초록 ▼

An annular seal assembly disposed between a shaft surface and a surrounding housing, for example, a seal assembly for an aft-stern tube seal of a sea-going vessel, comprises a nonrotating annular seal element having a circumferentially segmented construction, the segments having overlapping ends. An

An annular seal assembly disposed between a shaft surface and a surrounding housing, for example, a seal assembly for an aft-stern tube seal of a sea-going vessel, comprises a nonrotating annular seal element having a circumferentially segmented construction, the segments having overlapping ends. An inflatable annular member, concentrically disposed between the housing and the seal element, sealingly supports the seal element on the shaft surface at the same time providing some freedom for radial vibrating movements to accommodate shaft-eccentricities and radial vibrating movements of the shaft. The seal assembly includes means to admit a controlled pressurized fluid into the inflatable member. The pressurized fluid may be the outboard sea water or any water or air under pressure. The pressurized fluid is so controlled as to maintain a narrow clearance between the shaft surface and the segmented seal element for a lubricant, regardless of seal wear and variation in the pressure head of the fluid. The segmented seal construction offers better performance over conventional nonsegmented types.

대표청구항 ▼

A shaft seal assembly for sealing a shaft emerging from a housing, the assembly comprising: a shaft around which the seal assembly is applied, radial-contact seal disposed concentric with the shaft and consisting of a plurality of segments which have circumferentially overlapping ends, said contact

A shaft seal assembly for sealing a shaft emerging from a housing, the assembly comprising: a shaft around which the seal assembly is applied, radial-contact seal disposed concentric with the shaft and consisting of a plurality of segments which have circumferentially overlapping ends, said contact seal being disposed coaxially with the shaft within an annular chamber of said housing, the seal assembly including means for nonrotatably and axially supporting the contact seal within said housing, at least one inflatable member inserted in said annular chamber, to peripherally contact said contact seal, conduit means connecting said inflatable member to a supply system of an adjustable pressurized medium for inflating said inflatable member, whereby in use the contact seal segments are radially constrained and forced against the shaft by the pressure of the pressurized medium in said inflatable member in inflated condition.