Patent · US Expired

Non-contacting mechanical face seal of the gap-type

US5246295A · kind A · utility

55Cited by
12References
21Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 1991
Grant dateSep 21, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 30, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16J15/3432
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A rotary mechanical face seal for preventing leakage of a fluid, either liquid or gas, across two relatively rotating surfaces. The seal is of the non-contacting mechanical type in which a predetermined spacing is maintained between the relatively rotatable sealing washers by formation of a pressurized fluid film between the relatively rotating surfaces. The opposed faces are constructed to provide a separation of the faces at start-up and thereby prevent damage or destruction to the faces before design pressures are achieved. This is achieved by providing at least one of the opposed faces with a deflection bearing portion which causes the necessary deflections under load. The bearing portion comprises a spaced series of lift pad sections. A variety of lift pad constructions can be used. The seal also includes a hydrodynamic radial bearing which centers the shaft in the static state to avoid shaft runout.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.