Abstract: A rotary device having a housing, a rotating machine component, a rotating member associated with the rotating machine component, a nonrotating member disposed within the housing adjacent the rotating member, and a sensor array disposed in the housing. The sensor array includes a plurality of sensing elements that are integrated with a control device and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is configured to communicate with a central control that is remotely located relative to the housing using electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A rotary union includes a housing forming a bore and a piston bore having an open end and disposed at a radially offset distance with respect to the bore. The piston bore is fluidly isolated from the bore. A seal carrier is slidably disposed within the bore, and includes an actuation arm extending radially outwardly relative to the bore such that it overlaps the piston bore. A piston slidably disposed in the piston bore is extendible to releasably abut the actuation arm and urge the seal carrier to displace relative to the bore when the piston displaces relative to the piston bore.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly includes a housing having a stator that rotatably supports a rotor. The rotor includes conductive disks that are electrically connected to respective conductors extending through a rotor shaft. The stator includes brushes that slidably and electrically engage the conductive disks. The one or more brushes are electrically connected to stator conductors extending at least partially through the stator. Electrical pathways are defined and extend from the stator conductors, the brushes, the conductive disks, and the respective conductors in the shaft. A smart board is connected to the stator and includes electronic components configured to monitor operation of the slip ring assembly and provide signals to an external source. The smart board is electrically connected to, and powered by, electrical power that is present and available on the stator conductors.

Abstract: A washpipe seal and method includes providing a first sliding mechanical face seal between two seal elements to seal a mud conduit, and a second mechanical face seal between two additional seal elements to define a cavity within a housing of the washpipe between the first and second mechanical face seals and independently from the mud conduit, and in which, during operation, a buffer fluid can be provided.

Abstract: A rotary union that includes rotating and non-rotating machine components, each having a sealing ring, which can together form a mechanical face seal. A rotor disposed on the rotating machine component includes one or more magnets. A sensor array disposed in the housing includes a plurality of sensing elements that are integrated with a control device, a communication device, and a power storage device. The sensor array further includes a magnetic pickup coil disposed to closely overlap the outer periphery of the rotor. When the rotating machine component rotates, the magnet creates a rotating magnetic field that cooperates with the magnetic pickup coil to produce electrical power to operate the sensor array.

Abstract: A rotary union for use along an incompressible fluid path between a rotating machine component and a non-rotating machine component includes a non-rotating seal carrier including a non-rotating seal element, which together with the non-rotating seal carrier define a net hydraulic surface on an internal side and a net pneumatic surface on an external side. Contact of an incompressible fluid under pressure with the net hydraulic surface creates a closing force, and contact of a compressible fluid under pressure with the net pneumatic surface creates an opening force.

Abstract: A rotary union includes a housing having a shaft rotatably mounted in a bore. A plurality of annular plates is mounted on the shaft in spaced relation, and a plurality of spools is disposed in alternating fashion between the plurality of annular plates on the shaft. Each spool includes two seal rings creating mechanical face seals with adjacent annular plates. The shaft, the plurality of annular plates and the plurality of spools are arranged to assemble in a stacked arrangement, which is insertable as a whole into the cylindrical bore of the housing.