Matrix split rotary seal
AssigneeA.W. Chesterton Company
InventorsMichael P. Grimanis, Joseph K. Kaleshian, Thomas Richard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a rotary seal assembly for providing sealing on a rotating shaft or other suitable device. The seal assembly seals against a rotating shaft or other piece of moving equipment to prevent the leakage of fluids. In some embodiments, a split rotary seal assembly employing an energizer, housing, and a rotational seal element such as a matrix is provided. The energizer energizes the matrix to enhance the sealing properties of the assembly. Furthermore, the matrix conforms to the surface of the shaft, and moves radially with the shaft to provide an effective seal in high wear or runout applications.
Claims39
An annular mechanical seal assembly for sealing around equipment extending in an axial direction, wherein a radial direction extends outward from the equipment perpendicular to the axial direction, the seal assembly comprising:
- a housing having a radially outermost axially extending surface and an opposed radially innermost axially extending surface, wherein the housing has formed in the radially innermost axially extending surface a single radially extending channel, the radially extending channel defined in part by an interior axially extending wall and first and second opposed radially extending walls denoting first and second radially extending arm portions formed on opposite sides of the channel and which form part of the housing, wherein each of the first and second radially extending arm portions have formed on a radially innermost axially extending surface a radially inner first flat slanted wall extending from one of the first or second radially extending walls of the channel to a meeting point, and a radially inner second flat slanted wall extending from the meeting point to a radially extending exterior wall of the housing, wherein the housing is symmetrical about a radially extending centerline and the first and second slanted flat walls are separate and distinct from the walls forming the channel,
- wherein the radially inner first flat slanted wall and the radially inner second flat slanted wall are slanted at different angles;
- a matrix sealing element provided substantially within the radially interior inside channel of the housing and protruding from the radially interior inside channel, the matrix sealing element having a radially inner surface for sealing against the equipment;
- and
- an energizer biasing element for providing a radial force to the matrix, the energizer disposed in the radially interior inside channel of the housing between the matrix and the interior axially extending wall in the radial direction, and wherein the energizer biasing element is less rigid than the matrix sealing element,
- wherein the energizer biasing element contacts the matrix, the interior axially extending wall, and the interior walls of the radially interior inside channel, and
- wherein the matrix sealing element comprises composite reinforced fibers and at least one lubricant.
A method of fabricating a mechanical seal assembly for sealing around equipment extending in an axial direction, wherein a radial direction extends outward from the equipment perpendicular to the axial direction, the method comprising:
- providing a housing having a radially outermost axially extending surface and an opposed radially innermost axially extending surface, wherein the housing has formed in the radially innermost axially extending surface a radially extending channel, the radially extending channel defined in part by an interior axially extending wall and first and second opposed radially extending walls denoting first and second radially extending arm portions formed on opposite sides of the channel and which form part of the housing, wherein each of the first and second radially extending arm portions have formed on a radially innermost axially extending surface a radially inner first flat slanted wall extending from one of the first or second radially extending walls of the channel to a meeting point, and a radially inner second flat slanted wall extending from the meeting point to a radially extending exterior wall of the housing, wherein the housing is symmetrical about a radially extending centerline and the first and second flat slanted walls are separate and distinct from the walls forming the channel,
- wherein the radially inner first flat slanted wall and the radially inner second flat slanted wall are slanted at different angles;
- providing a matrix sealing element substantially within the radially interior inside channel of the housing and protruding from the radially interior inside channel, the matrix sealing element having a radially inner surface for sealing against and conforming to the equipment;
- and
- disposing an energizer biasing element for providing a radial force to the matrix in the radially interior inside channel of the housing between the matrix and the interior axially extending wall in the radial direction, and wherein the energizer biasing element is less rigid than the matrix sealing element,
- wherein the energizer contacts the matrix, the interior axially extending wall, and the interior walls of the radially interior inside channel, and
- wherein the matrix sealing element comprises composite reinforced fibers and at least one lubricant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.