# US 2024/0200523 A1 · Sealing system for underwater turbine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0200523 A1 - Document ID: US20240200523A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/530,365 - Filed: 2023-12-06 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-20 - Assignees: Aktiebolaget Skf - Applicants: Aktiebolaget Skf - Inventors: Matthias Hofmann; Michael Baumann; Marcel MEMMEL - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200523A1 ## CPC - F03B 11/006: {Sealing arrangements (F03B3/14, F03B3/183, F03B13/083 takes precedence; sealings in general F16J)} - F16J 15/002: {comprising at least two sealings in succession (F16J15/162, F16J15/40 take precedence)} - F16C 33/783: {of the mounting region} - F16C 33/7896: {with two or more discrete sealings arranged in series} - F16J 15/004: {forming of recuperation chamber for the leaking fluid} - F16J 15/322: supported in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces - F16J 15/324: Arrangements for lubrication or cooling of the sealing itself - F05B 2240/57: Seals - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A sealing system for sealing a rotatable shaft of an underwater turbine against an entry of seawater includes a first seal support and a second seal support arranged axially adjacent to the first seal support along the shaft and a first seal element supported by the first seal support and a second seal element supported by the second seal support. The first and second seal elements each have an annular seal body and a lip extending from the seal body to a sealing surface on or rotationally fixed to the rotatable shaft, and at least one lubricant-filled chamber exists between the first and second seal supports and the shaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sealing system for sealing a rotatable shaft of an underwater turbine against an entry of seawater, comprising: a first seal support and a second seal support arranged axially adjacent to the first seal support along the shaft, and a first seal element supported by the first seal support and a second seal element supported by the second seal support, the first and second seal elements each comprising an annular seal body and a lip extending from the seal body to a sealing surface on or rotationally fixed to the rotatable shaft, and at least one lubricant-filled chamber between the first and/or second seal supports and the shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the first seal support has a through-borehole fluidically connected to the chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sealing system according to claim 2, wherein the through-borehole extends radially and includes a radially outermost first threaded portion and a second threaded portion radially adjacent to the first threaded portion, and wherein a diameter of the first threaded portion is greater than a diameter of the second threaded portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein a first axial direction along the shaft is a forward direction and a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction is a rearward direction, wherein the first seal support includes a forward surface and a cutout in the forward surface in which the seal body of the first seal element is mounted and a projection extending forward from a radially inner portion of the cutout having a radially outer conical surface extending between a portion of the lip of the first seal element and the rotatable shaft, and wherein the second seal support includes a rear surface abutting the forward surface of the first seal support, a projection extending rearward and supporting a radially inner portion of the seal body of the first seal element, and a cutout facing the lip of the first seal element and, with the lip of the first seal element, at least partially defining a first one of the at least one lubricant-filled chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sealing system according to claim 4, wherein the second seal support includes a forward surface and a cutout in the forward surface of the second seal support in which the second seal body is mounted and a projection extending forward from a radially inner portion of the cutout of the second seal support having a radially outer conical surface extending between a portion of the lip of the second seal element and the rotatable shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sealing system according to claim 5, including a third seal support having a rear surface abutting the forward surface of the second seal support and a projection extending rearward and supporting a radially inner portion of the seal body of the second seal element and a cutout facing the lip of the second seal element and defining with the lip of the second seal element a second one of the at least one lubricant-filled chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The sealing system according to claim 6, wherein a portion of the second seal support axially overlies a portion of the first seal support. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The sealing system according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second seal supports includes, at a radially outer region of the respective one of the seal supports, a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded boreholes configured to receive a threaded fastener. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sealing system according to claim 8, wherein an outer diameter of the first seal support is greater than an outer diameter of the second seal support such that the boreholes of the first seal support are not covered by the second seal support. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The sealing system according claim 9, wherein the third seal support includes an annular groove in a radially inwardly facing surface and an O-ring in the groove. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The sealing system according to claim 9, including a fourth seal support having a rear surface configured to be mounted against a housing or bearing ring surrounding the shaft, the fourth seal support including an annular groove in the rear surface and an O-ring in the annular groove, wherein the fourth seal support includes a first borehole portion extending radially from a radially outer surface of the fourth seal support to a location inside the fourth seal support and a second borehole portion extending axially from the location to an opening at the rear surface of the fourth seal support, and wherein the opening at the rear surface of the fourth seal support is located radially inward of the annular groove in the rear surface of the fourth seal support. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sealing system according claim 11, wherein the third seal support is a forwardmost seal support of the sealing system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sealing system according to claim 12, wherein the first seal support and the second seal support are located between the fourth seal support and the third seal support. ### Claim 14 The sealing system according to 12, wherein an outer diameter of the fourth seal support is greater than the outer diameter of the first seal support, and wherein the outer diameter of the second seal support is greater than an outer diameter of the third seal support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The sealing system according to claim 12, including a contact sleeve mounted on the shaft and including the surface rotationally fixed relative to the shaft, wherein the contact sleeve includes an annular groove on a radially inner surface and an O-ring in the groove on the radially inner surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The sealing system according to claim 15, wherein the contact sleeve includes a borehole having an axial borehole portion and a radial borehole portion, wherein the radial borehole portion extends from the axial borehole portion to the radial inner surface of the contact sleeve axially rearward of the annular groove on the radially inner surface of the contact sleeve, and wherein the axial borehole portion has a forwardmost portion having a first diameter, a central portion having a diameter less than the first diameter and a rearwardmost portion having a third diameter less than the second diameter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The sealing system according to claim 16, wherein the contacting sleeve is press-fitted onto the rotatable component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein a first one of the at least one lubricant filled chamber is at least partially defined by a radially outer surface of the lip of the first seal element and by the second seal support. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the lip of the first seal support extends axially between the second seal support and the shaft. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the second seal support extends axially between the seal body of the first seal element and the lip of the first seal element.