Electric heating – Metal heating – Cutting or disintegrating
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-09
2001-01-23
Evans, Geoffrey S. (Department: 1725)
Electric heating
Metal heating
Cutting or disintegrating
C219S069120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177644
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a split seal ring, especially a split seal ring for use in combination with a bearing, and more specifically relates to an improved, annular, split, metal seal ring formed of two interlocking segments which are specially separable for replacement of the seal ring on a shaft.
Seal rings are widely used for sealing fluid containment such as oil and/or grease for a bearing assembly, or other applications. Because the seal surfaces are subject to wear, they are typically replaced periodically to avoid leakage or excessive leakage, or when required maintenance activities of a bearing assembly are necessary, for example. Conventional seal rings are formed of either one unitary piece or, if formed of two components, are pinned together at the junctures of dovetail fittings. Removal and/or replacement of a worn seal thus may require disassembly and later reassembly of adjacent machine components in a time consuming, costly operation. Some seals are necessarily of such thin dimensions that a pinned connection is not even feasible.
It is desirable to have a split seal ring which can be readily installed and removed as well as replaced by a new seal ring, without disturbing the shaft or removing machine elements such as drums, pulleys, fans, gears and the like mounted on the shaft along with the bearing, even if the seal is of thin dimensions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of this invention to provide a split seal ring which can be installed, removed, or replaced, as in a bearing assembly, without disturbing the shaft or other machine elements. Another object is to provide a split seal that will allow a positive machine fit without extraordinary assembly measures or a pinned connection. This invention provides a sectioned seal ring with an improved facility for fastening the two halves of the ring together. Moreover, this can be done simply and easily for rapid inexpensive installation and/or replacement of seals, even for seals of thin dimensions. Further, the assembly is economical to manufacture.
The split seal ring has first and second metal ring segments interlocked with each other with an interference fit, one segment having a pair of circumferentially extending, radially inner shoulders, and the other having opposite circumferentially extending radially outer shoulders which “snap” together with the inner shoulders into a dimensionally accurate seal ring. Radially outer faces of the inner shoulders have an interference fit with radially inner faces of the outer shoulders, preferably with interfitted concave and convex surfaces which are generally V-shaped. These interference faces have radially offset portions of about 0.020 to about 0.030 inch such that by minor temporary deformation of the semicircular segments, the seal segments can be easily and quickly fitted together or taken apart.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1145999 (1915-07-01), Kirner
patent: 1197373 (1916-09-01), Hirth
patent: 1220633 (1917-03-01), Hirth
patent: 1644611 (1927-10-01), Rieffert
patent: 1747867 (1930-02-01), Gregovsky
patent: 2397753 (1946-04-01), Sale
patent: 2668743 (1954-02-01), Zeuzem
patent: 2850311 (1958-09-01), Mansfield
patent: 3399008 (1968-08-01), Farrell
patent: 3446542 (1969-05-01), Whitehurst
patent: 4397507 (1983-08-01), Kraus
patent: 4533149 (1985-08-01), Vater
patent: 4540294 (1985-09-01), Lamperski
patent: 4550479 (1985-11-01), Walter
patent: 4580793 (1986-04-01), Bronson
patent: 4639150 (1987-01-01), Habermann
patent: 4688953 (1987-08-01), Koch
patent: 4708498 (1987-11-01), Labedan
patent: 4875784 (1989-10-01), Just
patent: 5039230 (1991-08-01), Phillips
patent: 5433370 (1995-07-01), Halling
patent: 5505546 (1996-04-01), Okude
Galewski Robert M.
Slemp George E.
Wilkie, Jr. Robert C.
Evans Geoffrey S.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
LandOfFree
Split bearing seal does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Split bearing seal, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Split bearing seal will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2491474