Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of porous media shaft seal assembly may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be configured to rotate with a shaft, and the stator may be engaged with a housing. Porous media may be applied and/or engaged with a portion of the stator, and a seal fluid may be communicated to the porous media. A biasing member may be employed to urge a portion of the rotor toward a portion of the stator, and seal fluid exiting the porous media may counteract the force of the biasing member.

Abstract: The current diverter rings (CDRs), captured CDRs, bearing isolators, and explosion-proof CDRs serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the explosion-proof current diverter ring includes a stator that may be mounted to the equipment housing and a rotor that may be mounted to a shaft. The rotor may rotate with the shaft may be encompassed by stator and a cap, which cap may be secured directly to the stator or the housing. A conductive assembly may be positioned in a radial channel formed in the stator such that the conductive assembly contacts the shaft to conduct electricity from the shaft to the housing. Another embodiment of an explosion-proof current diverter ring does not require a rotor. The explosion-proof current diverter ring may be configured to define a flame path to achieve various explosion-proof certifications.

Abstract: The current diverter rings (CDRs), captured CDRs, bearing isolators, and explosion-proof CDRs serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the explosion-proof CDR includes a stator that may be mounted to the equipment housing and a rotor that may be mounted to a shaft. The rotor may rotate with the shaft may be encompassed by stator and a cap, which cap may be secured directly to the stator or the housing. A conductive assembly may be positioned in a radial channel formed in the stator such that the conductive assembly contacts the shaft to conduct electricity from the shaft to the housing. Another embodiment of an explosion-proof CDR does not require a rotor. The explosion-proof CDR may be configured to define a flame path to achieve various explosion-proof certifications.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a multi-shaft seal assembly generally includes a first seal, a second seal, and a collar. In the illustrative embodiment the collar may be integrally formed with a portion of the first seal, and may serve to axially space the second seal from the first seal. The second seal may be formed with a cutaway therein to ensure proper clearance between the second seal and one of the shafts. Other embodiments of the multi-shaft seal assembly use a collar formed with the equipment housing or second seal. Still other embodiments include additional seals for additional shafts.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a multi-shaft seal assembly generally includes a first seal, a second seal, and a collar. In the illustrative embodiment the collar may be integrally formed with a portion of the first seal, and may serve to axially space the second seal from the first seal. The second seal may be formed with a cutaway therein to ensure proper clearance between the second seal and one of the shafts. Other embodiments of the multi-shaft seal assembly use a collar formed with the equipment housing or second seal. Still other embodiments include additional seals for additional shafts.

Abstract: A pressure balanced shaft seal assembly that allows a seal to dynamically respond to angular or radial misalignment of a shaft includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a labyrinth seal. In one embodiment, the floating stator and labyrinth seal are mounted within an annular groove formed in the fixed stator such that the floating stator and labyrinth seal may move a predetermined amount in the radial direction with respect to the fixed stator. A spherical interface between the labyrinth seal and floating stator may allow the labyrinth seal to pivot with respect to the floating stator during angular misalignment of a shaft around which the pressure balanced shaft seal assembly is mounted. A pressure balancing annular channel formed in the floating stator allows pressurized seal fluid to balance the axial pressure exerted on the floating stator by the process fluid.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a sealing member. In the illustrative embodiment the fixed stator may be formed with one or more fluid conduits that are in fluid communication with one or fluid conduits formed in the floating stator. The fluid conduits in the floating stator may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits formed in a sealing member. A rotational interface may exist between the sealing member and a shaft, and the various fluid conduits may be configured to create a fluid barrier at that interface. Other embodiments of a shaft seal assembly may create a fluid barrier at a rotational interface between a rotor and a floating stator.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of porous media shaft seal assembly may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be configured to rotate with a shaft, and the stator may be engaged with a housing. Porous media may be applied and/or engaged with a portion of the stator, and a seal fluid may be communicated to the porous media. A biasing member may be employed to urge a portion of the rotor toward a portion of the stator, and seal fluid exiting the porous media may counteract the force of the biasing member.

Abstract: The current diverter rings and bearing isolators serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the current diverter ring includes an inner body and an outer body configured to clamp at least one conductive segment between them. In the preferred embodiments of the current diverter ring, the conductive segments are positioned in radial channels. The outer body may be affixed to a shaft, a motor housing, a bearing isolator, or other structure. The bearing isolator may incorporate a retention chamber for holding conductive segments within the stator of the bearing isolator, or the bearing isolator may be fashioned with a receptor groove into which a current diverter ring may be mounted.

Abstract: The current diverter rings (CDRs), captured CDRs, bearing isolators, and explosion-proof CDRs serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the explosion-proof CDR includes a stator that may be mounted to the equipment housing and a rotor that may be mounted to a shaft. The rotor may rotate with the shaft may be encompassed by stator and a cap, which cap may be secured directly to the stator or the housing. A conductive assembly may be positioned in a radial channel formed in the stator such that the conductive assembly contacts the shaft to conduct electricity from the shaft to the housing. Another embodiment of an explosion-proof CDR does not require a rotor. The explosion-proof CDR may be configured to define a flame path to achieve various explosion-proof certifications.

Abstract: The current diverter rings and bearing isolators serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the current diverter ring includes an inner body and an outer body configured to clamp at least one conductive segment between them. In the preferred embodiments of the current diverter ring, the conductive segments are positioned in radial channels. The outer body may be affixed to a shaft, a motor housing, a bearing isolator, or other structure. The bearing isolator may incorporate a retention chamber for holding conductive segments within the stator of the bearing isolator, or the bearing isolator may be fashioned with a receptor groove into which a current diverter ring may be mounted.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a multi-shaft seal assembly generally includes a first seal, a second seal, and a collar. In the illustrative embodiment the collar may be integrally formed with a portion of the first seal, and may serve to axially space the second seal from the first seal. The second seal may be formed with a cutaway therein to ensure proper clearance between the second seal and one of the shafts. Other embodiments of the multi-shaft seal assembly use a collar formed with the equipment housing or second seal. Still other embodiments include additional seals for additional shafts.

Abstract: A pressure balanced shaft seal assembly that allows a seal to dynamically respond to angular or radial misalignment of a shaft includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a labyrinth seal. In one embodiment, the floating stator and labyrinth seal are mounted within an annular groove formed in the fixed stator such that the floating stator and labyrinth seal may move a predetermined amount in the radial direction with respect to the fixed stator. A spherical interface between the labyrinth seal and floating stator may allow the labyrinth seal to pivot with respect to the floating stator during angular misalignment of a shaft around which the pressure balanced shaft seal assembly is mounted. A pressure balancing annular channel formed in the floating stator allows pressurized seal fluid to balance the axial pressure exerted on the floating stator by the process fluid.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a bearing is disclosed. The method involves positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and, positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.

Abstract: The current diverter rings and bearing isolators serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the current diverter ring includes an inner body and an outer body configured to clamp at least one conductive segment between them. In the preferred embodiments of the current diverter ring, the conductive segments are positioned in radial channels. The outer body may be affixed to a shaft, a motor housing, a bearing isolator, or other structure. The bearing isolator may incorporate a retention chamber for holding conductive segments within the stator of the bearing isolator, or the bearing isolator may be fashioned with a receptor groove into which a current diverter ring may be mounted.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a bearing is disclosed. The method involves positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and, positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.

Abstract: A pressure balanced shaft seal assembly that allows a seal to dynamically respond to angular or radial misalignment of a shaft is disclosed. The pressure balanced shaft seal assembly includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a labyrinth seal. In one embodiment, the floating stator and labyrinth seal are mounted within an annular groove formed in the fixed stator such that the floating stator and labyrinth seal may move a predetermined amount in the radial direction with respect to the fixed stator. A spherical interface between the labyrinth seal and floating stator may allow the labyrinth seal to pivot with respect to the floating stator during angular misalignment of a shaft around which the pressure balanced shaft seal assembly is mounted. A pressure balancing annular channel formed in the floating stator allows pressurized seal fluid to balance the axial pressure exerted on the floating stator by the process fluid.

Abstract: The current diverter rings and bearing isolators serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. The current diverter ring includes a body and a first and second wall protruding therefrom, which walls form an annular channel. The body may be affixed to a shaft, a motor housing, a bearing isolator, or other structure. In a first embodiment, a plurality of conductive segments is fixedly positioned within the annular channel to conduct electrical charges from the shaft to the motor housing. In a second embodiment, conductive segments are positioned between an inner and an outer body. The bearing isolator may incorporate an annular channel for retention of conductive segments within the stator of the bearing isolator or it may be fashioned with a receptor groove into which a current diverter ring may be mounted.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a bearing is disclosed. The method involves positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and, positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a bearing is disclosed. The method involves positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and, positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.