Carbon seal contaminant barrier system

In combination:

• a gas turbine engine;
• a mechanical housing within said gas turbine engine;
• a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing;
• a first sealing element coupled to said housing;
• a second sealing element connected to said shaft, said second sealing element arranged adjacent to said first sealing element to form rubbing interface therebetween;
• and
• a passageway for the delivery of a pressurized gas adjacent said first sealing element to reduce the impingement of a contaminant onto said first sealing element.

In combination:

• a gas turbine engine;
• a mechanical housing within said gas turbine engine;
• a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing;
• a first sealing element coupled to said housing;
• a second sealing element connected to said shaft, said second sealing element arranged adjacent to said first sealing element to form rubbing interface therebetween;
• a third sealing element positioned adjacent said second sealing element for substantially reducing the flow of a contaminant to said first sealing element;
• and
• a baffle connecting to said housing and positioned radially from said second sealing element for reducing the impingement of the contaminant on said third sealing element.

In combination:

• a gas turbine engine;
• a mechanical housing within said gas turbine engine;
• a shaft rotatably mounted within said housing;
• a first sealing element coupled to said housing;
• a second sealing element connected to said shaft, said second sealing element arranged adjacent to said first sealing element to form rubbing interface therebetween;
• and
• a lip seal arranged adjacent said first sealing element to form a rubbing interface with said second sealing element, said lip seal wiping the outer surface of said second sealing element to reduce the flow of a fluid to said first sealing element.

In combination:

• a gas turbine engine;
• a mechanical housing within said gas turbine engine;
• a shaft rotatable within said housing;
• a carbon sealing element coupled to said housing;
• a seal runner coupled to said shaft and being positioned adjacent said carbon sealing element to form a substantially fluid tight seal therebetween;
• and
• an annular member spaced from said carbon sealing element and around said seal runner so as to limit the passage of contaminants to said carbon seal without causing contaminants to be pulled back into said carbon seal.