Abstract: A sealing structure for a rotary regeneration-type heat exchanger, the sealing structure being adapted to seal at least one of a gap between an outer peripheral portion of a rotor and a stationary housing and a gap between a side face of the rotor and a radial sealing plate, the sealing structure being held by one of the rotor and the housing such that the sealing structure is in sliding contact with an opposing surface of the other of the rotor and the housing, the sealing structure including a metal frame, a main body including an alumina body and a glaze covering a portion of the alumina body, the glaze having a coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than that of the alumina body, the main body including an uncovered surface which is not covered with the glaze thereby exposing the alumina body, and retaining means for retaining the main body inside the metal frame, wherein the uncovered surface is exposed from the metal frame, the uncovered surface at least partially defining a sliding surface of the sea

Abstract: A universal seal cage lantern ring (USCLR) is provided with a slotted land type structure on both sides of a flexible central web, with the USCLR being constructed in a continuous undefined length, so that lantern rings can be cut to size therefrom, with the USCLR being adapted to wrap around a shaft so as to form a single complete ring around any given size shaft for which it is cut. The structure resembles an I-beam in which the I-beam flanges have been transversely slotted on both sides of the central web. When used for small diameter shafts, this structure prevents fracture or snapping of the ring due to the flexibility of the central web and the slots between lands on both sides of the ring.

Abstract: A sealing system 40 for use in a cooling system 10 having a compressor with a shaft 20, at least partially disposed within a housing 12. The shaft 20 is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis 23 thereof. A working fluid is disposed within the housing 12 around the shaft 20. The sealing system 40 of the invention includes a coil 26 for moving the shaft 22 along the longitudinal axis thereof 23 from a first position to a second position. A sealing plate 42 is disposed about the shaft 22. Static seals 44, 46 are disposed about the shaft 22 between the sealing plate 42 and the housing 12. In the first position, the sealing plate 42 engages the static seals 44, 46 and the working fluid is retained within the housing 12. When the compressor is activated, the shaft 22 is translated by the coil 26 from the first position to a second position at which the sealing plate 42 is disengaged from the static seals 44, 46.