Internally pressurized and lubricated shaft seals and bearings for pumps

Abstract

A device for sealing a pump that includes a sealing ring with an interface for mechanically interacting with a shaft of the pump, and a cavity accessible by an orifice with a filler valve. Said cavity is configured to be pressurized with a medium during pump operation, and the sealing ring is configured to increase pressure on the shaft when the medium is added, and to reduce pressure on the shaft when the medium is removed. A system for pumping a material that includes a pump, comprising an impeller for moving the material, a shaft for turning the impeller, and a seal for preventing contact between the material and the shaft. Wherein the seal includes an interface for mechanically interacting with the shaft, and a cavity for selectively pressurizing or depressurizing the seal during operation of the pump.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.