Compliant mounting of an axial face seal assembly

Abstract

A axial face seal assembly includes first and second structures rotatable relative to one another about an axis. A carrier supports a seal that engages the second structure. The carrier is configured to move along the axis. First and second springs operatively are arranged between the first structure and the carrier. The first and second springs are configured to bias the carrier relative to the second structure respectively in first and second directions along the axis for providing a desired closing force on the second structure. A method of sealing a rotating structure includes biasing a seal toward a rotating sealing surface with a first spring to provide a desired axial closing force. The axial position of the seal relative to the rotating sealing surface is changed to an undesired axial closing force. The seal is biased with a second spring to achieve the desired axial closing force.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.