Abstract: The oil-free screw compressor includes: a screw rotor, a bearing configured to support a rotor shaft, a shaft seal device including an oil seal arranged at a position closer to the bearing and a gas seal arranged on at a position closer to the rotor chamber, an atmosphere communication space communicating with an atmosphere communication hole, and an oil return groove including a return inclined surface inclined so as to expand in diameter radially outward from a gas seal-side end to an oil seal-side end. The oil seal portion is a viscoseal including a spiral groove portion. An inner peripheral surface of the oil seal includes an inner peripheral boundary portion that defines a part of the atmosphere communication space, on a side closer to the bearing in the atmosphere communication hole. The oil seal-side end is arranged in a vicinity of the inner peripheral boundary portion and at a position closer to the bearing.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided that extends along an axial centerline. The seal assembly includes a seal support, a seal housing, a plurality of torque pins and a plurality of stopper collars. The seal housing includes a plurality of slots arranged circumferentially around the centerline. The slots extend axially through the seal housing, and one or more of the slots has a lateral slot width. The torque pins are connected to the seal support. Each of the torque pins respectively extends axially through a uniquely associated one of the slots to a distal pin end. Each of the stopper collars is uniquely associated with and connected to a respective one of the torque pins at the pin end. One or more of the stopper collars has a lateral collar width that is less than the slot width.

Abstract: An example annular turbomachine seal includes an attachment portion, a first leg radially inward of the attachment portion, and a second leg radially inward of the attachment portion and configured to block flow from directly contacting an attachment associated with a bearing compartment of a turbomachine.

Abstract: A seal assembly is for sealing a clearance space about a shaft, the shaft being rotatable about a central axis, and includes a generally annular sealing member disposed about the shaft. The sealing member is radially deflectable between an inner position and an outer position, the sealing member sealing the clearance space when located at the inner position. A generally annular rotor is disposed about and rotatably coupled with the shaft, the rotor having a generally annular cavity sized to receive the sealing member and at least one and preferably a plurality of lift passages extending at least partially radially through the rotor. Each lift passage has an inner port fluidly coupled with the cavity and an outer port fluidly coupled with an exterior atmosphere such that suction generated within the lift passages when the rotor angularly displaces about the axis generally retains the sealing member at the outer position.

Abstract: An apparatus that uses a combination of mechanical contact bearings and air bearings is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fixed seal housing, attached to a process chamber and a floating seal cartridge, which is disposed in proximity to the fixed seal housing. A shaft is disposed with an aperture in the process chamber, the central opening in the fixed seal housing and the second central opening in the floating seal cartridge. A first air bearing is created between the shaft and the floating seal cartridge in the second central opening. A second air bearing is created between the floating seal cartridge and the fixed seal housing. In this way, the floating seal cartridge is free to move with the shaft radially, while still maintaining a seal between the process chamber and the external environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to circumferential seal ring segments positioned around a rotating shaft so as to prevent fluids from leaking from a lubricant sump during both low and high pressure conditions. The circumferential seal is comprised of a plurality of adjoining annular ring segments facing the rotating shaft. Each sealing ring segment includes a dead end circumferential groove on a shaft-side face of each sealing ring such that, when the segments are joined, the circumferential dead end groove of each segment extends arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation. At least one additional groove is contained on the shaft-side face of each sealing ring segment. The additional groove(s) directs and creates pressurized air within the dead end circumferential groove, either directly or indirectly maintaining a seal between the ring segments and the shaft. A bleed hole may also be provided to create a seal between each sealing segment.

Abstract: Rotary joints are provided, to allow fluid to flow from a stationary member to a rotating member. The rotary joints include a housing, configured to fit over the rotating member, a rotatable coupling disposed within the housing, configured to be fixedly attached to the rotating member, and a floating seal system that allows relative movement between the parts being sealed, accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the rotating member and associated parts.

Abstract: Rotary joints are provided, to allow fluid to flow from a stationary member to a rotating member. The rotary joints include a housing, configured to fit over the rotating member, a rotatable coupling disposed within the housing, configured to be fixedly attached to the rotating member, and a floating seal system that allows relative movement between the parts being sealed, accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sealing the shaft (4) of a rotor (2) of a compressor element, between a rotor chamber (3) formed in a housing (3), in which at least one rotor (1) for the compression of gas is situated, and a bearing chamber (6) formed in the housing (3), in which at least one bearing (5), lubricated with lubricating liquid, for the shaft (4) is situated. The sealing element (9) comprises a floating gas sealing (11) and a floating liquid sealing (12) which together are pre-mounted in a sleeve (10) which subsequently is provided in the housing (3).

Abstract: A brush seal is comprised of arcuate seal segments having ends cut in a radial direction with bristles “canted” at an approximate 45° angle relative to radii of the segments, leaving triangular regions adjacent one end of each segment devoid of bristles at the segment interfaces. The brush seals are retrofit into conventional labyrinth seals with the backing plate for the bristles comprising a labyrinth tooth profile extending fully 360° about the seal, including those areas where bristles are not present. The sealing capacity is not substantially degraded, while affording significant sealing improvements over conventional labyrinth seals. Additionally, when retrofit into labyrinth seals with radial movement, the individual labyrinth seal segments are free to move radially independently of one another during transients.

Abstract: The brush seal includes manually-flexible, plastic-containing, brush-seal bristles attached to an elongated bristle holder. The rotary machine has a rotor and stator casing segments with segments of the brush seal positioned one each in a surface groove of a corresponding stator casing segment. In one example, the bristle holder is manually flexible, the bristles and the bristle holder define a monolithic unit, and the brush seal is coiled onto a spool from which a desired length is cut thereby avoiding the necessity of manufacturing a brush seal segment to a specific radius and a specific circumferential length to match a particular stator casing segment.

Abstract: A brush seal is comprised of arcuate seal segments having ends cut in a radial direction with bristles “canted” at an approximate 45° angle relative to radii of the segments, leaving triangular regions adjacent one end of each segment devoid of bristles at the segment interfaces. The brush seals are retrofit into conventional labyrinth seals with the backing plate for the bristles comprising a labyrinth tooth profile extending fully 360° about the seal, including those areas where bristles are not present. The sealing capacity is not substantially degraded, while affording significant sealing improvements over conventional labyrinth seals. Additionally, when retrofit into labyrinth seals with radial movement, the individual labyrinth seal segments are free to move radially independently of one another during transients.

Abstract: A walking beam compressor has a rod collar assembly attached to the top cap of the compressor cylinder with bearings which reduce side loading on the seals and bearing surfaces in the top cap. A top cap assembly supports a pair of vertically stacked seals sandwiched between three inserts. Upper and lower inserts each house a wear ring so that the respective wear rings are above and below the seals. The piston is divided into an upper section and a lower section to facilitate the mounting of a peripheral seal at the mating surfaces of these sections. The peripheral edge of each section has a recess for receiving a wear ring. A structure is provided to facilitate separating the upper and lower sections during disassembly.