Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between relatively movable parts – Circumferential contact seal for other than piston
Patent
1997-09-26
1999-09-28
Reichard, Lynne
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between relatively movable parts
Circumferential contact seal for other than piston
29463, 21912114, F16J 1532
Patent
active
059574607
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to seal assemblies and, in particular, to assemblies in which hydraulic sealing means is fixedly located so that, in use, the sealing means seals between a housing on which the seal is located and another member which may be fixed or rotating.
Especially under high pressures and when a seal is to be located against a rotating member, problems have been encountered in locating the seal in a housing so that the seal is securely fixed while still able to perform its sealing function, and in a manner which is relatively easy to assemble and is cost effective. For example, it has been proposed to locate a seal between two elements which are clamped together by fastening means in the form of bolts or the like.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved seal assembly which overcomes disadvantages of existing arrangements.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a sealing member into a housing, the housing comprising a first and a second housing part between which parts the sealing member is to be located, the method including locating the second housing part interfitting with the first housing part with the sealing member located therebetween, maintaining the parts together, and welding the housing parts together at a position spaced from the sealing member, whereby to secure the housing parts together with the seal in a fixed position between the housing parts, without the seal becoming degraded by heat from the welding action.
The first housing part may be formed in two portions arranged to be fitted together, the second housing part being located between the two portions of the first housing part and the two portions of the first housing part being welded together.
Preferably the welding action is by the use of electron beam welding apparatus.
Conveniently the housing parts or a housing part is thermally linked to a heat sink during the welding action to abstract heat from the housing parts.
The seal may be of PTFE or other material which is normally affected by being heated above a predetermined temperature.
Preferably the seal assembly is for use in sealing a fixed member relative to a rotating member against passage of pressurised hydraulic fluid, the fluid pressure being relatively high, up to more than 100 bar and the rotating member rotating at up to, say, 10,000 rpm.
The invention also provides a seal assembly made according to the method of the invention, comprising a first housing part, a second housing part located to fit with the first housing part, and a sealing member located between the first and second housing parts to be gripped by said housing parts, the housing parts being welded together where they interfit.
The first housing part may be formed of two interfitting portions and the second housing part is located between the two portions of the first housing part.
The seal assembly may be of generally annular shape having the seal located at the radially inner side thereof whereby the seal is engageable with a rotatable member situated within the assembly.
In one arrangement two spaced seals are provided between which extends a duct for hydraulic fluid. When an annular assembly is provided the duct is arranged to extend radially through the assembly between the seals.
Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a first seal assembly according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the finished seal assembly of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a sectional view through part of a differential in which the seal assembly of FIG. 2 is located.
Referring to the drawings and firstly to FIGS. 1-3 the seal assembly of the invention comprises a first or outer housing part 10 which is of generally annular shape and is formed from two portions 10A and 10B which fit together along a line 10C, the join line 10C extending in a radial plane around the housing
REFERENCES:
patent: 2872229 (1959-02-01), Waser
patent: 3058861 (1962-10-01), Rutter
patent: 3871666 (1975-03-01), Franz et al.
patent: 4639571 (1987-01-01), Lewandowski et al.
patent: 4706970 (1987-11-01), Ramirez
Kanji Katada; Welding Method of Hollow Shaft; Jan. 21, 1986; vol. 10, No. 14.
Binda Greg
Prodrive Holdings Ltd.
Reichard Lynne
LandOfFree
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