Inventors:
Philip C. Stein - Philadelphia PA
International Classification:
F16J 1542
Abstract:
A seal for sealing between a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft concentric with the outer shaft has a seal ring with a plurality of segments extending around the inner shaft. The seal ring has an outer circumferential face confronting the inner surface of the outer shaft, a first side face exposed to a region of high pressure and a second side face confronting a mating ring secured to the inner shaft and having a portion thereof exposed to a region of lower pressure. A segmented compensating ring extends around the inner shaft and spaced from the seal ring in the region of high pressure. A flange secured to the inner shaft limits the axial movement of the compensating ring away from the seal ring. A continuous balancing ring between the seal ring and the compensating ring has a pair of conical faces mating with conical faces on the seal ring and compensating ring, respectively. Advantageously, hydrodynamic and closed pockets in the bearing surfaces are used to vary the contact forces.