Seal

摘要

A device to provide a seal between a housing for a moving element such as a drill chain, piston or the like and the moving element. The device comprising a storage well to retain seal material, the block having an outlet connecting with an aperture in a housing enabling seal material to flow into the space between a housing and the moving element and form a seal, the device further including an inlet port enabling seal material precursor to be added into the block, and pressurizing means to pressurize the seal material precursor and force it out of the aperture.

主权项

1. A method of replenishing a seal between a housing for a moving element and the moving element, the method comprising:
providing a seal forming device, comprising:
a housing enclosing a portion of the moving element with which a seal is to be made with the housing;a storage well to retain a seal material,a plug of solid seal material in the storage well, the plug of solid seal material extending through an opening of the storage well and into contact with the moving element at a seal interface;pressurizing means comprising a piston head, wherein the piston head is movable in the storage well and separates the seal material from a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure source; andan inlet port extending through the piston head of the pressurizing means; introducing a flowable seal material precursor through the inlet port into a first portion of the storage well, wherein the first portion is remote from the opening and the seal interface and is between the piston head and the plug of solid seal material in the storage well; setting the flowable seal material precursor into a solid in the first portion of the storage well, replenishing the plug of solid seal material.