Mechanical seal assistance device and systems and methods for use thereof
AssigneeChevron U.S.A. Inc.
InventorBaha Tulu Tanju
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a device for regulating the compression force of a spring-spacer assembly provided in a mechanical shaft seal in a system including a motor and a pump or compressor. The device includes a spacer made from shape memory alloy, a spring in line with the spacer, and a heater proximate the spacer. When heated, the spacer contracts in length, resulting in a decrease in compression force. Also disclosed are systems and methods utilizing the device. The device is particularly useful when starting a pump or compressor to reduce friction in the mechanical seal. Existing mechanical seals can be easily retrofitted with the device.
Claims18
A mechanical seal assistance device for use in a mechanical shaft seal assembly in a motor/pump assembly comprising a motor, and a pump or a compressor, wherein the motor drives a rotor coupled to a rotating shaft for operating the pump or the compressor, the mechanical seal assistance device comprising:
- a. a spring-spacer assembly comprising:
- i. a spring having a first end and a second end;
- ii. a two-way shape memory alloy spacer having a first end and a second end wherein one of the first and second ends of the two-way shape memory alloy spacer is in contact with one of the first and second ends of the spring;
- wherein the spring and the two-way shape memory alloy spacer are configured to rotate together with the rotor or the rotating shaft in the mechanical shaft seal assembly between a rotating mechanical seal component and a torque transmission component and apply a compression force on the rotating mechanical seal component and the torque transmission component;
- and wherein the two-way shape memory alloy spacer is formed of a shape memory alloy material having a contracting transition temperature such that the two-way shape memory alloy spacer contracts in length when the two-way shape memory alloy spacer is heated to a temperature above the contracting transition temperature;
- and
- b. a heater capable of heating the two-way shape memory alloy spacer from a temperature below the contracting transition temperature to a temperature above the contracting transition temperature;
- such that when the two-way shape memory alloy spacer is heated from a temperature below the contracting transition temperature to a temperature above the contracting transition temperature, the spring-spacer assembly applies a reduced compression force on the rotating mechanical seal component and the torque transmission component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.