Abstract: A combination of bearing isolator, shaft, and housing with a stator member affixed to said housing, said stator member having a cavity member therein, an annular rotor member rotatively connected to and surrounding said shaft, said stator member substantially encompassing said rotor member, an insert filling said cavity in said stator member and in contact with said stator member and said rotor member, said insert having an axial cavity therein with the radial sides of the cavity in contact with radial sides of the rotor member and the stator member.

Abstract: A segmented seal ring and spring system for very low pressure drop zones in steam turbines for minimizing leakage between rotating and stationary components, and preventing damage and wear thereto, including a segmented seal ring, with first springs biased against the seal segments to urge the segments radially inwardly toward a small clearance position of the seal ring with respect to the turbine shaft secondary springs to counter the weight of the segments; with the combination of said springs gently urging the seal segments into the small clearance position while allowing clearance enlargement with small resulting forces on the shaft during periods of misalignment and rubbing.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit having a compressor that includes a cast member, a cavity formed in the cast member, and an oil filter element dividing the cavity into an inlet cavity and an outlet cavity. An inlet port for directing the unfiltered oil into the inlet cavity and an outlet port for directing filtered oil out of the outlet cavity are also included. The filter element is secured in the cavity between an integral plate on one end and ears on the opposite end. A seal between the cast member and the removable cover is included. Also included is another seal positioned between the inlet and outlet cavities. The filter element may be cylindrical. At least one isolation valve that prevents or allows flow into and out of the filter cavity may be included. The inlet port may be formed in the cast member and the outlet port may be formed in the removable cover, or vice versa. At least one lubrication point and an oil conduit communicating between the lubrication port and the outlet port are included.

Abstract: A mechanical labyrinth seal for rotating shafts having first and second ring members. The first ring member, includes a series of annular axially extending grooves and flanges. The second ring member is adopted for insertion into said first ring member with a plurality of complimentary inwardly extending flanges and grooves to form a well known labyrinth seal. There is a slot or channel through the labyrinth or maze connecting the exterior atmosphere to the interior of the seal assembly. The second ring member is adapted to rotate with the shaft and includes an annular recess near the shaft and inwardly toward the housing. There is a recess in the first ring member to be opposite the recess in said second ring member and a strip of material is inserted via a passage into the recesses of said first and second ring member. The recess second ring member being slightly larger in axial direction than the strip of material.

Abstract: A seal is provided between relatively moving parts and includes plural layers of woven material such as metal, polymer or ceramic materials. The layers are secured to one another and to a first part of the relatively moving first and second parts and extend freely from that first part into engagement with the second part. The woven material layers accommodate shape variations between the parts. In a further form, bristles are disposed between layers of woven material and secured at one end to one part. The free ends of the bristles and the free marginal portion of the woven material project toward the second part in sealing engagement therewith.

Abstract: A fluid ring seal system and method for use with a shaft encircled by a fluid medium chamber including a fluid medium. The system includes a fluid medium sealing segment in fluid flow communication with the fluid medium chamber. The fluid medium sealing segment substantially maintains the fluid medium within the chamber and the fluid medium sealing segment. A contaminant sealing segment is in fluid flow communication with the fluid medium sealing segment and with an outer environment. The contaminant sealing segment substantially prevents a contaminant from migrating into the fluid medium sealing segment. A fluid pathway extends between the fluid medium sealing segment and the contaminant sealing segment along an innermost radius defined by each respective sealing segment. Alternatively or additionally, a stator separates the fluid medium sealing segment and the contaminant sealing segment.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an improved method for sealing off the separating gap, formed between a rotor and a stator, in a non-contacting manner, with which method the service life of the components involved can be increased. In addition, an arrangement for carrying out the method is to be shown. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the flow layers (35, 36), having different circumferential velocities, of the working fluid (18) are divided after the choking action into a first partial flow (35') having a high circumferential velocity and a second partial flow (36') having a low circumferential velocity, the first partial flow (35') is merely deflected, only the second partial flow (36') is swirled and is finally directed parallel to the deflected first partial flow (35') into the latter. To this end, the opposing surface (24) of the choke point (22) is designed as a flow divider for the working fluid (18).

Abstract: A seal between a housing and a shaft is formed of two ring members interlocked together. The two ring members include a rotor and a stator which are interlocked so as to provide a labyrinth passageway for preventing contaminants from reaching a rotating shaft. The stator includes a main portion, which functions to direct fluid from the rotating shaft back into a housing, and a cover portion which covers the rotor, cooperates with the rotor to provide the labyrinth passageway, and includes all opening for directing the contaminants out of the seal. The stator main portion includes a plurality of annular ridges and grooves and an axial groove. The stator cover portion includes an annular recess, which receives an annular protrusion of the rotor. The stator main portion is located axially adjacent to the rotor, while the cover portion is located radially adjacent to the rotor.

Abstract: A self-aligning, sealing assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a sealing apparatus and at least one preloading device. The sealing assembly is mounted in machinery which has a rotating shaft and a stationary member with an inner surface which is spaced from and surrounds a shaft. A slot is located in and extends around the inner surface of the stationary member. The slot has an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and an outer surface. The sealing apparatus is adjustably disposed in the slot and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an upstream surface and a downstream surface. Labyrinth seal teeth extend radially inward from the inner surface of the sealing apparatus. Each tooth is radially spaced from the shaft to form a non-contact seal. A space between the outer surface of the ring and the inner surface of the slot is designed to accommodate radial movement of the ring resulting from radial movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A two-piece labyrinth seal adapted to be easily and quickly mounted upon a shaft within a housing to minimize downtime of the equipment. The seal is formed of a rotor and a stator. The rotor and the stator are each formed of two relatively equal portions. The rotor portions and the stator portions each mate at an interface. The interface is generally along an axial plane and crosses the plane at least twice within the rotor and within the stator. The rotor is interlocked with the stator. The rotor and stator portions are mechanically connected.

Abstract: A seal for coaxial inner and outer spools rotatable about an axis is provided which includes a flange having a catch surface. The flange is attached to the outer spool, and is disposed between the inner and outer spools such that the catch surface is in close proximity to the inner spool. The catch surface, which includes a seal end and a discharge end, is canted from the axis between the seal end and the discharge end. Liquid disposed between the inner spool and the catch surface is forced against the catch surface by centrifugal force when the spools rotate at a sufficient speed. The liquid is subsequently driven axially along the canted catch surface in the from the seal end to the discharge end, toward the bearing compartment.

Abstract: An annular seal is provided between a turbine rotor disc and the adjacent static structure. The seal comprises rotor fins extending from the turbine disc for rotation therewith and an abradable honeycomb layer radially outward of the rotor fins. The abradable honeycomb layer is located on the inner diameter of a sealing ring attached to the static structure. The sealing ring is moveable in an axial direction so that in operation the honeycomb has one axial position for transient conditions and an alternative axial position for stabilized running. The seal clearance can thus be optimised at the two axial positions reducing the leakage flow through the seal.

Abstract: A rotary shaft bearing isolator seal where the shaft extends into dry comminuted material providing a stator having a very small tolerance between the rotor on the shaft and the stator containing downwardly sloping circular portions adjacent complimentary inwardly extending and outwardly extending portions of said rotor.

Abstract: A combined labyrinth/brush seal is provided in a seal between rotating and stationary components. The seal includes a plurality of arcuate sealing segments, each having one or more labyrinth teeth extending radially toward the surface of the rotating component. As original equipment or retrofit, a brush seal is provided among the labyrinth teeth in a slot formed in the sealing face of the seal segment. In one form, backing and/or forward plates for the brush seal have a tongue extending into an axially extending groove of the seal segments to prevent relative radial movement of the brush seal and seal ring segments. The end faces of the brush seal and seal ring segments may be bored and filled with weld material to prevent relative circumferential movement. Where a single radially extending slot is provided in the sealing ring segment, the brush seal may be stitch-welded to the seal ring segment along opposite sides of the brush seal.

Abstract: A rotatable seal element 38 is formed of at least two circumferentially continuous rings 48,50. The rings have decreased thickness T.sub.2, T.sub.3 in the outward direction. Various construction details are developed which effect the level of cyclic fatigue life. In one particular embodiment, the seal element has a flat surface 74 extending inwardly from the sides at the interface between the rings.

Abstract: A variable clearance packing ring includes a plurality of circumferentially extending segments disposed in a generally dovetail-shaped slot in the stationary component of a machine having a rotor rotatable about an axis, the packing ring including an arcuate seal face in opposition to the rotor and axially extending flanges within the dovetail slot. Pins project axially from opposite sides of the stationary component for location between the flanges and sealing faces of the segments. A centering ring is mounted on the pins for each segment and has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the segment.

Abstract: This invention discloses an improved seal utilizing an optional air purge to assist in the elimination or removal of contaminants. The seal is most useful on spindles and utilizes a combination locking ring and diffuser ring to diffuse the air when utilized within the seal member itself. The pressurized air is passed from the diffuser into at least one cavity or chamber which is within the rotor of the seal and which, when the rotor is rotating it provides a centrifuging effect to efficiently and completely remove or eliminate contaminants, including the fluid, and thus preventing the contaminants from reaching the bearings which the seal or bearing isolator is protecting. The bearing isolator or seal element will operate efficiently with or without air pressure, but operates more effectively with requisite air pressure and volume applied to the diffuser and locking element.

Abstract: A dynamic labyrinth sealing device which includes a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof and a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof. The stator annular engagement flange and the rotator annular engagement flange have coacting radially extending openings for mechanically interlocking the stator and the rotator.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal system and method for sealing against the flow of a fluid along a rotating member according in which a fixed housing surrounds the rotating member and one or more sealing members extend from the housing and engage the rotating member for wiping a portion of the fluid off of the rotating member and thus preventing the wiped fluid from passing through the sealing member and along the rotating member. The rotation of the rotating member causes air to flow outwardly from the shaft to normally promote the flow of the fluid along the rotating member and through the sealing member, and a member is associated with the housing for breaking the vacuum.

Abstract: A rotatable seal element 38 is formed of at least two circumferentially continuous rings 48,50. The rings have decreased thickness T.sub.2, T.sub.3 in the outward direction. Various construction details are developed which effect the level of cyclic fatigue life. In one particular embodiment, the seal element has a flat surface 74 extending inwardly from the sides at the interface between the rings.

Abstract: A rotor and stator assembly having a rotor and a stator with opposing surfaces defining an air bearing and an air dam of an aspirating face seal. In a first embodiment, the air bearing and the air dam are axially offset. In a second embodiment, the rotor has an axially extending protuberance located radially between the air bearing and the air dam. The axial offset and the protuberance each act to divert the air flow (e.g., compressed gas or combustion gases in a gas turbine or steam in a steam turbine) in a direction transverse to the air flow direction through the air bearing and the air dam, thus isolating the air flows from the air bearing and the air dam which improves seal performance.

Abstract: In a sealing arrangement between a tubular housing (2) and a rod (1) in a rail vehicle slack adjuster, a cup (3) is movable with the rod and extends along the rod over the free end of the housing. A sealing arrangement (6-9) is in sealing engagement with the housing (2). It comprises flange-like portions (6', 7), extending into close proximity with the inner wall of the cup for forming a labyrinth seal, and a sealing lip (9') in sealing contact with the end of the cup for preventing the intrusion of water and the like in the cup.

Abstract: A sealed shaft bearing assembly employs a lubricant seal having a rigid seal case supporting a resilient dust seal in rubbing contact with a cylindrical surface on the shaft, and a labyrinth type primary seal between the dust seal and the interior of the seal case, with the labyrinth being defined by a stator mounted on the seal case and a rotor mounted for rotation with the shaft, and with the stator including a cylindrical tubular portion defining an elongated thin annular gap with the shaft cylindrical surface and the rotor defining an elongated thin annular gap with the outer surface of the rotor. The radial thickness and axial lengths of the thin annular gaps are such as to preclude the passage of grease type lubricant therethrough upon operation of the bearing.

Abstract: In order to accommodate a labyrinth seal whose diameter is too large to form a gas passage using conventional techniques, the labyrinth seal is made in two parts. A first part is an inner ring whose outer diameter is sufficiently small so as to permit the forming of a passage therein with conventional techniques. The second part is an outer ring which can then be fastened to the inner ring so as to then extend, in combination, to the radial extent necessary to complete the sealing engagement with an adjacent element. The outer and inner rings are preferably interconnected by way of an interference fit.

Abstract: An emission containment apparatus and method for use in a fluid system having a chamber housing and a shaft.

Abstract: A dynamic labyrinth sealing device which includes a stator having an annular engagement flange on a radially inner portion thereof and a rotator having an annular engagement flange on a radially outer portion thereof. The stator annular engagement flange and the rotator annular engagement flange have coacting radially extending openings for mechanically interlocking the stator and the rotator.

Abstract: A system for providing a seal between a housing and a shaft is formed of at least two ring members connected to each other by relative diametrical expansion with reduced or eliminated axial resilient deformation. The ring members may be held together by an annular protrusion located within a recess. To eliminate play between the protrusion and the recess, the device may be assembled by heating the recess and inserting the protrusion into the recess while the recess is expanded. The improved system can be accurately assembled, with the ring members located very close to each other. The system has improved oil retention and water exclusion properties.