Patent ID: 8011668
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
1. A mechanical seal comprising at least one pair of seal members including a stationary seal member having a stationary seal face and a rotary seal member having a rotary seal face, the stationary seal face and rotary seal face being axially biased together by one or more biasing members, a gland member surrounding at least a portion of said stationary seal face, sealing means provided between said gland member and said stationary seal face and configured to provide sealing therebetween, and a cavity which radially extends into said gland member at a position where the gland member surrounds at least a portion of said stationary seal face and which opens onto an outer surface of said stationary seal member without opening onto said rotary seal member so that the cavity is not in fluid contact with the rotary seal member, the mechanical seal further comprising inlet and outlet orifices extending between said cavity and an outer surface of the gland member, wherein said cavity is an annular cavity which surrounds and is radially outside said stationary seal face, and said cavity is devoid of said stationary seal member.