Abstract: An assembly is provided for rotational equipment. This assembly includes a seal carrier, a seal element and a retainer. The seal carrier is configured with a receptacle. The seal element is seated in the receptacle. The retainer is configured to secure the seal element to the seal carrier. The seal element is arranged radially between the seal carrier and the retainer.

Abstract: A submersible fluid system for operating submersed in a body of water includes a fluid-end housing having an upper end and a lower end. A fluid rotor is disposed to rotate in the fluid-end housing and to receive and interact with a process fluid flowing from an inlet of the fluid-end housing to an outlet of the fluid-end housing. The fluid rotor is configured to thrust upwards toward the upper end when rotating. A bearing near the lower end of the fluid-end housing has an upward-facing bearing surface coupled to the fluid rotor and a downward-facing bearing surface coupled to the fluid housing, the bearing surfaces cooperate to support the upward thrust of the fluid rotor.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a dynamic pin joint defining axial and radial directions comprises a counterface seal ring subassembly including a counterface seal ring member that includes a radially extending planar seal face and a first contoured load ring interface, and a first load ring.

Abstract: The disclosed lift pump employs a unique arrangement of conductive studs to transmit the three phases of motor power from the control board to the brushless motor. The conductive studs penetrate the wall of the motor/pump enclosure, which is otherwise non-conductive. The conductive studs are intentionally larger than needed to transmit the current used by the motor, and are arranged in thermal contact with heat conductive portions of the motor control board to transmit heat from the control board into the motor/pump enclosure where heat is transmitted to fuel passing through the assembly. An additional center heat sink is situated in a position aligned with heat generating capacitors that are part of the motor drive circuitry on the motor control board.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mating ring, a primary ring, and associated mechanical seal having superior heat transfer and wear characteristics. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or more dimples are formed onto the cylindrical outer surface of a mating ring sidewall and/or a primary ring sidewall. A stationary mating ring for a mechanical seal assembly is disclosed. Such a mating ring comprises an annular body having a central axis and a sealing face, wherein a plurality of dimples are formed into the outer circumferential surface of the annular body such that the exposed circumferential surface area of the annular body is increased. The texture added to the sidewall of the mating ring yields superior heat transfer and wear characteristics.

Abstract: A supply system for a liquid includes a liquid tank, a supply line, a pump, a filter, and a device that makes it possible to purge the line, pump, and filter. The supply system further includes a non-return device preventing liquid from entering into these elements once they have been purged. In this system, the pump, filter and non-return device are combined in a compact module. The filter at least partly surrounds the pump. The non-return device is an integral part of a common housing that surrounds the filter and at least one part of the pump.

Abstract: Methods of forming ceramic matrix composite structures include joining at least two lamina together to form a flexible ceramic matrix composite structure. Ceramic matrix composite structures include at least one region of reduced inter-laminar bonding at a selected location between lamina thereof. Thermal protection systems include at least one seal comprising a ceramic matrix composite material and have at least one region of reduced inter-laminar bonding at a selected location between lamina used to form the seal. Methods of forming thermal protection systems include providing one or more such seals between adjacent panels of a thermal protection system.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a seal ring for a mechanical seal, comprising a base body (2), a first layer (3) applied to a first face side (2a) of a base body (2), and a second layer (4) applied to a second face side (2b) of the base body (2), wherein at least one of the layers (3) is configured as a slide surface of the seal ring. Furthermore, the present invention refers to a method for producing such a seal ring.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes a first component, a second component, and a sealing unit. The first component is spaced apart from the second component to form a gap therebetween. The sealing unit is positioned in the gap between the first and second components to block liquids and/or gasses from traveling through the gap.

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 seal assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a first seal member having a first surface, a second seal member having a second surface, with the second surface configured to generally abut at least a part of the first surface. At least a portion of at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a coating that includes about 30 to about 80 weight percent of a hard carbide material, and about 20 to about 70 weight percent of lubricating material incorporated with the hard carbide material. The coating defines overlapping lenticular particles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mating ring, a primary ring, and associated mechanical seal having superior heat transfer and wear characteristics. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or more dimples are formed onto the cylindrical outer surface of a mating ring sidewall and/or a primary ring sidewall. A stationary mating ring for a mechanical seal assembly is disclosed. Such a mating ring comprises an annular body having a central axis and a sealing face, wherein a plurality of dimples are formed into the outer circumferential surface of the annular body such that the exposed circumferential surface area of the annular body is increased. The texture added to the sidewall of the mating ring yields superior heat transfer and wear characteristics.

Abstract: A circumferential sealing arrangement is disclosed herein. The circumferential sealing arrangement includes a structure operable to rotate about an axis and having a first surface facing radially outward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a static housing circumscribing the rotatable structure. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes at least one seal element connected to the static housing and having a second surface facing radially inward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a seal runner rotatable with the structure and having a third surface facing radially outward. The third surface cooperates with the second surface to form a circumferential seal between the static housing and the rotatable structure. A radial gap is defined between the first surface of the rotatable structure and a fourth surface of the seal runner facing radially inward and opposing the first surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a motor comprising a rotor, a stator and a sealing assembly having at least one joint and a monolithic ceramic separator. Each joint of the sealing assembly is a chemical bond joint, and the monolithic ceramic separator is disposed in a gap between the rotor and the stator of the motor such that the sealing assembly hermetically isolates the rotor and the stator.

Abstract: An improved air-riding seal system for turbine engines is presented. The seal system includes a movable primary seal assembly, a stationary secondary seal assembly, and at least one structure to increase the stiffness of a thin film between the primary seal and a rotating component. The primary seal assembly includes an annular seal ring and an arcuate support arm. The annular seal ring has a cross section that is substantially L-shaped and a surface with a step face and a circumferential dam. The arcuate support arm has a tooth at one end adjacent to an outermost circumferential surface along the seal runner, which could include an optional notch. The tooth and outermost circumferential surface are separated by a gap. The secondary seal ring is disposed between and contacts the primary seal assembly and housing structure so as to form a bore seal and a face seal therewith.

Abstract: A ceramic seal element (200) for use in a turbo-machine comprises a first, rigid portion (210) comprising ceramic fibers (212) bound within a ceramic matrix binder (214), a second, flexible portion (220) comprising ceramic fibers (222), and a third, rigid portion (230) comprising ceramic fibers (232) bound within a ceramic matrix binder (234). Ceramic fibers (222) retain a desired flexibility because they are not bound in ceramic matrix binder. In some embodiments the ceramic fibers (212, 222, 232) are stacked as horizontally disposed layers (225). Also, the fibers (212, 222, 232) of any layer (225) comprise bundles of fibers wherein some of the bundles extend continuously across portions (210, 220, 230). An alternative sealing element (300) comprises a first, rigid portion (310) comprising ceramic fibers (312) that are bound within a ceramic matrix binder (314), and a second, flexible portion (320) that comprises ceramic fibers (313) that retain a desired flexibility. Methods of manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling seal assembly is described for directing a pressurized abrasive fluid between a non-rotating conduit member and a rotating second conduit member. The seal assembly includes a first ceramic floating seal member secured to the non-rotating conduit member and a second ceramic seal member secured to the rotating conduit member. Enhanced service life of the seal assembly under high pressures and high rotary speeds is achieved.

Abstract: The invention is a film-riding seal for a pump shaft that is resistant to the deposition of iron oxides such as hematite and goethite on the confronting, spaced apart, seal surfaces. The seal generally comprises a ceramic runner mounted on the pump shaft and an adjacent ceramic stationary sealing ring. The runner has a sealing surface and the stationary sealing ring has sealing surface confronting the runner sealing surface. The ceramic sealing surfaces include a catalyst selected from the group consisting of rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium, platinum, gold and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A face seal assembly including an annular mating ring housing having a proximal end surface with a channel therein, a mating ring insert disposed in the channel, the mating ring insert including a mating ring compressed within a first band to maintain the integrity of the mating ring. An annular sealing ring housing has a distal end surface with a channel therein, and a sealing ring insert is disposed in the channel, the sealing ring insert including a sealing ring compressed within a second band to maintain the integrity of the sealing ring. The mating ring faces the sealing ring to prevent fluid from escaping therebetween. A method of making such a face seal assembly is also disclosed as is a complete face seal assembly useful in the top drive unit of an offshore drilling unit.

Abstract: In a gearbox device, a housing is formed with a hole-confining wall portion. A shaft is mounted rotatably in the hole-confining wall portions. An oil seal unit is mounted in the housing to provide a liquid tight seal between the shaft and the hole-confining wall portion. The oil seal unit includes an annular rubber seal member and an annular ceramic member. The ceramic member is disposed radially and inwardly of the rubber seal member and is in contact with the rubber seal member. The ceramic member disposed in the rubber seal member is sleeved on and is fixed to the shaft. The rubber seal member disposed outwardly of the ceramic member is fixed to the hole-confining wall portion.

Abstract: A rotating mechanical seal with a sliding ring, characterized by the sliding ring (5) being attached by way of an O-ring (6) on a shaft (1) of a compressor and rotating with the shaft (1) and by a non-rotating backing ring (4) being provided which is attached by way of an O-ring (3) to a housing (2) of the compressor so as to be gas-tight wherein the sliding ring (5) and backing ring (4) are pressed one against another by a spring (8) to form a seal and slide one upon the other, wherein one of the rings (4,5) is made of a carbon and silicon carbide composite material and the other of a silicon carbide material.

Abstract: A composite face seal having an annular seal rotor with a metal base portion and a radially extending flange. The flange having first and second axially facing surfaces. A first ceramic ring is mounted to the first surface of the flange by a first braze joint and a second ceramic ring is mounted to the second surface of the flange by a second braze joint. The composite face seal assembly further includes an annular stator having an axially facing surface that sealingly engages an axially facing surface of one of the ceramic rings. Each of the braze joints may comprise a molybdenum ring disposed between two braze rings or, for thicker seal assemblies, molybdenum and nickel rings disposed between braze rings.

Abstract: A carbon/silicon composite material wherein a silicon carbide containing carbon layer which is formed by silicon and boron carbide being penetrated from a surface of a carbon substrate into the inside thereof to allow the silicon and carbon of the carbon substrate to react with each other so as to be converted into silicon carbide and in which the silicon carbide is dispersed generally uniformly along a depth direction is formed on the carbon substrate as a first layer, the silicon carbide containing carbon layer having a thickness of not less than 1 mm.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved rotating seal apparatus including a plurality of concentrically spaced annular rotating seals. The invention also provides a rotating seal apparatus including a pressurized annular chamber surrounding an annular rotating seal.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, a mechanical face seal assembly comprises four generally ring-shaped members and plural spring devices. The first ring-shaped member is directly fastened (e.g., bolted) to the flanged structural section located at the end of the shaft sleeve. The first and second ring-shaped members are coaxially aligned and rotatively communicative at respective radial surfaces. The first ring-shaped member is made of a metal (or ceramic) matrix composite material. The second ring-shaped member is made of a polymer matrix composite material. The second and third ring-shaped members are mated via radial openings (in the second ring-shaped member) and corresponding radial projections (in the third ring-shaped member). The third ring-shaped member has axial projections and is thereby directly fastened (e.g., bolted) to the fourth ring-shaped member, which clampingly secures the third ring-shaped member with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A track seal assembly (174) adapted to seal a track joint (172) includes a track link and a ceramic seal member (186). The track seal further includes an elastomeric member (176) positioned between the track link and the ceramic seal member (186). The track seal (174) further includes a bushing (184) having a ceramic end face (187). The end face (87) of the bushing defines a ceramic bushing face (187) that interfaces with the ceramic seal member (186) so as to form a seal interface.

Abstract: A track link assembly includes a first track link having a passageway defined therethrough. The track link assembly also includes a bushing having an end face, wherein the bushing is positioned within the passageway. The track link assembly further includes a first seal member having an exterior surface, the first seal member being secured to the bushing end face with a resilient bond formed by an adhesive such as Loctite adhesive part number 17430. In addition, the track link assembly includes a protective coating secured to the exterior surface of the first seal member, wherein the protective coating and the first seal member are made of different materials relative to each other. An associated method for maintaining a track link assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for designing bearings, of improved performance, the load-bearing surfaces of which feature micropores about 2 to 10 microns deep and, preferably, aspect ratios on the order of 7 to 20. The hydrodynamic pressure distribution of a suite of bearing surfaces with different micropore geometries and densities is modeled numerically. The load-bearing surfaces of the bearings are fabricated with micropores having the optimal density and geometry determined by the numerical modeling. Conical micropores may be created by single laser pulses, with the pore size and shape controlled by controlling the laser beam profile, the laser beam power, and the optical parameters of the focusing system.

Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a volatile liquid from escaping past a rotating shaft mounted within a housing, includes a rotating sealing ring having a seal facing keyed to the shaft and a stationary sealing ring having a seal facing mounted to the housing. The seal facing of the stationary sealing ring is in contact with the sealing facing of the sealing ring keyed to the shaft when the shaft is non-rotating. When the sealing ring is rotated by the shaft the seal faces are disengaged from one another. One of the seal facings of either the rotating or stationary sealing ring includes a plurality of notches positioned on the outer radial edge of the sealing surface at an angle of approximately 45.degree. with respect to the perpendicular peripheral surface of the sealing ring.

Abstract: The mechanical seal for a compressor comprises a support member fixed to a rotary shaft for rotating therewith, an annular rotating slide member consisting of hard materials and being fitted to the support member by shrinkage, and a stationary slide member exerting pressure against an end surface of said rotating slide member. In order to prevent damage by shrinkage stress and a displacement of said rotating slide member, said rotating slide member comprises at least one peripheral recess formed by a portion of the periphery of said rotating slide member having a smaller outer diameter than the rest of the periphery and said support member comprises an inwardly extending fitting portion engaging the peripheral recess.