Thomas B Monahan

US Patent:

20210285547, Sep 16, 2021

Filed:

May 31, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/335015

Inventors:

MARK R. WILKINSON - HUNTINGTON MA, US
THOMAS B. MONAHAN - HOLYOKE MA, US

International Classification:

F16J 15/18

Abstract:

A fluid sealing system for a rotary mechanical device including a pillar lantern ring having a bottom and a top end cap with pillars or columns connecting the end caps is formed by additive manufacturing. The bottom annular end cap has an outside face and an opposed inside face defining a height therebetween and the upper annular end cap has an inside face and an opposed outside face defining a height therebetween with a plurality of integrally formed substantially cylindrical axial columns connecting the two opposed inside faces of the two end caps.

US Patent:

20200103034, Apr 2, 2020

Filed:

Sep 27, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/144329

Inventors:

- Westfield MA, US
THOMAS B. MONAHAN - HOLYOKE MA, US

International Classification:

F16J 15/18

Abstract:

A fluid sealing system for a rotary mechanical device includes a pillar lantern ring having two end caps with pillars or columns connecting the end caps. A bushing or bearing seal element is positioned at the bottom of the seal cavity and the pillar lantern ring is positioned adjacent the element at the flush port with compressible packing rings between the lantern ring and the gland follower. The pillars or columns are axial supports to prevent the ring from being crushed when the gland follower is tightened down. The pillars allow for a larger reservoir volume of flush in case of temporary flush loss compared to a conventional lantern ring with holes between the outer and inner groove surfaces of the lantern ring. The outer surface of the lantern ring is closely dimensioned to the inner bore of the stuffing box. In one embodiment the lantern ring is a suspended lantern ring with an inner diameter greater than the shaft to avoid any and all contact with the shaft in order to extend its working life.