Fire-Resistant Seal Assemblies

Abstract

The present invention provides fire-resistant seal assemblies that are particularly suited for use in hydraulic components in fire zones. The fire-resistant seal assemblies include a first seal made from an elastomeric material; a first anti-extrusion seal having a first seal-facing surface for receiving the first seal and defining a groove extending therealong, and an exterior surface having a truncated V-shaped portion with beveled end portions in a longitudinal cross sectional view; at least one second anti-extrusion seal having a second seal-facing surface for receiving the first anti-extrusion seal and defining a groove extending therealong, and an exterior surface having a truncated V-shaped portion with beveled end portions in a longitudinal cross sectional view; and at least one backer ring having a third seal-facing surface for receiving the second anti-extrusion seal and defining a groove extending therealong, and an exterior surface having a truncated V-shaped configuration in a longitudinal cross sectional view.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A fire-resistant seal assembly, comprising:
 a first seal comprising an elastomeric material;   a first anti-extrusion seal having a first seal-facing surface for receiving the first seal, wherein the first seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the first seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface, that when viewed in a longitudinal cross section, has a truncated V-shaped portion and beveled end portions configured for sealing contact with a gland;   at least one second anti-extrusion seal having a second seal-facing surface for receiving the first anti-extrusion seal, wherein the second seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the second seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface that, when viewed in a longitudinal cross section, has a truncated V-shaped portion and beveled end portions configured for sealing contact with a gland, wherein the exterior surface of the first anti-extrusion seal is positioned at least partially within the groove of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal such that a portion of the exterior surface of the first anti-extrusion seal contacts the second seal-facing surface of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal; and   at least one backer ring having a third seal-facing surface for receiving the at least one second anti-extrusion seal, wherein the third seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the third seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface that, when viewed in a longitudinal cross section, has a truncated V-shape, wherein the exterior surface of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal is positioned at least partially within the groove of the at least one backer ring such that a portion of the exterior surface of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal contacts the third seal-facing surface of the at least one backer ring.   
     
     
         2 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal assembly is fire-proof. 
     
     
         3 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first seal is annular and has a generally circular longitudinal cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material is selected from: ethylene propylene rubbers, nitrile rubber, silicone, fluorosilicone, a fluoroelastomer, and a perfluoroelastomer. 
     
     
         5 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the elastomeric material is selected from ethylene propylene rubbers, nitrile rubber, and fluoroelastomers. 
     
     
         6 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the groove defined by the first seal-facing surface of the first anti-extrusion seal extends annularly around the first seal-facing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first seal-facing surface of the first anti-extrusion seal is generally V-shaped in a longitudinal cross sectional view. 
     
     
         8 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the first seal-facing surface of the first anti-extrusion seal comprises a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg and the second leg intersect at an intersection point, and wherein the angle measured between the first leg and the second leg from the intersection point is about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the angle measured between the first leg and the second leg of the first seal-facing surface is about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein the first leg and the second leg intersect at a radiused bend in the first seal-facing surface. 
     
     
         11 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the first anti-extrusion seal comprises a first polymeric material selected from: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a polyaryletherketone (PAEK), a polyethersulfone (PES), a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a polyimide (PI), and copolymers, derivatives and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the first polymeric material is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). 
     
     
         13 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the first polymeric material comprises a filler, a reinforcing material, or a combination of a filler and a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         14 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one second anti-extrusion seal comprises a second polymeric material that is different from the first polymeric material. 
     
     
         15 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one second polymeric material has a higher decomposition temperature than a decomposition temperature of the first polymeric material. 
     
     
         16 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the second polymeric material comprises: a polyaryletherketone (PAEK), a polyethersulfone (PES), a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a polyimide (PI), and copolymers, derivatives and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the second polymeric material is polyetheretherketone (PEEK). 
     
     
         18 . The fire-resistant seal assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the second polymeric material comprises a filler, a reinforcing material, or a combination of a filler and a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         19 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first anti-extrusion seal comprises a first polymeric material, and each of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal comprise a second polymeric material, and the at least one backer ring comprises a third material that is more rigid than either of the first polymeric material or the second polymeric material. 
     
     
         20 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the third material of the at least one backer ring comprises a metal or metal alloy. 
     
     
         21 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the third material comprises an aluminum-nickel-bronze alloy. 
     
     
         22 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the third material comprises brass. 
     
     
         23 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one backer ring has a substantially uniform thickness, wherein the thickness is measured from the third seal-facing surface along an axis perpendicular to the third seal-facing surface through the at least one backer ring to the exterior surface of the at least one backer ring. 
     
     
         24 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1 , comprising at least two backer rings, wherein the at least two backer rings are stacked in facing engagement. 
     
     
         25 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fire-resistant seal assembly has a bidirectional configuration. 
     
     
         26 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the fire-resistant seal assembly is installed in a gland of a hydraulic component, and the hydraulic component is exposed to a flame having a temperature of about 2000° F., the fire-resistant seal assembly maintains a seal for at least about 6 minutes prior to failure of the fire-resistant seal assembly. 
     
     
         27 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 26 , wherein when the fire-resistant seal assembly maintains a seal for at least 15 minutes prior to failure of the fire-resistant seal assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1 , having three anti-extrusion seals, wherein a third anti-extrusion seal is situated between the first anti-extrusion seal and the at least one second anti-extrusion seal. 
     
     
         29 . A fire-resistant hydraulic component, comprising:
 a hydraulic component having the fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fire-resistant seal assembly is configured to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic component.   
     
     
         30 . The fire-resistant hydraulic component of  claim 26 , wherein the hydraulic component is a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         31 . A method of improving the fire-resistance in a hydraulic component, comprising: installing the fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 1  in a gland of a hydraulic component. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein when the hydraulic component is heated, a maximum internal temperature of the hydraulic component at failure of the fire-resistant seal assembly is at least about 1075° F. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein when the hydraulic component is heated, a maximum internal temperature of the hydraulic component at failure of the fire-resistant seal assembly is at least about 1175° F. 
     
     
         34 . A fire-resistant seal assembly, comprising:
 a first seal comprising an elastomeric material;   a first anti-extrusion seal having a first seal-facing surface for receiving the first seal, wherein the first seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the first seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface, and wherein the first anti-extrusion seal comprises a first polymeric material having a higher decomposition temperature than a decomposition temperature of the elastomeric material of the first seal;   at least one second anti-extrusion seal having a second seal-facing surface for receiving the first anti-extrusion seal, wherein the second seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the second seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface, wherein the second seal-facing surface faces the exterior surface of the first anti-extrusion seal, and wherein each of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal comprises a second polymeric material having a higher decomposition temperature than a decomposition temperature of the first polymeric material of the first anti-extrusion seal; and   at least one backer ring having a third seal-facing surface for receiving the at least one second anti-extrusion seal, wherein the third seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the third seal-facing surface, wherein the third seal-facing surface of the at least one backer ring faces the exterior surface of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal, and wherein the at least one backer ring comprises a metal or metal alloy.   
     
     
         35 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the first polymeric material is selected from: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a polyaryletherketone (PAEK), a polyethersulfone (PES), a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a polyimide (PI), and copolymers, derivatives and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the second polymeric material is selected from: a polyaryletherketone (PAEK), a polyethersulfone (PES), a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a polyimide (PI), and copolymers, derivatives and combinations thereof, and wherein each of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal has the same or a different second polymeric material. 
     
     
         37 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the first polymeric material and/or the second polymeric material comprises a filler material, a reinforcing material, or a combination of a filler material and a reinforcing material. 
     
     
         38 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the first seal, the first anti-extrusion seal, the at least one second anti-extrusion seal, and the at least one backer ring are arranged in a stacked configuration. 
     
     
         39 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 34 , wherein in a longitudinal cross sectional view, the exterior surface of the first anti-extrusion seal comprises a truncated V-shaped configuration having beveled end portions configured for sealing contact with a gland. 
     
     
         40 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the first seal-facing surface of the first anti-extrusion seal is generally V-shaped in a longitudinal cross sectional view. 
     
     
         41 . A fire-resistant hydraulic component, comprising:
 a hydraulic component having the fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the fire-resistant seal assembly is configured to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic component.   
     
     
         42 . The fire-resistant hydraulic component of  claim 41 , wherein the hydraulic component is a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         43 . A method of improving fire-resistance in a hydraulic component, comprising: installing the fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 34  in a gland of a hydraulic component. 
     
     
         44 . The method of providing a hydraulic component with fire-resistance of  claim 43 , wherein when the fire-resistant seal assembly is heated, a maximum internal temperature of the hydraulic component at failure of the fire-resistant seal assembly is at least about 1075° F. 
     
     
         45 . The method of providing a hydraulic component with fire-resistance of  claim 44 , wherein when the fire-resistant seal assembly is heated, a maximum internal temperature of the hydraulic component at failure of the fire-resistant seal assembly is at least about 1175° F. 
     
     
         46 . A fire-resistant seal assembly, comprising:
 a first seal comprising an elastomeric material; and   at least one solid anti-extrusion seal having a seal-facing surface defining a groove extending along the seal-facing surface, the seal-facing surface having a V-shape in a longitudinal cross sectional view, and an exterior surface that when viewed in a longitudinal cross section has a truncated V-shaped portion and beveled end portions configured for sealing contact with a gland, wherein the seal-facing surface faces the first seal such that at least a portion of the first seal is in contact with the seal-facing surface, wherein the at least one solid anti-extrusion seal comprises polyetheretherketone (PEEK), such that when the fire-resistant seal assembly is installed in a hydraulic component and heated, the maximum internal temperature of the hydraulic component at failure of the fire-resistant seal assembly is at least about 1020° F.   
     
     
         47 . The fire-resistant seal assembly of  claim 46 , wherein there is only one solid anti-extrusion seal. 
     
     
         48 . A fire-resistant seal assembly, comprising:
 a first seal comprising an elastomeric material;   a first anti-extrusion seal having a first seal-facing surface for receiving the first seal, wherein the first seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the first seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface that when viewed in a longitudinal cross section, has a truncated V-shaped portion and beveled end portions configured for sealing contact with a gland, wherein the first anti-extrusion seal comprises a first polymeric material;   at least one second anti-extrusion seal having a second seal-facing surface for receiving the first anti-extrusion seal, wherein the second seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the second seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface that when viewed in a longitudinal cross section, has a truncated V-shaped portion and beveled end portions, wherein the exterior surface of the first anti-extrusion seal is positioned at least partially within the groove of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal such that a portion of the exterior surface of the first anti-extrusion seal contacts the second seal-facing surface of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal, wherein the second anti-extrusion seal comprises a second polymeric material that is different from the first polymeric material; and   one backer ring having a third seal-facing surface for receiving the at least one second anti-extrusion seal, wherein the third seal-facing surface defines a groove extending along the third seal-facing surface, and an exterior surface, wherein when the at least one second anti-extrusion seal is positioned at least partially within the groove of the backer ring, a portion of the exterior surface of the at least one second anti-extrusion seal contacts the third seal-facing surface of the backer ring, and wherein the backer ring comprises a polymeric material having a higher decomposition temperature than the decomposition temperature of the second polymeric material.