Anti-friction sealing rings
AssigneeMainspring Energy, Inc.
InventorsNathaniel Oliver, Matthew Svrcek, Rucha Bedarkar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for a sealing element arranged in a ring groove of a piston assembly to seal against the ring groove at a first interface and to seal against a bore of a cylinder, in which the piston assembly is arranged, at a second interface. A feature of the sealing element is arranged at the first interface for reducing friction between the sealing element and the ring groove. The second interface is without a liquid lubricant or oil during operation.
Claims30
A sealing ring assembly configured to seal against a bore of a cylinder, the sealing ring assembly comprising:
- a ring segment comprising a first surface configured to form a sealing interface with the bore;
- and
- a feature configured to receive fluid communicated from a high-pressure region, wherein the feature is arranged on a second surface of the ring segment that is at least partially open to a third surface of the ring segment.
A sealing ring assembly of a piston assembly that translates along a bore of a cylinder, the sealing ring assembly comprising:
- a sealing element in contact with a first surface of the piston assembly, wherein a second surface of the sealing element forms a seal against the bore, wherein:
- a friction-reduction feature is on the first surface;
- and
- the second surface is without a liquid lubricant or oil during operation.
A device comprising:
- a cylinder comprising a bore;
- a translator comprising a piston arranged to move along the bore without a liquid lubricant or oil, wherein the piston comprises a ring groove;
- a sealing element arranged in the ring groove to seal against the ring groove at a first interface and to seal against the bore of the cylinder at a second interface;
- and
- a feature arranged at the first interface that reduces friction between the sealing element and the ring groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.