Patent ID: 8038155
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
1. A non-contacting rotary seal assembly, comprising: a first sealing member, including a first sealing face and a first fixed magnetic element comprising a magnetic ring; a second sealing member, including a second sealing face and a second fixed magnetic element comprising a magnetic ring; the first fixed magnetic element is fixed to the first sealing member, the second fixed magnetic element is fixed to the second sealing member, and the first and second magnetic elements of the first and second sealing members provide a magnetic repulsion force between the first and second fixed magnetic elements; and wherein the magnetic ring of the first sealing member and the magnetic ring of the second sealing member have different diameters, the second sealing member includes a hydrodynamic feature configured to generate a hydrodynamic opening force, magnetic repulsion force separates the first and second sealing faces before the hydrodynamic opening force associated with rotation of the second sealing member become sufficient to prevent the first and second sealing faces from contacting, and the hydrodynamic opening force generated will separate the first and second sealing faces at a distance of less than a few thousandths of an inch.