US 12,110,965 B2
Method for forming a lantern ring for a shaft sealing system
Mark R. Wilkinson, Huntington, MA (US); and Thomas B. Monahan, Springfield, MA (US)
Assigned to SEAL-RYT CORP., Westfield, MA (US)
Filed by SEAL-RYT CORP., Westfield, MA (US)
Filed on Jan. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/102,752.
Application 18/102,752 is a continuation of application No. 17/335,015, filed on May 31, 2021, granted, now 11,566,709.
Application 17/335,015 is a continuation of application No. 16/144,329, filed on Sep. 27, 2018, granted, now 11,054,036, issued on Jul. 6, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0243427 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. F16J 15/18 (2006.01)
CPC F16J 15/183 (2013.01) 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for forming a lantern ring for use in an annular seal cavity of a rotary mechanical device having an output end and a power end with a shaft running through the seal cavity, comprising:
using additive manufacturing to form a substantially rigid unitary cylindrical body having an outside surface dimensioned to fit into the annular seal cavity and an inside dimension to fit about the shaft of the rotary mechanical device with a bottom annular end cap having an outside face and an opposed inside face defining a height therebetween and an upper annular end cap having an inside face and an opposed outside face defining a height therebetween; and
using additive manufacturing to integrally connect the two opposed inside faces of the two end caps to form a flush volume.