| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention is a seal mechanism (36) for a universal joint, where the universal joint is coupled to at least one pivotable or angle, rotatable shaft such as a connecting rod (16) in the drive mechanism of a progressing cavity pump. The seal mechanism comprises a housing (32) for retaining the universal joint therein, where the housing includes a substantially dome-shaped outer wall (38) and an aperture (40) extending therethrough for receiving the shaft; and a substantially annular seal support component (42), encircling the shaft, and mounted adjacent the dome-shaped outer wall. The seal support component includes a substantially annular sealing ring (44), encircling the aperture and abutting a curved (inner or outer) surface (50) of the outer wall. Preferably, the seal support component is slidingly mounted to the shaft and is biased towards the curved surface of the outer wall such that the sealing ring is pressed against the curved surface of the outer wall so as to provide a seal between the sealing ring and the outer wall. The seal support component also preferably includes an O-ring component (52) extending therefrom and abutting the shaft so as to provide a seal between the seal support and the shaft. Furthermore, the curved surface of the outer wall has a radius whose center is substantially at the pivot point of the universal joint, the pivot point being the approximate point about which angular movement of the shaft is centered.</p> |
