# US 2010/0164183 A1 · Segmented seal with hydrodynamic feature and assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0164183 A1 - Document ID: US20100164183A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/345,743 - Filed: 2008-12-30 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-30 - Assignees: Eaton Corporation - Inventors: Gerald M. Berard; Edward N. Ruggeri - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100164183A1 ## CPC - F16J 15/442: {segmented} - F16J 15/3244: with hydrodynamic pumping action - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS ## Abstract A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area against a rotating member is disclosed. In an embodiment the segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a feed cavity, a ramp portion in communication with the feed cavity, a segment trough in communication with the ramp portion, one or more hydrodynamically-configured pads including an entrance; and a sealing dam disposed between the lift pad and the radial internal surface. In an embodiment of the segment, the ramp portion is configured to pick up air flow with an increase in velocity from said rotating member, and the trough or a flow-control portion is configured to prevent fluid from flowing around or circumventing the pad entrance to, at least in part, provide a dynamic feed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the segment comprising: a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member; at least a partial transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment; and one or more pads, including a ramp portion, a flow-control formation, a pad entrance, and a pad reservoir portion; wherein the ramp is configured to pick up fluid flow with an increase in velocity, and the flow-control portion is configured to prevent fluid from flowing around or circumventing the pad entrance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the flow-control element includes an angled portion or segment that is configured to direct flow towards the pad entrance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the ramp portion includes an extended segment that extends substantially along the length of an adjacent pad. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the pad reservoir portion is configured to form a boundary to retain fluid during rotation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a Rayleigh step or pad. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the transverse groove has an irregular shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the ramp portion extends to a position adjacent the pad entrance. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the segment includes a joint or connection configuration that is adapted for an interconnecting or interlocking with a joint or connection configuration of an adjacent segment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The segment of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises air or some form of gas. ### Claim 10 A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the segment comprising: an outer diameter; an inner diameter; a feed cavity; a ramp portion in communication with the feed cavity; a segment trough in communication with the ramp portion; a hydrodynamically-configured lift pad, the pad including an entrance; and a sealing dam disposed between the lift pad and the inner diameter; wherein the segment is configured to operatively provide both a static feed of fluid and a dynamic feed of fluid directed toward the lift pad. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The segment of claim 10, wherein the lift pad is configured to form a boundary to retain fluid during rotation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The segment of claim 10, wherein the lift pad comprises a Rayleigh step or pad. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The segment of claim 10, including an end joint or connection configuration that is adapted for an interconnecting or interlocking with an end joint or connection configuration of an adjacent segment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The segment of claim 13, wherein the static feed of fluid flows substantially in an axial direction and the dynamic feed of fluid flows at least in part in an angled radial direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The segment of claim 10, wherein the segment is comprised of carbon. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The segment of claim 10, wherein the segment is comprised of plastic, or ceramic, or metal. ### Claim 17 A sealing ring assembly comprising: a plurality of radial seal ring segments, each segment having an outer diameter; an inner diameter; a feed cavity; a ramp portion in communication with the feed cavity; a segment trough in communication with the ramp portion; a hydrodynamically-configured lift pad including an entrance; and a sealing dam disposed between the lift pad and the inner diameter; wherein each segment is configured to operatively provide both a static feed of fluid and a dynamic feed of fluid directed toward the lift pad. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The assembly of claim 17, wherein the radial external surface of each segment includes at least one retention groove configured to retain a portion of a spring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The assembly of claim 17, including an anti-rotation feature. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The assembly of claim 17, wherein the ends of each segment include a joint or connection configuration that is adapted for an interconnecting or interlocking with an end joint or connection configuration of an adjacent segment.