Sealing device, sealing system, and method for sealing a leakage flow at a machine element

Sealing device for sealing a leakage flow on a machine element which is circular in cross section of a working machine working with a working fluid under high pressure, wherein the sealing device comprises:

• a tubular housing having an upstream end and a downstream end and through which the machine element which is circular in cross section can extend,
• an upstream pressure chamber which is arranged at the upstream end of the housing,
• a downstream pressure chamber which is arranged at the downstream end of the housing,
• a sealing element which is arranged between the upstream pressure chamber and the downstream pressure chamber and is mounted within the housing and which rests sealingly at least in portions against the machine element moving relative to the sealing element,
• a bypass line running around the sealing element, which bypass line is arranged to run at least in portions within the housing and which is designed to fluidly connect the upstream pressure chamber to the downstream pressure chamber, and
• a throttle element designed to reduce the pressure of a leakage fluid flowing from the upstream pressure chamber through the bypass line to the downstream pressure chamber by a predetermined pressure difference which is arranged between the upstream pressure chamber and the downstream pressure chamber in the bypass line, wherein the leakage fluid is a part of the working fluid under high pressure.