A seal assembly includes a seal carrier configured to be coupled to and rotate with a shaft. The seal carrier defines at least three annular recesses configured to receive annular seals. The seal assembly further includes at least three annular seals configured to provide a seal between the seal car
A seal assembly includes a seal carrier configured to be coupled to and rotate with a shaft. The seal carrier defines at least three annular recesses configured to receive annular seals. The seal assembly further includes at least three annular seals configured to provide a seal between the seal carrier and a non-rotating housing defining an inner surface having a circular cross-section. One of the at least three seals is received in each of the at least three annular recesses, and one of the at least three seals has a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of at least one of the other seals.
대표청구항▼
1. A seal assembly comprising: a seal carrier configured to be coupled to and rotate with a shaft, the seal carrier defining at least three annular recesses configured to receive annular seals; andat least three annular seals configured to provide a seal between the seal carrier and a non-rotating h
1. A seal assembly comprising: a seal carrier configured to be coupled to and rotate with a shaft, the seal carrier defining at least three annular recesses configured to receive annular seals; andat least three annular seals configured to provide a seal between the seal carrier and a non-rotating housing defining an inner surface having a circular cross-section,wherein one of the at least three seals is received in each of the at least three annular recesses, andwherein one of the at least three seals has a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of at least one of the other seals. 2. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal carrier defines an annular groove between two of the at least three annular recesses, the annular groove being configured to provide flow communication between the seal carrier and a fluid passage defined by the non-rotating housing. 3. The seal assembly of claim 2, wherein the seal carrier defines an annular cavity between two of the three annular recesses, the annular cavity being configured to provide an annular lubricating passage between the seal carrier and the inner surface of the non-rotating housing. 4. The seal assembly of claim 3, wherein the annular groove is located between a first and a second of the at least three annular recess, and the annular cavity is located between the second annular recess and a third annular recess of the at least three annular recesses. 5. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal carrier defines an annular cavity between two of the at least three annular recesses, the annular cavity being configured to provide an annular lubricating passage between the seal carrier and the inner surface of the non-rotating housing. 6. The seal assembly of claim 2, wherein the seal carrier defines an inner surface, and wherein the inner surface of the seal carrier defines an inner annular recess configured to provide flow communication between an inner passage of the shaft and the seal carrier. 7. The seal assembly of claim 6, wherein the seal carrier defines a radial passage providing flow communication between the inner annular recess and the annular cavity. 8. A torque converter comprising: a housing configured to be rotated by a prime mover;an impeller coupled to the housing and configured to rotate with the housing and pump fluid;a turbine configured to rotate as a result of fluid pumped by the impeller;a stator associated with the impeller and the turbine, the stator being configured to direct fluid flow between the turbine and the impeller;an output shaft coupled to the turbine and configured to be rotated by the turbine;a non-rotating housing coupled to the stator and configured to receive the output shaft, the non-rotating housing defining an inner surface having a circular cross-section; anda seal assembly coupled to the output shaft, the seal assembly including: a seal carrier coupled to and configured to rotate with the output shaft, the seal carrier defining at least first and second annular recesses configured to receive annular seals, and an annular groove between the first and second annular recesses, anda first annular seal and a second annular seal configured to provide a seal between the seal carrier and the non-rotating housing, the first and second annular seals being received respectively in the first and second annular recesses,wherein the non-rotating housing defines a fluid passage configured to provide flow communication between the annular groove of the seal carrier and a location exterior with respect to the non-rotating housing, such that the first annular seal is exposed to a lower fluid pressure than the second annular seal, andwherein the first annular seal has a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the second annular seal. 9. The torque converter of claim 8, wherein the seal carrier defines a third annular recess, and the seal assembly further includes a third seal received in the third annular recess. 10. The torque converter of claim 9, wherein the seal carrier defines an annular cavity between the second annular recess and the third annular recess, the annular cavity being configured to provide an annular lubricating passage between the seal carrier and the inner surface of the non-rotating housing. 11. The torque converter of claim 10, wherein the annular groove is located between the first annular recess and the second annular recess, and the annular cavity is located between the second annular recess and the third annular recess. 12. The torque converter of claim 10, wherein the seal carrier defines an inner surface, and wherein the inner surface of the seal carrier defines an inner annular recess configured to provide flow communication between an inner passage of the output shaft and the seal carrier. 13. The torque converter of claim 12, wherein the seal carrier defines a radial passage providing flow communication between the inner annular recess and the annular cavity. 14. The torque converter of claim 12, wherein the seal assembly is configured such that fluid pressure in the annular cavity has a first pressure and fluid pressure in the annular groove has a second pressure, and wherein the first pressure is higher than the second pressure. 15. The torque converter of claim 8, further including: an output yoke coupled to the output shaft and configured to couple the output shaft of the torque converter to a transmission input shaft; anda lip seal received by the non-rotating housing. 16. The torque converter of claim 15, further including a bearing associated with and rotatably supporting the output shaft, wherein the seal assembly is between the bearing and the lip seal. 17. The torque converter of claim 15, wherein the seal carrier is between the bearing and the output yoke. 18. The torque converter of claim 15, wherein the lip seal provides a fluid seal between the non-rotating housing and the output yoke. 19. A method for providing reduced fluid pressure between a seal assembly and a lip seal, the seal assembly being coupled to a shaft configured to rotate within a non-rotating housing, the method comprising: providing a seal assembly including a seal carrier defining at least three annular recesses having at least three annular seals received respectively therein, the seal carrier being coupled to and rotating with the shaft, and the annular seals providing a seal between the seal carrier and the non-rotating housing;supplying fluid to the seal assembly at a first pressure to provide lubrication between the annular seals and the seal carrier; andproviding a fluid passage in the non-rotating housing in flow communication with an annular groove between two of the at least three annular seals, such that fluid pressure between the two annular seals is at a second pressure that is less than the first pressure,wherein the lip seal is coupled to the non-rotating housing at a position opposite at least one other annular seal with respect to the two annular seals, andwherein one of the two annular seals has a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of another of the two annular seals. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the two annular seals are first and second annular seals, and the at least one other annular seal is a third annular seal, and wherein supplying fluid to the seal assembly at a first pressure includes supplying fluid to the second and third annular seals at the first fluid pressure.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Beattie, James C., Automatic transmission and shaft system therefor.
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