Patent · US Expired

Seal for polishing belt center support having a single movable sealed cavity

US6126527A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
14References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 10, 1998
Grant dateOct 3, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 10, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB24B37/04
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A polishing tool uses a seal cavity containing a fluid that supports polishing pads against an object being polished. The boundaries of the cavity include a support structure, a portion of a polishing material, and a seal between the support structure and the polishing material. The polishing material moves relative to the support structure and seal. A variety of seal configurations can maintain the fluid within the cavity. In one embodiment the seal mechanism is a labyrinth seal including multiple ridges. In one embodiment, the seal mechanism is a face-sealing seal which includes a jacket with a u-shaped cross section with a compressible element positioned within it. The face-sealing seal is in a groove positioned outside of the cavity. Alternatively, the face-sealing seal forms the outer edge of the cavity. In a further embodiment, the seal is an o-ring seal positioned within a double dove-tailed groove.

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