Fluid activated shaft seal

A fluid activated shaft bulkhead seal system comprising:

• an annular carrier fixed with respect to a bulkhead and about a shaft extending through the bulkhead and the annular carrier;
• the annular carrier including an inward ring portion about and spaced from the shaft;
• the annular carrier supporting a pair of lip seals, one on each side of the ring portion, each lip seal defining an outwardly facing pocket between a lip portion spaced from the shaft and a portion abutting the inward ring portion;
• a foam body in the pocket of each lip seal;
• each foam body including a gel material configured to expand in the presence of fluid urging the lip portions of the lip seals into contact with the shaft to seal the annular carrier with respect to the shaft;
• and
• annular retainers, one mated to each side of the annular carrier, each retainer retaining a said foam body in the pocket of each lip seal.