PATENTS

10Sealing Technology April 2003

PatentsHermetic seal for electronic componentApplicant: Epcos AG, GermanyThis invention relates to a method for hermeti-cally encapsulating an electronic component thatis mounted in flip-chip design on a support. Themethod described is characterized by first cover-ing the component with a film, which closelyrests on the component and the support, thenstructuring the film, and providing a hermeticsealing layer, especially a metal layer, which cre-ates a seal with the support.Patent number: WO 03/012856Inventors: A. Stelzl, G. Feiertag and E. ChristlPublication date: 13 February 2003

Seal and bearing assembly for rotating machineryApplicant: Dunrite Manufacturing Co Inc, USAThis patent details a seal and bearing assemblythat is designed to be used in rotating machin-ery of the type that has a rotor which turnswithin a stationary housing. The rotor andhousing define a seal cavity in which the sealand bearing assembly is positioned. Theassembly comprises a first bearing race (adapt-ed so that it engages with a rotating surface onthe rotor or a stationary surface), a second race(adapted so that it engages with other rotatingor stationary surfaces), and a large number ofbearing elements disposed between the firstand second races. A bearing cage may be usedwhich defines a number of bearing openingsthat are disposed between the first and secondraces, and the bearing elements are disposed inthe bearing openings. Preferably, the bearingelements are rollers. In one embodiment, theseal and bearing assembly also comprises aring that substantially seals along the station-ary surface in the housing. In this case, the ring defines a race engagement surface,and the first bearing engages the rotating sur-face while the second race engages the race engagement surface. In a preferredembodiment, the assembly has one set of raceson opposite sides of the ring, with correspond-ing races and bearing elements and/or cages.The bearing components are sized such thatany fluid flow through them, or leakage, isminimal.Patent number: WO 03/012305Inventor: J.L. Stewart, Jr Publication date: 13 February 2003

Labyrinth lock seal for hydrostatically set packerApplicant: Baker Hughes Inc, USAA hydrostatically set packer is disclosed. Theactuating piston is locked for run-in by a lock sleeve and lock dog arrangement. When

the desired depth is reached, well pressure is built up to break a rupture disc. This allows hydrostatic pressure to act on one sideof a lock sleeve. The other side of the locksleeve is exposed to a chamber under atmos-pheric pressure or low pressure. Movement ofthe lock sleeve releases the lock dog, whichallows the piston’s movement to set the packer.The lock sleeve has a labyrinth seal. Thisensures that seal leakage below a predeter-mined level will not prematurely activate thepiston lock and prematurely set the packer. Avariety of designs for the labyrinth are alsodescribed.Patent number: WO 03/012252Inventors: J.G. King and E. Welch (Jr) Publication date: 13 February 2003

Profiled seal for automotive closure Applicant: Thyssenkrupp Stahl AG, GermanyThe aim of the invention is to provide a sealfor an opening closure of a car body, which canbe covered (or closed) by a door or a flap. Theseal is designed to be installed easily and it islightweight. To achieve this, a profiled seal,including a lip is wedged between a (profiled)frame bordering the exterior of the openingseal and a cover sheet that is fastened onto theframe. The back of the profiled seal is support-ed by the corresponding profiled part of framein such a manner that the closing forces exert-ed by the door (on the profiled seal) can beabsorbed.Patent number: WO 03/011624Inventor: L. PatbergPublication date: 13 February 2003

Connecting difficult-to-join pipes Applicant: JGC Corp, JapanThis patent describes a technique of joiningpipes that are made from a difficult-to-weldmaterial. The pipes are meant to be used at a high temperature, and they are internallyor externally threaded at their end portions.They are also thread-fastened to each other.The inner and/or outer faces of the jointedpipe portion are sealed, so that the pipes arejoined by the screw structure to retain themechanical strength of the jointed pipe portion. At the same time, the inner and/orouter faces of the jointed pipe portion aresealed to ensure that the jointed portion of thepipe is able to contain the gas, and preventleakage.Patent number: WO 03/014612Inventors: K. Hosoya, N. Shiratori and K. SatoPublication date: 20 February 2003

Mechanical seal without elastomersApplicant: AES Engineering Ltd, UKA seal is described that seals between a rotat-able shaft and a housing. It has a stationarypart, which is connected to the housing, and a

rotary part which rotates with the shaft. Therotary part includes a sleeve that is mountedon the shaft. One end of the sleeve is providedwith a non-elastomeric sealing arrangement.This arrangement has sealing surfaces for con-tacting outer circumferential surfaces of thesleeve and the shaft as well as means of effect-ing sealing engagement between each of thesleeve and the shaft, and a respective sealingsurface.Patent number: WO 03/014602Inventor: A. Roddis Publication date: 20 February 2003

Turbine sealing element Applicant: Siemens AG, GermanyThe invention pertains to a sealing elementfor turbo-machinery. It is used in a gapbetween a first component and a second com-ponent that are spaced apart from each other.The first component has a first surface, whilethe second component has opposing secondsurfaces. The seal element comprises a supportstructure and a sealing structure covering (atleast partially) the support structure. Thisstructure is made up of at least two contactingmembers, each of which serves to put a por-tion of it in contact with one of the surfaces,and is capable of following a deformation ofthat surface. The invention further pertains toa combustion turbine, in which a gap isformed between a first surface and a secondsurface, and in which the gap is sealed off bythe seal element.Patent number: WO 03/014530Inventor: A. ReichertPublication date: 20 February 2003

Bidirectional sealing blowout preventerApplicant: Cooper Cameron Corp, USAThe subject of this patent is a bidirectional seal-ing blowout preventer, associated rams, and afluid communication system for equalizing thepressure between the back of the ram guideway(in the sealing blowout preventer) and a pas-sageway through the preventer itself. Disclosedare methods of operating a bidirectional sealingblowout preventer to seal a well around a pipeagainst down-hole pressure. This is done so asto control the well, and to pressure test anotherblowout preventer or another apparatus in astack.Patent number: WO 03/014518Inventors: M.F. Whitby, P.L Tasson and B.C.Williams Publication date: 20 February 2003

Composite fuel permeation barriersealApplicant: Parker Hannifin Corp, USAIn general, this invention relates to a compos-ite seal or gasket for inhibiting the release of avolatile organic compound such as fuel. Thecomposite seal assemblies that are described

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