier including a plurality of angled annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the inner surface interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to said outer surface, each of said flanges having an upturned lip at an inner edge thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The radial seal of claim 1 wherein the flange located nearest the radial bearing is angled downwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The radial seal of claim 2 wherein the flanges other than the flange located nearest the radial bearing are angled upwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The radial seal of claim 1 further comprising a magnet located in the gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A radial seal comprising: an inner surface; an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces separated by a gap; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the inner and outer surfaces to rotate relative to each other; a magnet located in the gap; and a radial barrier located in the gap, the barrier including a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the inner surface interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the outer surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A radial seal comprising: an inner surface; an outer surface, the inner and outer surfaces separated by a gap; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the inner and outer surfaces to rotate relative to each other; a magnet located in the gap; and a radial barrier located in the gap, the barrier including a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the inner surface interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the outer surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The radial seal of claim 5 wherein the magnet is attached to a flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A robotic arm comprising: a housing having a top surface with an aperture therein and an indentation at least partially surrounding the aperture; a shaft extending up through the aperture, there being a gap between the shaft and the housing; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the shaft to rotate relative to the housing; and a radial barrier located in the gap, the barrier including a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the shaft interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
A robotic arm comprising: a housing having a top surface with an aperture therein and an indentation at least partially surrounding the aperture; a shaft extending up through the aperture, there being a gap between the shaft and the housing; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the shaft to rotate relative to the housing; and a radial barrier located in the gap, the barrier including a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the shaft interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The robotic arm of claim 7 further comprising a splash guard connected to the shaft and extending over the aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
A robotic arm comprising: a housing having a top surface with an aperture therein a shaft extending up through the aperture, there being a gap between the shaft and the housing; a splash guard connected to the shaft and extending over the aperture; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the shaft to rotate relative to the housing; a radial barrier located in the gap, the barrier including a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the shaft interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
A robotic arm comprising: a housing having a top surface with an aperture therein a shaft extending up through the aperture, there being a gap between the shaft and the housing; a splash guard connected to the shaft and extending over the aperture; a radial bearing located in the gap for allowing the shaft to rotate relative to the housing; a radial barrier located in the gap, the barrier including a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the shaft interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-13 | 2001-04-14 | 2001-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-13 | 2005-04-14 | 2005-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-13 | 2009-04-14 | 2009-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |