Sealing system
US6582185B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2260/6022
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sealing system to prevent loss of a process fluid from a device having a device opening and a rotating member operable for rotational movement within the device opening. A rotary shaft seal such as a labyrinth seal, seals the rotating member in the device opening to inhibit leakage of process fluid. A chamber is connected to the device to recover leakage of the process fluid that leaks from the rotary shaft seal. A barrier seal is connected to the chamber to inject a barrier fluid under pressure to prevent the escape of process fluid from the chamber. The chamber discharges a mixture of barrier and process fluid to a filter, such as a coalescing filter, to separate the barrier fluid from the process fluid. Barrier fluid vapor and water vapor traps can also be used for purification purposes. The barrier fluid is recovered and recycled back to the barrier seal. The process fluid is returned to the device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.