Stuffing Box Seal Body Extraction Using Jack Screw Inserts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing bearing or bushing seal bodies from stuffing boxes in rotary mechanical devices are inefficient and often result in damage due to the force-fit installation, making removal difficult and prone to breakage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of jack screws axially through the sidewall of the seal body, combined with double-threaded cylindrical inserts, allows for easy extraction by pushing the seal body out rather than pulling, thereby minimizing damage during removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the seal body is force-fit into the stuffing box bore, then the seal body is securely installed and provides effective sealing, but removal becomes difficult and prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidremoval difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The jack screw mechanism segments the removal process into controlled stages, allowing the seal body to be gradually extracted from the stuffing box bore without sudden force that could cause breakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The jack screw acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the seal body, providing mechanical advantage and controlled force application to facilitate safe removal of the force-fit seal body from the stuffing box

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If short removal holes are drilled in the seal element, then some removal capability is provided, but the rigid element breaks off making further removal extremely difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval capabilityVSAvoidintegrity during removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of pulling the seal body out from the top (conventional approach), the jack screw pushes the seal body out from the bottom of the stuffing box, reversing the removal direction to avoid breakage of the seal element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The jack screw serves as a mediator that applies controlled pushing force through the seal body, preventing the rigid element from breaking off during the removal process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the seal body is made rigid for durability, then it provides reliable sealing and shaft support, but it becomes extremely difficult to remove from the cavity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidremoval difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The jack screw mechanism segments the removal process into controlled stages, allowing the rigid seal body to be gradually extracted without requiring excessive force that would compromise its structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The jack screw acts as a mechanical intermediary that provides controlled force application, enabling the rigid seal body to be removed safely while maintaining its durability characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12379030B2Bearing extraction from a stuffing box of a rotary mechanical device

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 SEAL RYT CORP

AI summary

An improved bearing or bushing body extraction from a stuffing box using jack screws is provided. The bearing or bushing seal body includes at least one jack screw on each half of a split body. The jack screw passes axially through the sidewall of the body to the inner flange of the stuffing box and turning the jack screw against the inner flange to lift the body from the stuffing box. A single inner threaded or double threaded insert with a reverse outer thread and standard inner thread is inserted into the bottom wall of the body so that the body may be installed flush against the inner flange. By turning the jack screw through the insert and against the flange, the seal body is pushed out rather than pulled.