Patent ID: 8919779
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
1. A rotary air-riding seal between a first structure and an adjacent second structure, at least one of said structures being rotatable relative to the other about an axis of rotation, the seal comprising: first and second seal members defining respective seal surfaces in facing relation to one another, the first seal member being provided on the first structure and the second seal member being mounted to the second structure by a primary support arrangement configured to permit axial oscillation of the second seal member and to resiliently bias the second seal member towards the first seal member, wherein at least one of said seal members is configured to generate a riding film of air between said seal surfaces, wherein the first seal member is supported for axial oscillation relative to the second seal member by a secondary support arrangement configured to bias said first seal member towards said second seal member, and wherein said support arrangements are configured such that: said primary support arrangement accommodates relatively low frequency axial movements between said seal members; and said secondary support arrangement accommodates relatively high frequency axial movements between said seal members.