Device for Use in Uniting the Adjacent Ends of Radially Split Sealing Rings

Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated as examples in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an apparatus for use in uniting the adjacent ends of radially split sealing rings;

FIG. 2 is an end view, viewed from the left in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a modified form of apparatus; and,

FIG. 4 is an end view, viewed from the left in FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for uniting the ends of a sealing ring which has been severed radially on one side. The apparatus comprises a body part 5 and an adjacent body part 6 disposed in the same plane. Each of the body parts 5 and 6 has a profiled body member designated 7 and 8. Each body part 7 and 8 is provided at its lower end 11 with a profile adapted approximately to the contours of a sealing ring. Opposite each of the parts 11 is disposed a coacting profiled segment 12 and 12a respectively which together with 11 form an aperture for the sealing ring. Each segment is joined by a chain 13 or 13a to the body members 7 and 8 respectively. The means of fastening the ends of a cut-through sealing ring inside the members 7 and 8 at 11, and segments 12, 12a are hereinafter described.

Inside body member 7 is fastened in a bore an internally threaded bush 14, the front end of which extends in a recess 15 in the body member 8 lying opposite it (FIG. 1). The body member 8 is adapted to move linearly relative to the projecting portion of bush 14. For this purpose a threaded spindle 16 is mounted inside the body member 8, this threaded spindle 16 being rotatable but incapable of longitudinal movement and being adapted to engage by its external thread the internal thread of the bush 14. The threaded spindle 16 projects outside of body member 8 and on its projecting end carries a rotatable knob 17.

In addition, a guide rod 18 is inserted and fastened in a bore in body member 7 and can extend into a recess 19 in body member 8. The threaded bush 14, in conjunction with the recess 15 in body member 8 and the rod 18 in conjunction with the recess 19 in member 8, form two guides by which the threaded spindle 16 can be moved into or out of the threaded bush 14 to achieve accurately guided relative movements of body members 7 and 8 towards and away from one another.

In the upper portion of each shaped body part is provided a heater 20, 20a which is fastened to a handle 21, 21a. These heaters 20, 20a contain conventional heating elements in conjunction with a thermostat and plug sockets 22, 22a for connecting a source of electric current, and are so constructed that they can be used for sealing rings of various profiles. Body parts 5, 6 may be secured by screws 9, 10 to body members 7 and 8.

In each of the shaped body parts 5 and 6 and in the segment 12 and 12a are provided slots 23, 24 and 23a, 24a respectively, in which slide bars 25, 25a are slidably mounted. These slide bars 25, 25a are each provided at their upper ends with a control knob 26, 26a. The slide bars 25, 25a are provided with guide slots 27, 28 and 27a, 28a respectively, through which pass screws 29, 30 and 29a, 30a respectively, which are screwed into body members 7 and 8, so that the slide bars 25, 25a are effectively guided. The bottom ends of the slide bars 25, 25a can be introduced into the slots 24, 24a in the coacting segment 12, so that segments 12, 12a are effectively fastened in their working position when they are required to hold fast in each case one end of a cut-through sealing ring. To achieve reliable clamping of the ends of a profiled ring, the slots 24, 24a and the bottom ends of the slide bars 25, 25a are slightly bevelled (FIG. 2).

For mounting an apparatus of the invention, a support 31 is provided on the rear side of each body part 5 or 6, the support 31 being adjustably fastened on each shaped body part 5, 6 by a screw 32.

In the construction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the same constructional parts are used as in the construction described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore the same references are used for the components as in FIG. 1.

The construction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 differs however from the construction of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that instead of the guide bars 25, and 25a there are provided in each body member 7, 8 profiled pressure plates 33 and 34 which are clamped fast by wingnuts 35 and 36 and stud bolts, so as to receive the ends of a cut-through sealing ring.

For the purpose of replacing a worn sealing ring in a seal, with the aid of an apparatus of the invention, the procedure may be as follows:

A new sealing ring is inserted into body members 7 and 8 at 11, and segments 12 or 12a and with the aid of the slide bars 25, 25a is fastened by the segments 12, 12a or by attaching the pressure plates 33, 34, and the two body members 7 and 8 are moved slightly apart by turning the threaded spindle by the knob 17, whereby the threaded spindle 16 is screwed out of the threaded bush 14 so that the sealing ring is slightly clamped. The sealing ring is then cut through in the middle between the two body members 7 and 8, the threaded spindle 16 is then turned further with the aid of the knob 17 until separation is achieved between the threaded spindle 16 and the threaded bush 14, the two body members 7 and 8 then being completely separated from one another. The new sealing ring together with the two body members 7 and 8 is then placed around the shaft and the end faces of the sealing ring are coated with a suitable adhesive, which may be a two-component adhesive (plastics adhesive). The body members 7 and 8 are then screwed together again, the threaded spindle 16 being moved into the threaded bush 14, while at the same time the guide rods 18 of the body member 7 move into the recess 19 in the other body member 8. A plurality of such guides may naturally be provided. Owing to the fact that the guides are provided for the two body members 7 and 8, lateral displacement of the end pieces of the divided sealing ring is impossible, and consequently the end faces of the cut-through sealing ring lie flush against one another. The pressure applied to the adhesive or bonding agent can be accurately adjusted by correspondingly turning the threaded spindle 16. The automatic flush arrangement of the end faces of the sealing ring is of particular importance, since because of the limited space inside a seal it is not possible for the position of the ends of the sealing ring to be visually inspected. The desired accurate pressing together of the end faces of the sealing ring is thereby achieved at the same time.