Shaft sealing apparatus and associated methods
View Patent ↗An improved sealing apparatus and associated methods are disclosed herein. The sealing apparatus includes a housing defining a center axis, an alignment element positioned around the center axis, and a sealing element fixedly attached with the alignment element. The alignment element has first and second protrusions extending toward the center axis. The sealing element has a third protrusion extending toward the center axis. The alignment element is made of a first material with less elasticity than a second material of which the sealing element is made.
1. A sealing apparatus, comprising:
a housing defining a center axis, the housing comprising:
a first housing element comprising a first angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and a second angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis; and
a second housing element having a third angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and located opposite to the first angled portion, the second housing element being secured by the second angled portion;
an alignment element positioned around the center axis and at least partially inside the housing, the alignment element being secured by the first angled portion, the alignment element having a first protrusion extending in front of and at least partially across a recess formed in the alignment element, the alignment element being at least partially made of a first material; and
a sealing element positioned around the center axis and at least partially in the housing, the sealing element being fixedly attached with the alignment element, the sealing element having a second protrusion extending toward the center axis, the sealing element being at least partially made of a second material; and
wherein the first material has less elasticity than the second material;
wherein a first radial distance between the first angled portion relative to the center axis is smaller than a second radial distance between the second angled portion relative to the center axis; and
wherein a third radial distance between the third angled portion relative to the center axis is generally the same as the first radial distance.
2. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion is configured to at least partially remove an external substance from a reciprocating shaft.
3. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion extends toward an external side of the sealing apparatus.
4. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion includes a scrapper.
5. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second protrusion is configured to facilitate sealing a lubricant located on a lube side of the sealing apparatus.
6. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second protrusion extends towards a lube side of the sealing apparatus.
7. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a positioning element positioned in an axially-oriented recess defined by a body of the sealing element and the second protrusion.
8. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first angled portion is located at a radially-inner side of the sealing apparatus to secure the alignment element, and wherein the second angled portion is aligned to secure the sealing element.
9. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second angled portion located at a radially-inner side of the sealing apparatus to secure the sealing element, and wherein the third angled portion is located at a lube side of the sealing apparatus to secure the sealing element.
10. The sealing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the alignment element and the sealing element are fixedly attached by a locking mechanism.
11. A shaft system, comprising:
a housing defining a center axis, the housing comprising:
a first housing element comprising a first angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and a second angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis; and
a second housing element having a third angled portion aligned in parallel to the central axis and located opposite to the first angled portion, the second housing element being secured by the second angled portion;
a shaft positioned to move reciprocally along the center axis;
an alignment element positioned at least partially inside the housing, the alignment element being secured by the first angled portion, the alignment element having a first protrusion extending in front of and at least partially across a recess formed in the alignment element, the alignment element being at least partially made of a first material; and
a sealing element positioned at least partially inside the housing and fixedly attached with the alignment element, the sealing element having a second protrusion extending toward and sealingly in contact with the shaft, the sealing element being at least partially made of a second material; and
wherein the first material has less elasticity than the second material;
wherein a first radial distance between the first angled portion relative to the center axis is smaller than a second radial distance between the second angled portion relative to the center axis; and
wherein a third radial distance between the third angled portion relative to the center axis is generally the same as the first radial distance.
12. The shaft system of claim 11 , wherein the first protrusion is configured to at least partially remove an external substance from the shaft.
13. The shaft system of claim 11 , wherein the first protrusion extends toward an external side of the shaft system.
14. The shaft system of claim 11 , wherein the second protrusion is configured to facilitate sealing a lubricant positioned on a lube side of the shaft system.
15. The shaft system of claim 11 , wherein the second protrusion extends towards a lube side of the shaft system.