ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 12 -- United States Patent no. 12,296,380, issued on May 13, was assigned to Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, Ill.).
"Seal ring" was invented by Allan John Woldow (Bartonville, Ill.), James Oliver Barlow (Metamora, Ill.), Timothy Michael Waters (Peoria, Ill.) and Thomas John Yaniak (Peoria, Ill.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A nickel-based alloy for forming a seal ring is disclosed. Such seal rings, in use may be static or rotating and may be used in a variety of applications, such as in wheel assemblies of machines. Using the alloy, the seal ring may be manufactured using a centrifugal casting method. The disclosed alloy includes a chromium content greater than at least 13.5%...