Patent · US Expired

High pressure sealing system and method

US5107970A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
10References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 1991
Grant dateApr 28, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16F9/365
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A sealing system for a hydraulic actuator is disclosed which is operable to selectively change the frictional sealing force exerted on a piston rod in response to the fluid pressure acting on the sealing system. The sealing system includes a leakage chamber formed in a rod guide surrounding a moveable piston rod which is partially disposed within a working chamber. A first seal member is operable for permitting a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid to leak from the working chamber to the leakage chamber. The leakage chamber is in fluid communication with a low pressure fluid reservoir. A flow control valve selectively controls the flow of hydraulic fluid from the leakage chamber to the fluid reservoir so as to change the fluid pressure within the leakage chamber. A pressure responsive seal assembly concentrically engages the piston rod intermediate the leakage chamber and an upper end of the hydraulic actuator. The pressure responsive seal assembly is operable to inhibit leakage of hydraulic fluid along the piston rod from the leakage chamber to the exterior of the hydraulic actuator. The pressure responsive sealing assembly is energizable in response to an increased fluid pres…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.