TEMPERATURE ADAPTIVE DYNAMIC SHAFT SEAL ASSEMBLY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A seal assembly configured for sealing a dynamic shaft, the seal assembly comprising:
- an elastic seal member disposable in sealing communication with the dynamic shaft;
a coil spring disposed in contact with said elastic seal member and configured for applying a compressive force to said elastic seal member; and
a shape memory alloy element configured for applying pressure to said coil spring to thereby augment said compressive force.
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Abstract
A seal assembly configured for sealing a dynamic shaft includes an elastic seal member disposable in sealing communication with the dynamic shaft. The seal assembly further includes a coil spring and a shape memory alloy element. The coil spring is disposed in contact with the elastic seal member and configured for applying a compressive force to the elastic seal member. The shape memory alloy element is configured for applying pressure to the coil spring to thereby augment the compressive force.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A seal assembly configured for sealing a dynamic shaft, the seal assembly comprising:
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an elastic seal member disposable in sealing communication with the dynamic shaft; a coil spring disposed in contact with said elastic seal member and configured for applying a compressive force to said elastic seal member; and a shape memory alloy element configured for applying pressure to said coil spring to thereby augment said compressive force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A seal assembly configured for sealing a dynamic shaft, the seal assembly comprising:
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an elastic seal member disposed in sealing communication with the dynamic shaft; a coil spring disposed in contact with said elastic seal member and configured for applying a compressive force to said elastic seal member; a shape memory alloy element configured for applying adjustable pressure to said coil spring to thereby augment said compressive force; wherein said shape memory alloy element changes crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite at a transformation temperature to thereby change dimension and augment said compressive force in a radial direction generally perpendicular to the dynamic shaft; wherein said pressure applied to said coil spring is adjustable according to a temperature of said shape memory alloy element; and a power source in communication with said shape memory alloy element and configured for changing the temperature of said shape memory alloy element; wherein said power source is changeable between an energized mode configured for dimensionally contracting said shape memory alloy element and a non-energized mode configured for dimensionally expanding said shape memory alloy element.
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18. A seal assembly configured for sealing a dynamic shaft, the seal assembly comprising:
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an elastic seal member disposable in sealing communication with the dynamic shaft; a coil spring disposed in contact with said elastic seal member and configured for applying a compressive force to said elastic seal member; a shape memory alloy element having a first end section and a second end section and configured for applying pressure to said coil spring to thereby augment said compressive force; and a crimp configured for tying said first end section of said shape memory alloy element to said second end section inside said coil spring. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification