Abstract: An adaptor that can be used with rotary fluid equipment will protect mechanical seals and/or packing material adjacent a seal cavity (18) of the equipment. The adaptor includes an annular body (30) with a central bore (32) adapted to receive a shaft (12) of the equipment. When used with mechanical seals the adaptor is receivable in the cavity at the entrance thereto and it has a portion which surface which effects contact with a complementary surface of the seal. When used with packing the adaptor fits within the cavity and defines an outboard extension in which the packing can be received. The bore defines two portions, one of which is close to the shaft (52) and another portion (54) which flares outwardly from the one portion towards the outboard end of the adaptor. Each bore portion has a spiral groove (56, 58) therein, which groove serves to redirect contaminant material contained in fluids surrounding the shaft away from the seal cavity.

Abstract: An adaptor that can be used with rotary fluid equipment will protect mechanical seals and/or packing material adjacent a seal cavity (18) of the equipment. The adaptor includes an annular body (30) with a central bore (32) adapted to receive a shaft (12) of the equipment. When used with mechanical seals the adaptor is receivable in the cavity at the entrance thereto and it has a portion which surface which effects contact with a complementary surface of the seal. When used with packing the adaptor fits within the cavity and defines an outboard extension in which the packing can be received. The bore defines two portions, one of which is close to the shaft (52) and another portion (54) which flares outwardly from the one portion towards the outboard end of the adaptor. Each bore portion has a spiral groove (56, 58) therein, which groove serves to redirect contaminant material contained in fluids surrounding the shaft away from the seal cavity.

Abstract: An arrangement (120) of members for a throat bushing for rotary fluid equipment includes a first member (122) that is useful for seal cavities that contain conventional packing, and a second bushing member (132) that will be used in conjunction with the first bushing member if the seal cavity utilize a mechanical seal at the remote end of the cavity. Both bushing members (122, 132) are provided with spiral grooves (140) in a central bore thereof for the removal of contaminants from the seal cavity. The distal end face (124) of the first bushing member is contoured to receive a mating proximal end face (144) of the second bushing member or to also receive the abutting face of a packing ring or a lantern ring. The arrangement of the invention allows an operator to switch between the use of a mechanical seal or conventional packing without having to discard his primary seal cavity protector.

Abstract: A seal cavity protector for use with rotary fluid equipment having a seal cavity, defined by a shaft, a shaft housing and a seal engaging the shaft, includes an annular cup-shaped element for securement to the housing at the entrance thereto. The shaft can pass through the element. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vent passages extend through the wall of the element. As the equipment rotates fluid passing by the vent passages creates a low pressure area outside the seal cavity whereby fluid contained within, or flowing into, the cavity is drawn out through the vent passages. Any contaminants contained in the cavity or entering with the fluid are removed from the cavity with the exiting fluid. This reduces pressure within the cavity and reduces greatly the chance of damage to the shaft and/or seal by the contaminants.