Metal deforming – By relatively movable offset tool-faces – With tool motion in fixed path
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-28
2001-01-23
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Metal deforming
By relatively movable offset tool-faces
With tool motion in fixed path
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176115
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to sealing rings made from rigid polymers. More specifically, the present invention relates to seal rings which can be used in static, reciprocating and rotating applications to perform a sealing function. Such rings are used in applications where fluids in the form of liquid or gas are isolated, such that the fluid exerts pressure against the seal ring thereby creating a sealed surface.
2. Background of the Invention
As is generally known, such rings have been made out of various materials, most commonly made from metals such as cast iron, flexible elastomers, and various polymers. Since the ring is placed in a groove of a piston or shaft, a gap must be placed in the ring so as to facilitate application of and removal from the piston or shaft. The known methods for preparing gaps in these rings have been to machine in the case of metals and polymers and to cut in the case of flexible polymers. Both machining and cutting of such rings has been both tedious and labor intensive, resulting in higher part costs. Likewise, when a ring has been machined, material is actually removed from the ring such that when the machined edges are brought back into contact with each other, the ring is then “out of round.”
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,418 to Berg, a method for fracturing a ring is described wherein a “notch” is first etched or scored into the outer surface of a ring, and then the notched area is struck with a heavy object to create the fracture. Notching of the ring surface before fracturing usually results in a groove being permanently left in the outer surface of the fractured edge. A groove in the outer surface from etching or scoring, as well as deformation of the ring from machining, results in an escape route for the pressurized fluid.
The need exists for a sealing ring of a rigid polymer which is inexpensive to manufacture and is easily installable without sacrificing sealing quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies this need by providing a seal ring for placement in the space between a radial groove of a cylindrical member and a housing forming a bore in which the cylindrical member is movably positioned. The seal ring is made up of a rigid polymer such as a polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polyetheretherketone, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, and polybenzimidazole. The surface of the seal ring is free of scoring, and has a fracture line through the seal ring's thickness to form opposing faces. These faces are rough and mesh together such that when the faces are forced into contact, the faces are then interlocked. Furthermore, the seal ring has true roundness to enable the seal ring to seal the space despite presence of the fracture line. The seal ring of the present invention is capable of single ring sealing of the space between the bore and the radial groove. The present invention also provides a device for fracturing the seal ring.
REFERENCES:
patent: 402133 (1889-04-01), Betts
patent: 1268922 (1918-06-01), Bryan
patent: 2448147 (1948-08-01), Jacobsen
patent: 3420536 (1969-01-01), Grover
patent: 3720418 (1973-03-01), Berg
patent: 5192085 (1993-03-01), McOnie
patent: 5403020 (1995-04-01), McOnie
patent: 5490409 (1996-02-01), Weber
patent: 5695197 (1997-12-01), Farley et al.
patent: 2393210 (1978-12-01), None
Mott James Ronald
Raymond Arnold Wayne
Stenta Christopher Scott
Van Ryper Richard Gerard
E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
Knight Anthony
Peavey Enoch
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