Abstract: An elastomeric or polymeric seal assembly (10) includes an annular elastomeric or polymeric sealing element (60), an internal circumferential surface of which sealingly engaging a first component (12), the sealing element abutting a radial annular face of a second component (16) and an external circumferential surface of the sealing element sealingly engaging an internal circumferential surface of a second component, a vent (92) being provided in the internal circumferential surface of the second component adjacent to the radial face, to vent the space between the external circumferential surface of the sealing element and the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an inlet to the vent being defined by an annular groove (88) in the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an annular helically wound element (94) being provided in the annular groove to prevent extrusion of the sealing element into the vent, the helically wound element being formed from a strip of material of

Abstract: A seal assembly having a first seal ring sealed to a rotatable component and a second seal ring sealed to another rotatable component, and the second ring is urged towards the first ring such that sealing faces of the seal rings engage. A process chamber is formed inside the seal rings and opens to an outside the seal rings, and a barrier chamber outside of the seal rings opens to inside the seal rings. A shroud shields the external surface of the seal rings from process fluid in the process chamber such that heat transfer from the process fluid to the seal rings occurs at outer regions of the seal rings adjacent the sealing faces, and a sleeve is secured inside the seal rings such that heat transfer between the seal rings and barrier fluid in the barrier chamber occurs at radially extending surfaces of the seal rings adjacent the sealing faces.

Abstract: An elastomeric or polymeric seal assembly (10) includes an annular elastomeric or polymeric sealing element (60), an internal circumferential surface of which sealingly engaging a first component (12), the sealing element abutting a radial annular face of a second component (16) and an external circumferential surface of the sealing element sealingly engaging an internal circumferential surface of a second component, a vent (92) being provided in the internal circumferential surface of the second component adjacent to the radial face, to vent the space between the external circumferential surface of the sealing element and the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an inlet to the vent being defined by an annular groove (88) in the internal circumferential surface of the second component, an annular helically wound element (94) being provided in the annular groove to prevent extrusion of the sealing element into the vent, the helically wound element being formed from a strip of material of

Abstract: A seal assembly having a first seal ring sealed to a rotatable component and a second seal ring sealed to another rotatable component, and the second ring is urged towards the first ring such that sealing faces of the seal rings engage. A process chamber is formed inside the seal rings and opens to an outside the seal rings, and a barrier chamber outside of the seal rings opens to inside the seal rings. A shroud shields the external surface of the seal rings from process fluid in the process chamber such that heat transfer from the process fluid to the seal rings occurs at outer regions of the seal rings adjacent the sealing faces, and a sleeve is secured inside the seal rings such that heat transfer between the seal rings and barrier fluid in the barrier chamber occurs at radially extending surfaces of the seal rings adjacent the sealing faces.