US7461846B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing isolator with porous seal
Assignee: Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC
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Filing: 2006-08-29
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Granted: 2008-12-09
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Expires: 2026-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A bearing isolator assembly for sealing a rotating shaft with a porous sealing element including a rotor configured to sealingly engage with a shaft, and a stator configured to sealingly engage with a housing of an assembly. The rotor and stator are configured to engage with each other to define a labyrinthine pathway and one or more cavities, in which may be disposed a unitizing element and a porous sealing element. The porous sealing element provides a barrier to particulate contaminants from entering the interior of the housing, and to prevent egress of lubricants from the interior of the housing. The unitizing element limits axial and/or radial movement of the rotor with respect to the stator, and helps prevent wear of the rotor and/or stator by helping prevent the rotor from contacting the stator during operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Elizabeth Chitren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/44; F16J15/447; F16J15/4476; F16J15/4478
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A seal comprising: a rotor configured to sealingly engage with a shaft; a stator engaged with the rotor to define a labyrinthine pathway and a first and second cavity, the stator configured to sealingly engage with a housing; at least one unitizing element disposed within the first cavity, the unitizing element comprising: a stator engaging member; a rotor engaging member; a rear member having a top edge, a side edge, and a bottom edge; and two adjoining areas of differing diameters, one area corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member; and at least one porous sealing element disposed within the second cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A seal comprising: a rotor configured to sealingly engage with a shaft; a stator engaged with the rotor to define a labyrinthine pathway and a first and second cavity, the stator configured to sealingly engage with a housing; at least one unitizing element disposed within the first cavity, the unitizing element comprising: a stator engaging member; a rotor engaging member; a rear member having a top edge, a side edge, and a bottom edge; and two adjoining areas of differing diameters, one area corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member; and at least one porous sealing element disposed within the second cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The seal of claim 1 , wherein the porous sealing element comprises a micro-cellular material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The seal of claim 2 , wherein the micro-cellular material comprises silicone foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The seal of claim 2 , wherein the micro-cellular material comprises at least one of polyurethane, polysulfone, or polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The seal of claim 2 , wherein the micro-cellular material comprises a fibrous material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seal of claim 1 , wherein the porous sealing element comprises pores with diameters of approximately 500 to 600 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The seal of claim 1 , wherein the porous sealing element comprises pores with diameters less than approximately 100 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seal of claim 1 , wherein the porous sealing element comprises pores with diameters greater than or equal to approximately 100 microns
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The seal of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of porous sealing elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seal of claim 1 , wherein the unitizing element comprises rubber, a fluorinated polymer, or resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The seal of claim 1 , wherein the unitizing element comprises a lubricious plastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The seal of claim 1 , wherein the unitizing element comprises a filled polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The seal of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of unitizing elements.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus comprising: a rotatable shaft; a housing; a rotor sealingly engaged with the rotatable shaft; a stator sealingly engaged with the housing and engaged with the rotor to define a labyrinthine pathway and a first and second cavity; at least one unitizing element disposed within the first cavity, the unitizing element comprising: a stator engaging member; a rotor engaging member; a rear member having a top edge, a side edge, and a bottom edge; and two adjoining areas of differing diameters, one area corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member; and at least one porous sealing element disposed within the second cavity.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus comprising: a rotatable shaft; a housing; a rotor sealingly engaged with the rotatable shaft; a stator sealingly engaged with the housing and engaged with the rotor to define a labyrinthine pathway and a first and second cavity; at least one unitizing element disposed within the first cavity, the unitizing element comprising: a stator engaging member; a rotor engaging member; a rear member having a top edge, a side edge, and a bottom edge; and two adjoining areas of differing diameters, one area corresponding to the rotor engaging member and the other corresponding to the rear member; and at least one porous sealing element disposed within the second cavity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-12-09 | 2012-06-09 | 2012-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-12-09 | 2016-06-09 | 2016-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-12-09 | 2020-06-09 | 2020-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |