Patent ID: 6170832
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: F16C,F16J

Abstract:
A virtually frictionless non-contacting fluid ring seal system in combination with a static housing, the combination for use in sealing a fluid medium lubricated bearing chamber located in a bearing housing encircling a rotatable shaft from contaminants in an environment when the fluid ring seal system and the static housing are mounted encircling the rotatable shaft and adjacent the fluid medium lubricated bearing chamber, comprising:a fluid medium sealing segment mountable on the shaft for rotation therewith within, but not in contact with, the static housing and being in fluid flow communication with the lubricated bearing chamber and disposed downstream of the lubricated bearing chamber, said fluid medium sealing segment being configured and effective during rotation to cause an exchange of a fluid medium between itself and the fluid medium lubricated bearing chamber substantially without causing fluid to flow downstream of itself;a contaminant sealing segment mountable on the shaft for rotation therewith within, but not in contact with, the static housing and being in fluid flow communication with the environment and disposed downstream of the fluid medium sealing segment, said contaminant sealing segment being configured and effective during rotation to cause an exchange of a fluid between itself and the environment substantially without causing fluid to flow upstream of itself;a stator extending inwardly from the static housing toward the shaft to a non-contacting position adjacent thereto, said stator running between the fluid medium sealing segment and the contaminant sealing segment so as to separate one from the other and said stator having an arm extending into each sealing segment for substantially preventing the exchange of fluid or fluid medium between the sealing segments.