GFS Wiper Seals (also known as Scrapers or Excluders) operate to exclude contaminants from entering the sealing system. These contaminants include dirt, mud, dust and moisture. The presence of these contaminants will have a negative impact on the performance of the equipment, and the life of the seals. Poor Wiper Seal performance is amongst the most common causes of premature sealing system failure. Wiper seals function in both a static environment when the equipment is stationary, and dynamically when the cylinder is extending and retracting.
The oil and gas industry poses some of the most challenging seal applications for any seal designer. This is largely due to the varying chemical compatibility of fluids, and extremely high temperatures. The fluids often contain solids, which tend to be extremely abrasive. And applications are usually at high rotary speeds with extreme pressures.
This combination creates PV values (pressure x velocity) often reaching the limits of the seal materials. On top of these extremes, as seal designers we are also faced with containing fugitive emissions from valves and rotary equipment, in a very hostile environment like the oil field.
That’s where the rising stem valve has provided numerous solutions in the oil and gas industry.
A component’s reliability and service life are top priorities for wind turbine manufacturers. This is especially true for main shaft seals, which are exposed to powerful forces. In addition, larger shaft diameters have prompted adoption of new, more stringent operating requirements. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has succeeded in developing a new seal that reliably prevents leaks from the grease-lubricated main bearings used in conjunction with these shafts while tolerating strong shaft runout.
Manufacturers continue to increase the size of wind turbines in an effort to generate an ever-increasing
Sealing large joints or multiple grooves can pose cost and timing issues within product development. Extruded cord is often used to work within the program budgets and time constraints. However, that can create issues with splicing, RTV application, and inventory management.
To address these challenges, Parker has developed a new “Jigsaw” extruded seal design. The differentiating feature of this unique cross-section is the precise interlock when the cut-to-length seal ends are overlapped. When compressed, this patent pending interlock seals against itself and creates an RTV free joint.
Machining plastics is as much a skill as it is an art form. It takes understanding that whenever you cut a part, it will probably have some motion or energy still within the material.
This is largely because a lot of parts have more rebound than steel in the cutting process. And while plastics are mostly thermally stable, they’re not dimensionally, thermally stable.
Changes in temperature from the time the part is machined, inventoried, and put into service show that typically parts are constantly changing in size. PTFE or Teflon suffer the greatest change in thermal instability where we machine the part, around 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
You might think that if you can make a part and verify that it’s intolerance, then the part is process-capable. But the reality is that a large tolerance range doesn’t make a part process-capable.
Fastener Seals consist of an inner rubber component used in conjunction with an outer metal washer that supports the sealing function of a fastener such as a screw or bolt. The rubber and metal combination create an ideal fit to eliminate any clearance gaps between the housing components and protects against potential leaks in many static applications.
Fastener seals are intended to take the place of an o-ring in certain assemblies. By using a fastener seal, there is no need to have an o-ring groove machined into the component that the fastener will pass through.
GFS offers 3 different Fastener Seal Profiles for purchase below. Standard sizes and materials are kept in stock for same day shipment.
As the operating parameters of industrial technologies and manufacturing processes get more extreme, the need for optimal sealing solutions become that much more important.
Elevated temperatures and pressures, higher speeds, extreme environments, faster gas decompression, and aggressive medias all make sealing more critical. This extends right across static, reciprocating, rotary, and oscillating applications.
This challenge has been met very effectively by the inventive addition of energizers to seals. Energized seals give the ultimate performance in the most demanding conditions and critical applications.
Spring or o-ring energizers can extend the normal limits of PTFE and plastic materials to deliver durable ultra-tight sealing capability. Here’s a rundown of how energizers work and how they can elevate your next sealing challenge.
Rod Seals are the most important seal within any hydraulic sealing system. Rod Seals prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid to the outside. Additionally, Rod Seals help contribute, in combination with a Wiper Seal, to preventing contamination of the environment. GFS Rod Seal profiles are available as single acting (pressure from one side) or double acting (pressure from both sides).
This blog article will discuss the different profile, their recommended applications, and operating parameters.
There is no shaft disassembly or machining involved and costly downtime is minimized. Since the same sized seal as the original can be used, there is no need to search for other seals, or keep a stock of different sizes. No special equipment is required since the installation tool is supplied with the sleeve. A mallet and a pair of pliers are all that is needed for the installation.
For the sealing expert, the world of sealing terminology comes naturally.
But for those who don't live and breathe seals every day, the list of terms can quickly become quite daunting.
Thanks to our partners at Minnesota Rubber, this blog post will examine Part 3 of Sealing Terminology - the terms you may come across when looking for fluid sealing products.
QS 9000 – Quality System model, used in conjunction with the ISO 9000 standard, for the automotive industry
Quench Bath – The cooling medium used to quench molter thermoplastic materials to the solid state