Patent ID: 6401746
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A rotating union for transferring a material stream from a material provider to a material recipient arranged for mutual relative rotation, comprising:a generally cylindrical body; a generally annular sleeve arranged to surround said body over a portion of said body's axial length; first and second bearings located between said body and said sleeve, said bearings being axially spaced from each other; a material stream passage extending in said body (body passage) a material stream passage extending in said sleeve (sleeve passage); a dynamically sealed material transfer interface extending between said body passage and said sleeve passage; a leakage collection area located to receive material that leaks out of said material transfer interface; a barrier fluid contained in said leakage collection area, said barrier fluid being selected to carry material that leaks out of said material transfer interface into said leakage collection area; and a barrier fluid circulation system for removing said barrier fluid carrying said material from said leakage collection area, and continuously returning clean barrier fluid to said rotating union as it is in operation to prevent said material from contacting said bearings.