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US 12,515,777 B2Granted
Shaft seal
AssigneeTides Marine, Inc.
InventorJohnny R. Shealy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shaft seal includes a shaft engaging portion configured to couple to a shaft extending through a wall. The shaft seal includes a flange configured to sealingly engage the wall. The shaft seal includes a body extending between the shaft engaging portion and the flange. The seal is configured to allow radial and axial movement of the shaft relative to the wall while maintaining a seal between the flange and the wall.
Claims23
A shaft seal comprising:
- a shaft engaging portion configured to couple to a shaft extending through a wall;
- a flange configured to sealingly engage the wall;
- and
- a body rotatably fixed to the shaft engaging portion such that rotation of the shaft engaging portion causes the body to rotate with the shaft engaging portion, the body extending between the shaft engaging portion and the flange,
- wherein the shaft seal is configured to allow radial and axial movement of the shaft relative to the wall while maintaining a seal between the flange and the wall, and
- wherein the flange extends radially further than the shaft engaging portion and the body.
3 more elements
A shaft seal comprising:
- a shaft engaging portion configured to couple to a shaft extending through a wall;
- a flange configured to sealingly engage the wall;
- and
- a body rotatably fixed to the shaft engaging portion such that rotation of the shaft engaging portion causes the body to rotate with the shaft engaging portion, the body extending between the shaft engaging portion and the flange,
- wherein the shaft seal is configured to allow radial and axial movement of the shaft relative to the wall while maintaining a seal between the flange and the wall,
- wherein the flange is a first flange configured to sealingly engage a first wall and the body is a first body extending between the first flange and the shaft engaging portion, the shaft seal further comprising:
- a second flange configured to sealingly engage a second wall opposed to the first wall;
- and
- a second body extending between the second flange and the shaft engaging portion.
6 more elements
A shaft seal comprising:
- a shaft engaging portion including a cylindrical inner wall defining an opening having a central axis;
- a flange extending radially away from the central axis;
- and
- a body extending between the shaft engaging portion and the flange, the body comprising a flexible bellows having at least two folds, the body being rotatably fixed to the shaft engaging portion such that rotation of the shaft engaging portion causes the body to rotate with the shaft engaging portion,
- wherein the shaft engaging portion, flange and body are a unitary construct,
- wherein the flange extends radially further from the central axis than the shaft engaging portion and the body.
3 more elements
A method of coupling a shaft seal to a shaft comprising:
- coupling a shaft engaging portion of a first shaft seal to be rotatably fixed to a shaft that extends through a wall and is coupled to a propeller;
- and
- engaging a flange of the shaft seal against the wall such that a seal between the flange and the wall is formed,
- wherein the shaft seal includes a body extending from the shaft engaging portion to the flange, the body being rotatably fixed to the shaft engaging portion such that rotation of the shaft engaging portion causes the body to rotate with the shaft engaging portion, the body configured to allow radial movement and axial movement of the shaft relative to the wall while maintaining a seal between the flange and the wall.
1 more element
A method of coupling a shaft seal to a shaft comprising:
- engaging a shaft coupled to a propeller;
- coupling a first shaft seal to the shaft, the first shaft seal comprising:
- a shaft engaging portion rotatably fixed to the shaft extending through a wall;
- a flange configured to sealingly engage the wall;
- and
- a body configured to allow radial movement and axial movement of the shaft relative to the wall while maintaining a seal between the flange and the wall,
- coupling a second shaft seal to the shaft while the first shaft seal is coupled to the shaft;
- removing the first shaft seal from the shaft;
- and
- moving the second shaft seal relative to the shaft such that a flange of the second shaft seal sealingly engages the wall,
- wherein coupling the first shaft seal to the shaft includes sealingly engaging the flange on the wall.
8 more elements
A method of coupling a shaft seal to a shaft comprising:
- engaging a shaft coupled to a propeller;
- coupling a first shaft seal to the shaft, the first shaft seal comprising:
- a shaft engaging portion rotatably fixed to the shaft extending through a wall;
- a flange configured to sealingly engage the wall;
- and
- a body configured to allow radial movement and axial movement of the shaft relative to the wall while maintaining a seal between the flange and the wall,
- coupling a second shaft seal to the shaft while the first shaft seal is coupled to the shaft,
- wherein coupling the first shaft seal to the shaft includes sealingly engaging the flange on the wall, and
- wherein the shaft is coupled to a boat and the coupling the first shaft seal to the shaft includes coupling the first shaft seal to the shaft while the boat is in water.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.