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:
Jul. 18, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 17, 1998
Larry Joe Gilliland, Morgan Hill, CA (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
An improved labyrinth seal for minimizing flow gradients leading to aerosoling of contaminants external to the labyrinth seal. The labyrinth seal that uses a pattern of gradient elements formed on a labyrinth plate to direct flow away from the labyrinth seal itself. The gradient elements may be grooves for directing flow gradients away from the labyrinth seal. The grooves may be coined into surface and may have a curvature for drawing the flow gradient away from the labyrinth seal. The gradient elements may alternatively include an outgrowth for directing flow gradients away from the labyrinth seal. The gradient elements may be formed on the surface for directing flow gradients from the outer diameter to the inner diameter or for directing flow gradients from the inner diameter to the outer diameter. The gradient elements control the magnitude of the flow away from the labyrinth seal.