Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricating seal has a generally circular seal body defining a static sealing surface and having a dynamic sealing lip projecting from the seal body for establishing sealing relation with a relatively rotatable surface. When compressed against a relatively rotatable surface, dynamic sealing lip defines a hydrodynamic geometry which wedges a film of lubricating fluid into the interface between the seal and the relatively rotatable surface in response to relative rotation. The dynamic sealing lip geometry maintains interfacial contact pressure within the dynamic sealing interface for efficient hydrodynamic lubrication and environmental exclusion, which enhances lubrication and environmental exclusion while permitting relatively high initial compression and relatively low torque.

Abstract: A laterally translatable pressure staged rotary shaft sealing mechanism having a seal housing with a shaft passage therein being exposed to a fluid pressure P1 and with a rotary shaft being located within the shaft passage. At least one annular laterally translatable seal carrier is provided. First and second annular resilient sealing elements are supported in axially spaced relation by the annular seal carriers and have sealing relation with the rotary shaft. The seal housing and at least one seal carrier define a first pressure staging chamber exposed to the first annular resilient sealing element and a second pressure staging chamber located between and exposed to the first and second annular resilient sealing elements. A first fluid is circulated to the first pressure chamber at a pressure P1, and a second staging pressure fluid is circulated to the second pressure chamber at a fraction of pressure P1 to achieve pressure staging, cooling of the seals.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated interference type rotary shaft seal suitable for environmental exclusion and high pressure lubricant retention which incorporates composite multiple modulus construction and a non-planar flexible environmental edge heel geometry which cooperate to resist high pressure extrusion damage while minimizing interfacial contact pressure and accommodating radial shaft motion.

Abstract: A resilient, ring shaped interference-type hydrodynamic rotary seal having waves on the lubricant side which provide increased film thickness and flushing action by creating contact pressure induced angulated restrictions formed by abrupt restrictive diverters. The angulated restrictions are defined by projecting ridges, corners at the trailing edge of the waves, or simply by use of a converging shape at the trailing edge of the waves which is more abrupt than the gently converging hydrodynamic inlet shape at the leading edge of the waves. The abrupt restrictive diverter performs two functions; a restricting function and a diverting function.The angulated restrictions cause a local film thickness restriction which produces a damming effect preventing a portion of the lubricant from leaking out of the dynamic sealing interface at the trailing edge of the wave, and results in a much thicker lubricant film thickness under the waves.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated squeeze packing type rotary shaft seal suitable for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion which incorporates one or more resilient protuberances which and cooperate with the gland walls to hold the seal straight in its installation groove in unpressurized and low pressure lubricant retention applications thereby preventing skew-induced wear caused by impingement of abrasive contaminants present in the environment, and which also serve as radial bearings to prevent tipping of the seal within its installation gland. Compared to prior art, this invention provides a dramatic reduction of seal and shaft wear in abrasive environments and provides a significant increase in seal life.

Abstract: A swivel seal assembly is defined for providing sealed high pressure fluid communication between relatively rotatable generally coaxial conduits where dynamic runout and static misalignment may occur to one conduit relative to the other. A generally tubular washpipe is mounted in pivotally articulating relation to one conduit, and a generally tubular seal housing is telescoped over the washpipe and mounted in pivotally articulating relation to the other conduit. High pressure, staged rotary seals are supported by the seal housing and maintain bearing and sealing engagement with the washpipe so that the seal housing and washpipe articulate in unison in response to said static misalignment and dynamic runout, thereby virtually eliminating relative lateral motion between the seal housing and washpipe and minimizing rotary seal extrusion damage.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated squeeze packing type rotary shaft seal suitable for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion which incorporates one or more resilient protuberances which and cooperate with the gland walls to hold the seal straight in its installation groove in unpressurized and low pressure lubricant retention applications thereby preventing skew-induced wear caused by impingement of abrasive contaminants present in the environment, and which also serve as radial bearings to prevent tipping of the seal within its installation gland.

Abstract: A seal cartridge particularly suitable for artificial lift pump rod sealing and for other applications where a rotating drive shaft penetrates a pressurized reservoir which is filled with abrasive-laden liquids, mixtures or slurries. The cartridge exploits a pressure responsive area of a wear sleeve to eliminate internal bearing running clearance in order to achieve a true-running rubbing surface which is conducive to the longevity of the compression-type rotary seals which are employed. A cartridge mounting mechanism is incorporated which overcomes stuffing box to rod misalignment, and is readily adaptable to pumps made by different manufacturers. The cartridge provides for leakage annunciation in the event of failure of a redundant rotary seal, and also provides for automatic pump shut down if a primary rotary seals fails. A redundant sealing arrangement between the wear sleeve and rod is incorporated which is relatively immune to installation damage, and to damage resulting from rod run out and vibration.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated interference type rotary shaft seal suitable for environmental exclusion and high pressure lubricant retention which incorporates composite multiple modulus construction and a non-planar flexible environmental edge heel geometry which cooperate to resist high pressure extrusion damage while minimizing interfacial contact pressure and accommodating radial shaft motion.

Abstract: The present invention is a hydrodynamically lubricated interference type rotary shaft seal suitable for environmental exclusion and high pressure lubricant retention which incorporates an environment-side groove to control and minimize interfacial contact pressure at the dynamic sealing interface, which permits optimum hydrodynamic film thickness, thereby significantly lowering the self-generated heat produced by the seal, as compared to the prior art. The cool-running nature of the present invention permits the use of higher modulus seal materials and higher surface speeds, compared to the prior art, and allows the seal to operate in applications with relatively poor heat dissipation. The controlled interfacial contact pressure of the present invention also permits effective hydrodynamic lubrication with lower viscosity lubricants, including water.

Abstract: A wedge gate valve having a valve body defining a valve chamber and flow passages and upwardly diverging circular seat surfaces of circular, flat configuration and defining seat planes. A valve disk or wedge having downwardly converging sealing surfaces is movable within said valve chamber between open and closed positions for controlling flow through the valve. Pressure boundary plates connected by hubs to the valve disk define the sealing surfaces of the disk and have bottom corners that establish line contact with the downstream seat surface and prevent any portion of said sealing surfaces of said valve disk from crossing the sealing plane of the downstream seat in the event of flow responsive downstream movement of the valve disk during its opening and closing movement. Guide ears of the disk are provided with flexible upper and lower extremities and rounded or chamfered inner end surfaces to minimize localized peak contact stress with disk guide rails of the valve body.

Abstract: A hydrodynamically lubricated squeeze packing type rotary shaft with a cross-sectional geometry suitable for pressurized lubricant retention is provided which, in the preferred embodiment, incorporates a protuberant static sealing interface that, compared to prior art, dramatically improves the exclusionary action of the dynamic sealing interface in low pressure and unpressurized applications by achieving symmetrical deformation of the seal at the static and dynamic sealing interfaces. In abrasive environments, the improved exclusionary action results in a dramatic reduction of seal and shaft wear, compared to prior art, and provides a significant increase in seal life.

Abstract: A sealing and lubrication assembly for rotating shafts intended for operation in an abrasive environment and wherein the rotary shaft may have lateral translation or excursion during its rotation. A housing receives the rotary shaft in bearing supporting relation and defines a lubricant chamber about the shaft. A seal carrier is movably positioned about the rotary shaft and has non-rotatable articulating or laterally translating relation with the housing. A high pressure rotary shaft seal is supported by the seal carrier and maintains bearing and sealing engagement with the rotary shaft during its lateral translation or excursion. The seal carrier is hydraulic force balanced and thus is not subject to pressure induced loads that might otherwise interfere with its articulation or lateral translation.