A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first seal
A shaft seal assembly for maintaining a seal during shaft misalignment comprising a first sealing means adjacent said shaft with a defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means, said shaft moveable axially in relation to said first sealing means; a second sealing means, said first sealing means partially encompassed within second sealing means and in cooperative communication with said second sealing means; a third sealing means, said second sealing means partially encompassed within third sealing means and in cooperative communication with said third sealing means, said third sealing means attached to said housing or vessel and allowing said first sealing means and second sealing means to cooperatively respond to said forces produced by angular misalignment of said shaft during rotation of said shaft while maintaining defined clearance between said shaft and said sealing means.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed: 1. A shaft seal assembly for isolating a bearing cavity within a housing comprising: a. a shaft extending through a housing; b. a labyrinth seal having first and second opposing surfaces wherein said first surface of said labyrinth seal is cooperatively engaged with said shaft and
What is claimed: 1. A shaft seal assembly for isolating a bearing cavity within a housing comprising: a. a shaft extending through a housing; b. a labyrinth seal having first and second opposing surfaces wherein said first surface of said labyrinth seal is cooperatively engaged with said shaft and wherein said second surface is radiused; c. a passage in said labyrinth seal between said first and second opposing surfaces; d. a floating stator having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein said first surface is radiused and engages with said second surface of said labyrinth seal to create a spherical interface and wherein said floating stator also has first and second opposing faces substantially in perpendicular relation to said shaft; e. a passage in said floating stator from said second surface to said first radiused surface; f. a fixed stator, the exterior of said fixed stator engaged with said housing and wherein said fixed stator has a passage from its exterior to said floating stator; g. an annular channel, said annular channel formed within said fixed stator member, said annular channel having first and second surfaces substantially in perpendicular relation to said shaft; h. an inner annular interface formed by said first perpendicular annular channel surface of said fixed stator cooperatively engaging with said first perpendicular face of said floating stator; i. an outer annular interface formed by said second perpendicular annular channel surface of said fixed stator cooperatively engaging with said second perpendicular face of said floating stator; j. a first and second inner sealing means, said first and second inner sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection with said spherical interface; k. a first outer sealing means, said first outer sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection with said inner annular interface; l. a second outer sealing means, said first outer sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection of said outer annular interface; and, m. said radiused surface of said labyrinth seal member and said floating stator perpendicular faces are moveable within said annular channel of said fixed stator in response to misalignment of said shaft with said housing. 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaft rotates and said shaft seal assembly is stationary. 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaft seal assembly is affixed to a housing which rotates in relation to a stationary shaft. 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 5. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second labyrinth seal member surface and said first surface of said floating stator are arcuate and complimentarily engaged to form a spherical interface. 6. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 7. The invention as set forth in claim 6, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 8. The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 9. The invention as set forth in claim 8, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 10. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 11. The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 12. The invention as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 13. The invention as set forth in claim 11, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 14. The invention as set forth in claim 11, wherein said second labyrinth seal member surface and said first surface of said floating stator are arcuate and complimentarily engaged to form a spherical interface. 15. The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 16. The invention as set forth in claim 15, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 17. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said inner and outer sealing means are comprised of o-ring grooves in cooperation with o-rings. 18. The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein said combination includes a source of sealing fluid. 19. The invention as set forth in claim 18, wherein said sealing fluid is selected from the group consisting of steam, air, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and combinations thereof. 20. The invention as set forth in claim 10, wherein said source of sealing fluid is discharged into said annular channel through said fixed stator passage delivering said sealing fluid through passages in said floating stator and said labyrinth seal member to pressurize said shaft seal assembly thereby restricting contaminant entry into said annular channel. 21. The invention as set forth in claim 20, wherein said sealing fluid is selected from the group consisting of steam, air, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and or combinations thereof. 22. The invention as set forth in claim 21, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 23. The invention as set forth in claim 22, wherein said labyrinth seal exerts a radial force on said floating stator to cause said floating stator to respond to said force. 24. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said labyrinth seal assembly radial surfaces move radially a distance and direction determined by the degree of shaft misalignment. 25. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fixed stator substantially encompasses said floating stator. 26. The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein said fixed stator substantially encompasses said floating stator. 27. The invention as set forth in claim 19, wherein a radial clearance between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft surfaces remain constant during radial movement caused by the misalignment of said shaft. 28. The invention as set forth in claim 18, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 29. The invention as set forth in claim 28, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 30. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 31. The invention as set forth in claim 4, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 32. The invention as set forth in claim 6, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 33. The invention as set forth in claim 10, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 34. The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 35. The invention as set forth in claim 18, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 36. The invention as set forth in claim 20, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 37. The invention as set forth in claim 29, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 38. A shaft seal assembly for isolating a bearing cavity within a housing comprising: a. a shaft extending through a housing; b. a labyrinth seal having first and second opposing surfaces wherein said first surface of said labyrinth seal is cooperatively engaged with said shaft and wherein said second surface is radiused; c. a passage in said labyrinth seal between said first and second opposing surfaces; d. a floating stator having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein said first surface is radiused and engages with said second surface of said labyrinth seal to create a spherical interface and wherein said floating stator also has first and second opposing faces substantially in perpendicular relation to said shaft; e. a passage in said floating stator from said second surface to said first radiused surface; f. a fixed stator, the exterior of said fixed stator engaged with said housing and wherein said fixed stator has a passage from its exterior to said floating stator; g. an annular channel, said annular channel formed within said fixed stator member, said annular channel having first and second surfaces substantially in perpendicular relation to said shaft; h. an inner annular interface formed by said first perpendicular annular channel surface of said fixed stator cooperatively engaging with said first perpendicular face of said floating stator; i. an outer annular interface formed by said second perpendicular annular channel surface of said fixed stator cooperatively engaging with said second perpendicular face of said floating stator; j. a first and second inner sealing means, said first and second inner sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection with said spherical interface; k. a first outer sealing means, said first outer sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection with said inner annular interface; l. a second outer sealing means, said first outer sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection of said outer annular interface; m. a source of sealing fluid; and, n. said radiused surface of said labyrinth seal member and said floating stator perpendicular faces are moveable within said annular channel of said fixed stator in response to misalignment of said shaft with said housing. 39. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein said labyrinth seal has an annular groove perpendicular to and facing said shaft wherein said annular groove is connected to said passages for delivery of sealing fluid to said shaft. 40. The invention as set forth in claim 39, wherein said labyrinth seal has at least two throttle grooves, said throttle grooves having throttles placed therein to contact said shaft and pressurize said shaft seal assembly. 41. The invention as set forth in claim 40, wherein said floating stator has an annular groove perpendicular to said shaft and positioned between said inner sealing means. 42. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 43. The invention as set forth in claim 39, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 44. The invention as set forth in claim 40, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 45. The invention as set forth in claim 41, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 46. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 47. The invention as set forth in claim 39, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 48. The invention as set forth in claim 40, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 49. The invention as set forth in claim 41, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 50. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 51. The invention as set forth in claim 39, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 52. The invention as set forth in claim 40, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 53. The invention as set forth in claim 41, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 54. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 55. The invention as set forth in claim 39, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 56. The invention as set forth in claim 40, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 57. The invention as set forth in claim 41, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 58. The invention as set forth in claim 57, wherein said sealing fluid is selected from the group consisting of steam, air, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and combinations thereof. 59. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein said source of sealing fluid is discharged into said annular channel through said fixed stator passage delivering said sealing fluid through passages in said floating stator and said labyrinth seal member to pressurize said shaft seal assembly thereby restricting contaminant entry into said annular channel. 60. The invention as set forth in claim 39, wherein said source of sealing fluid is discharged into said annular channel through said fixed stator passage delivering said sealing fluid through passages in said floating stator and said labyrinth seal member to pressurize said shaft seal assembly thereby restricting contaminant entry into said annular channel. 61. The invention as set forth in claim 40, wherein said source of sealing fluid is discharged into said annular channel through said fixed stator passage delivering said sealing fluid through passages in said floating stator and said labyrinth seal member to pressurize said shaft seal assembly thereby restricting contaminant entry into said annular channel. 62. The invention as set forth in claim 41, wherein said source of sealing fluid is discharged into said annular channel through said fixed stator passage delivering said sealing fluid through passages in said floating stator and said labyrinth seal member to pressurize said shaft seal assembly thereby restricting contaminant entry into said annular channel. 63. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein the delivery of sealing fluid to the shaft seal assembly may be controlled to allow a purge stream of sealing fluid to exit the shaft seal assembly. 64. The invention as set forth in claim 39, wherein the delivery of sealing fluid to the shaft seal assembly may be controlled to allow a purge stream of sealing fluid to exit the shaft seal assembly. 65. The invention as set forth in claim 40, wherein the delivery of sealing fluid to the shaft seal assembly may be controlled to allow a purge stream of sealing fluid to exit the shaft seal assembly. 66. The invention as set forth in claim 41, wherein the delivery of sealing fluid to the shaft seal assembly may be controlled to allow a purge stream of sealing fluid to exit the shaft seal assembly. 67. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 68. The invention as set forth in claim 6, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 69. The invention as set forth in claim 10, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 70. The invention as set forth in claim 12, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 71. The invention as set forth in claim 18, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 72. The invention as set forth in claim 20, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 73. The invention as set forth in claim 29, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 74. The invention as set forth in claim 30, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 75. The invention as set forth in claim 31, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 76. The invention as set forth in claim 38, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 77. The invention as set forth in claim 41, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 78. The invention as set forth in claim 45, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 79. The invention as set forth in claim 49, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 80. The invention as set forth in claim 53, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 81. The invention as set forth in claim 57, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 82. The invention as set forth in claim 62, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 83. A combination including a vessel, a shaft and a seal assembly comprising: a. a process vessel having walls defining and surrounding an inner space in said process vessel, and wherein said process vessel has an opening in said walls; b. a shaft seal assembly, said shaft seal assembly affixed to said vessel walls at said opening; c. a shaft, said shaft inserted into said shaft seal assembly, wherein said shaft seal assembly is further comprised of: i. a labyrinth seal having first and second opposing surfaces wherein said first surface of said labyrinth seal is cooperatively engaged with said shaft and wherein said second surface is radiused; ii. a passage in said labyrinth seal between said first and second opposing surfaces; iii. a floating stator having first and second opposing surfaces, wherein said first surface is radiused and engages with said second surface of said labyrinth seal to create a spherical interface and wherein said floating stator also has first and second opposing faces substantially in perpendicular relation to said shaft; iv. a passage in said floating stator from said second surface to said first radiused surface; v. a fixed stator, the exterior of said fixed stator engaged with said housing and wherein said fixed stator has a passage from its exterior to said floating stator; vi. an annular channel, said annular channel formed within said fixed stator member, said annular channel having first and second surfaces substantially in perpendicular relation to said shaft; vii. an inner annular interface formed by said first perpendicular annular channel surface of said fixed stator cooperatively engaging with said first perpendicular face of said floating stator; viii. an outer annular interface formed by said second perpendicular annular channel surface of said fixed stator cooperatively engaging with said second perpendicular face of said floating stator; ix. a first and second inner sealing means, said first and second inner sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection with said spherical interface; x. a first outer sealing means, said first outer sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection with said inner annular interface; xi. a second outer sealing means, said first outer sealing means positioned perpendicular to said shaft for continuous sealing intersection of said outer annular interface; and, xii. said radiused surface of said labyrinth seal member and said floating stator perpendicular faces are moveable within said annular channel of said fixed stator in response to misalignment of said shaft with said opening through vessel wall. 84. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said shaft rotates and said shaft seal assembly is stationary. 85. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said shaft seal assembly is affixed to a housing which rotates in relation to a stationary shaft. 86. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 87. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said second labyrinth seal member surface and said first surface of said floating stator are arcuate and complimentarily engaged to form a spherical interface. 88. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 89. The invention as set forth in claim 88, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 90. The invention as set forth in claim 84, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 91. The invention as set forth in claim 90, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 92. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 93. The invention as set forth in claim 84, wherein said first and second inner sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 94. The invention as set forth in claim 92, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 95. The invention as set forth in claim 93, wherein said first and second outer sealing means are comprised of at least two o-ring grooves in cooperation with at least two o-rings. 96. The invention as set forth in claim 93, wherein said second labyrinth seal member surface and said first surface of said floating stator are arcuate and complimentarily engaged to form a spherical interface. 97. The invention as set forth in claim 95, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 98. The invention as set forth in claim 97, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 99. The invention as set forth in claim 85, wherein said inner and outer sealing means are comprised of o-ring grooves in cooperation with o-rings. 100. The invention as set forth in claim 84, wherein said combination includes a source of sealing fluid. 101. The invention as set forth in claim 100, wherein said sealing fluid is selected from the group consisting of steam, air, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and combinations thereof. 102. The invention as set forth in claim 92, wherein said source of sealing fluid is discharged into said annular channel through said fixed stator passage delivering said sealing fluid through passages in said floating stator and said labyrinth seal member to pressurize said shaft seal assembly thereby restricting contaminant entry into said annular channel. 103. The invention as set forth in claim 102, wherein said sealing fluid is selected from the group consisting of steam, air, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and or combinations thereof. 104. The invention as set forth in claim 103, wherein said spherical interface between said labyrinth seal and said floating stator is maintained in response to radial movement of said labyrinth seal produced by misalignment between said shaft and said housing. 105. The invention as set forth in claim 104, wherein said labyrinth seal exerts a radial force on said floating stator to cause said floating stator to respond to said force. 106. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said labyrinth seal assembly radial surfaces move radially a distance and direction determined by the degree of shaft misalignment. 107. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said fixed stator substantially encompasses said floating stator. 108. The invention as set forth in claim 85, wherein said fixed stator substantially encompasses said floating stator. 109. The invention as set forth in claim 101, wherein a radial clearance between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft surfaces remain constant during radial movement caused by the misalignment of said shaft. 110. The invention as set forth in claim 100, wherein said floating stator is prevented from rotating by anti-rotation means. 111. The invention as set forth in claim 110, wherein said anti-rotation means is selected from the group consisting of pins, rods, screws, o-rings and or combinations thereof. 112. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 113. The invention as set forth in claim 86, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 114. The invention as set forth in claim 88, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 115. The invention as set forth in claim 92, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 116. The invention as set forth in claim 95, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 117. The invention as set forth in claim 100, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 118. The invention as set forth in claim 102, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 119. The invention as set forth in claim 111, wherein said labyrinth seal is selected from a group of materials having lubricious qualities consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon and or combinations thereof. 120. The invention as set forth in claim 83, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 121. The invention as set forth in claim 88, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 122. The invention as set forth in claim 92, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 123. The invention as set forth in claim 94, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 124. The invention as set forth in claim 100, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 125. The invention as set forth in claim 102, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 126. The invention as set forth in claim 111, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 127. The invention as set forth in claim 112, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft. 128. The invention as set forth in claim 113, wherein a sleeve is placed between said labyrinth seal member and said shaft.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (10)
Flower, Arnold B.; Teichroeb, Bernard, Air purged shaft seal assembly.
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