- #1
gloo
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I am designing a prototype of my patent and I am a little stuck. The main part of my prototype involves the use of a cylinder and a seal that will slide inside up and down with minimal friction. I have already discussed on a previous thread the specs of the seal, the pressure environment, speed at which mating surface slides, etc...
The problem is that my prototype firm claims it will be hard to make a good cylinder that is 1 foot in diameter and make it "perfectly round" so that the seal does the job in keeping the water from "leaking" through it. I didn't think that this would be that hard but the two firms i saw insisted it would be tougher than i think. Now I already talked to some sealing firms and they have no problems giving me the seal i want. I want a spring energized teflon seal with a small area mating surface (less friction).
Can someone tell me where or who i can contact to attain a cylinder with these characteristics:
1. perfectly round - to ensure the seal always is in contact with the wall? (thought that would be easy enough but...)
2. with the inside cylinder wall with a low low friction surface (i.e teflon lined, chrome, stainless steel, just steel?) - is asking for teflon overkill? is teflon - steel close enough to 0.04 in friction co-efficient??
3. up to 18 inches in diameter?
As well, i also need the seal to be housed onto a disc so I was wondering what kind of firm/entity could build the disc with "wear" rings inside to keep the seal in line.
As mentioned, the most important part is to have minimal friction between the seal and the inside cylinder wall. It is low pressure, no heat, slow moving so the seal doesn't have any real challenges other than to keep the water on one side while allowing movement of the cylinder around the seal.
Thanks for your time and any suggestions you can make. I really thought the prototype firm would be able to handle something simple like this but it hasn't been fruitful.
I tried to attach a file but for some reason it won't let me - sorry
The problem is that my prototype firm claims it will be hard to make a good cylinder that is 1 foot in diameter and make it "perfectly round" so that the seal does the job in keeping the water from "leaking" through it. I didn't think that this would be that hard but the two firms i saw insisted it would be tougher than i think. Now I already talked to some sealing firms and they have no problems giving me the seal i want. I want a spring energized teflon seal with a small area mating surface (less friction).
Can someone tell me where or who i can contact to attain a cylinder with these characteristics:
1. perfectly round - to ensure the seal always is in contact with the wall? (thought that would be easy enough but...)
2. with the inside cylinder wall with a low low friction surface (i.e teflon lined, chrome, stainless steel, just steel?) - is asking for teflon overkill? is teflon - steel close enough to 0.04 in friction co-efficient??
3. up to 18 inches in diameter?
As well, i also need the seal to be housed onto a disc so I was wondering what kind of firm/entity could build the disc with "wear" rings inside to keep the seal in line.
As mentioned, the most important part is to have minimal friction between the seal and the inside cylinder wall. It is low pressure, no heat, slow moving so the seal doesn't have any real challenges other than to keep the water on one side while allowing movement of the cylinder around the seal.
Thanks for your time and any suggestions you can make. I really thought the prototype firm would be able to handle something simple like this but it hasn't been fruitful.
I tried to attach a file but for some reason it won't let me - sorry
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