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. 26, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 01, 1996
Applicant:
Inventors:
Tep Ungchusri, Woodlands, TX (US);
Sergio A Castillo, Spring, TX (US);
Assignee:
FMC Corporation, Chicago, IL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16L / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
285276 ; 285 98 ; 384512 ;
Abstract
A fluid-carrying swivel joint has a stepped bearing race arrangement on interconnecting hubs having an improved bore seal capability. The stepped arrangement allows more ball bearings per adjacent race which allows equal distribution of hydrostatic end loading to each bearing race, thereby enabling maximum total end loading while minimizing load concentration on a particular bearing race section due to increased total ball and race contact area. A straight bore type seal is used to reduce surface area subject to axial pressure and to minimize rotational friction.