Shaft sealing apparatus and associated methods
AssigneeGarlock Sealing Technologies, LLC
InventorsChristopher E. Tones, Randy Matthys, Patrick Rhodes, Howard Lockhart, Bruce Stratton
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Abstract
An improved sealing apparatus and associated methods are disclosed herein. The sealing apparatus includes a housing defining a center axis, an alignment element positioned around the center axis, and a sealing element fixedly attached with the alignment element. The alignment element has first and second protrusions extending toward the center axis. The sealing element has a third protrusion extending toward the center axis. The alignment element is made of a first material with less elasticity than a second material of which the sealing element is made.
Claims15
A sealing apparatus, comprising:
- a housing defining a center axis, the housing comprising:
- a first housing element comprising a first angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and a second angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis;
- and
- a second housing element having a third angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and located opposite to the first angled portion, the second housing element being secured by the second angled portion;
- an alignment element positioned around the center axis and at least partially inside the housing, the alignment element being secured by the first angled portion, the alignment element having a first protrusion extending in front of and at least partially across a recess formed in the alignment element, the alignment element being at least partially made of a first material;
- and
- a sealing element positioned around the center axis and at least partially in the housing, the sealing element being fixedly attached with the alignment element, the sealing element having a second protrusion extending toward the center axis, the sealing element being at least partially made of a second material;
- and
- wherein the first material has less elasticity than the second material;
- wherein a first radial distance between the first angled portion relative to the center axis is smaller than a second radial distance between the second angled portion relative to the center axis;
- and
- wherein a third radial distance between the third angled portion relative to the center axis is generally the same as the first radial distance.
A shaft system, comprising:
- a housing defining a center axis, the housing comprising:
- a first housing element comprising a first angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and a second angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis;
- and
- a second housing element having a third angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and located opposite to the first angled portion, the second housing element being secured by the second angled portion;
- a shaft positioned to move reciprocally along the center axis;
- an alignment element positioned at least partially inside the housing, the alignment element being secured by the first angled portion, the alignment element having a first protrusion extending in front of and at least partially across a recess formed in the alignment element, the alignment element being at least partially made of a first material;
- and
- a sealing element positioned at least partially inside the housing and fixedly attached with the alignment element, the sealing element having a second protrusion extending toward and sealingly in contact with the shaft, the sealing element being at least partially made of a second material;
- and
- wherein the first material has less elasticity than the second material;
- wherein a first radial distance between the first angled portion relative to the center axis is smaller than a second radial distance between the second angled portion relative to the center axis;
- and
- wherein a third radial distance between the third angled portion relative to the center axis is generally the same as the first radial distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.