Pressure balanced finger seal
US6196550A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 11, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S277/926
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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 that seals against the rotating member. A fore spacer is disposed between said fore cover plate and said sealing element and an aft spacer is disposed between said aft cover plate and said sealing element. The aft spacer has a plurality of cavities that are separated from the low fluid pressure region. A passageway is provided that places these cavities in fluid communication with the high fluid pressure region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.