Abstract: A sliding component is characterized in that, on one sealing face of a pair of sliding parts that slide relative to each other, multiple positive pressure-generating mechanisms that include extremely shallow parallel grooves running roughly in parallel with the sealing face and having submicron-level height differences are provided independently in the circumferential direction, and that extremely shallow thin grooves are formed on the sealing face on the low-pressure fluid side of the extremely shallow parallel grooves, wherein the extremely shallow parallel grooves communicate with the high-pressure fluid side, and the extremely shallow thin grooves communicate with the extremely shallow parallel grooves, but are isolated from the low-pressure fluid side by a seal area, thereby reducing a leakage rate of sealed fluid and significantly improving lubrication characteristics at startup or stop at the same time.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a windback device for a circumferential seal within a turbine engine. The windback device includes an annular collar at one end of an annular fluid seal housing, at least one inclined thread, and a plurality of inclined baffles separately disposed along an outer circumferential surface of a rotatable runner. The housing is adapted at another end for an annular seal. The collar has an opening therethrough sized to receive the runner without contact. The annular seal surrounds and sealingly engages the runner. The threads extend from an inner face of the collar toward the runner. The baffles are separately recessed in or raised above the outer circumferential surface of the runner. The baffles are interposed between the runner and threads. Each baffle is separated from the threads via a radial clearance. Threads and baffles direct lubricant away from the annular seal.

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: The invention provides a sealing device which can inhibit an external dust in an atmospheric side from intruding into a lip end, thereby inhibiting a sealing fluid leakage by trapped dust. In a sealing device inhibiting leakage of a sealing fluid in an inboard side to an atmospheric side, coming into contact with a shaft by a seal lip end and circumferentially having in an atmospheric side inclined surface of the seal lip with a plurality of screws exerting a pumping action to the sealing fluid, a three-dimensional shape for preventing the dust intrusion is provided between the screws so as to inhibit the external dust intrusion in the atmospheric side toward the lip end. The three-dimensional shape is constructed by a projection or a groove extending in a parallel direction to the lip end. The projection or the groove is connected to the screws longitudinally in both end portions.

Abstract: A positive pressure generating mechanism comprising a positive pressure generating groove is provided to a high-pressure side of one of two sliding surfaces that slide relative to each other in a pair of sliding components, and a negative pressure generating mechanism comprising a negative pressure generating groove is provided to a low-pressure side. The positive pressure generating groove and negative pressure generating groove are communicated with a high-pressure fluid side and separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a seal surface.

Abstract: A positive pressure generating mechanism comprising a positive pressure generating groove is provided to a high-pressure side of one of two sliding surfaces that slide relative to each other in a pair of sliding components, and a negative pressure generating mechanism comprising a negative pressure generating groove is provided to a low-pressure side. The positive pressure generating groove and negative pressure generating groove are communicated with a high-pressure fluid side and separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a seal surface.

Abstract: A positive pressure generating mechanism comprising a positive pressure generating groove is provided to a high-pressure side of one of two sliding surfaces that slide relative to each other in a pair of sliding components, and a negative pressure generating mechanism comprising a negative pressure generating groove is provided to a low-pressure side. The positive pressure generating groove and negative pressure generating groove are communicated with a high-pressure fluid side and separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a seal surface.

Abstract: An improved mechanical face seal is provided which includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces. At least one of the seal faces includes a reverse trapezoidal face pattern having a sine wave depth profile wherein individual face features are circumferentially spaced over the seal face. The reverse trapezoidal face pattern serves to generate a hydrodynamic lift which provides a stable separation of the seal faces that permits formation of a fluid film between the seal faces. The individual trapezoidal grooves have a sinusoidal or similarly shaped depth profile wherein the trapezoid shape is arranged with the narrower edge communicating with the high pressure side of the seal, and the wider edge forms a circumferential dam region towards the low pressure side of the seal.

Abstract: A rotating element is associated with at least one bearing compartment that includes a bearing to support the rotating element. A seal resists leakage of lubricant outwardly of the bearing compartment and allows air to flow from a chamber across the seal and into the bearing compartment. The seal has a seal face facing a rotating face rotating with the rotating element. The seal is a non-contact seal. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a sliding ring used in mechanical non-contact face seals. A sliding ring according to the invention is provided with grooves (1) on its faying face (5) which extend to the outer or to the inner peripheral surface, so that the faying face (s) has a recessed surface (Fv) and a non-recessed surface (F), whose relation Fv/F is included in the range from 0.25 to 0.50 and the grooves (1) situated on the recessed surface (Fv) are of the shape of a bell of an inclination angle (?) from 5° to 15° and an inclination angle (?) from 5° to 45°, while the relation of the base width (B) of the groove (1) to the top width (A) of the groove (1) is from 2 to 6, wherein all the grooves (1) are connected at their base (B) by a thin, ring-shaped groove (m) whose width against the height (Io) of the groove (1) falls into the range between 0.08 and 0.25.

Abstract: A plurality of circumferentially separated sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks are formed on either of the sealing faces of a stationary ring or rotating ring so as to communicate with a sealed fluid-containing space; pumping areas for generating a pumping action due to the sliding of the stationary ring and the rotating ring in relative rotation are formed on the bottom of the plurality of sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks; the pumping areas formed on the bottom of the plurality of sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks are provided with intake pumping areas operating in a direction so as to draw in the sealed fluid and outflow pumping areas operating in a direction so as to expel the sealed fluid; and a plurality of dimples are disposed on a seal dam area on a side of the sealing face on which the sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks are formed, the seal dam area being on the opposite side of the sealing face relative to the sealed-fluid side.

Abstract: A mechanical seal has a structure wherein a plurality of sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks separated in the circumferential direction are formed on either the sealing face of a fixed ring or the sealing face of a rotating ring so as to communicate with a sealed fluid accommodation space. Pumping parts for creating a pumping action due to the fixed ring and the rotating ring sliding while undergoing relative rotation are formed on a bottom part of the plurality of sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks. The pumping parts formed on the bottom parts of the plurality of sealed-fluid-accommodating blocks are provided with an intake pumping part which acts in a direction in which the sealed fluid is drawn in and a discharge pumping part which acts in a direction in which the sealed fluid is discharged.

Abstract: A cartridge-type bearing seal includes removably connected stator and rotor sections. The stator section supports a distribution ring that divides an internal annular volume into radially outside and inside portions. The ring has at least one tangentially oriented duct. When pressurized purge fluid is supplied to the outside portion, the fluid flows through the ducts to induce tangential fluid flow within the inside portion, which causes circumferentially uniform fluid pressure in the annular volume adjacent the rotating shaft. The pressurized fluid traverses a flow path along the shaft and eventually out of the bearing housing, to prevent contaminant ingress between the rotating shaft and the bearing housing. This bearing seal eliminates the need to machine a tangentially oriented passage in the bearing housing.

Abstract: A rotating element is associated with at least one bearing compartment that includes a bearing to support the rotating element. A seal resists leakage of lubricant outwardly of the bearing compartment and allows air to flow from a chamber across the seal and into the bearing compartment. The seal has a seal face facing a rotating face rotating with the rotating element. The seal is a non-contact seal. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealing device in which a good lubricating oil film is formed along the entire circumference of a sliding surface. The sealing device (1) is fitted in an annular groove formed in either of two elements that are a housing having a shaft hole and a shaft inserted through the shaft hole, and the sealing device (1) seals an annular gap between the two elements. The sealing device (1) has a seal ring (2) sliding against the other element by relative axial movements of the two elements. In the seal ring (2), on each of axially opposite ends of a sliding surface (20) sliding against the other element, there are formed grooves (22) extending from an end surface (21) of the seal ring (2) toward the axial center of a sliding surface (20).

Abstract: A positive pressure generating mechanism comprising a positive pressure generating groove is provided to a high-pressure side of one of two sliding surfaces that slide relative to each other in a pair of sliding components, and a negative pressure generating mechanism comprising a negative pressure generating groove is provided to a low-pressure side. The positive pressure generating groove and negative pressure generating groove are communicated with a high-pressure fluid side and separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a seal surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical seal sliding member with high lubricating characteristics, in which the coefficient of friction and the temperature of sliding surfaces are lowered and stabilized without excessive leakage. In the mechanical seal sliding member of the present invention, on the sliding surface 2, a plurality of grating sections 5 are formed separately in each of which a plurality of linear shape ridge portions parallel to each other are formed in a predetermined region with a predetermined pitch. The linear shape ridge portions of the plurality of grating sections are formed as inclined at a predetermined angle to a sliding direction of the sliding surfaces 2. Such periodic structure can improve the lubricating characteristics for lubrication.

Abstract: A housing of a Roots pump is configured by joining a lower housing member and an upper housing member that are separable from each other. With the upper and lower housing members joined together, an upper accommodating portion and a lower accommodating portion form a front bearing accommodating portion and a rear bearing accommodating portion, which accommodate whole bearings, respectively. The Roots pump further includes bearing holders attached to the bearings and fixed to the lower housing member so that the bearings are received in the lower accommodating portion in a positioned state.

Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces which define a sealing region therebetween. The sealing region extends radially between the inside and outside diameters of the seal rings to seal a fluid in a sealing chamber near one diameter thereof. The seal faces are provided with tapered channel macro/micro features which generate hydrodynamic lift during relative rotation of the seal rings. The tapered channel macro/micro feature shows significant improvement in seal performance when compared to an untextured face. Low contact and hence low wear are attributed to a more distributed hydrodynamic load support function. Likewise, low leakage is believed to be the result of optimized cavitation function, and no debris was discovered in the micro-features at the conclusion of any testing.

Abstract: An annular sliding member which is used in a mechanical seal, is attached to a rotating shaft, and slidably comes into contact, by being applied with energizing force in the axial direction, with another annular sliding member attached to a housing, wherein the sliding surface which comes into contact with the other sliding member is formed from: a dynamic pressure generating groove which guides a fluid to be sealed from a region to be sealed to the side of a region to not be sealed of the sliding surface, and a concave-convex section configured from a plurality of minute grooves which have a shallower depth than the dynamic pressure generating groove.

Abstract: A force balanced seal for use with a rotor in the turbomachine has a member in opposed facing disposition to the rotor with a face dam portion of the member having a surface parallel with the sealing surface of the rotor, a groove in the member facing the rotor and bounding the face dam surface, an air bearing surface in the member facing the sealing surface of the rotor, a second passageway through the member from the air bearing surface to a radially outwardly facing surface of the member and a first passageway through the member from the groove to a member surface facing oppositely from the air bearing surface. An operating clearance between the seal and rotor is maintained by a closing force, exerted through a plurality of springs, and an opposing opening force created by pressurized air venting through the second passageway to the first passageway.

Abstract: A seal assembly which operates efficiently at high altitudes and low surface speeds includes a first seal ring, a second seal ring, and hydropads. The first seal ring is of a generally annular shape and defining radial and circumferential directions. The second seal ring is positioned in facing relation to the first seal ring and rotatably mounted relative to the first seal ring about an axis of rotation. A plurality of hydropads formed on one of the first seal ring and second seal ring provides a lift force that varies about the circumference of the mating ring.

Abstract: A non-contacting rotary face seal assembly includes a first sealing member, including a first sealing face and a first magnetic element; and a second sealing member, including a second sealing face and a second magnetic element. The first and second magnetic elements of the first and second sealing members provide a magnetic repulsion force between the first and second magnetic elements such that the magnetic repulsion force separates the first and second sealing faces before hydrodynamic or hydrostatic forces associated with rotation of the second sealing member become sufficient to prevent the first and second sealing faces from contacting.

Abstract: Provided is a sealing device that increases the lubricity of seal surfaces, prevents leakage of sealed fluids, and prevents excessive heat generation and excessive friction at seal surfaces. Said sealing device, which is of the type that seals a fluid trying to leak from the outer periphery of a sealing surface towards the inner periphery thereof, forms at least two dimples in a circumferential direction in each of a plurality of rows arranged in a radial direction on a sealing surface of a stationary-side sealing element or a rotating-side sealing element. Each dimple is tilted by a dimple angle ? between 0° and 90°, exclusive, such that the tip of that dimple in the direction of rotation is tilted toward the inner periphery side. In each of the plurality of rows of dimples, land areas are formed in the circumferential direction between the proximate tips of adjacent dimples.

Abstract: A circumferential seal system for sealing a high pressure region from a low pressure region separated by a runner with an outer circumferential surface and a seal ring disposed about the outer circumferential surface is described. The seal system includes a plurality of groove sets separately disposed along the outer circumferential surface. Each groove set further includes at least two grooves. At least one groove within each groove set exerts a lifting force via a fluid from the high pressure region onto the seal ring as the runner translates with respect to the seal ring along an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the runner. The continuous feed of fluid onto the seal ring ensures a thin film between the seal ring and the runner regardless of their relative arrangement during axial excursions of the runner resulting from conditions within a turbine engine.

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: A circumferential seal system for sealing a high pressure region from a low pressure region separated by a runner with an outer circumferential surface and a seal ring disposed about the outer circumferential surface is described. The seal system includes a plurality of groove sets separately disposed along the outer circumferential surface. Each groove set further includes at least two grooves. At least one groove within each groove set exerts a lifting force via a fluid from the high pressure region onto the seal ring as the runner translates with respect to the seal ring along an axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the runner. The continuous feed of fluid onto the seal ring ensures a thin film between the seal ring and the runner regardless of their relative arrangement during axial excursions of the runner resulting from conditions within a turbine engine.

Abstract: A process fluid handling device is provided in an electrochemical cell system having a sealing system assembly between a process fluid compartment and a drive compartment of the fluid handling device. The sealing system comprises a double seal configuration forming an interconnection compartment which is supplied with barrier fluid. The present invention provides isolation of pressurized process fluids from the drive compartment.

Abstract: An isolator device, which may be a bearing seal or a bearing isolator, for use hindering fluid flow between components which are rotating relative to each other about a longitudinal axis, the flow being in one direction parallel to this axis, includes a stator for securing to a rotary fixed one of the components and a rotor for securing to a relatively rotating one of the components. The stator has a surface which extends longitudinally and adjacent to a surface of a component, which rotates relative to the stator. The fluid flow is between the two surfaces and the stator surface is non-parallel to the adjacent component surface and is shaped to promote fluid flow in a direction opposing the general fluid flow direction.

Abstract: A double dam reverse pressure face seal assembly for use in the turbomachine having a tunnel extending through the machine for high pressure air passage therein during normal machine operating has a mating ring positioned annularly respecting the tunnel for flow of lubricating oil generally outwardly through passageways in the ring and a sealing member biased against an interface surface of the mating ring, the sealing member including a first dam presenting a first contact face to the interface surface of the mating ring, a second dam integral with an outboard of the first dam, presenting a second contact face to the interface surface of the mating ring and a channel between the first and second dams for annularly downward flow of oil leaking inwardly past the second dam towards a channel exit.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic sealing assembly including a first component having first and second walls and a peripheral wall defining a seal groove, a second component having a rotatable surface relative to said first component, and a hydrodynamic seal comprising a seal body of generally ring-shaped configuration having a circumference. The seal body includes hydrodynamic and static sealing lips each having a cross-sectional area that substantially vary in time with each other about the circumference. In an uninstalled condition, the seal body has a length defined between first and second seal body ends which varies in time with the hydrodynamic sealing lip cross-sectional area. The first and second ends generally face the first and second walls, respectively. In the uninstalled condition, the first end is angulated relative to the first wall and the second end is angulated relative to the second wall. The seal body has a twist-limiting surface adjacent the static sealing lip.

Abstract: A device for sealing a rotating shaft that penetrates a stationary housing wall has a sealing ring fastened to the housing wall and arranged between the housing wall and a shaft. The sealing ring has sealing oil supply bores supplying sealing oil into a sealing gap formed between an inner wall surface of the sealing ring and an outer wall surface of the shaft. The inner wall surface has pocket-shaped recesses where the sealing oil supply bores open. The pocket-shaped recesses extend in the circumferential direction of the sealing ring. The inner wall of the sealing ring has at least one circumferential boundary stay that delimits and seals the pocket-shaped recesses in an axial direction of the sealing ring toward the first or second housing side. The inner wall surface of the sealing ring has a circumferential groove that connects the pocket-shaped recesses to one another.

Abstract: A gas seal assembly includes a pair of mutually rotatable sealing members, each of which has a front face adjacent a gap between the two members which constitutes a leakage path through the seal assembly. The two sealing member are urged, in use, in a direction to close the gap and a gas bleed arrangement is provided for allowing gas from a high pressure side of the seal to bleed into the gap so as to apply a force tending to separate the members. The gas bleed arrangement includes a bore extending between the front face and a rear face of one of the sealing members, a generally radial groove formed in the rear face of the sealing member and a plate overlying the rear face to cover the groove and thereby define between the rear face of the sealing member and the plate a bleed passage connecting the bore to the high pressure side of the seal.

Abstract: A mechanical seal device includes a rotational seal ring connected to a rotational shaft, having a rotational seal surface and arc-shaped grooves arranged on the rotational seal surface. The grooves are sectionalized by partition walls. A stationary seal ring has a stationary seal surface facing the rotational seal surface of the rotational seal ring. A spring biases the stationary seal ring against the rotational seal ring. Outlet portions are formed on the stationary seal surface of the stationary seal ring and connect with a fluid supply path for supplying a pressure fluid. A circumferential direction length (W3) of each outlet portion is made to be ½ of a circumferential direction length (W1) of each partition wall or longer (W3?W1/2); and a circumferential direction length (W3) of the outlet portions is made to be shorter than a circumferential direction length (W2) of the arc-shaped grooves (W3<W2).

Abstract: An earth boring bit has a bit body having a depending bearing pin. A cone has a cavity rotatably mounted on the bearing pin. A seal groove is formed in the cavity of the cone. An elastomeric seal ring is located within the groove and forms a seal between a base of the groove and the bearing pin. The seal ring has two side surfaces, each spaced from one of the side walls of the groove by a clearance. Elastomeric protuberances protrude from each of the side surfaces of the seal ring for non-sealing contact with one of the side walls of the groove.

Abstract: The apparatus, which can be used in aspirating face seals or thrust bearings, spaces two relatively rotatable facing surfaces in use by entraining gas between the surfaces. The apparatus includes a first portion (1) defining a generally frusto-conical surface (3); a second portion (2) defining at least one flat surface disposed adjacent the first portion so that the two surfaces face each other and define at least one point of closest engagement between the surfaces, with diverging gaps extending between the surfaces on either side of a plane which contains the point or points of closest engagement and which extends generally orthogonal to the direction of relative rotation, and a device (4) for biasing the flat surface towards the frusto-conical surface to maintain the gaps within a predetermined dimensional range.

Abstract: Self-balancing face seals and gas turbine engine systems involving such seals are provided. In this regard, a representative self-balancing face seal assembly includes: a rotatable seal runner having a first seal runner face and an opposing second seal runner face; a first face seal operative to form a first seal with the first seal runner face, the first face seal being one of a hydrostatic seal and a hydrodynamic seal; and a second face seal operative to form a second seal with the second seal runner face, the first face seal being one of a hydrostatic seal and a hydrodynamic seal.

Abstract: A primary objective of the present invention is to decrease the friction coefficient of the sliding face of a sliding element and to improve its seal performance. The sliding element disposes a plurality of elongate dimples in its first sliding face in which forward edges of the dimples relative to a rotational direction are inclined with respect to a tangential direction of a rotational circumference. The sliding element also disposes a second sliding face which has either a plane surface or second dimples and is located in the opposite side of the first sliding face relative to the process fluid.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine systems involving hydrostatic face seals with integrated back-up seals are provided. In this regard, a representative seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: a stator assembly and a rotor assembly configured to operatively engage each other to form a first seal and a second seal; the first seal being provided by a hydrostatic seal having a seal face and a seal runner; and the second seal being provided by a back-up seal such that responsive to a failure of the first seal, the back-up seal maintains at least a portion of a pressure differential established by the first seal prior to the failure.

Abstract: Gas turbine engine systems involving hydrostatic face seals are provided. In this regard, representative turbine assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a turbine having a hydrostatic seal formed by a seal face and a seal runner.

Abstract: A bi-directional dynamic seal advantageously provides for the return of captured lubricant to the lubricant side regardless of a direction of relative rotation between the seal and the shaft. The seal utilizes a pattern of symmetrical pumping elements to facilitate the hydrodynamic pumping of the captured lubricant in response to the relative rotation. The symmetrical pumping elements have ending points that stop short of the seal edge of the seal. The seal may utilize secondary pumping elements that communicate with the primary pumping elements to capture lubricant that is not captured by the primary pumping elements.

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: 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 mill head assembly apparatus utilizing centrifugal hydrodynamic force to circulate lubrication oil while retaining the lubricant without the need for a replaceable (contact-type) seal, the apparatus comprising a set of stationary components including a trunnion, an oil ring, a bearing-retainer, and a collector ring and rotating components including a housing, a pump ring, and a baffle-ring, front and rear bearing means. The oil ring receives and circulates the lubrication oil to the bearing means, the housing is disposed with a plurality of housing passages to re-circulate the lubrication oil, and the forward and rear rotating interfaces to retain the lubrication oil within the front and rear mill head assembly. Potential lubrication oil leakage is retained and re-circulated back to the collector ring by close-tolerance seal means.

Abstract: A rotary lead-through includes a first rotary lead-through element having a first channel opening on a first boundary surface, and a second rotary lead-through element having a second channel opening on a second boundary surface which opposite from the first boundary surface and can rotate relative to the first boundary surface about an axis of rotation, the first and second channels being in fluid communication via a channel boundary space. A sealing arrangement acting between the first and second lead-through elements includes at least one sealing stage, each sealing stage including a first sealing element toward the boundary space and a second sealing element away from the boundary space, the first and second sealing elements enclosing a backpressure chamber surrounding the axis of rotation. Where successive sealing stages are provided, a pressure-limiting valve can be provided in parallel to the seal separating immediately successive backpressure spaces.

Abstract: An assembly for sealing a liquid region from a gas region across an annular surface of a rotating shaft in turbomachinery, having a plurality of annular sealing ring segments facing the rotating shaft, at least one sealing ring segment including a dead end annular groove formed in a radially inwardly facing bearing surface at a position closer to the liquid region than to the gas region when the segment is positioned proximate the shaft surface, the groove extending arcuately in the direction of shaft rotation, at least one diagonal groove formed in the segment bearing surface and extending from an edge of the segment proximate the gas region to a position of communication with the dead end annular groove that is downstream, from a mouth of the diagonal groove at the segment edge, with respect to rotary movement of the shaft along the segment bearing surface.

Abstract: A seal ring configuration adapted to be disposed about a shaft to seal a fluid at a pressure differentials across the seal. The seal ring configuration comprises a mating ring and an axially movable primary ring. The primary ring includes a seal face in opposing relationship to the mating ring seal face to define a seal interface. The mating ring seal face or the primary ring seal face defines an annular axially recessed section and a dam section. The recessed section is axially disposed further from the cooperating seal face relative to the dam section. The axially recessed section further includes a face pattern axially spaced further from the dam section than the recessed portion and is capable of generating a hydrodynamic force between the mating ring seal face and the primary ring seal face.

Abstract: A seal assembly which operates efficiently at high altitudes and low surface speeds includes a first seal ring, a second seal ring, and hydropads. The first seal ring is of a generally annular shape and defining radial and circumferential directions. The second seal ring is positioned in facing relation to the first seal ring and rotatably mounted relative to the first seal ring about an axis of rotation. A plurality of hydropads formed on one of the first seal ring and second seal ring provides a lift force that varies about the circumference of the mating ring.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for sealing a leakage gap between relatively moveable parts in a flow path between a region of high fluid pressure and a region of low fluid pressure comprises a sealing member having an upstream surface, a downstream surface, a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, the sealing member being in communication with a housing via a resilient element. The resilient element is fixedly joined to the upstream surface of the sealing member such that during operation both the radial force induced on the sealing member by fluid flowing axially into and circumferentially over the radially inner surface and the axial force induced on the sealing member because of a pressure difference across the sealing member is resisted by the resilient element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to seals having textured features. The present invention particularly relates to seals having contact surfaces with said features wherein the contact surface seals properly and is resistant to wear. The contact surface is able to perform in very severe environments, such as those found in earthmoving applications.