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:
Nov. 09, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 06, 2008
Marthinus Van Schoor, Medford, MA (US);
David Gilbert, Andover, MA (US);
Andrew Cutler, Boston, MA (US);
Steven Klepper, Medford, MA (US);
Marthinus van Schoor, Medford, MA (US);
David Gilbert, Andover, MA (US);
Andrew Cutler, Boston, MA (US);
Steven Klepper, Medford, MA (US);
MIDE Technology Corporation, Medford, MA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods associated with a fluid-activated shaft seal are provided. The systems, which feature multiple components, include a support component defining an exterior surface, a carrier component including an interior surface to slideably engage the exterior surface of the support component, and a seal disposed relative to the carrier component. The seal includes a lip portion and a fluid-responsive gel material that expands when exposed to a fluid to urge the lip portion towards or into contact with a shaft. The gel material contracts in the absence of the fluid to form or increase the size of a gap between the shaft and the lip portion. Methods of assembling and installing such a system are also described.