Rotary seal with relief angle for controlled tipping
AssigneePolymer Sealing Solutions, Inc.
InventorsJeff Baehl, Larry Castleman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealing device for sealing the gap between two relatively moving members is provided with a pivot point on its cross-sectional perimeter. As pressure against the seal increases, the seal rotates about the pivot point, resulting in an increased sealing surface area on the seal. Additionally, a recess is provided on the cross sectional perimeter, advantageously offering a more frictionless sealing relationship between the seal and the moving member. Further, a recess is provided on outer portion of the cross sectional perimeter on a surface of the seal that would contact an energizer ring, the recess eliminating a dynamic interface between the energizer ring and the seal.
Claims30
A seal for sealing a gap between a first member and a second member moving relative to each other and subjected to external forces, said seal comprising:
- a ring having a first surface and a second surface and a pivot point contacting said second member therebetween, said second surface engageable with the second member, said second surface having a surface area, an amount of said surface area of said second surface engaging with the second member increasing when said seal is subjected to the external forces and is caused to pivot about said pivot point, and said second surface being disengageable from the second member when said seal is not subjected to the external forces.
A method of sealing a gap between a first member and a second member, said second member moving relative to said first member, comprising the step of providing a ring capable of pivoting about a cross sectional pivot point initially contacting said second member prior to an application of an external pressure, when subjected to external pressure, said ring having a first surface and a second surface on opposing sides of said cross-sectional pivot point, said second surface being engageable with said second member when said ring is subjected to the external pressure, said surface being disengageable with said second surface when said ring is not subjected to the external pressure.
A sealing structure for sealing the gap between two machine parts arranged for motion relative to each other, said sealing structure comprising:
- a sealing ring having an inner surface facing the second machine part, said inner surface having a pivot point, a first lip, a second lip, and a recess defined between said first lip and said second lip, and an outer surface facing toward the first machine part, said sealing ring pivoting about said pivot point when exposed to external pressure wherein said pivot point is in contact with a second machine part, said sealing ring having a surface area wherein said surface area of said sealing ring in contact with the second member decreases as the pressure increases when exposed to external pressure;
- and
- an energizer ring having a cross section with a perimeter, said energizer ring being disposed between said outer surface and the first machine part.
A method of sealing a gap between a first member and a second member, said a second member moving relative to said first member, comprising the step of providing a ring capable of pivoting about a cross sectional pivot point when subjected to external pressure, said ring having a first surface and a second surface on opposing sides of said cross-sectional pivot point, said second surface being engageable with said second member when said ring subjected to the external pressure, said surface being disengageable with said second surface when said ring is not subjected to the external pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.