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.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 01, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 08, 1996
Zhigang Fang, Woodlands, TX (US);
Sujian Huang, Woodlands, TX (US);
Chris E Cawthorne, Woodlands, TX (US);
Brian A James, Houston, TX (US);
G Steven Kyker, Big Sandy, TX (US);
Robert Denton, Pearland, TX (US);
Smith International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A high performance rock bit journal seal is formed from a composite material comprising an elastomeric material and a nonelastomeric polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably in the form of fibers woven into a sheet. The elastomeric material includes at least one lubricant additive. The composite seal material comprises a number of repeating sheets of polymeric fabric that are bonded together with the elastomeric material. In one embodiment, the seal includes a body formed entirely from the composite material, in which case both the static and dynamic seal surfaces are the same. In another embodiment, the seal includes a first body portion formed from the composite material, and a remaining body portion formed from a noncomposite elastomeric seal material. Seals formed from the composite seal material display enhanced wear resistance, reduced coefficient of friction, and improved high-temperature stability and endurance when compared to noncomposite seal materials, thereby both extending the useful life of seals formed therefrom formed and of rock bits that employ such seals.