Fluid-sealed shaft seal with bores for supplying and discharging fluid

A fluid sealed device for a shaft rotatable in a housing, comprising:

• a first seal ring rotatating with the shaft having a radial surface;
• a second seal ring having a radial surface defining a radial gap with said first seal ring radial surface;
• a packing element connected between the housing and said second seal ring for biasing said second seal ring toward said first seal ring to close said gap;
• said second seal ring having at least one sealing fluid supply bore having a supply opening communicating with said gap and a fluid discharge bore having a discharge opening communicating with said gap at a different radial position from said supply opening;
• sealing fluid supply means connected to said at least one sealing fluid supply bore for supplying sealing fluid to said gap for acting against the biasing of said packing element;
• and
• auxiliary fluid supply means communicating with said gap at a radial position other than that of said supply and discharge openings, for supplying auxiliary fluid to said gap to form a substantially annular zone of elevated pressure with respect to a pressure of said sealing fluid at said discharge opening for reducing escape of sealing fluid radially from said gap.