Greene, Tweed of Delaware, Inc.

Green Tweed of Delaware, Inc.

Vinay K Nilkanth

Paul E Roberts

Hans F Millonig

Romel R Ner

Saul Guevara

Richard Thoman

A seal assembly adapted for use in sealing two mating surfaces spaced apart by a gap is provided. The seal assembly includes a sealing element adapted to be located in a groove in one of the mating surfaces. A back-up ring assembly is provided which includes a first back-up ring made from a relatively soft material and a second back-up ring made from a relatively hard material. The first back-up ring includes a body with first and second sides, with one of a groove and an interlocking projection being located on the body along the second side. The second back-up ring includes a body with first and second sides, with the other of the groove and the interlocking projection being located along the first side. The groove is complementarily shaped to the projection and includes a rounded mating surface such that the first and second back-up rings can be interlocked together by connecting the interlocking projection and the groove, with the rounded mating surface reducing stress concentrations on the first and second back-up rings under load.

Seal assembly with mechanically joined anti-extrusion rings

A sealing assembly for sealing a clearance space between first and second members wherein the first member has a groove therein and the second member has a surface overlying the groove. The groove is defined by a base surface and two side surfaces. The first and second members are displaceable with respect to each other. The seal assembly includes a flexible generally annular sealing ring, generally T-shaped in cross section for being positioned within the groove. The ring has an axially extending leg intersecting a radially extending leg. The axially extending leg is for being positioned in engagement with the base surface of the groove. The radially extending leg includes converging side surfaces merging into converging end surfaces. The end surfaces are generally linear in cross section and merge into a generally arcuate transition surface when the ring is in an uncompressed state. The transition surface and at least a portion of the end surfaces are in facing engagement with the surface of the second member when the ring is in a compressed state. A complementary mating anti-extrusion ring is positioned within the groove juxtaposed to each side surface and the radially extending leg.

Sealing assembly with T-shaped seal ring and anti-extrusion rings

A seal element for installation in an annular groove having a mouth, first and second radial surfaces, and an axial surface therebetween. The seal element has a first radial surface which forms an acute heel angle with the groove first radial surface, and the seal element forms an inner static area adjacent the groove axial surface and first radial surface. Upon installation of a rod and low pressure application, the seal element is compressed into the groove, and the seal element first radial surface is moved into contact with the groove first radial surface. Thus, the seal element prevents contamination from entering into the inner static area. The seal element has first and second angled surfaces forming a high pressure sealing line and third and fourth angled surfaces forming a low pressure sealing line with a stress-relieving radius interconnecting the second and third angled surfaces. When the seal element is positioned in the groove, the angled surfaces face in the direction of and partially protrude through the groove mouth. The stress-relieving radius relieves excessive tensile stress, thereby alleviating the problem of cracking at the sealing face and premature seal failure. Moreover, the stress-relieving radius provides better flexing motion to the low pressure sealing lip, thereby avoiding high compressive stress and reducing the compressive set on the low pressure sealing lip.

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Souderton, PA, United States of America

Vinay K Nilkanth