# US 6,293,557 B1 · Disposable seal system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,557 B1 - Document ID: US6293557B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/383,716 - Filed: 1999-08-26 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1999-08-26 - Assignees: Lucent Technologies Inc. - Inventors: Peter Michael Mueller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293557B1 ## CPC - F16L 5/10: by using sealing rings or sleeves only - F16L 27/02: Universal joints, i.e. with mechanical connection allowing angular movement or adjustment of the axes of the parts in any direction - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL ## Abstract A sealing system for use in a chemical or gaseous delivery system has a delivery tube connected to a source of the material to be delivered and which intrudes into the revolving region where the material is to go. The sealing system has a secondary sealing nut affixed to the delivery end of the tube, and a primary sealing nut mounted on the secondary nut with a sealing member therebetween. When the region revolves, the two nuts are automatically tightened to hold the sealing member in firm and positive engagement with the housing surrounding the region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 For use in a chemical delivery system having a stationary delivery tube for delivering chemicals to a rotating tubular member, having an inner wall, a sealing arrangement for sealing the tubular member to prevent chemical leakage, the delivery tube having a first end that intrudes into the tubular member, said sealing arrangement comprising: a secondary nut member adapted to be mounted on the first end of the delivery tube in fixed position, said secondary nut having an extended portion; a stationary sealing member having a diameter such that it is adapted to make sealing engagement with the inner wall of the rotating tubular member; a primary nut member for mounting on said extended portion of said secondary nut for maintaining said sealing member in a fixed position relative to the rotating tubular member; said primary nut having a direction of rotation for tightening it on said extended portion of said secondary nut member wherein the direction of rotation is the same as the direction of rotation of said rotating tubular member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said secondary nut member is affixed to said first end of delivery tube by rotation with respect thereto, wherein the direction of rotation is the same as the direction of rotation of the rotating tubular member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said extended portion has external threads thereon and said primary nut has a bore extending therethrough having internal threads along at least one portion thereof for mating with the threads on said extended portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein said sealing member has a hub portion adapted to be captured between said primary nut and said secondary nut. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tightening direction of rotation of said primary nut on said secondary nut is the same direction of rotation as that of the rotating tubular member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said threads are left-handed threads. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 and further including a resilient member for applying a restoring force to said sealing member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing member is integral with said primary nut. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said sealing member and said primary nut are made of the same material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said material is Teflon®. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sealing member is integral with said secondary nut member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sealing member and said secondary nut member are made of the same material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 12 wherein said material is Teflon®. ### Claim 14 For use in a chemical delivery system having a delivery tube for delivering chemicals to a rotating tubular member, a sealing arrangement for sealing the tubular member to prevent chemical leakage, the delivery tube having a first end that intrudes into the tubular member, said sealing arrangement comprising: a secondary nut member having an extended portion, said secondary nut member being adapted for mounting on the first end of the delivery tube in fixed position; a sealing member having a diameter such that it is adapted to make sealing engagement with the inner wall of the rotating tubular member; a primary nut for maintaining said sealing member in fixed position; said extended portion having external threads thereon and said primary nut having a bore extending therethrough having internal threads along at least one portion thereof for mating with the threads on said extended portion, said primary nut having a direction of rotation for tightening it on said extended portion wherein the direction of rotation is the same as the direction of rotation of the rotating tubular member; said sealing member having a hub portion adapted to be captured between said primary nut and said secondary nut; and said primary nut having a shoulder adapted to bear against said hub portion, said shoulder having a circular ridge thereon for applying a distorting force to said sealing member. ### Claim 15 For use in a chemical delivery system having a delivery tube for delivering chemicals to a rotating tubular member, a sealing arrangement for sealing the tubular member to prevent chemical leakage, the delivery tube having a first end that intrudes into the tubular member, said sealing arrangement comprising: a secondary nut member having an extended portion, said secondary nut member being adapted for mounting on the delivery tube in fixed position to the first end of said delivery tube by rotation with respect thereto, said secondary nut having a bore extending therethrough having internal threads over at least a portion of the length of said bore to form mating threads with external threads on the delivery tube, the direction of rotation of said secondary nut member being the same as the direction of rotation of the rotating tubular member; a sealing member having a diameter such that it is adapted to make sealing engagement with the inner wall of the rotating tubular member; and a primary nut for mounting on said extended portion of said secondary nut member for maintaining said sealing member in fixed position, said primary nut having a direction of rotation for tightening it on said extended portion wherein the direction of rotation is the same as the direction of rotation of the tubular rotating member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 15 wherein said mating threads are left-handed threads for tightening said secondary nut on said delivery tube. ### Claim 17 A material delivery system for delivering material to a rotating tubular member, said delivery system comprising: a stationary delivery tube substantially axially aligned with the rotating tubular member, said delivery tube having a first end for connection to a stationary source of the material and a second end which intrudes into the rotating tubular member; a sealing member having a diameter such that it is adapted to make sealing engagement with the inner wall of the rotating tubular member; a first holding member for said sealing member affixed to the second end of said delivery tube for affixing said sealing member thereto, said holding member having an extended portion; and a second holding member mounted on said extended portion for maintaining said sealing member in fixed position on said stationary delivery tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A material delivery system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said extended portion has external threads thereon and said second holding member comprises a nut having a bore extending therethrough having internal threads along at least a portion thereof for mating with the threads on said extending portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A material delivery system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said first holding member is affixed to said second end of said delivery tube by means of a press fit thereon. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) A material delivery system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the material to be delivered is a reactant containing gas.