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Piston ring without end clearance
PATENTS various wear resistance coatings. Both the methods of deposition and constituents of the coatings are described in detail. Most of the remaining patents describe various methods of achieving a consistent ring geometry around the entire circumference. These can involve either modifications of the butt joint or variations to the cross section of the ring circumferentially to obtain even spring force and ring presentation in the groove from the joint around the ring. Many of the general reciprocating seals are for very specific applications, and in some cases such a well lift pumps the application of the seals is described in great detail but there is no indication of the seals themselves. At least patent, 131464, appears to offer a particularly complex arrangement with no obvious benefit. There are compact seal designs for automotive applications including a moulded in place seal for a clutch pack piston, 050529.
Valve seals This section covers a very wide range of seal types and applications. Some are extremely specialist, such as the seals for slit valve doors in printed circuit manufacturing processes. An interestingly simple check valve seal arrangement is described in 042316 to prevent backflow in hydraulically operated power
Patents Editor’s note: While compiling the Patents Review for this month it became clear that we had managed to overlook a batch of patents half way through the year. To ensure completeness the essential information is included below.
Solid oxide fuel cell with elongated seal geometry Applicant: Corning Inc, USA Publication number: WO/2008/016503 Inventors: P. Diep, S.C. Pollard and S. Widaja Publication date: 7 February 2008
Seal of a metal moulding system Applicant: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd, Canada Publication number: WO/2008/017138 Inventors: V. Diaconu, S. Dzafic and W.J. Wieczorek Publication date: 14 February 2008 10
Sealing Technology
tools. Other patents include a method of reducing seat abrasion, 031247, a flexible seat insert for butterfly valves, 036576, and the somewhat perennial rotary engine valves and their seals. Valve stem packing is described in 007685 where V-ring packing with an offset geometry is used to provide an increased stem sealing force.
Medical There is a regular release of patents for medical applications. The majority of these are for sealing trocars and other devices used for minimally invasive surgery. As gas is used as part of the surgical techniques some form of seal is required to seal between the body cavity and atmosphere while still allowing access for surgical instruments. Many of the patents cover specific instruments or procedures. Other devices covered can include those used to form a seal during surgery to avoid clamping arteries etc. Although most of these seals are very specialist they are a potential source of some very different ideas, especially with respect to sealing irregular shapes and surfaces.
Food and beverage Seals in this category are almost entirely con-
Seal of a barrel assembly Applicant: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd, Canada Publication number: WO/2008/017142 Inventor: V. Diaconu Publication date: 14 February 2008
Piston ring without end clearance Applicant/Inventor: Y. Yang, China Publication number: WO/2008/017195 Publication date: 14 February 2008
Seal integrated with encoder Applicant: Il Jin Global Co Ltd, Korea Publication numbers: WO/2008/018764 and 018765 Inventors: J.S. Im et al. Publication date: 14 February 2008
Seal assembly for drill bit Applicant: Ulterra Drilling Technology LP, USA Publication number: WO/2008/019293 Inventors: M.B. Crawford, P.J. Nunley and
cerned with sealing of containers for food, drink or perhaps pharmaceuticals. Some are different methods of providing the tamper resistant cover inside a lid. An interesting number are concerned with providing a bottle, cap and tamper indicator that can be readily re-cycled. Integrity of sealing is another concern, for example a cap that ensures dual sealing functions, 045150 and 145767. One invention that interested me was a drinks bottle that has a stopper valve seal designed to seal in both the open and closed positions. It appears that drink is obtained by means of the radial flexibility of the assembly, so presumably it is necessary to squeeze the cap between ones teeth while drinking. Well it seems a good idea in principle.
Conclusion The ever increasing number of patents dictates that our coverage has become rather more concise than we may ideally like. However, it is not really feasible for me to select certain applications to the exclusion of others, as this will work to the disadvantage of some readers. So the plan for the future will be to provide at least brief coverage of all patents. As explained in the introduction it is quite straight forward to obtain full details via the internet should anything appear to be of direct interest.
R.A. Flak Publication date: 14 February 2008
Cylinder head seal with metallic layer Applicant: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH, Germany Publication number: WO/2008/019638 Inventor: M.-H. Chi Publication date: 21 February 2008
Brush seal for a turbo-machine to mitigate blowover effect Applicant: Siemens AG, Germany Publication number: WO/2008/020002 Inventors: S. Brück et al. Publication date: 21 February 2008
Seal-type closure device with partial opening Applicant/Inventor: C. Martin, France Publication number: WO/2008/020289 Publication date: 21 February 2008
April 2009
Valve seals This section covers a very wide range of seal types and applications. Some are extremely specialist, such as the seals for slit valve doors in printed circuit manufacturing processes. An interestingly simple check valve seal arrangement is described in 042316 to prevent backflow in hydraulically operated power
Patents Editor’s note: While compiling the Patents Review for this month it became clear that we had managed to overlook a batch of patents half way through the year. To ensure completeness the essential information is included below.
Solid oxide fuel cell with elongated seal geometry Applicant: Corning Inc, USA Publication number: WO/2008/016503 Inventors: P. Diep, S.C. Pollard and S. Widaja Publication date: 7 February 2008
Seal of a metal moulding system Applicant: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd, Canada Publication number: WO/2008/017138 Inventors: V. Diaconu, S. Dzafic and W.J. Wieczorek Publication date: 14 February 2008 10
Sealing Technology
tools. Other patents include a method of reducing seat abrasion, 031247, a flexible seat insert for butterfly valves, 036576, and the somewhat perennial rotary engine valves and their seals. Valve stem packing is described in 007685 where V-ring packing with an offset geometry is used to provide an increased stem sealing force.
Medical There is a regular release of patents for medical applications. The majority of these are for sealing trocars and other devices used for minimally invasive surgery. As gas is used as part of the surgical techniques some form of seal is required to seal between the body cavity and atmosphere while still allowing access for surgical instruments. Many of the patents cover specific instruments or procedures. Other devices covered can include those used to form a seal during surgery to avoid clamping arteries etc. Although most of these seals are very specialist they are a potential source of some very different ideas, especially with respect to sealing irregular shapes and surfaces.
Food and beverage Seals in this category are almost entirely con-
Seal of a barrel assembly Applicant: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd, Canada Publication number: WO/2008/017142 Inventor: V. Diaconu Publication date: 14 February 2008
Piston ring without end clearance Applicant/Inventor: Y. Yang, China Publication number: WO/2008/017195 Publication date: 14 February 2008
Seal integrated with encoder Applicant: Il Jin Global Co Ltd, Korea Publication numbers: WO/2008/018764 and 018765 Inventors: J.S. Im et al. Publication date: 14 February 2008
Seal assembly for drill bit Applicant: Ulterra Drilling Technology LP, USA Publication number: WO/2008/019293 Inventors: M.B. Crawford, P.J. Nunley and
cerned with sealing of containers for food, drink or perhaps pharmaceuticals. Some are different methods of providing the tamper resistant cover inside a lid. An interesting number are concerned with providing a bottle, cap and tamper indicator that can be readily re-cycled. Integrity of sealing is another concern, for example a cap that ensures dual sealing functions, 045150 and 145767. One invention that interested me was a drinks bottle that has a stopper valve seal designed to seal in both the open and closed positions. It appears that drink is obtained by means of the radial flexibility of the assembly, so presumably it is necessary to squeeze the cap between ones teeth while drinking. Well it seems a good idea in principle.
Conclusion The ever increasing number of patents dictates that our coverage has become rather more concise than we may ideally like. However, it is not really feasible for me to select certain applications to the exclusion of others, as this will work to the disadvantage of some readers. So the plan for the future will be to provide at least brief coverage of all patents. As explained in the introduction it is quite straight forward to obtain full details via the internet should anything appear to be of direct interest.
R.A. Flak Publication date: 14 February 2008
Cylinder head seal with metallic layer Applicant: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH, Germany Publication number: WO/2008/019638 Inventor: M.-H. Chi Publication date: 21 February 2008
Brush seal for a turbo-machine to mitigate blowover effect Applicant: Siemens AG, Germany Publication number: WO/2008/020002 Inventors: S. Brück et al. Publication date: 21 February 2008
Seal-type closure device with partial opening Applicant/Inventor: C. Martin, France Publication number: WO/2008/020289 Publication date: 21 February 2008
April 2009