Seal for a joint or juncture – Seal between relatively movable parts – Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-19
2001-04-10
Knight, Anthony (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Seal between relatively movable parts
Relatively rotatable radially extending sealing face member
C277S370000, C277S375000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213471
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a metal-to-metal face seal assembly and more particularly to such a seal assembly that is adapted for engagement with a pair of relatively rotating housings in a manner that provides improved stability of the seal assembly.
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 which 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 force applied by the respective load rings can become unequal and the seal assembly can become “tipped”, causing the seal faces to be tilted with respect to the axis of rotation. While this condition does not necessarily cause the seal to malfunction, it can limit the amount of misalignment the seal assembly can accommodate. Misalignment beyond this limited amount could cause the seal rings to separate, causing a temporary loss in sealing capability in which dirt and other abrasives would be allowed to reach the internally lubricated bearings of the rotating assembly.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a seal assembly is provided. The seal assembly is adapted for use with a first and second housing, each of which defines a recess therein. First and second seal rings having mutually confronting annular sealing faces are positioned between the first and second housings. First and second load rings are provided, each having a first and second end portion and an annular surface that extends therebetween. The load rings are positioned with their respective first end portions engaged with opposing ones of the first and second seal rings. The second end portions of the respective load rings are positioned for engagement 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. An angled surface is defined by at least one of the recesses defined by the first and second housings. The angled surface is positioned in closely adjacent relation to the annular surface of the respective load ring.
In another aspect of the present invention, a seal assembly is provided that has first and second housings that are positioned adjacent one another and are mounted for relative rotation with respect to one another. A pair of seal rings is provided that has mutually confronting annular seal faces. A pair of first and second corresponding load rings is included that has a first end portion adapted to engage a corresponding seal ring and a second end portion adapted to engage one of the first and second housings. An outwardly directed annular surface that extends between the first and second end portions of the load rings. The load rings apply force to the corresponding seal rings to thereby maintain the seal faces in sealing engagement. A pair of recesses is defined in each of the first and second housing. Each recess has a first axially directed surface and a second radially directed surface that extend from the first surface. An angled surface extends from the second surface and is positioned in closely adjacent relation to the annular surfaces of the respective load rings.
With a seal assembly as set forth above, the recess defined in one or more of the housings is provided with an angled surface that is in close proximity to the annular outer surface defined by the load ring. Being so positioned, the load ring may contact the angled surface to provide support therefore and thus stabilized the entire seal assembly. The additional stability helps maintain the respective seal faces at a proper angle, thus allowing them to perform up to their expected capability.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3167321 (1965-01-01), Land et al.
patent: 3409306 (1968-11-01), Hayatian
patent: 4489952 (1984-12-01), Ohtsuka
patent: 4821536 (1989-04-01), Bardsley
patent: 5527046 (1996-06-01), Bedford
patent: 5553931 (1996-09-01), Diekevers
patent: 5762343 (1998-06-01), Zutz
patent: 1361407 (1987-12-01), None
U.S. Patent application No. 08/918,992, filed Aug. 27, 1997—“Metal Ring Seal”.
U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 60/069,386, filed Dec. 12, 1997, “Face Seal Assembly with Interfitting Load Ring”.
Anderson Michael D.
Bedford Billy R.
Caterpillar Inc.
Glastetter Calvin E.
Knight Anthony
Perry William C.
Williams Mark
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