Face seal having strain induced face geometry
US6109376A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J15/3428
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mechanical seal for rotary rock bits with a uniquely formed hydrodynamic wave geometry on the sealing faces. The sealing faces are first manufactured flat and smooth, then upon assembly are elastically deformed into a hydrodynamic geometry by an energizing system. After a smooth flat sealing surface is formed, the mechanical seal face elastically deforms into a hydrodynamic wave geometry. The typical deformation has a magnitude greater than about three helium light bands more than the original surface. The region of the sealing surface at the outer periphery of the seal does not have a wave geometry. Rather the portion of the seal face at the periphery is flat and parallel to its mating seal ring to exclude abrasives and eliminate lubricant leakage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.