초록 ▼

A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, an

A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads including a scooping groove. The scooping groove is positioned at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove and provides for a transition flow between the one or more pads and the transverse groove.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the segment comprising: a radial external surface; a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member; a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment; and one or

What is claimed is: 1. A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the segment comprising: a radial external surface; a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member; a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment; and one or more pads, each of the one or more pads including a scooping groove at or in proximity to the transverse groove, a ramped portion adjacent to the edge of the scooping groove, and a plateau adjacent to the edge of the ramped portion; wherein the scooping groove has an increasing depth moving in a direction toward the transverse groove, and the scooping groove including a transition portion between the transverse groove and the ramped portion of the pad. 2. The segment of claim 1, wherein the pad is comprised of a Rayleigh step or pad. 3. The segment of claim 1, wherein the transverse groove is semicircular. 4. The segment of claim 1, wherein the scooping groove transitions directly into the transverse groove. 5. The segment of claim 1, wherein the ramped portion transitions into the plateau. 6. The segment of claim 1, wherein the plateau is adjacent or in proximity to another transverse groove. 7. The segment of claim 1, wherein the scooping groove has a depth greater than the greatest depth of the ramped portion. 8. The segment of claim 1, wherein the segment includes a joint or connection configuration at each radial end that is configured for connection to another segment. 9. The segment of claim 8, wherein the segment includes a joint or connection configuration that is adapted for an interconnecting or interlocking with a joint or connection of an adjacent segment. 10. The segment of claim 1, wherein the segment is configured for connection with an external housing that receives the segment. 11. The segment of claim 10, wherein the segment is configured such that when connected with the external housing the segment does not rotate relative to the housing. 12. The segment of claim 1, wherein the volume associated with the scooping groove is configured to provide room for the efficient flow of an associated fluid between the transverse groove and a sloped or ramped portion of the pad. 13. The segment of claim 1, wherein the scooping groove is at least four times longer than its deepest radial dimension. 14. The segment of claim 1, wherein the scooping groove includes a side wall on both a high pressure and low-pressure side of the scooping groove. 15. The segment of claim 1, wherein the scooping groove functions as a reservoir and feeds air to the ramped portion. 16. The segment of claim 1, wherein the segment is comprised of carbon. 17. The segment of claim 1, wherein the segment is comprised of plastic. 18. The segment of claim 1, wherein the segment is comprised of ceramic. 19. The segment of claim 1, wherein the segment is comprised of metal. 20. A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the segment comprising: a radial external surface; a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member; a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment; and a plurality of pads including a plateau, a ramped portion adjacent the plateau, and a scooping groove adjacent the ramped portion and at or in proximity to the transverse groove; wherein the ramped portion transitions into the scooping groove with an increasing depth moving in a direction toward the transverse groove, the scooping groove has a depth greater than the greatest depth of the ramped portion, and the scooping groove including a transition portion between the transverse groove and the ramped portion. 21. A segmented seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the assembly comprising: a plurality of segments including a radial outer surface, a radial inner surface for sealing against said rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads that create lift augmentation pressure, the one or more pads including a scooping groove at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove; a ramped portion adjacent to the edge of the scooping groove; and a plateau adjacent to the edge of the ramped portion; wherein the scooping groove has an increasing depth moving in a direction toward the transverse groove, and the scooping groove including a transition portion between the transverse groove and the ramped portion of the pad. 22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the assembly is ring-shaped. 23. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the assembly is comprised of three segments. 24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein each segment of the assembly covers a radial portion or extent of approximately 120°.