Non-collapsible flexible sealing membrane and seal assembly for rotary shaft equipment

A mechanical seal assembly adapted for arrangement around a rotating shaft, the mechanical seal assembly having a first and a second seal ring, the first seal ring axially shiftable relative to the rotating shaft and the second seal ring axially fixed relative to the rotating shaft, the mechanical seal comprising:

• a stub sleeve arranged proximate the first seal ring, wherein the first seal ring is axially shiftable relative to the stub sleeve in response to axial movement of second seal ring, the first seal ring having an axially shiftable seal face that interfaces with an axially fixed seal face of the second seal ring, the stub sleeve including a first outer diameter, a second outer diameter and an angled surface connecting the first outer diameter to the second outer diameter, wherein the second outer diameter is greater than the first outer diameter;
• a biasing mechanism that urges the first seal ring toward the second seal ring to engage the axially shiftable seal face to the axially fixed seal face with a closing force;
• an annular flexible sealing membrane comprising:
• a flange portion arranged between the first seal ring and the biasing mechanism, the flange portion being axially shiftable relative stub sleeve;
• a flexible connection portion positioned within a radially inward extent of the flange portion, wherein the flexible connection portion includes an angular facet that extends from the flexible portion in an axial outward direction;
• a coaxial portion extending axially from the flexible connection portion, the coaxial portion held axially fixed relative to the stub sleeve;
• wherein the first outer diameter of the stub sleeve abuts the coaxial portion, the angled surface abuts the angular facet of the flexible connection portion, and the second outer diameter of the stub sleeve abuts the first seal ring.