Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for remotely monitoring liquid lubricant levels for pump equipment. A system includes a reservoir to store lubricant and a lubrication gland to expose a shaft seal of the pump equipment to the lubricant. A feed line and a return line circulate the lubricant between the reservoir and the lubrication gland. A level sensor is configured to measure a fluid level in the reservoir. The level sensor uses a communication interface to transmit fluid level data a monitoring device mounted to the pump equipment. The monitoring device is configured to compare the fluid level data against stored alert thresholds and send, to a provider network, an alert signal when the fluid level data is below an alert threshold. If the fluid level data is not below an alert threshold, the monitoring device stores the fluid level data for periodic reporting.

Abstract: An interstage seal for a turbine of a gas turbine engine, the interstage seal having a seal carrier with an axial extending seal tooth movable with a stator of the engine, and a rotor with a seal surface that forms the interstage seal with the seal tooth, where a magnetic force produced by two magnets and a gas force produced by a gas pressure acting on the seal carrier forms a balancing force to maintain a close clearance of the seal without the seal tooth contacting the rotor seal surfaces during engine operation. In other embodiments, two pairs of magnets produce first and second magnetic forces that balance the seal in the engine.

Abstract: A seal assembly including at least one conduit configured to allow a medium to flow therethrough, an annular retaining means operably coupled to the conduit, and an annular resilient seal member disposed in the annular retaining means. A method of sealing a dispensing system containing a food product creating a food product pressure, wherein the dispensing systems includes a drive shaft operably coupled to a seal assembly, the seal assembly including an annular resilient seal member disposed in an annular retaining member, the annular retaining member being operably coupled to at least one conduit, the method including the steps of: dispensing a medium through the at least one conduit to enter the annular resilient seal member to create a seal pressure greater than or equal to the food product pressure.

Abstract: A sealing system for process gas leakage from a turbomachine casing is provided. The sealing system may include a seal assembly housing coupled to or integral with the turbomachine casing. The seal assembly housing defines a bore configured to receive a rotary shaft and a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes a plurality of carbon rings mounted circumferentially about the rotary shaft. The plurality of carbon rings may include an inboard carbon ring configured to prevent flow of a separation gas inboard of the barrier seal, an outboard carbon ring configured to prevent flow of contaminates into the seal assembly housing, and an intermediate carbon ring interposed between the inboard carbon ring and outboard carbon ring. A pressure differential is maintained across the inboard carbon ring, such that the separation gas is prevented from flowing inboard across the inboard carbon ring by a residual portion of a seal gas.

Abstract: A turbine includes a rotor, a fluid bearing for rotatably supporting the rotor, an air supply conduit system for supplying air towards the fluid bearing, a discharge conduit system for discharging a portion of the supplied air and a control system arranged to change an amount of air discharging through the discharge conduit system based on a running condition of the turbine.

Abstract: A method for the pressure regulation of a barrier fluid in a pumping device (10) is introduced, which includes a pump unit (11) with a shaft (12) and a pump housing (13), a drive unit (17), which is mechanically coupled to the pump unit and a shaft sealing arrangement (16.1, 16.2), which seals the pump housing (13) relative to the shaft (12). In the method, a pumping medium is pumped by means of the pumping device (10) and the barrier fluid is conveyed via a feed line (5.1, 5.2) to a common housing (18), in which the pump unit (11) and the drive unit (17) are arranged, in order to prevent a leakage of the pumping medium out of the pump housing (13). Additionally, the pressure of the supplied barrier fluid is increased when a pressure difference between the pressure of the supplied barrier fluid and a detected pressure of the pumping medium in the pump unit (11) falls below a pre-determined value.

Abstract: The invention refers to a fluid seal arrangement for constricting a leakage flow directed through a leakage gap bordered by a rotational and a stationary component including at least one nozzle opening in the rotating and/or stationary component facing towards the rotating or stationary component of an opposite side of the leakage gap respectively in order for injecting a liquid or gaseous fluid flow through the nozzle opening into the leakage gap. The at least one nozzle opening is fluidly connected to a cooling channel inside said rotating and/or stationary component, so that said fluid flow emanating at the nozzle opening consists of a cooling fluid of the rotating and/or stationary component exclusively.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a stator attached to a housing and a rotor attached to a shaft. A static sealing member is attacked to the stator presenting a contact with the rotor at stand-still. An electromagnetic is attached to the stator at a distance from an end of the static sealing member. The static sealing member is activated and moved away from the rotor by the magnetic force exerted by the electromagnet as the shaft rotates. The electromagnet is controlled by a control system for controlling the equipment in which the bearing isolator is used. To deactivate the static sealing member during shaft rotation, the bearing isolator may have its own control system with a sensor to indicate if the shaft is rotating. As the shaft rotates, contaminants are expelled through gaps between the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: A barrier system for a dual mechanical seal, the system comprising means for controlling barrier fluid pressure relative to product pressure. The pressure control means comprises means for monitoring the volume of barrier fluid in the system and for supplying additional fluid to the system to maintain the volume within a desired range. The system further comprises means for maintaining the barrier fluid pressure at a pre-determined pressure above product pressure.

Abstract: A device for collecting used sealing fluids/grease being used as sealing and lubricating medium between two objects such as risers.

Abstract: A component housing in a motor-vehicle drive train is sealed by pressurization of the housing interior. The component is a hybrid module (1) comprising at least one electric machine provided between the combustion engine (VM) and the gearing (G) of the motor-vehicle drive train. The pressurization is achieved by a rotating component (R, RA, M, F) of the hybrid module. The rotating component is designed in a manner similar to an impeller of a centrifugal pump. Therefore, rotation of the component builds up a positive pressure (P) on the radially outer region of the rotating component in the region of the housing (GE) in the interior of the hybrid module.

Abstract: Actuator devices useable to change orientation of one or more vanes, including an actuator rod and an actuator device body configured to allow the actuator rod to move along the axis inside the actuator device body, and having an inlet flange configured to allow a third fluid to enter a space between the actuator device body and the actuator rod, and an outlet flange configured to allow the third fluid to exit the actuator device body. Besides providing a fluid seal between the first fluid and the second fluid, the third fluid may also heat the actuator rod thereby preventing ice formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a centrifugal field-flow fractionation is disclosed. In an embodiment of the invention, radial rotary shaft seals are used for sealing the rotating parts of the shaft for carrying out the centrifugal field-flow fractionation and the stationary parts. Furthermore, a separate line is introduced for reducing the pressure differential across these seals. In such way, the driving force driving sample fluid across the seals is reduced, thereby reducing leakage.

Abstract: A bulkhead seal includes a housing configured to be attached to a bulkhead about a shaft and defining an annular recess. An annular diaphragm seal is rotatably disposed in the annular recess of the housing and about the shaft. A plurality of orifices extend through the annular diaphragm seal to prevent air pressure differentials from locking the annular diaphragm seal with respect to the housing. A lip seal is provided on each side of the annular diaphragm seal. Each lip seal includes a seal portion disposed to seal the orifices in the presences of liquid.

Abstract: During engine braking of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas pressure increases and this is used to pressurize the seals between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing so as to prevent oil leakage into the compressor housing. Immediately after engine braking, stored exhaust gas pressure is used to pressurize the seals at the turbine end so as to prevent oil leakage into the turbine housing. In an alternative arrangement the exhaust gas is used to generate a reduced pressure in the bearing housing to increase the pressure gradient across the seals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to circumferential seal ring segments positioned around a rotating shaft so as to prevent fluids from leaking from a lubricant sump during both low and high pressure conditions. The circumferential seal is comprised of a plurality of adjoining annular ring segments facing the rotating shaft. Each sealing ring segment includes a dead end circumferential groove on a shaft-side face of each sealing ring such that, when the segments are joined, the circumferential dead end groove of each segment extends arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation. At least one additional groove is contained on the shaft-side face of each sealing ring segment. The additional groove(s) directs and creates pressurized air within the dead end circumferential groove, either directly or indirectly maintaining a seal between the ring segments and the shaft. A bleed hole may also be provided to create a seal between each sealing segment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring compressed air between machine elements uses a rotary manifold in which an orifice restrictor is provided between the air supply, between each piston and shoe. The orifice restrictors meter volumetric flow rate during loading and/or unloading cans from the apparatus, thereby optimised compressed air consumption.

Abstract: A turbomachine is disclosed that has a main fluid flowpath extending axially along the turbomachine with a rotating shaft partly enclosed in a casing, wherein the rotating shaft and casing are moveable relative to each other and define a clearance opening about the rotating shaft, whereby the main fluid flowpath fluidly communicates with an outside region, and an annular seal body defining a fluid passage having a primary fluid inlet configured to receive a pressurized fluid, a fluid outlet disposed proximate to the clearance opening, and a convergent chamber interposed therebetween, wherein the convergent chamber is configured to accelerate the pressurized fluid out of the fluid outlet so as to create a local reduced pressure at the clearance opening.

Abstract: A circumferential seal system for sealing a high pressure region from a low pressure region separated by a runner with an outer circumferential surface and a seal ring disposed about the outer circumferential surface is described. The seal system includes a plurality of groove sets separately disposed along the outer circumferential surface. Each groove set further includes at least two grooves. At least one groove within each groove set exerts a lifting force via a fluid from the high pressure region onto the seal ring as the runner translates with respect to the seal ring along an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the runner. The continuous feed of fluid onto the seal ring ensures a thin film between the seal ring and the runner regardless of their relative arrangement during axial excursions of the runner resulting from conditions within a turbine engine.

Abstract: A circumferential seal system for sealing a high pressure region from a low pressure region separated by a runner with an outer circumferential surface and a seal ring disposed about the outer circumferential surface is described. The seal system includes a plurality of groove sets separately disposed along the outer circumferential surface. Each groove set further includes at least two grooves. At least one groove within each groove set exerts a lifting force via a fluid from the high pressure region onto the seal ring as the runner translates with respect to the seal ring along an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the runner. The continuous feed of fluid onto the seal ring ensures a thin film between the seal ring and the runner regardless of their relative arrangement during axial excursions of the runner resulting from conditions within a turbine engine.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for controlling gas leakage in a turbine are provided. A plurality of seals may be provided in series, where each of the plurality of seals may be operable to reduce gas backflow from an inlet of a turbine component. Further, one or more channels may be provided that are operable to direct at least a portion of the gas backflow from respective points within the plurality of seals to corresponding points within a gas flow path of the turbine. The at least a portion of the gas backflow may be directed to the points within the gas flow path through the one or more channels. Additionally, the diameters of the plurality of seals may be optimized to at least partially balance the net thrust generated by the gas flow path of the turbine.

Abstract: A shaft sealing arrangement includes at least two seal rings radially enclosing a rotating shaft so as to define a clearance between the shaft and the at least two seal rings. A sealing oil supply channel is disposed between the at least two seal rings and a pump is configured for pumping a sealing oil through the sealing oil supply channel in a radial direction towards the shaft so that the sealing oil subsequently flows through the clearance in a first axial direction toward a first side of the sealing arrangement and in a second opposite axial direction toward a second side of the sealing arrangement. The sealing oil is collected on the first and second sides and at least partially reintroduced into the sealing oil supply channel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a manifold having a passageway through the manifold and a seal fitting extension. The seal fitting extension includes a shoulder portion having a metal seal ring. The apparatus also includes a pinch-off tube having a flange in sealed contact with the metal seal ring of the shoulder portion of the manifold. The apparatus could further include a backing element in contact with the flange of the pinch-off tube, where the backing element forces the flange into contact with the metal seal ring. In addition, the apparatus could include a sealing nut in contact with the backing element, where the sealing nut causes the backing element to force the flange into contact with the metal seal ring.

Abstract: A rotor shaft sealing method for an oil-free rotary compressor is provided, with which occurrence of lubrication oil intrusion into the compression chamber of the compressor which is liable to occur when negative pressure is produced in the compression chamber, is prevented. With a rotor shaft sealing structure composed such that two shaft seal means are provided in the rotor casing between the oil lubricated bearing and the compression chamber such that an annular airspace is formed between the two shaft seal means, at least one communicating hole is provided to communicate the annular airspace to the outside of the rotor casing, and the annular airspace of the male rotor shaft sealing part and the annular airspace of the female rotor shaft sealing part are connected by a between-rotor shaft communication passage, pressurized air is supplied to the annular airspaces by which lubrication oil intrusion into the compression chamber is prevented.

Abstract: An improved, piston-based, pressure-transforming barrier fluid support apparatus is disclosed that can support both the pressurized and unpressurized barrier fluid requirements of a shaft-driven machine from a single unit. The disclosed apparatus includes both a pressurized section that stores, cools, cleans, and pressure regulates pressurized barrier fluid, and an unpressurized section that stores, cools, and cleans unpressurized barrier fluid. The disclosed apparatus causes debris in the pressurized barrier fluid to gravitationally migrate away from the piston, so as to prevent piston fouling. If the piston rod becomes detached, it is expelled downward for enhanced safety. Removable covers and/or a removable cylinder can provide enhanced access for cleaning and maintenance. Embodiments include a common cover that is shared by the pressurized and unpressurized sections and serves as a common manifold for cost-efficient fluid connections thereto.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with a fluid-activated shaft seal are provided. The systems, which feature multiple components, include a support component defining an exterior surface, a carrier component including an interior surface to slideably engage the exterior surface of the support component, and a seal disposed relative to the carrier component. The seal includes a lip portion and a fluid-responsive gel material that expands when exposed to a fluid to urge the lip portion towards or into contact with a shaft. The gel material contracts in the absence of the fluid to form or increase the size of a gap between the shaft and the lip portion. Methods of assembling and installing such a system are also described.

Abstract: A sealing system for a pump having a plunger includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of the plunger. Primary and secondary seals are located within the internal chamber and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The primary seal communicates with the fluid being pumped. A barrier fluid chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure referencing device has an inlet port in communication with the pumped fluid and an outlet port providing fluid at a pressure magnitude equal to a peak pressure of the pumped fluid. A pressurizing device is in communication with the fluid at the peak pressure and the barrier fluid to maintain the barrier fluid pressure at a magnitude greater than the peak pressure of the pumped fluid such that the pumped fluid is restricted from leaking past the primary seal.

Abstract: A rotor shaft sealing method for an oil-free rotary compressor is provided, with which occurrence of lubrication oil intrusion into the compression chamber of the compressor which is liable to occur when negative pressure is produced in the compression chamber, is prevented.

Abstract: A multifunctional electronic device for checking and managing the operating and diagnostic conditions of a mechanical seal. A method of controlling and managing the operating and diagnostic conditions of a mechanical seal.

Abstract: An arrangement in connection with a mechanical seal includes at least two sliding surfaces pressing against each other, which are arranged to seal a gap between a rotating and a non-rotating machining part, and mechanism for providing a sealing fluid flow cooling the sliding surfaces. To provide an optimal consumption of sealing fluid, a valve mechanism is arranged to the mechanism for providing the cooling sealing fluid flow, the valve mechanism being arranged to react to the temperature of the seal and to open and close the flow of sealing fluid according to the cooling need.

Abstract: A seal assembly and cartridge for sealing a space between a rotating member and a stationary member in which a sleeve extends around the rotating member and with the inner surface of the sleeve being spaced from the outer surface of the rotating member to form a gap. Pressurized fluid is introduced to the sleeve to establish and maintain a predetermined gap between the sleeve and the rotating member, so that the pressure of the fluid can be varied to maintain the predetermined gap despite variations of the diameter of the rotating member during its rotation.

Abstract: A top separator assembly for a digester is disclosed comprising: a rotatable shaft for the top separator; a packing for the shaft; and a sealing ring operatively mounted to the shaft and having a nominal clearance with the pack box, said sealing ring mounted so that up lifting of said shaft provides a substantially fluid tight seal between said pack box and a side of said ring (in the digester) opposite the pack box.

Abstract: A buffer seal arrangement is provided for improved buffer sealing of oil sump seals in gas turbine engines. The buffer seal arrangement includes a three section labyrinth seal. Disposed between the first and second section is a buffer air supply annulus for delivering pressurized air from the engine to said first and second sections of the seal. Oil drains are disposed between said second and third sections and adjacent the third section. The first section has four knife seals, and the second and third sections have three knife seals. Rig testing has shown that this buffer seal arrangement can prevent the leakage of oil into the gas path of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A barrier fluid seal assembly is provided for a reciprocating rod, where the reciprocation of the rod is used to pump barrier fluid through a barrier fluid chamber. The rod has first and second seals, and the barrier fluid chamber is located between the seals. Barrier fluid pressure is maintained higher than process fluid pressure so that if there is leakage past the seals, then it is barrier fluid that leaks, which keeps the seals clean and flushed. A reciprocating pump may incorporate the barrier fluid seal assembly for sealing around a plunger. A method of operating first and second reciprocating pumping cylinders provides bumpless transfer of pumping from one pumping cylinder to the other pumping cylinder. Motion controls, such as a controller using a position transducer for a hydraulic piston and a servo-valve for providing hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic piston, are used to compress liquid process fluid in one pumping cylinder prior to beginning its pumping stroke.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for providing fluid sealing between a housing and a rotatable shaft includes a first seal ring having a first seal face and a second seal ring having a second seal face. The first seal face further has a first portion and a second portion and the seal faces of the first and second seal rings are opposed to each other when assembled. The first seal ring or the second seal ring is adapted to rotate with the rotatable shaft, and the other seal ring is restrained from rotating. The seal is a non-contacting seal that provides for the introduction of a barrier fluid between the seal faces. A first surface of the first seal ring and a first surface of the second seal ring are exposed to the process fluid. An opening force is developed between the first and second seal faces that inhibits contact between the seal faces.

Abstract: A mechanical seal combination includes a double mechanical seal and a barrier fluid pump system. A barrier fluid circulating pump 10 is coupled to rotatable shaft 3 so as to derive its motive power from the rotatable shaft. When the rotatable shaft is not running, a by-pass arrangement causes barrier fluids to flow between the barrier fluid header tank 7 and the seal 3, avoiding pump 10, and allowing a thermosyphon effect to be created.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal system and method for sealing against the flow of a fluid along a rotating member according in which a fixed housing surrounds the rotating member and one or more sealing members extend from the housing and engage the rotating member for wiping a portion of the fluid off of the rotating member and thus preventing the wiped fluid from passing through the sealing member and along the rotating member. The rotation of the rotating member causes air to flow outwardly from the shaft to normally promote the flow of the fluid along the rotating member and through the sealing member, and a member is associated with the housing for breaking the vacuum.

Abstract: A method for controlling leakage of a barrier fluid from a dual seal assembly of equipment, such as a pump or valve, employs a barrier fluid supply arrangement connected to a barrier fluid chamber of the dual seal assembly, a pressure intensifier mechanism coupled to a process fluid chamber and the barrier fluid chamber of the dual seal assembly and being operable to maintain the pressure of the barrier fluid at a preset level above the pressure of the process fluid in response to the absence of barrier fluid leakage from the dual seal assembly, and a pressure monitoring and control arrangement coupled to the barrier fluid supply arrangement and the pressure intensifier mechanism and being operable to detect and measure the decrease of the barrier fluid pressure below the preset level and to compensate therefor by actuating the barrier fluid supply arrangement to supply barrier fluid to the barrier fluid chamber until the barrier fluid pressure has increased above the preset level.

Abstract: A rotating sealing device for sealing between a wall separating two mediums under substantially different pressure and a rotatable shaft utilizes a combination of a liquid meatal seal comprising at least one liquid metal ring and a shield means which prevents contamination of the metal ring by gases coming into contact with the liquid metal. Magnetic fluid seal, a ring of an oil material, or inert gas may be used as a shield to protect the liquid metal.