Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between relatively movable parts – Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-17
2001-02-13
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between relatively movable parts
Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
C277S377000, C277S377000, C277S377000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186511
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a metal-to-metal face seal assembly and more particularly to such a seal assembly having a load ring which interfits with a housing to prevent relative rotation therebetween.
BACKGROUND ART
Known face seal assemblies for use in constructions having relatively rotating components, such as track roller assemblies of tracked machines, final drives, etc., typically comprise a pair of confronting seal rings of metal or other durable, hard material. The seal rings rotate relative to one another, in face-to-face contact to provide a positive face seal, which retains lubricant and prevents foreign matter from reaching the internal bearing surfaces of the rotating assembly. Contact between the seal faces is maintained by a pair of resilient load rings that engage and press against each seal ring to thereby force the seal faces against one another. An example of such a seal assembly is described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,046, issued Jun. 18, 1996, to Billy R. Bedford.
Under certain conditions, the coefficient of friction between the seal faces may be higher than the coefficient of friction between a seal ring and its corresponding load ring, in which case relative rotation or slippage between one or both of the seal rings and its corresponding load ring may occur. Such slippage could occur, for example, if the faces of the confronting seal rings stick together due to icing or the like or if the engaging surfaces of the seal ring and load ring become lubricated. Slippage of the load ring relative to the seal ring results in a temporary loss of sealing protection, which can permit dirt and other abrasives to reach the internally lubricated bearings of the rotating assembly. In order to counter this problem, various designs have developed wherein there is a positive interconnection between load rings and the seal rings to resist the slippage at this interface. While this has been known to be a successful solution to the slippage problem between these two components, the slippage can then be transferred to the interface between the load rings and the respective housing. Once slippage has occurred in this region, leakage between the load ring and the housing is likely to occur.
This invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems that is set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention a seal assembly is provided that has a first and second housing, each of which define a recess therein. A first and second seal ring, each having mutually confronting annular sealing faces is positioned between the first and second housings. First and second load rings, each having first and second end portions, are positioned with their respective first end portions engaged with opposing ones of the first and second seal rings and their respective second end portions engaged with opposing ones of the first and second housings. The load rings are adapted to urge the respective annular sealing faces of the respective seal rings into engagement with one another. A groove is defined in an outer periphery of the second end portion of at least one of the load rings and a rib is defined in the respective recess defined by at least one of the respective housings. The rib and the groove are adapted to engage one another to resist relative rotation therebetween.
In another aspect of the present invention a seal assembly is provided between first and second relatively rotating housings. A recess, having a first generally axially directed surface and a second generally radially directed surface extending from the first surface, is defined in each of the housings. A pair of seal rings, having mutually confronting annular seal faces, is adapted for positioning between the first and second housings. A pair of load rings are provided that have a first end portion adapted to engage opposing ones of the seal rings and a second end portion that is adapted to engage opposing ones of the housings. The load rings apply force to the seal rings to maintain the sealing engagement between the seal faces. Each load ring has an annular periphery that has a groove defined thereon and is adapted for positioning within the respective recesses. The grooves are positioned in interlocking engagement with the rib members defined by the recesses to resist relative movement therebetween.
With a seal assembly as set forth above, a positive interface between the load rings and the housing is provided to resist relative movement therebetween. In doing so, the potential for leakage at this interface is greatly reduced as is the chance for premature failure of the seal assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3272519 (1966-09-01), Voitik
patent: 3542377 (1970-11-01), Voitik
patent: 3744806 (1973-07-01), Keyser
patent: 4183542 (1980-01-01), Quartara
patent: 5527046 (1996-06-01), Bedford
patent: 5553931 (1996-09-01), Diekevers
Anderson Michael D.
Smith Aaron L.
Caterpillar Inc.
Glastetter Calvin E.
Knight Anthony
Perry William C.
Williams Mark
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