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US 10,260,639 B2Granted
Actuator bushings having integral seals
AssigneeFisher Controls International LLC
InventorsTrenton Frank Jackson, Meredith Jan Bell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Actuator bushings having integral seals are described herein. An example apparatus includes a bushing having a central bore to receive a stem and an annular groove at an end of the bushing. The annular groove surrounds the bore to define a flexible ring to form a seal against the stem.
Claims18
An apparatus comprising:
- a bushing having a central bore to receive a stem;
- an annular groove at a longitudinal end of the bushing, the annular groove defining inner and outer radial portions of the bushing at opposite sides of the groove, the inner radial portion surrounding the bore to define an integral flexible ring, the inner radial portion defining at least a portion of an inner diameter of the bushing, the outer radial portion of the bushing defining an outer diameter of the bushing;
- and
- an axisymmetric recess disposed on-the inner diameter of the bushing, the recess to define a tapered hinge portion disposed on the inner radial portion, the tapered hinge portion to increase a flexibility of the integral flexible ring, wherein the tapered hinge portion is to contact the stem to form a circumferential seal against the stem.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- a bushing containing an opening to receive a stem;
- an integral flexible member fixed to a longitudinal end of the bushing and surrounding the opening;
- a groove surrounding the flexible member, the groove defining inner and outer radial portions of the bushing at opposite sides of the groove, the inner radial portion defining the flexible member and an inner diameter of the flexible member, the outer radial portion defining an outer diameter of the bushing;
- and
- a hinge portion of the flexible member, the hinge portion disposed on the inner radial portion, the hinge portion defined by an axisymmetric recess disposed on the inner diameter of the bushing, the hinge portion to increase a flexibility of the flexible member, wherein the hinge portion is to contact the stem to form a circumferential seal against the stem.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- means for guiding a stem, the means for guiding the stem having integral flexible means for sealing against a surface of the stem, the integral flexible means disposed on a longitudinal end of the means for guiding a stem, wherein the means for guiding the stem defines inner and outer radial portions of the means for guiding the stem, the inner radial portion defining the integral flexible means, the outer radial portion defining an outer surface of the means for guiding the stem;
- and
- a hinge portion of the integral flexible means, the hinged portion disposed on the inner radial portion, the hinge portion defined by an axisymmetric taper that is disposed on an inner diameter of the integral flexible means, the axisymmetric taper to increase a flexibility of the integral flexible means, wherein the hinge portion is to contact the stem to form a circumferential seal against the stem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.