Abstract: A hydrodynamic sealing component includes a land portion and a plurality of hydrodynamic grooves. The hydrodynamic sealing component may include sets of shallow grooves and deep grooves. In embodiments, the hydrodynamic sealing component may include alternating shallow grooves and deep grooves, or alternating pairs of shallow grooves and pairs of deep grooves. In embodiments, a hydrodynamic sealing component may include at least three sets of hydrodynamic grooves, wherein each set of hydrodynamic grooves may have a different depth, which may be configured to create or maintain hydrodynamic forces over a different operational range. In embodiments, a hydrodynamic sealing component may have a surface area of lands-to-grooves is 1:1 or less. A sealing assembly, which may include a rotor with hydrodynamic grooves on a sealing surface, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic sealing component includes a land portion and a plurality of hydrodynamic grooves. The hydrodynamic sealing component may include sets of shallow grooves and deep grooves. In embodiments, the hydrodynamic sealing component may include alternating shallow grooves and deep grooves, or alternating pairs of shallow grooves and pairs of deep grooves. In embodiments, a hydrodynamic sealing component may include at least three sets of hydrodynamic grooves, wherein each set of hydrodynamic grooves may have a different depth, which may be configured to create or maintain hydrodynamic forces over a different operational range. In embodiments, a hydrodynamic sealing component may have a surface area of lands-to-grooves is 1:1 or less. A sealing assembly, which may include a rotor with hydrodynamic grooves on a sealing surface, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A segmented seal and segmented seal assembly (10) are disclosed. An embodiment of a radial seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments (12) that may interconnect to form a seal ring, each seal segment having a male joint end (20) and a female joint end (30). A male joint end of one seal segment may be configured to interconnect with a female joint end of an adjacent seal segment to provide a joint interface (50). In embodiments, the male joint end may include a shallow groove or pad (40) on an inner diameter of the male joint end, and the male joint end and the female joint end may be configured to provide a seal at the joint interface. With embodiments, the female joint end may include a deep groove or pad (60) on an inner diameter of the female joint end and/or may include a vent hole (70) that is isolated from the shallow groove.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic seal (10) for use with a rotating shaft (24) is disclosed. The seal includes a face seal (20) and a mating ring (22) fixed or connected to rotate with the shaft. A clamping nut (30) is adjacent to the mating ring and includes threads to secure a portion of the clamping nut to the shaft via a threaded interface (32). Embodiments of the seal and related assembly include at least one of: a spring component (140) with or on the clamping nut; a clamping surface (150) on an interface between the mating ring and the clamping nut, the clamping surface being substantially parallel to a thread pitch on the threaded interface; and a pilot surface (250) on the clamping nut.

Abstract: A radial seal and radial seal assembly (10) are disclosed. An embodiment of seal assembly may include an inner rotating shaft (20) with inner rotating shaft fluid feed holes (22); a primary segmented seal (30); a secondary segmented seal (40); a tertiary seal (50) that may axially seal the primary and secondary segmented seals; and an outer housing (60) including a plurality of outer housing fluid feed holes (62). In embodiments, the assembly is configured so that, as the inner rotating shaft rotates, the inner rotating shaft fluid feed holes periodically come into fluid communication alignment with outer housing fluid feed holes.

Abstract: A seal ring having a sealing surface (22) includes first and second portions (24, 26), and may be configured for mating with a mating ring. The first portion (24) may include a first surface roughness, the second portion (26) may include a second surface roughness, and the second surface roughness may be comparatively rougher than the first surface roughness. In embodiments, a seal assembly may include a seal ring including a first sealing surface (22), the sealing surface including first and second portions (24, 26); and a mating ring including a second sealing surface; wherein, the first portion (24) has a first surface roughness the second surface (26) includes a second surface roughness, and the second surface roughness being rougher than the first surface roughness.

Abstract: A segmented seal and segmented seal assembly (10) are disclosed. An embodiment of a radial seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments (12) that may interconnect to form a seal ring, each seal segment having a male joint end (20) and a female joint end (30). A male joint end of one seal segment may be configured to interconnect with a female joint end of an adjacent seal segment to provide a joint interface (50). In embodiments, the male joint end may include a shallow groove or pad (40) on an inner diameter of the male joint end, and the male joint end and the female joint end may be configured to provide a seal at the joint interface. With embodiments, the female joint end may include a deep groove or pad (60) on an inner diameter of the female joint end and/or may include a vent hole (70) that is isolated from the shallow groove.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic sealing component includes a land portion and a plurality of hydrodynamic grooves. The hydrodynamic sealing component may include sets of shallow grooves and deep grooves. In embodiments, the hydrodynamic sealing component may include alternating shallow grooves and deep grooves, or alternating pairs of shallow grooves and pairs of deep grooves. In embodiments, a hydrodynamic sealing component may include at least three sets of hydrodynamic grooves, wherein each set of hydrodynamic grooves may have a different depth, which may be configured to create or maintain hydrodynamic forces over a different operational range. In embodiments, a hydrodynamic sealing component may have a surface area of lands-to-grooves is 1:1 or less. A sealing assembly, which may include a rotor with hydrodynamic grooves on a sealing surface, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coning-resistant rotor and a seal assembly including a coning-resistant rotor are disclosed. An embodiment of the rotor includes a rotor base, a rotor head, and an axially-extending web interposed between the rotor base and rotor head, wherein the web includes axial and radial web regions defined by at least one circumferential groove provided in the web. In another embodiment, a rotor base includes a sealing surface and an inner diameter surface, and the inner diameter surface includes a channel with a taper.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic seal (10) for use with a rotating shaft (24) is disclosed. The seal includes a face seal (20) and a mating ring (22) fixed or connected to rotate with the shaft. A clamping nut (30) is adjacent to the mating ring and includes threads to secure a portion of the clamping nut to the shaft via a threaded interface (32). Embodiments of the seal and related assembly include at least one of: a spring component (140) with or on the clamping nut; a clamping surface (150) on an interface between the mating ring and the clamping nut, the clamping surface being substantially parallel to a thread pitch on the threaded interface; and a pilot surface (250) on the clamping nut.

Abstract: A radial seal and radial seal assembly (10) are disclosed. An embodiment of seal assembly may include an inner rotating shaft (20) with inner rotating shaft fluid feed holes (22); a primary segmented seal (30); a secondary segmented seal (40); a tertiary seal (50) that may axially seal the primary and secondary segmented seals; and an outer housing (60) including a plurality of outer housing fluid feed holes (62). In embodiments, the assembly is configured so that, as the inner rotating shaft rotates, the inner rotating shaft fluid feed holes periodically come into fluid communication alignment with outer housing fluid feed holes.

Abstract: A seal ring having a sealing surface (22) includes first and second portions (24, 26), and may be configured for mating with a mating ring. The first portion (24) may include a first surface roughness, the second portion (26) may include a second surface roughness, and the second surface roughness may be comparatively rougher than the first surface roughness. In embodiments, a seal assembly may include a seal ring including a first sealing surface (22), the sealing surface including first and second portions (24, 26); and a mating ring including a second sealing surface; wherein, the first portion (24) has a first surface roughness the second surface (26) includes a second surface roughness, and the second surface roughness being rougher than the first surface roughness.

Abstract: A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member is disclosed. The segment includes a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member, a face groove, and a secondary sealing surface. In embodiments, the segment may include a radial feed groove, and the face groove has an axial depth from the surface of the secondary sealing surface that is greater than the axial depth of the radial feed groove. Additionally, in embodiments, the face groove may include a relief groove, the face groove has a radial length at the axial position of the secondary sealing surface, the relief groove is axially offset from the secondary sealing surface, and the relief groove includes a portion with a radial length greater than the radial length of the face groove at the axial position of the secondary sealing surface.

Abstract: A coning-resistant rotor and a seal assembly including a coning-resistant rotor are disclosed. An embodiment of the rotor includes a rotor base, a rotor head, and an axially-extending web interposed between the rotor base and rotor head, wherein the web includes axial and radial web regions defined by at least one circumferential groove provided in the web. In another embodiment, a rotor base includes a sealing surface and an inner diameter surface, and the inner diameter surface includes a channel with a taper.

Abstract: A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member is disclosed. The segment includes a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member, a face groove, and a secondary sealing surface. In embodiments, the segment may include a radial feed groove, and the face groove has an axial depth from the surface of the secondary sealing surface that is greater than the axial depth of the radial feed groove. Additionally, in embodiments, the face groove may include a relief groove, the face groove has a radial length at the axial position of the secondary sealing surface, the relief groove is axially offset from the secondary sealing surface, and the relief groove includes a portion with a radial length greater than the radial length of the face groove at the axial position of the secondary sealing surface.

Abstract: A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area against a rotating member is disclosed. The segment may include a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a feed cavity, a ramp portion in communication with the feed cavity, a segment trough in communication with the ramp portion, one or more hydrodynamically-configured pads including an entrance; and a sealing dam disposed between the lift pad and the radial internal surface. The ramp portion may be configured to pick up air flow with an increase in velocity from the rotating member, and the trough or a flow-control portion may be configured to prevent fluid from flowing around or circumventing the pad entrance to, at least in part, provide a dynamic feed.

Abstract: A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads including a scooping groove. The scooping groove is positioned at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove and provides for a transition flow between the one or more pads and the transverse groove.

Abstract: A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area against a rotating member is disclosed. In an embodiment the segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a feed cavity, a ramp portion in communication with the feed cavity, a segment trough in communication with the ramp portion, one or more hydrodynamically-configured pads including an entrance; and a sealing dam disposed between the lift pad and the radial internal surface. In an embodiment of the segment, the ramp portion is configured to pick up air flow with an increase in velocity from said rotating member, and the trough or a flow-control portion is configured to prevent fluid from flowing around or circumventing the pad entrance to, at least in part, provide a dynamic feed.

Abstract: A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads including a scooping groove. The scooping groove is positioned at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove and provides for a transition flow between the one or more pads and the transverse groove.