Patent ID: 6485024
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
A split mechanical face seal comprising:a rotating seal ring assembly comprising a rigid seal ring of split ring segments forming rotating seal ring faces and a pair of attachable body ring segments holding said rotating seal ring segments together when said body ring segments are attached; a stationary seal ring assembly comprising a rigid seal ring of split ring segments forming stationary seal ring faces and a pair of attachable housing segments holding said stationary seal ring segments together when said housing segments are attached; a single segment retainer ring having a split forming first and second opposing end faces, said retainer ring being made of a material that has sufficient flexibility such that said first and second end faces can be spread apart by a distance at least equal to the diameter of the circle formed when said first and second end faces are in engagement, said retainer ring having first and second axially facing surfaces, said retainer ring being operatively engaged with said stationary seal ring segments; and at least one resilient member carried by said retainer ring and extending from said second axially facing surface, said housing segments forming axially facing abutments for operative engagement by said resilient member when said housing segments are attached whereby said retainer ring exerts a biasing force against said stationary seal ring faces in a direction toward said rotating seal ring faces.