Patent ID: 7226053
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
1. A shaft seal mechanism structure comprising: a plurality of thin plates arranged in an annular space between a rotor and a stator so as to form an annular thin plate assembly, said thin plates having an outer circumferential end side supported on said stator and having an inner circumferential end side unattached to an outer circumferential surface of said rotor so that said annular thin plate assembly divides said annular space between said rotor and said stator into a higher pressure side area and a lower pressure side area; a fitting member provided on only one side of said plurality of thin plates, wherein said fitting member is arranged downstream of said annular thin plate assembly in an axial direction of said rotor, and said fitting member comprises another seal mechanism that, together with said annular thin plate assembly, divides said annular space into said higher pressure side area and said lower pressure side area; and a concave groove provided within said stator, said concave groove having a minimum groove width larger than a minimum plate width of said thin plates plus said fitting member when seen on a cross section taken along the axis of said rotor, said fitting member being fitted in a gap formed between said concave groove and each of said thin plates in an axial direction of said rotor when each of said thin plates is assembled in said concave groove.