초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to an improved wear compensating stem sealing apparatus. The elements thereof include a unitarily formed or separably formed O-ring separator disposed upon a valve stem. A first, or “wiper”O-ring is disposed on the stem in a space provided on the O-ring separator. A

The present invention is directed to an improved wear compensating stem sealing apparatus. The elements thereof include a unitarily formed or separably formed O-ring separator disposed upon a valve stem. A first, or “wiper”O-ring is disposed on the stem in a space provided on the O-ring separator. A second (and in some embodiments, a third) O-ring is disposed about the stem in a similar space on the O-ring separator above the level of the first O-ring. The second and/or third O-ring provide a subsequent sealing of the stem from pressurized fluid migrating upwardly upon wear of the first O-ring. The first O-ring may be made of a material which will wear more rapidly and/or wipe more efficiently than the second and/or third O-ring, or provide less radial squeeze, such that the second and/or third O-ring is subjected to increased compressive pressure from the pressurized fluid upon the wearing of the first O-ring.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved wear compensating stem sealing apparatus for maintaining and prolonging the effective life of the seal to prevent migration of a pressurized fluid upon a stem, said apparatus comprising: an elongated stem having a longitudinally dimension; an O-ring separator which is substantially annul

An improved wear compensating stem sealing apparatus for maintaining and prolonging the effective life of the seal to prevent migration of a pressurized fluid upon a stem, said apparatus comprising: an elongated stem having a longitudinally dimension; an O-ring separator which is substantially annular shaped in transverse cross-section and having an opening at the inner diameter thereof for disposition of said stem therethrough and having a first O-ring contact surface thereon, and a second O-ring confinement means at an upper portion thereof; a first O-ring disposed snugly about said stem and having a selected radial squeeze, and in contact with said first O-ring contact surface of said O-ring separator for initially sealing pressurized fluid from migrating upwardly upon said stem; a second O-ring disposed snugly about said stem and having a selected radial squeeze and in contact with said second O-ring confinement means of said O-ring separator to provide subsequent sealing of said stem from such pressurized fluid migrating upwardly upon said stem; said first O-ring over time providing less efficient sealing of the pressurized fluid than said second O-ring to subject said second O-ring within said second O-ring confinement means to compressive pressure from said pressurized fluid to provide an increased radial squeeze to said second O-ring upon said stem; a stem ring disposed about said stem, above and in contact with said second O-ring at the lower radial portion of said stem ring surface and including a third O-ring compression surface thereon; and a third O-ring disposed snugly about said stem and having a selected radial squeeze, and a third O-ring compression means, whereby when said first O-ring permits migration of such pressurized fluid upwardly from said stem to exert pressure upon said second O-ring, which pressure is transmitted upwardly against said stem ring which in turn is urged upwardly to further compress said third O-ring compression means.