Patent ID: 6595524
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: F16J,Y10S

Abstract:
A buffer seal for providing a fluid seal between a first machine element and a relatively movable second machine element, at least said first machine element including a gland disposed about a periphery thereof, said buffer seal disposed between a system providing fluid pressure and a primary seal disposed between said first machine element and said second machine element, said buffer seal comprising:a sealing element disposed at least partially in said gland and including a generally ring-shaped body having a surface configured to make contact around a periphery thereof with a side wall of said gland and another surface configured to make contact around a periphery thereof with a surface of said second machine element; and a biasing element disposed at least partially in said gland and including a generally ring-shaped resiliently deformable body having a surface configured to make contact around a periphery thereof with said sealing element and form an angular interface therewith relative to an axis of movement of the relatively movable second machine element and including a radial innermost edge of the biasing element configured for contact with a portion of the sealing element, another surface configured to make contact around a periphery thereof with an opposing side wall of said gland, and one other surface configured to make contact around a periphery thereof with an outer wall of said gland, said biasing element configured to provide a biasing force between said sealing element and said opposing side wall of said gland and to provide a biasing force between said sealing element and said outer wall of said gland, wherein said outer surface of said generally ring-shaped resiliently deformable body defines an outer cylindrical surface configured for contact around a periphery thereof with at least a portion of said outer wall of said gland, said another surface of said generally ring-shaped resiliently deformable body defines a face surface substantially transverse to said outer cylindrical surface and configured for contact around a periphery thereof with at least a portion of said opposing side wall of said gland, and wherein said biasing element further comprises: at least one fluid port extending axially through said body; and a plurality of fluid passageways, each fluid passageway of said plurality of fluid passageways extending across said face surface, said plurality of fluid passageways and said at least one fluid port cooperatively configured to provide a fluid flow path through said body.