Abstract: A high-speed test rig is for rotationally testing articles such as seals, bearings, couplers, etcetera. The test rig includes a shaft extension sized to receive a test article annular body about an outer surface and a primary shaft including of a solid rod. The rod has two outer circumferential base surface sections each having an outside diameter and disposed within a separate bearing such that the shaft assembly is rotatable about an axis. The rod has a first end coupled with the shaft extension, such that a cantilever beam is defined between the shaft extension outer end and a first bearing, and a second end coupled with a motor shaft.

Abstract: A high-speed test rig is for testing articles at rotational speeds between 30,000 rpm and 41,000 rpm. The test rig includes a shaft extension sized to receive a test article annular body about an outer surface and a primary shaft including of a solid rod of a material having a specific modulus greater than twenty million. The rod has two outer circumferential base surface sections each having an outside diameter and disposed within a separate bearing such that the shaft assembly is rotatable about an axis. The rod has a first end coupled with the shaft extension, such that a cantilever beam is defined between the shaft extension outer end and a first bearing, and a second end coupled with a motor shaft. The rod is sized such that a ratio of the base surface section outside diameter to the rod overall axial length is between about 0.12 and 0.16.

Abstract: A seal assembly is for sealing about a shaft rotatable about a central axis and includes a generally annular seal disposable about the shaft. The seal has a first axial end exposable to a higher pressure fluid, an opposing second axial end exposable to a lower pressure fluid, an outer circumferential surface exposable to the higher pressure fluid and an inner circumferential sealing surface. The inner sealing surface extends about the shaft to define an annular clearance space between the shaft outer surface and the seal inner surface, which provides a flow path between the seal axial ends. The seal is configured such that a differential of at least a predetermined magnitude between fluid pressure on the seal outer surface and fluid pressure on the seal inner surface deflects at least the seal second axial end radially inwardly to reduce the volume of the clearance space.

Abstract: A circumferential shaft seal segment has radial inner and outer faces and first and second axial faces, and at least one feed slot in the radial inner face extending from the first axial face toward the second axial face. At least one recess extends from the at least one feed slot and has first and second axially spaced side walls, a bottom between the side walls, a first end at the feed slot and a second end circumferentially spaced from the feed slot. The recess includes a first portion extending from the first end and a second portion extending from the second end, and a radial depth of the first portion is a first function of a distance from the feed slot and a radial depth of the second portion is a second, different, function of the distance from the feed slot.

Abstract: A seal assembly is for sealing about a shaft rotatable about a central axis and includes a generally annular seal disposeable about the shaft. The seal has a first axial end exposable to a higher pressure fluid, an opposing second axial end exposable to a lower pressure fluid, an outer circumferential surface exposable to the higher pressure fluid and an inner circumferential sealing surface. The inner sealing surface extends about the shaft to define an annular clearance space between the shaft outer surface and the seal inner surface, which provides a flow path between the seal axial ends. The seal is configured such that a differential of at least a predetermined magnitude between fluid pressure on the seal outer surface and fluid pressure on the seal inner surface deflects at least the seal second axial end radially inwardly to reduce the volume of the clearance space.

Abstract: A circumferential shaft seal segment has radial inner and outer faces and first and second axial faces, and at least one feed slot in the radial inner face extending from the first axial face toward the second axial face. At least one recess extends from the at least one feed slot and has first and second axially spaced side walls, a bottom between the side walls, a first end at the feed slot and a second end circumferentially spaced from the feed slot. The recess includes a first portion extending from the first end and a second portion extending from the second end, and a radial depth of the first portion is a first function of a distance from the feed slot and a radial depth of the second portion is a second, different, function of the distance from the feed slot.