Dry gas seal with electronically controlled carrier load
AssigneeJohn Crane UK Limited
InventorRaphael Rouillon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical seal assembly with an electronically controllable carrier load. The assembly includes a magnetic ring affixed to the carrier and driven by a solenoid. The solenoid can apply an axial force to the carrier. The carrier load can be controlled to prevent or reduce friction between the primary ring and mating ring in slow-roll running conditions by partially or completely compensating a spring force provided by a biasing mechanism. The carrier load can further be controlled to inhibit seal hang-up. In embodiments, desired the carrier load can be determined by rotational speed. In embodiments, carrier load can be determined based on sensor signals.
Claims6
A method of inhibiting hang-up in a mechanical seal assembly, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a controller, a signal indicative of shaft stand-still;
- and
- providing, by the controller, a pulse-width modulated signal to a magnetic actuator, the signal configured to cause the actuator to apply an oscillating axial force to a carrier, wherein the axial force has an amplitude that is sufficient to compensate a spring preload force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.