Patent ID: 6840518
Filing Date: 2005-01-11
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
1. A brush seal for sealing between a rotating shaft and a housing, the brush seal comprising: a) an annular head portion coaxial with the shaft and mounted on the housing; b) an annular array of bristles extending from the head portion toward the shaft for contact therewith at their end portions; and c) a rigid annular support having axially opposed annular surfaces and extending from the head portion toward the shaft and providing the array of bristles with support against axial deflection due to pressure differences across the seal, wherein the support includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart slots that extend outwards from a radially innermost surface of the support toward the head portion, the slots having radial and axial dimensions sufficient to allow the support to plastically deform in a radial direction by at least partial occlusion of the slots, and without significant plastic deformation in an axial direction, when there is rubbing contact between the support and the shaft.