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The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Patent No.:

US 10119616 B1

PDFFull Text
Date of Patent:
Nov. 06, 2018

Filed:

Apr. 08, 2016

Mechanical seal assistance device and systems and methods for use thereof

Applicant:

Chevron U.s.a. Inc., San Ramon, CA (US);

Inventor:

Baha Tulu Tanju, Katy, TX (US);

Assignee:

CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., San Ramon, CA (US);

Attorney:

Karen R. DiDomenicis

Primary Examiner:

Jason Shanske

Assistant Examiner:

Behnoush Haghighian

Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16J 15/34 (2006.01); F04D 29/10 (2006.01); F04D 29/06 (2006.01); F04D 29/58 (2006.01); F04D 29/60 (2006.01); F16J 15/00 (2006.01); F04D 15/00 (2006.01); F04D 27/00 (2006.01); F04D 29/12 (2006.01); F16J 15/16 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F16J 15/346 (2013.01); F04D 15/00 (2013.01); F04D 27/00 (2013.01); F04D 29/06 (2013.01); F04D 29/10 (2013.01); F04D 29/122 (2013.01); F04D 29/126 (2013.01); F04D 29/5806 (2013.01); F04D 29/60 (2013.01); F16J 15/004 (2013.01); F16J 15/3452 (2013.01); F05D 2240/55 (2013.01); F05D 2260/20 (2013.01); F05D 2260/98 (2013.01); F05D 2270/303 (2013.01); F05D 2300/505 (2013.01); F16J 15/164 (2013.01); F16J 15/34 (2013.01);
Abstract

Disclosed is a device for regulating the compression force of a spring-spacer assembly provided in a mechanical shaft seal in a system including a motor and a pump or compressor. The device includes a spacer made from shape memory alloy, a spring in line with the spacer, and a heater proximate the spacer. When heated, the spacer contracts in length, resulting in a decrease in compression force. Also disclosed are systems and methods utilizing the device. The device is particularly useful when starting a pump or compressor to reduce friction in the mechanical seal. Existing mechanical seals can be easily retrofitted with the device.

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