Surface tension seal

Details Surface tension seal Surface tension seal

2005-05-02

2010-11-02

Lazo, Thomas E (Department: 3745)

Expansible chamber devices

Spaced cylinder and piston walls define passage between...

C092S16500R

Reexamination Certificate

active

07823499

ABSTRACT:
Present invention involves a seal means suitable to replace the classic seals. For instance the seal means of present invention can be a liquid seal ring (7) to replace the classic rubber seal rings. Such is liquid O-ring can be adapted to resists the actuation pressure relying on surface tension forces. Such liquid O-rings can also be linked in series, hereby increasing the maximum seal pressure. In a preferred embodiment the seal means of present invention comprises two major components, a surface tension seal (7) and a pressure divider (4). The pressure divider will comprise a system that generates a pressure drop. Such pressure divider can be located before the surface tension seal and perform the first pressure drop. The combination of these two systems has the advantage that the surface tension seal is able to reduce the leakage to zero or essentially zero and that the pressure divider is able to perform a large pressure drop. Nevertheless, the surface tension seal can also create a considerable pressure drop. This means that in applications where the seal pressure of the surface tension seal is not exceeded, the pressure divider can be omitted. However, omitting the pressure divider will always result in tighter tolerances when manufacturing the seal.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2547428 (1953-04-01), Ziherl
patent: 2690939 (1954-10-01), Whaley
patent: 2927829 (1960-03-01), Porter, Jr.
patent: 3038731 (1962-06-01), Milleron
patent: 3502342 (1970-03-01), Albert
patent: 3540741 (1970-11-01), Lefebvre
patent: 3683754 (1972-08-01), Stuyvenberg
patent: 3734578 (1973-05-01), Rosenweig
patent: 4166523 (1979-09-01), Fujii et al.
patent: 4197786 (1980-04-01), Pillon
patent: 4428566 (1984-01-01), de Baan et al.
patent: 5015000 (1991-05-01), Perini
patent: 5107970 (1992-04-01), Driessen et al.
patent: 5150805 (1992-09-01), Vinals
patent: 7607383 (2009-10-01), Nagel
patent: 28 42 694 (1980-04-01), None
patent: 32 07 061 (1983-09-01), None
patent: 36 07 156 (1987-09-01), None
patent: 1223318 (1960-06-01), None
L.J. Kricka, P. Wilding, J Pfahler, J. Harley, H. Bau; “Liquid Transport in Micron and Submicron Channels”, SPIE 1167 Precision Engineering and Optomechanics, 1989, pp. 159-168.
Michael B Binnard, “Leg Design for a Small Walking Robot”, Masters Thesis. MIT. 1995.
J Peirs, D Reynaerts, H. Van Brussel, “Design of Miniature Parallel Manipulators for Integration in a Self-Propelling Endoscope”, Sensors and Actuators, v 85, 2000. pp. 409-417.
S. Butefisch, V. Seidemann, S. Buttgenbach, “Novel Micro-Pneumatic Actuator for MEMS”. Sensors and Actuators, A 97-98, 2002, pp. 638-645.
P. Wapner, W Hoffman, “Hydraulic Actuation Based on Flow of Non-Wetting Fluids in Micro-Channels”, Sensors and Acluators. B 85, 2002, pp. 52-60.
N R Tas, T S. J Lammerink, J.W. Berenschot, M. Elwenspoek, A. Van Den Berg, “Scaling Behaviour of Pressure-Driven Micro-Hydraulic Systems”, Nanotech, V. 1. 2002, pp. 174-177.
X. Song. D, Reynaerts, W , Meeusen, H. Van Brussel, “Investigation of Micro-EDM for Silicon Microstructure Fabrication”, Symposium on Micromachining and Microfabrication, Paris, 1999, pp. 792-799.
J Harley, H. Bau, “Fluid Flow in Micron and Submicron Size Channels”, Proceedings of IEEE, 1989, pp. 25-28.
J. Pfahler, J. Harley, H. Bau, “Liquid Transport in Micron and Submicron Channels”, Sensors and Actuators, A21-A23, 1990, pp. 431-434.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Surface tension 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 Surface tension seal, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Surface tension seal will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4196559