Convertible, stand-by rotary seal assembly
US4625977A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1985 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S277/914
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A seal assembly has a pair of relatively rotatable sub-assemblies adapted to be attached and sealed respectively to relatively fixed and relatively rotatable members to confine the flow of fluid through the space between the members to a restricted passage. One of the sub-assemblies includes one of a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings. Coupling means are operable to selectively couple the other seal ring of the pair to a sub-assembly in a stand-by state in which the seal rings are not in relatively rotated engagement and, alternately, in a working state in which the seal rings are in relatively rotated engagement to seal the restricted passage. Preferably, the coupling means are operable while the sub-assemblies remain in respective installed positions; include means relatively movable to seal the opposed faces of the rings from the restricted passage in the stand-by state and to expose those faces to the passage in the working state, and are operable to couple the second seal ring alternatively to the respective sub-assemblies to provide the respective states of the seal rings. Preferably also, additional seal means are provided for sealing the restricted passage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.