Abstract: A gas processing system includes a vessel defining a cavity for processing a gas. The vessel includes a process gas inlet for accepting process gas at an input pressure, and a process gas outlet for discharging process gas at an output pressure. The gas processing system further includes a shaft coupled to the vessel and a multistage sealing system comprising multiple seals spaced along the shaft. The shaft is configured to transfer mechanical energy to or from gas in the vessel. Each adjacent pair of seals defines a corresponding pressure space therebetween. One of the pressure spaces is an equalizing pressure space in hydraulic communication with the process gas inlet via a flow line, such that in operation, pressure in the equalizing pressure space is maintained at an equalized pressure with respect to a pressure in the process gas inlet.

Abstract: One of the components (15), opposite a labyrinth seal (12), is arranged sliding on a conical interface (18) of its support (7, 19) and constructed from a material with different thermal expansions, so as to reduce the clearance with the component face to face (13, 14), at steady state, at high temperature. The sealing surface (25) may be assured by a circulation of oil.

Abstract: A flow control device typically for protecting a seal (20) in a valve, wherein a body portion (5) has an orifice (8) allowing fluid flow, and the valve has a control portion (10) to allow and restrict fluid flow through the orifice. The flow control device has a fluid flow controller (30) between the body portion and the control portion in the form of at least one annular ring (35), disposed in a recess in one of the body portion and the control portion (10). The fluid flow controller (30) defines a leak path through the device that is opened and closed by a pressure differential acting across the annular member. Typically the application of a pressure differential across the fluid flow controller moves the ring(s) to one end of the recess and reduces the cross sectional area of the leak path available to the fluid, thereby diffusing the fluid flow through the orifice (8).

Abstract: A method and systems for a purged seal for an annular space are provided. The purged seal includes a first baffle element that extends from an inner surface of the annular space into the annular space at an oblique angle and a second baffle element that extends from an outer surface of the annular space above the first baffle element in a direction opposite gravity flow into the annular space wherein the second baffle element extends at an oblique angle. The system also includes a third baffle element that extends from the inner surface above the first baffle element in a direction of gravity flow into the annular space wherein the third baffle element extends into the annular space at an oblique angle with respect to the inner surface and wherein a distal end of the third baffle element is positioned proximate a distal end of the second baffle element.

Abstract: A leaf seal for sealing a shaft rotating about an axis, in particular in a gas turbine, includes a plurality of spaced-apart leaves arranged in a concentric circle around the axis and fixed in position by brazing, the leaves having surfaces oriented essentially parallel to the axis. The leaves are brazed to one another via intermediate spacers made of a brazing foil, so that a brazed joint is produced by brazing alloy from the brazing foils. The brazing temperature may be set to an optimum value just above the solidus temperature of the brazing foil, at which partial melting of the brazing foil occurs and penetration of liquid brazing alloy into the gap between the leaves is avoided.

Abstract: The airtight magnetic seal, in a compact single body, made of two concentric sections, an inner section (1a) and an outer section (1b), unitized, which are able to rotate independently. These sections are engaged and squared to create a permanent contact-seal inside in combination with two labyrinth-seals type and associated drains at each end, and a pressure relief safety means, when the seal is embedded into an annulus in a rotary operational assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for purifying gas while bleeding a crank housing, said apparatus (10) comprising a housing (12) inside which a separator chamber (14) is provided, a rotor arrangement with a rotor shaft (32) that is rotatably mounted in the housing and a centrifugal rotor (39) located in the separator chamber (14), and a fluid driving device (64) for driving the rotor shaft (32) by means of a driving fluid, the driving device (64) being disposed in a driving chamber (60) that is separated from the separator chamber (14) by means of a housing partition (16), and the rotor shaft (32) extending through a breakthrough in the housing partition (16). In the case of this device, it is provided that a labyrinth-type seal (70) is provided in the zone of the breakthrough in order to seal the driving chamber (60) from the separator chamber (14).

Abstract: A leaf seal arrangement is provided in which within a housing there are edge portions to inter associate with non parallel chamfer edges in leaf seal elements. In such circumstances, deflection of the leaf seal elements in an outward direction or inward direction relative to a rotating shaft creates variation in a control gap X, XX between the edges and the chamfer edge. Such increase or decrease in the control gap X, XX adjusts the aerodynamic radial force that is presented to the leaf seal elements whereby those elements can be more accurately maintained at a desired leaf position for optimizing leakage while achieving better wear resistance performance.

Abstract: A method of assembling a turbomachine that includes a rotor and a stationary component is provided. The method includes coupling a housing to the stationary component using at least one biasing member, wherein the housing extending circumferentially about the rotor. The method also includes coupling at least one annular ring to the housing, and coupling a plurality of plate members to the housing such that the at least one annular ring extends from the housing towards the rotor and partially through the plurality of plate members.

Abstract: A bearing sealing arrangement for rotating machines uses a radially-acting labyrinth seal (2) to minimize bearing lubricant leakage and an axially-acting screw-type gasket (3) to return what fluid escapes through the labyrinth seal to the bearing (10). In embodiments, the labyrinth seal uses rings (4) with plastic wear surfaces formed about internal metal bands, the plastic forming corresponding profiles on the ends (27,28) of the bands so that the profiles interlock when overlapped to form the rings. The screw-type gasket preferably includes rotor-mounted helical fillets (22) formed in a section (21) that is retained in a seat (20) on the rotor. The section in embodiments is retained by inserting a ring-shaped key (23) into the section, thereby forcing the section into undercuts of the seat. The arrangement is particularly useful in wind machines, such as wind-turbines.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal includes a first disc and a second disc spaced axially from the first disc such that an axial intermediate chamber is formed between the first and the second discs. A first ring connected with the first disc so as to extend generally toward the second disc and into the axial chamber and second and third rings are each connected with the second disc so as to extend generally toward the first disc and into the axial chamber. The third ring is spaced radially outwardly from the second ring and the first ring being at least partially disposed radially between the second and third rings so as to form a sealing labyrinth. Preferably, each of the rings is cut from a common strip of material, bended to form a ring and welded to the associated disc.

Abstract: A shaft seal reduces leakage between a rotating shaft such as a rotor and a stator. The shaft seal or shingle seal includes a plurality of compliant-plate members attached to the stator in facing relation. The compliant-plate members define a sealing ring between the stator and the rotating shaft. Each of the compliant-plate members includes a plurality of shingles, where adjacent compliant-plate members are disposed relative to each other such that the shingles are at least partially staggered in a direction of axial leakage.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first sealing means partially encompassed within second sealing means and in cooperative communication with said second sealing means; a third sealing means, said second sealing means partially encompassed within third sealing means and in cooperative communication with said third sealing means, said third sealing means attached to said housing or vessel and allowing said first sealing means and second sealing means to cooperatively respond to said forces produced by angular misalignment of said shaft during rotation of said shaft while maintaining defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for purifying gas while bleeding a crank housing, said apparatus (10) comprising a housing (12) inside which a separator chamber (14) is provided, a rotor arrangement with a rotor shaft (32) that is rotatably mounted in the housing and a centrifugal rotor (39) located in the separator chamber (14), and a fluid driving device (64) for driving the rotor shaft (32) by means of a driving fluid, the driving device (64) being disposed in a driving chamber (60) that is separated from the separator chamber (14) by means of a housing partition (16), and the rotor shaft (32) extending through a breakthrough in the housing partition (16). In the case of this device, it is provided that a labyrinth-type seal (70) is provided in the zone of the breakthrough in order to seal the driving chamber (60) from the separator chamber (14).

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 present invention provides a method and apparatus for balancing the pressure across a front bearing in a compressor housing. The present invention may protect the bearing from lubricant migration by eliminating pressure differentials across the bearing. When a blower or fan is running, the bearing experiences the same pressure differential that is across the blower. Unless this pressure is balanced, lubricant may migrate from the bearing very quickly. The present invention may provide a pressure balance and sealing across the front bearing of a blower or fan. A plurality of grooves on the face of a compressor impeller and a plurality of grooves on a compressor shaft surface restrict the gas flow to balance pressure across a bearing. Alternatively, a labyrinth seal may cooperate with a plurality of grooves on the face of a compressor impeller to balance pressure across the bearing.

Abstract: A vacuum pump draws gas by operating a gas conveying body in a pump chamber through rotation of a rotary shaft. The vacuum pump has an oil housing member. The oil housing member defines an oil zone adjacent to the pump chamber. The rotary shaft has a projecting portion that projects from the pump chamber into the oil zone through the oil housing member. Stoppers are located on the rotary shaft to integrally rotate with the rotary shaft and prevent oil from entering the pump chamber. The stoppers are located along the axial direction of the rotary shaft.

Abstract: An annular sealing apparatus is disclosed for disposition in cooperation with a body defining a bore and a rotating member rotatably received in the bore, the bore and rotating member bounding a high fluid pressure region and a relatively lower pressure fluid region therebetween, the sealing apparatus inhibiting fluid leakage between the high and lower fluid pressure regions, the sealing apparatus has a fore cover plate disposed in the high fluid pressure region and aft cover plate disposed in the lower pressure fluid region. A sealing element comprised of a plurality of comb-like diaphragm members is disposed between the two cover plates. Each of the diaphragm members has a foot portion with a groove. At low rotational speeds the foot portion abuts against the rotating member.

Abstract: A bearing shaft seal assembly for an electric motor positioned within an end frame of the motor in order to inhibit the passage of external contaminants axially along a shaft extending out of an end frame into the interior of the motor. The seal assembly including a first seal member, a second seal member and a third seal member; wherein the first seal member is a slinger washer mounted on the shaft so as to be rotatable with the shaft and which is positioned within an inner recess in the end frame, the second seal member is a concaved expansion plug positioned around the shaft and positioned within an outer recess in the end frame which is thereafter caused to be flattened so as to be in fixed relation with respect to the shaft, and the third seal member is a slinger washer mounted on the shaft so as to be rotatable with the shaft and which is positioned adjacent to the expansion plug. The seal assembly further defining a labyrinthine path designed to impede the inflow of external contaminants.

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 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: An improved seal assembly for a bearing housing is provided and includes piston rights which do not contact the rotating shaft, and a grease supply passageway connected to a labyrinth, and a grease purging passageway exiting axially through the seal assembly.