Sealing system

[0015] The present invention relates to a system for creating a waterproof seal around one or more flexible longitudinal members penetrating through a wall panel section. Reference figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system 100 is configured to generate a waterproof seal around a plurality of various wires, cables, conduits, pipes, hoses and/or pipes 101 (also referred to herein as "flexible longitudinal members"), as described above The flexible longitudinal member extends from the top drive motor housing 102 to the junction box 103 connected to the side of the motor housing 102. The junction box 103 contains various electronic components (for example, bus bars and other electronic disconnectors). Wiring, cables, conduits, and/or tubes 101 extending from the top drive motor housing 102 terminate at a bus bar or other electronic disconnect contained in the junction box 103.

[0016] Reference figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system 100 is connected to the wall 104 of the junction box 103. Such as figure 1 , Figure 5A with Figure 5B As shown, the wall 104 of the junction box 103 is arranged to be adjacent to the outer plate 105 of the motor housing 102. Therefore, the sealing system 100 is located between the junction box 103 and the motor housing 102. For clarity, in figure 2 The top drive motor housing 102 is omitted in the above. In the described embodiment, the sealing system 100 includes a sealing member 106 and a clamping member 107, the sealing member and the clamping member 107 are configured to receive the flexible extending between the motor housing 102 and the junction box 103 One or more of the longitudinal members 101. The clamping member 107 is provided to compress the sealing member 106 to form a waterproof seal around one or more longitudinal members 101 extending through the sealing member 106 and the clamping member 107. As described in more detail below, when the sealing member 106 is compressed by the clamping member 107, the orifice on the sealing member shrinks in the circumferential direction around the flexible longitudinal member 101, through which the flexible longitudinal member 101 extends. mouth.

[0017] Reference Figure 3A with 3B In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping member 107 is a substantially rectangular plate having an interface 108 and an inner surface 109 opposite to the interface 108. It should be understood that the clamping member 107 may have any other suitable shape, such as square or round. The interface 108 of the clamping member 107 is arranged to be adjacent to the inner interface 110 of the sealing member 106, which will be described in more detail below. The clamping member 107 also includes a plurality of orifices 111 extending between the interface 108 and the inner surface 109. An aperture 111 in the clamping member 107 is provided for receiving a flexible longitudinal member 101 (e.g., conduit, pipe, wiring, etc.) extending between the motor housing 102 and the junction box 103. In the described embodiment, the cross section of the aperture 111 in the clamping member 107 is substantially circular, but it should be understood that the aperture 111 may also have any other suitable shape. The aperture 111 may be set in various sizes according to the outer diameter of the flexible longitudinal member 101. In the described embodiment, the clamping member 107 includes a relatively small aperture 111a and a relatively large aperture 111b. Therefore, one or more of the apertures 111 in the clamping member 107 may include a smaller diameter hole 112 extending between the interface 108 and the inner surface 109 and a cylindrical groove or recess 113 in the interface 108 . The cylindrical recess 113 has a larger diameter than the corresponding hole 112. In addition, the cylindrical recess 113 is concentric with the smaller diameter hole 112 in the clamping member 107 so that the cylindrical recess 113 extends around the periphery of the relatively smaller hole 112. In the described embodiment, the relatively large orifice 111b includes the cylindrical recess 113 in the interface 108, and the relatively small orifice 111a does not include the cylindrical recess 113. The meaning of this arrangement will be described below. .

[0018] In one embodiment, the clamping member 107 may be formed of a non-magnetic material (for example, 304 stainless steel). The non-magnetic material is used to prevent the clamping member 107 from heating due to eddy currents when the conductor passes through the clamping member 107. Otherwise, the use of magnetic materials may cause eddy currents in the clamping member 107 when the conductor extends through the clamping member 107.

[0019] Continue to refer Figure 3A with 3B , The plurality of sleeves 114 are arranged to be received in one or more of the apertures 111 in the clamping member 107. in Figure 3A with Figure 3B , A sleeve 114 is shown exploded from one of the apertures 111 in the clamping member 107. The sleeve 114 may be made of an insulating material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or any other suitable material. In the described embodiment, each sleeve 114 includes a substantially cylindrical pipe portion 115 and an annular flange portion 116 extending in the circumferential direction around one end of the cylindrical pipe portion 115. Each sleeve 114 also defines an opening 117 that is configured to receive one of the flexible longitudinal members 101. The annular flange portion 116 is larger than the generally cylindrical pipe portion 115 so that an annular step or lip 118 is formed between the flange portion 116 and the pipe portion 115. In one embodiment, the longitudinal cross-section of the sleeve 114 is substantially T-shaped (refer to Figure 5A ). In the described embodiment, the flange portion 116 of the sleeve 114 is arranged to be received or seated in the cylindrical recess 113 in the clamping member 107, and the tube portion 115 of the sleeve 114 is arranged to extend to the orifice 111 in the smaller hole 112. The lip 118 on the sleeve 114 is configured to hold the sleeve 114 in the orifice 111 and prevent accidental detachment of the sleeve 114 from the orifice 111. Although the sleeve 114 is shown as a single component, in an alternative embodiment, the sleeve 114 may be formed as two separate halves (ie, the sleeve 114 may include a first part and a second detachable part from the first part. Part two). The sleeve 114 may also be fixed in the aperture 111 in the clamping member 107 by any suitable adhesive.

[0020] Each sleeve 114 is provided to surround a part of one of the flexible longitudinal members 101 (for example, wiring, pipe, or pipe), thereby preventing the flexible longitudinal member 101 from contacting the clamping member 107. For example, in an embodiment where the flexible member 101 is an insulated wire, the sleeve 114 can prevent the insulator from wearing the clamping member 107. The sleeve 114 is also provided to prevent the flexible longitudinal member 101 from radially loading the sealing member 106, otherwise the efficiency of the sealing system 100 will be impaired. In other words, generating a radial load on the sealing member 106 will radially elongate the orifice in the sealing member 106 through which the flexible longitudinal member 101 passes, thereby causing a potential leakage channel. In one embodiment, the weight and diameter of the flexible longitudinal member 101 may be low enough and small enough, respectively, so that the flexible longitudinal member 101 does not have the ability to radially elongate the orifice in the sealing member 106 (e.g., small , The light-weight wiring 101 does not have the risk of elongated orifices in the sealing member 106). Therefore, in one embodiment, the relatively small orifice 111a in the clamping member 107 provided for receiving the smaller-diameter wire 101 may not be provided with the sleeve 114 (that is, only the relatively small hole in the clamping member 107 The larger orifice 111b may be provided with a sleeve 114).

[0021] Continue to refer Figure 3A with 3B The sealing member 106 includes a substantially rectangular plate or layer having an internal interface 119 and a diplomatic interface 120 opposite to the internal interface 119. In one embodiment, the sealing member 106 is made of an elastic polymer, such as silicone. The sealing member 106 includes a plurality of apertures 121 provided for receiving a flexible longitudinal member 101 extending between the motor housing 102 and the junction box 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member 106 includes a relatively small aperture 121a and a relatively large aperture 121b. The relatively small orifice 121a and the relatively large orifice 121b in the sealing member 106 are arranged to be aligned with the relatively small orifice 111a and the relatively large orifice 111b in the clamping member 107, respectively. When the clamping member 107 is engaged with the sealing member 106, the aperture 121 in the sealing member 106 shrinks circumferentially around the flexible longitudinal member 101, thereby forming a waterproof seal around the flexible longitudinal member 101. In one embodiment, the cross section of the orifice 121 in the sealing member 106 is substantially circular, but it is understood that the orifice 121 in the sealing member 106 may have any other suitable shape. In one embodiment, in the uncompressed state, the orifice 121 in the sealing member 106 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible longitudinal member 101. However, in an alternative embodiment, depending on the compressibility of the sealing member 106, the orifice 121 in the sealing member 106 (in the uncompressed state) may be substantially the same as or even slightly larger than the outer diameter of the flexible longitudinal member 101 size of. In addition, the sealing member 106 includes a plurality of openings 122 configured to accommodate a plurality of fasteners 125 and a plurality of openings 123 configured to accommodate a plurality of pins 127, which will be described in more detail below.

[0022] Continue to refer Figure 3A with 3B , The sealing system 100 includes a plurality of holes 124 (for example, threaded blind holes) in the interface 108 of the clamping member 107, and the holes 124 are arranged to receive a plurality of fasteners 125 to connect the clamping member 107 with The sealing member 106 is joined. When the fastener 125 is screwed into the threaded blind hole 124 in the clamping member 107, the clamping member 107 is engaged with the sealing member 106, thereby compressing the sealing member 106 and encircling through the sealing member 106 and clamping respectively. The openings 121 and 111 of the member 107 of the flexible longitudinal member 101 form a seal. Here, a blind hole 124 is provided instead of a through hole to eliminate potential leakage passages of the junction box 103 (that is, the threaded blind hole 124 does not extend to the inner surface 109 of the clamping member 107 from beginning to end). That is, if a through hole is provided in the clamping member 107 instead of a blind hole, water may leak along the thread and flow into the junction box 103. However, the present invention is not limited to the clamping member 107 having the blind hole 124. In an alternative embodiment, the clamping member 107 may include a through hole, and a sealing material may be applied to prevent water from leaking into the junction box 103.

[0023] Still refer to Figure 3A with 3B The sealing system 100 further includes a plurality of blind holes 126 (for example, smooth holes) in the interface 108 of the clamping member 107. In an embodiment, the smooth blind hole 126 is positioned adjacent to the threaded blind hole 124, but it is understood that the smooth blind hole 126 may also be located at any other suitable position on the clamping member 107. The smooth blind hole 126 is configured to receive a plurality of pins or pin rods 127 through a press fit (ie, interference fit) connection. The pin 127 is provided to prevent excessive compression of the sealing member 106 due to excessive twisting of the fastener 125. That is, the pin 127 is provided to limit the amount by which the sealing member 106 can be compressed by the clamping member 107, which will be combined in the following Figure 5B Description. In the described embodiment, the cross section of the smooth blind hole 126 is substantially circular, but any other suitable shape of the smooth blind hole 126 is also within the scope and spirit of the present invention, such as a square or rectangular shape. Cross section. In another embodiment, the clamping member 107 may not be provided with a smooth blind hole 126, and the pin 127 may be connected (for example, welded) to the interface 108 of the clamping member 107.

[0024] Such as Figure 3A with 3B In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system 100 of the present invention further includes a connecting plate 128. The sealing member 106 is provided between the clamping member 107 and the connecting plate 128 (that is, the sealing member 106 is arranged to be compressed between the clamping member 107 and the connecting plate 108). In one embodiment, the connecting plate 108 is a substantially rectangular plate having a substantially flat outer surface 129 and a substantially flat inner interface 130 that is configured to be in contact with the sealing member 106 The interface 120 is adjacent to each other. The connecting plate 108 also includes a plurality of apertures 131 arranged to receive the flexible longitudinal member 101. In the described embodiment, the connecting plate 128 includes a relatively small orifice 131a and a relatively large orifice 131b. The plurality of apertures 131 are provided to be aligned with the plurality of apertures 121 and 111 in the sealing member 106 and the clamping member 107, respectively. Therefore, the flexible longitudinal member 101 (e.g., pipe, pipe, conduit, cable, etc.) is arranged to pass through the aligned apertures 131, 121, and 111 in the connecting plate 128, the sealing member 106, and the clamping member 107, respectively. The plurality of larger apertures 131b in the connecting plate 128 are also configured to accommodate a plurality of sleeves 114, which are basically the same as the description made above with respect to the clamping member 107. in Figure 3A with 3B , One of the sleeves 114 is shown separated from one of the larger openings 131b in the connecting plate 128.

[0025] In addition, as described above with respect to the clamping member 107, one or more of the larger apertures 131b in the connecting plate 128 may include a cylindrical recess or groove 133 in the inner interface 130 of the connecting plate 128 . The recess 133 is provided to receive the annular flange portion 116 of the sleeve 114 so as to fix the one or more sleeves 114 in the one or more holes 131 in the connecting plate 128. At the same time, the sleeve 114 in the connecting plate 128 and the clamping member 107 is arranged to minimize the radial load on the sealing member 106 provided between the connecting plate 128 and the clamping member 107. For example, the bending section of the flexible longitudinal member 101 passing through the apertures 131, 121, and 111 in the connecting plate 128, the sealing member 106, and the clamping member 107, respectively, can transmit the radial load on the sealing member 106. The radial load on the sealing member 106 may cause the orifice 121 in the sealing member 106 to elongate radially (for example, the circular orifice 121 may elongate into an elliptical orifice under a radial load), thereby causing the flexible longitudinal member A potential leakage channel is created between the outer surface of 101 and the orifice 121 in the sealing member 106. So like Figure 5A As shown, the sleeve 114 is configured to hold the flat portion of the flexible longitudinal member 101 through the connecting plate 128, the sealing member 106, and the clamping member 107. Maintaining the flat portion of the flexible longitudinal member 101 minimizes the radial load on the sealing member 106, thereby preventing the existence of a leakage path into the junction box 103.

[0026] Continue to refer Figure 3A with 3B The connecting plate 128 also includes a plurality of openings 134 configured to receive a plurality of fasteners 125 that connect the clamping member 107 to the connecting plate 128. In the described embodiment, the sealing system 100 includes eight fasteners 125 arranged to adjustably connect the clamping member 107 to the connecting plate 128. The head 135 of each fastener 125 is arranged to be adjacent to the outer surface 129 of the connecting plate 128 (ie, the surface opposite to the interface 130 of the connecting plate 128), and the shaft portion of each fastener 125 136 is arranged to extend completely through the openings 134 and 122 in the connecting plate 128 and the sealing member 106 and into the threaded blind hole 124 in the clamping member 107, respectively. As the fastener 125 is tightened, the clamping member 107 is pulled toward the connecting plate 128, thereby compressing the sealing member 106 located between the connecting plate 128 and the clamping member 107. In another way, the distance between the clamping member 107 and the connecting plate 128 can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the fastener 125 for connecting the clamping member 107 to the connecting plate 128. Therefore, tightening the fastener 125 increases the tightness of the sealing member 106, and loosening the fastener 125 decreases the tightness of the sealing member 106. As described above, the compression of the sealing member 106 causes the aperture 121 in the sealing member 106 to shrink in the circumferential direction around the flexible longitudinal member 101, thereby forming a waterproof seal around the flexible longitudinal member 101.

[0027] Still refer to Figure 3A with 3B The connecting plate 128 also includes a plurality of smooth blind holes 137 formed in the inner interface 130 of the connecting plate 128. The smooth blind hole 137 in the connecting plate 128 is configured to slidably receive a pin or pin 127 connected to the clamping member 107. In one embodiment, the smooth blind hole 137 in the connecting plate 128 is slightly larger than the smooth hole 126 in the clamping member 107, so that the pin 127 is slidably received in the smooth hole 137 in the connecting plate 128 in a clearance fit. (That is, in one embodiment, the pin 127 is press-fitted in the hole 126 of the clamping member 107 and clearance-fitted in the hole 137 in the connecting plate 128). The pin 127 is provided to limit the amount by which the sealing member 106 can be compressed (ie, the pin 127 is provided to prevent the sealing member 106 from being excessively compressed), which will be described in more detail below.

[0028] Refer now Figure 5B In the described embodiment, the pin 127 is arranged to slide between a position separated from the bottom surface 138 of the smooth hole 137 in the connecting plate 128 to a position adjacent to the bottom surface 138 of the smooth hole 137 in the connecting plate 128. In the described embodiment, the pin 127 is shown abutting the bottom surface 138 of the smooth hole 137 in the connecting plate 128. The abutment between the pin 127 and the bottom surface 138 of the smooth hole 137 in the connecting plate 128 prevents the sealing member 106 between the clamping member 107 and the connecting plate 128 from being further compressed. When the sealing member 106 is not in a fully compressed position, the pin 127 is separated from the bottom surface 138 of the smooth hole 137 in the connecting plate 128. When the sealing member 106 is in the fully compressed position, the pin 127 is adjacent to the bottom surface 138 of the smooth hole 137 in the connecting plate 128. in Figure 3B In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing system 100 includes eight pins 127 corresponding to the number of fasteners 125 that adjustably connect the clamping member 107 to the connecting plate 128. However, it should be understood that the number of pins 127 may also be different from the number of fasteners 125.

[0029] In one embodiment, the connection plate 128 may be formed as an integral part of the junction box 103 (for example, as figure 2 with 5B As shown, the connection plate 128 may be a part of the wall 104 of the junction box 103), or may be formed as a separate member connected to the junction box 103. In addition, although the connection plate 128 has been described above with respect to the junction box 103, the connection plate 128 can also be used in any other suitable applications. In addition, in an alternative embodiment, the sealing system 100 may not include the connecting plate 128. In one embodiment, the connecting plate 128 may be formed of a non-magnetic material (for example, 304 stainless steel).

[0030] Such as Figure 5A with 5B As shown, the clamping member 107 is sized to allow the clamping member 107 to be separated from the connecting plate 128 and placed in the internal compartment 139 in the top drive motor housing 102 (see also figure 1 ), so as to facilitate the maintenance and other work of the top drive. That is, the flexible longitudinal member 101 can be separated from the bus bar or other electronic disconnectors in the junction box 103, and the clamping member 107 can be separated from the connection plate 128. Then, during maintenance or other work on the top drive, the flexible longitudinal member 101 (eg, wiring, pipe, etc.) and the clamping member 107 may be placed in the top drive motor housing 102.

[0031] Although the present invention has been specifically described with respect to exemplary embodiments, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not meant to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form range disclosed. Those skilled in the art and the technology to which the present invention belongs should understand that the described structure, assembling and operating methods can be carried out while deviating from the principle, spirit, and protection scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. Modifications and changes. Although related terms have been used herein to describe the spatial relationship between one element and another element, such as "outer", "inner", "upper", "lower", "below", "above", "far", " "Near" and similar terms, but it should be understood that these terms are intended to cover various elements and components of the device in different orientations other than those shown in the drawings. In addition, the drawings included in this application are not limited to the scale shown in the drawings. Although the sealing system of the present invention is shown and described in conjunction with the top drive, the sealing system is not limited to this application. The sealing system of the present invention can be used in any industry to provide a flexible longitudinal member (e.g., Sealing of pipes, wiring, pipes, cables, etc.).