Abstract: A system for regulating an axial biasing force applied to a stacked set of packing elements mounted within stationary equipment, comprising a packing loading assembly for sealing a process fluid within the stationary equipment and for applying the axial biasing force to the packing elements via a pressurized fluid from a pressure regulator. The packing loading assembly includes a gland element for mounting to the stationary equipment by a plurality of gland bolts, and an external actuation subsystem for coupling to at least one of the plurality of gland bolts for applying an axial actuation force directly to the gland element in response to the pressurized fluid. The gland element in response to the axial actuation force applies the axial biasing force to the packing elements.

Abstract: A split labyrinth seal assembly having split stationary and rotary sealing elements, and a split clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is configured to secure the rotary element to a rotating shaft. The rotary element can also include an integrally formed valve element that moves between a contacting and a non-contacting position in response to rotation of the shaft. The rotary element and the clamping mechanism can have surface features associated therewith to promote nesting between the components.

Abstract: A pressure regulating system for use with a mechanical seal and stationary equipment for applying a substantially uniform force or load to a stacked set of packing elements. The force applied to the packing elements can be regulated or controlled in real time and in a remote manner. The mechanical seal includes an axially movable follower element that can be energized by pressurized fluid to move between a pre-loaded position where the follower element does not apply an axial load to the packing elements to a loaded position where the follower element applies the axial load to the packing elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary seal assembly for providing sealing on a rotating shaft or other suitable device. The seal assembly seals against a rotating shaft or other piece of moving equipment to prevent the leakage of fluids. In some embodiments, a split rotary seal assembly employing an energizer, housing, and a rotational seal element such as a matrix is provided. The energizer energizes the matrix to enhance the sealing properties of the assembly. Furthermore, the matrix conforms to the surface of the shaft, and moves radially with the shaft to provide an effective seal in high wear or runout applications.

Abstract: A loading mechanism for a fluid seal that allows an installer to change or adjust the axial bias applied to a stacked set of sealing elements. The loading mechanism includes a bolt-like adjusting element that has a foot portion attached to one end and a rail element that is threadingly coupled at an opposite end. By rotating the adjusting element, the rail element can travel axially along the adjusting element. The axial displacement of the rail element allows the installer to select the amount of axial force or bias applied by the loading mechanism to the sealing elements.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal assembly is provided for forming a seal between a shaft and housing. The seal assembly includes a stationary element configured to be coupled to the housing and having an annular shape defining a space through which the shaft extends; a rotary element disposed within the space and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the rotary element having an outer surface that extends in an axial direction and having a groove formed therein, the rotary element being disposed between the stationary element and the shaft; and a valve element mounted within the groove and disposed between the stationary element and the rotary element when assembled to form the seal. The valve element is formed from an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal assembly is provided for forming a seal between a shaft and housing. The seal assembly includes a stationary element configured to be coupled to the housing and having an annular shape defining a space through which the shaft extends; a rotary element disposed within the space and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the rotary element having an outer surface that extends in an axial direction and having a groove formed therein, the rotary element being disposed between the stationary element and the shaft; and a valve element mounted within the groove and disposed between the stationary element and the rotary element when assembled to form the seal. The valve element is formed from an elastomeric material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary seal assembly for providing sealing on a rotating shaft or other suitable device. The seal assembly seals against a rotating shaft or other piece of moving equipment to prevent the leakage of fluids. In some embodiments, a split rotary seal assembly employing an energizer, housing, and a rotational seal element such as a matrix is provided. The energizer energizes the matrix to enhance the sealing properties of the assembly. Furthermore, the matrix conforms to the surface of the shaft, and moves radially with the shaft to provide an effective seal in high wear or runout applications.

Abstract: A loading mechanism for a fluid seal that allows an installer to change or adjust the axial bias applied to a stacked set of sealing elements. The loading mechanism includes a bolt-like adjusting element that has a foot portion attached to one end and a rail element that is threadingly coupled at an opposite end. By rotating the adjusting element, the rail element can travel axially along the adjusting element. The axial displacement of the rail element allows the installer to select the amount of axial force or bias applied by the loading mechanism to the sealing elements.

Abstract: A radial seal assembly for providing a seal between a shaft and a static surface includes a gland forming a housing for mounting the seal assembly to the stationary equipment, a sleeve mounted to an movable with a shaft extending from the stationary equipment and a sealing component housed between the gland and sleeve for sealing therebetween. The sealing component includes at least one axially forwarding extending seal surface and at least one axially rearward extending seal surface for providing sealing under both normal and reverse pressure conditions. The sleeve may include a tapered axially inner tip having a double lead-in angle to facilitate assembly while minimizing the length of the seal assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith.

Abstract: A composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith.

Abstract: A radial seal assembly for providing a seal between a shaft and a static surface includes a gland forming a housing for mounting the seal assembly to the stationary equipment, a sleeve mounted to an movable with a shaft extending from the stationary equipment and a sealing component housed between the gland and sleeve for sealing therebetween. The sealing component includes at least one axially forwarding extending seal surface and at least one axially rearward extending seal surface for providing sealing under both normal and reverse pressure conditions. The sleeve may include a tapered axially inner tip having a double lead-in angle to facilitate assembly while minimizing the length of the seal assembly.

Abstract: A dual seal assembly for providing a seal between a reciprocating rod and the gland is described. The dual seal includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first seal element is constructed of a material having a different hardness than the material forming the second seal element. The first and second seal elements each include a seal edge contacting the rod to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the rod. At least a portion of one of the first seal element and the second seal element engages the gland to form the seal between the rod and the gland. By varying the hardness of the materials forming the seal elements, the first seal element and the second seal element can be configured to provide different functions within the dual seal assembly and can cooperatively provide an effective fluid seal under a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A dual seal assembly for providing a seal between a reciprocating rod and the gland is described. The dual seal includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first seal element is constructed of a material having a different hardness than the material forming the second seal element. The first and second seal elements each include a seal edge contacting the rod to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the rod. At least a portion of one of the first seal element and the second seal element engages the gland to form the seal between the rod and the gland. By varying the hardness of the materials forming the seal elements, the first seal element and the second seal element can be configured to provide different functions within the dual seal assembly and can cooperatively provide an effective fluid seal under a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A dual seal assembly for providing a seal between a reciprocating rod and the gland is described. The dual seal includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first seal element is constructed of a material having a different hardness than the material forming the second seal element. The first and second seal elements each include a seal edge contacting the rod to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the rod. At least a portion of one of the first seal element and the second seal element engages the gland to form the seal between the rod and the gland. By varying the hardness of the materials forming the seal elements, the first seal element and the second seal element can be configured to provide different functions within the dual seal assembly and can cooperatively provide an effective fluid seal under a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: The stuffing box of the present invention includes a seal housing surrounding the polished rod. A V-ring set is mounted in sealing contact with the polished rod, and concentrically surrounds the polished rod within the seal housing. A compression ring is mounted in the seal housing, and includes a first end in contact with the V-ring set, and a second end disposed in proximity with an end face of the seal housing. An annular cylindrical non-metallic bearing having an interior surface in concentric contact with the polished rod is generally concentrically mounted within the compression ring. The bearing is adapted to maintain the V-ring set and the polished rod in concentric alignment. A first annular flange member is mounted on the end face of the seal housing. The first annular flange member surrounds the polished rod, and is mounted in contact with the second end of the compression ring.

Abstract: A split fitting for coupling two tubes, one having a large diameter, one having a small diameter, the fitting having mating first and second halves for surrounding the connection point between the larger and smaller tubes and forming a threaded neck portion for threading engagement with a nut slipped over an end of the larger tube for actuating a compression fitting to seal between the fitting and the larger tube. An O-ring seal is provided within the split fitting for sealing the fitting to the smaller diameter tube when assembled. The fitting halves are coupled together using captive screws and alignment pins.

Abstract: A gas/air mixing valve is provided for regulating the amounts of combustion air and fuel gas that are delivered to a burner or a series of burners for use with both residential and commerical cooking ranges. The mixing valve overcomes the problem of pressure disturbances caused by known mixing valves by drawing a constant flow of combustion air regardless of whether the burner to which it is supplying fuel gas and air is off or operating at any intensity level. In a preferred embodiment the mixing valve is provided with an adjustable orifice disk which directs a constant flow or air, in selectable proportions, to either combine in the mixing valve with fuel gas for combustion or bleed to atmosphere. By always drawing a constant flow of air independently of the operating level of the burner, the mixing valve allows adjustment of individual burners with no effect on other burners connected to the system.

Abstract: Infrared (IR) strip heaters are juxtaposed with convection heaters for simultaneous, independently controlled, combined radiant/convective heating in a conveyor oven. Apertured plates with portions transmissive to IR radiation are interposed between a lower combined heating unit and the cooking path. The IR heaters are preferably gas burners with porous, ceramic or metallic elements, the burners on opposite sides of the cooking path being independently controllable to vary the heat transfer rate to opposite food surfaces. Symmetrical placement of the IR heaters in opposed pairs facilitates use of the conveyor oven as a half oven. An auxiliary burner exhausts directly into the convection air and is cycled on and off to maintain a set temperature during normal operation.