Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between relatively movable parts – Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
Patent
1980-02-19
1983-07-12
Ward, Jr., Robert S.
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between relatively movable parts
Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
277152, 277166, 277186, 305 11, F16J 1532, F16J 1534
Patent
active
043926576
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to joints having relatively movable members, and more particularly to means for sealing the joints between the relatively movable members.
2. Background Art
A large number of different seals have been developed for use in sealing a space between two members which may have relative movement toward and from each other. One joint in which such movement occurs and sealing of the space between the members is desirable is that found in the track structure of a track-type vehicle, such as a tractor or the like. Examples of improved seals for use in such track joints are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,113 of Duane L. Burke and U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,718 of Harold L. Reinsma, each of which patents is owned by the assignee hereof.
More specifically, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,113, a seal is provided including a resilient annular boot embracing the outer diameter of a pair of frustoconical Belleville springs. The springs are positioned back to back and the seal is positioned in an annular recess formed in one of the relatively movable joint members. The Belleville springs bias spaced portions of the boot into sealing engagement with confronting surfaces of the relatively movable joint members.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,718, a crescent seal ring is provided in the recess and a load ring is received within the crescent ring to load the crescent ring and urge the spaced portions thereof sealingly against the confronting surfaces of the relatively movable joint members. The seal ring is provided with a thin flexible hinge section so as to permit the deflection of the seal ring into sealing engagement with the confronting joint member surfaces to be effected primarily by the compression of the load ring.
As discussed in the Reinsma U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,718, the structure thereof comprises an improvement over the seal structure of the earlier U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,922 of that patentee. In the earlier U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,922, the sealing force of the seal ring against the confronting surfaces of the joint members was derived substantially fully from the deflection of the thick seal ring itself and the load ring was of relatively soft material so as to act primarily as a filler or auxiliary static seal.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention comprehends an improved joint seal received in the space between relatively movable first and second joint members including a frustoconical Belleville spring, an annular support spring defining an arcuate cross section having one end connected to an outer portion of the Belleville spring, and an opposite end sealingly mounted to the first member, and a seal element fixed to the Belleville spring and having a lip portion projecting into dynamic sealing engagement with the second member.
In the illustrated embodiment, the spring constants of the Belleville and support springs are preselected to cumulatively cause the sealing force developed thereby in the seal element to continuously increase with an increase in deflection over the range of variable spacing between the joint members.
In the illustrated embodiment, the spring constant of the support spring is substantially a constant over the range of variable spacing between the members. In the illustrated embodiment, the Belleville springs may pass over center in the range of variable spacing between the members.
In the illustrated embodiment, the support springs are formed unitarily integrally with the Belleville springs.
In the illustrated embodiment, the Belleville springs define a plurality of through openings and the seal elements extend through the openings so as to secure the seal elements to the Belleville springs.
In the illustrated embodiment, the seal elements comprise a body of synthetic resin set in situ about the Belleville springs.
Broadly, the invention comprehends the provision of a seal including a frustoconical Belleville spring having a plurality of through openings and a body of elastic synthetic resins set in situ on the spring and having a lip portion
REFERENCES:
patent: 2330104 (1943-09-01), Antonelli
patent: 2736584 (1956-02-01), Riesing
patent: 2736585 (1956-02-01), Riesing
patent: 2938744 (1960-05-01), Fritch
patent: 3197217 (1965-07-01), Mastrobattista et al.
patent: 3370895 (1968-02-01), Cason
patent: 3390922 (1968-07-01), Reinsma
patent: 3614113 (1971-10-01), Burk
patent: 3841718 (1974-10-01), Reinsman
patent: 4132418 (1979-01-01), Roli
patent: 4179130 (1979-12-01), Fass et al.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Ward, Jr. Robert S.
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