Lifting Device Applications for Inflatable Seals

The Client:

Major manufacturer of electrical motors.

The Situation:

During the manufacture of electrical motors the stator core is dipped into a chemical mixture that is at a temperature of 300°F.

Application Requirements:

Depending on the size of the motor, the stator motor core can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. The core must be picked up by a crane and dipped into a chemical bath (350°F). Following this operation, the core is moved to the next station for drying.

The Approach:

The application calls for a mechanical device to be inserted into the opening of the motor core that is capable of "grabbing" onto the core and holding it in place while the core is picked up by the crane and taken to the dip tank for processing. Once the dipping process is accomplished the core is removed from the tank and taken to a drying station. The core is set down and the lifting device is disengaged. The lifting device returns upstream in the assembly process to engage and lift the next motor core. Due to the inherent safety concerns of this operation and the expense of the motor cores at this point in the assembly process, ensuring that the motor core is not dropped is a major challenge in the project.

The Solution:

A metal mechanical mandrel is fitted with P-15 cross section inflatable seals. The seals are manufactured from peroxide-cured EPDM to withstand the spike of 350° F. temperatures. The metal mandrel is fitted with two seals to provide a redundancy feature in the lifting process. Inflation lines to the seals are fitted with check valves to ensure that each seal operates independently of the other for safety reasons.

The Results:

Various diameter-lifting devices are utilized in this manufacturing lifting application depending on the motor size being processed. Each of the devices is specified by a maximum weight that can be lifted.

Other Applications:

Inflatable seals can be utilized in a myriad of applications in manufacturing processes. Whenever there is a need to lift, actuate, attenuate, push or grip, an inflatable seal (or other engineered rubber product) is a potential solution. And, yes, inflatable seals can be used for sealing applications too!