Patent ID: 6070880
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
A combination comprising:a double mechanical seal including two seals and a gland housing adapted to receive a rotatable shaft so as to define a cavity for barrier fluid between said two seals, said gland housing and the rotatable shaft;a header vessel for storing barrier fluid and disposed above the double mechanical seal;an inlet pipe for directing barrier fluid from the header vessel to the double mechanical seal;an outlet pipe for recirculating barrier fluid back to the header vessel;an auxiliary pump for circulating the barrier fluid and located between the header vessel and the inlet;means for coupling the rotatable shaft to the pump so as to power the pump from the rotatable shaft;by-pass means operatively connected to the pump so as to be in a first condition, when the pump is running, in which fluid flow is directed through the pump, and in a second condition, when the pump is not running, when fluid flow by-passes the pump,whereby the combination provides pumped fluid to the cavity when the shaft is rotating and thermosyphon supply to the cavity when the shaft is not rotating.