Seal runner and method

A seal runner assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a non-rotational annular wear seal, and an annular seal runner having an annular body defining an annular front face contacting the wear seal, the annular body defining an aperture extending axially through the seal runner, the aperture configured for receiving therein a part of a shaft of the gas turbine engine, the seal runner having a plurality of axially-extending slots at locations that are distributed around a wall of the seal runner that extends circumferentially about at least a portion of the annular front face and extends from the front face in a direction away from the wear seal. A method for sealing a gap between a part of a machine and a rotatable shaft of the machine is also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology relates generally to aircraft engines, and more particularly to seals for rotating components in a gas turbine engine.

BACKGROUND

Contact seals, often called carbon seals, are commonly used to provide a fluid seal around a rotating shaft, particularly high speed rotating shafts used in high temperature environments such as in gas turbine engines. Prior art contact seals are usually suitable for their intended purposes. However, in some operating conditions of some applications, such as aircraft engine applications, gearbox applications, and starter/alternator applications for example, prior art contact seals may become deformed, with possible consequences being premature failure, leakage, and the like.

Accordingly, improved shaft contact seals are sought.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is provided a seal runner assembly for a gas turbine engine, comprising: a non-rotational annular wear seal; and an annular seal runner having an annular body defining an annular front face contacting the wear seal, the annular body defining an aperture extending axially through the seal runner, the aperture configured for receiving therein a part of a shaft of the gas turbine engine, the seal runner having a plurality of axially-extending slots at locations that are distributed around a wall of the seal runner that extends circumferentially about at least a portion of the annular front face and extends from the front face in a direction away from the wear seal.

In some embodiments, the wall is an annular wall that defines a circumferential slot extending: a) circumferentially in the annular wall, and b) radially through the annular wall.

In some embodiments, the circumferential slot is disposed between an adjacent pair of the axially-extending slots, and the axially-extending slots are open at a rear face of the annular body, the rear face being opposite the front face.

In some embodiments, the circumferential slot is a plurality of circumferential slots that define in the annular wall at least one of: axially-extending ribs, and circumferentially-extending ribs.

In some embodiments, a given axially-extending rib of the axially-extending ribs is disposed between a pair of adjacent axially-extending slots of the axially-extending slots, and a given circumferentially-extending rib of the circumferentially-extending ribs connects a portion of the seal runner defining a first axially-extending slot of the pair of adjacent axially-extending slots to a portion of the seal runner defining a second axially-extending slot of the pair of adjacent axially-extending slots.

In some embodiments, the circumferentially-extending ribs define a rear face of the seal runner.

In some embodiments, the seal runner has a depth that is orthogonal to and extends axially between the front face and the rear face, and the axially-extending slots have an axial length that is between 20% and 70% of the depth.

In some embodiments, portions of the annular wall of the seal runner defining the axially-extending slots are radially-inwardly offset relative to portions of the annular wall of the seal runner defining the circumferential slots.

In some embodiments, a given axially-extending slot of the axially-extending slots is one of: U-shaped, V-shaped, and rectangular.

In some embodiments, the axially-extending slots are equidistantly spaced relative to each other around the circumference of the seal runner, and the circumferential slots are equidistantly spaced relative to each other around the circumference of the seal runner.

In another aspect there is provided a machine, comprising: a shaft rotatable about a rotation axis relative to a part of the machine; a non-rotational annular wear seal; and an annular seal runner having an annular body defining an annular front face contacting the wear seal, the annular body defining an aperture extending axially through the seal runner, the aperture receiving the shaft therein, the seal runner defining therein a plurality of axially-extending slots at locations that are distributed around a circumference of the seal runner, the axially-extending slots matingly receiving respective parts of the shaft therein.

In some embodiments, the annular seal runner includes a circumferential wall extending at least in part around the shaft and defines a circumferential slot in the circumferential wall, the circumferential slot extending: a) circumferentially in the circumferential wall, and b) radially through the circumferential wall.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the annular seal runner is mounted over the shaft coaxially with the shaft, and further comprising an annular seal disposed between the at least a part of the annular seal runner and the shaft.

In some embodiments, the machine includes axially-extending ribs disposed between the axially-extending slots.

In some embodiments, the annular seal runner includes a rear face opposite the front face, and the axially-extending slots are open at the rear face.

In some embodiments, the machine includes ribs extending circumferentially between the axially-extending slots.

In some embodiments, the circumferential slot is a plurality of circumferential slots, a given circumferential slot of the circumferential slots being disposed between adjacent ones of the axially-extending slots.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the circumferential wall defines a space between a radially outer surface of the shaft and the part of the circumferential wall.

In another aspect there is provided a method for sealing a gap between a part of a machine and a rotatable shaft of the machine, comprising: rotating the shaft; contacting a front annular face of a seal runner against a wear seal to seal the gap; and spreading a load on the seal runner from the shaft via annular segments of the seal runner extending at least in part around the shaft and separated by slots.

In some embodiments, the method includes unstiffening the front annular face of the seal runner with the axially-oriented slots.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a seal runner, comprising: forming an annular body having a planar annular front face and an annular rear face opposite the front face, forming in the annular body a plurality of axially-extending slots open at the rear face and distributed at equidistant locations about a circumference of the annular body, and forming in the circumference of the annular body a plurality of circumferential slots between adjacent ones of the axially-extending slots and extending: a) circumferentially in the annular body, and b) radially through the annular body.

In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing comprises defining a groove in a radially inner surface of the annular body, the groove extending circumferentially around the radially inner surface.

Further details of these and other aspects of the present technology will be apparent from the detailed description and figures included below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology is illustrated herein as being used with a gas turbine engine10, shown inFIG. 1. However, the gas turbine engine10is a non-limiting example of a machine having a rotatable shaft with respect to which the present technology may be used. The present technology may likewise be used with respect to other shaft(s) of the engine10and/or with respect to other types of machine having a rotatable shaft, and/or with respect to other applications. For example, in some embodiments the present technology may be implemented in a starter/alternator, a gearbox, or other machine having a rotating shaft. In some such cases, the shaft(s) may be sealed by a prior art contact seal assembly for example. In some such cases, a contact seal assembly according to the present technology may replace the prior art contact seal assembly. In some such cases, a seal runner according to the present technology may replace a prior art seal runner of the prior art contact seal assembly.

In the depicted embodiment, the turbine section18comprises a low pressure turbine17and a high pressure turbine19. The engine10also preferably includes at least two rotating main engine shafts, namely a first inner shaft11interconnecting the fan12with the low pressure turbine17, and a second outer shaft13interconnecting the compressor14with the high pressure turbine19. The inner and outer main engine shafts11and13are concentric and rotate about the centerline axis15which is preferably collinear with their longitudinal axes.

The main engine shafts11,13may be supported at one or more points by one or more bearings (B), and may extend through one or more cavities (C). One of the one or more bearings (B) and one of cavities (C) are shown inFIG. 2. Referring toFIG. 2, depending on the particular application of the present technology, a gap (IN) between a given shaft, such as the shaft13in this non-limiting example, and a structure defining a given cavity (C) associated with the shaft13may need to be fluidly sealed.

As a non-limiting example, the gap (IN) may lead from the given cavity (C) to another space (SP), which may be for example another cavity that may be part of the engine/machine10or may be part of a component or other machine connected to the engine/machine10. As another non-limiting example, the other space (SP) may be the atmosphere or a space that is open to atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the given cavity (C) may be under a pressure (P1) that may be greater or lower than a pressure (P2) of the space (SP) from which the given cavity (C) may need to be sealed.

For sealing the given cavity (C) from the other space(s) (SP), one or more contact seal assemblies20may be provided. In the present non-limiting application in the engine10, the one or more contact seal assemblies20may be provided to ensure sealing about the shaft(s)11,13of the engine at several points along their respective lengths to prevent unwanted fluid leaking from one engine cavity to another. For example, compressed air in a main engine gas path of the engine10may be kept separate from secondary cooling air or bearing lubrication oil in bearing cavities and cooling cavities of the engine10that may be adjacent to the main engine gas path.

Referring toFIG. 2, an example of the one or more contact seal assemblies20is shown as sealing the gap (IN) defined between the shaft13of the engine10and a part10P of the engine10defining a given cavity (C) of the engine10, through/into which the shaft13extends as shown. In this embodiment, the contact seal assembly20includes a wear seal22that is mounted in a fixed position relative to and proximate to the shaft13. The wear seal22may be a carbon seal, and is hence referred to herein as carbon seal22, but may be made of other materials that may wear at a greater rate than a seal runner which rubs against the wear seal22. Stated otherwise, in this embodiment the carbon seal22does not rotate with the shaft13about the rotation axis15. In this embodiment, and although not necessarily the case in other embodiments, the carbon seal22is annular and received at least in part over the shaft13.

In this embodiment, and although not necessarily the case in other embodiments, the carbon seal22is connected to the engine/machine10via a spring24A and an annular seal24B. The spring24A biases the carbon seal22as described below. An alternative to the spring24A may be a magnetic arrangement with a permanent magnet and ferromagnetic component, for example. The annular seal24B helps create a fluidly sealed gap between the engine/machine10and a radially outward surface of the carbon seal22. In other embodiments, a different interconnection may be used. Anti-rotation features, such as pin and groove, pin and slot, etc, may be present to ensure that the carbon seal22does not rotate relative to the structure while in at least some embodiments having the capability of translating as a response to the biasing.

The carbon seal22may be conventional. For example, the carbon seal22may include one or more carbon ring segments which form a circumferentially interrupted annular carbon ring assembly. The carbon ring segments22may be arcuate and/or stacked carbon segments which may be circumferentially arranged around a respective portion of the shaft13and/or at least proximate to the shaft13. Each particular embodiment of the carbon seal22may be selected to suit each particular embodiment of the engine/machine10and/or each particular shaft with respect to which the contact seal assembly20may be used.

Referring still toFIGS. 2 to 3B, the contact seal assembly20further includes a seal runner26. As best shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, in this embodiment and although not necessarily the case in other embodiments, the seal runner26is annular, formed of an annular body having an axial aperture27that extends axially (i.e. in an axial direction (XA)) through the seal runner26, and a circumferential wall30that extends circumferentially about at least a portion of a front face26B of the seal runner26, and in this embodiment extends around an entirety of the aperture27. The wall30extends from a front face26B of the seal runner26in a direction away from the wear seal22. In this embodiment, the direction is axial relative to the rotation axis15. In this embodiment, the axial aperture27is coaxial with the shaft13when the seal runner26is in use.

In this embodiment, the seal runner26is defined by a single-piece body which may be made using for example conventional material(s) and manufacturing method, such as3D printing, moulding and/or machining for example, which may be selected to suit each particular embodiment and application of the contact seal assembly20. The single-piece body may be monolithic in an embodiment. In other embodiments, the seal runner26may be made from multiple interconnected parts using materials and manufacturing methods, which may be conventional, and which may be selected to suit each particular embodiment and application of the contact seal assembly20.

As shown inFIG. 2, the seal runner26is fixed to the shaft13for rotation with the shaft13about the rotation axis15, via one or more anti-rotation features. In this embodiment, and as best shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the one or more anti-rotation features include axially-extending slots28defined in the seal runner26and extending therein in the axial direction (XA). In the present embodiment, the axially-extending slots28are defined in the circumferential wall30. As shown, the axially-extending slots28are distributed at equidistant locations about a circumference31of the seal runner26. In this embodiment and although not necessarily the case in other embodiments, the axially-extending slots28are U-shaped, and are open at a rear face26A of the seal runner26. In some embodiments, the anti-rotation features may include additional elements for carrying out the functionality of the anti-rotation features as described herein.

The axially-extending slots28being open at the rear face26A allows the seal runner26to be slid over a respective part of the shaft13such that respective parts13A of the shaft13, which may be suitably sized projections13A for example, are received into and engage respective ones of the axially-extending slots28. Stated otherwise, the axially-extending slots28may be shaped to receive therein and mateably engage respective parts of the shaft13to non-rotationally secure the seal runner26to the shaft13.

For the purposes of this document, the term “axially-extending” with respect to a slot means that the slot extends at least sufficiently in the axial direction (XA) to define an abutment area that is sufficient to provide the mated engagement with the respective portion(s) of the shaft13received in that slot to non-rotationally secure the seal runner26with respect to the shaft13. While the shape of the slots28may provide certain advantages, the axially-extending slots28may be sized and/or positioned and/or shaped differently than illustrated in the figures. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the slots28may have an axial length28A, and a width (unlabeled) in a circumferential direction (XC), with the width being greater than the axial length28A. As another example, in some embodiments, one or more of the slots28may and/or the shaft13may be shaped differently, and/or at least some of the slots28may not be open at the rear face26A.

Still referring toFIG. 2, the rear face26A of the seal runner26is opposite the front face26B of the seal runner26. As best shown inFIG. 3B, the front face26B in this embodiment is planar and annular. As shown, the seal runner26has a depth29that is orthogonal to and extends axially between the rear face26A and the front face26B. In this embodiment, the axially-extending slots28have an axial length28A, only one of which has been labeled to maintain clarity, which are all equal to each other and are about 40% of the depth29of the seal runner26. In some embodiments, the axially-extending slots28may have one or more differing length(s). In some embodiments, the length of a given axially-extending slot28may be between 20% and 70% of the depth29of the seal runner26. While such arrangements of the axially-extending slots28may provide advantages in some applications, in other embodiments different arrangements/sizing may be used.

When the contact seal assembly20is assembled, as shown inFIG. 2, the front face26B abuts the carbon seal22and forms a sealed rotational interface between the front face26B and the carbon seal22. The sealed rotational interface is in a generally radial plane relative to the centerline axis15. In this embodiment, and although this may be different in other embodiments, the carbon seal22is biased against the front face26B of the seal runner26by the spring24A to help create and maintain the sealed rotational gap. When the shaft13and the seal runner26rotate about the rotation axis15, the seal runner26rotates relative to the carbon seal22while maintaining the sealed rotational gap at least substantially impermeable to fluid(s) that may be present in the cavity (C) and/or space (SP) that are at least substantially fluidly separated by the contact seal assembly20. As non-limiting examples, such fluid(s) may be one or more of air, coolant, lubricant, exhaust gases, and the like, depending on each particular application of the contact seal assembly20.

As seen inFIG. 2, the sealed rotational gap in this embodiment is annular and disposed over the shaft13. The sealed rotational gap thus prevents or at least limits ingress therethrough of fluid(s) that may be present in the cavity (C) at a given pressure (P1) and which may act on the sealed rotational gap as shown with arrows34into either of: i) a fixed interface between a radially inward surface26C of the seal runner26and a radially outward surface13B of the shaft13, or ii) a rotational gap38between a radially inward surface22A of the carbon seal22and the radially outward surface13B of the shaft13.

In the present embodiment, to help prevent or limit entry of the fluid(s) from the cavity (C) into the rotational gap38, the seal runner26defines a groove40in its radially inner surface26C. The groove40extends circumferentially around the radially inner surface26C of the seal runner26and receives therein an annular seal42. The annular seal42contacts the radially outward surface13B of the shaft13and thereby helps seal the fixed gap36associated with the seal runner26. It is contemplated that a different sealing arrangement may be used.

Now referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, in this embodiment the seal runner26defines circumferential slots44therein, only some of which are labeled to maintain clarity. In this embodiment, and although not necessarily the case in other embodiments, the circumferential slots44are equidistantly spaced relative to each other around the circumference31of the seal runner26. As shown, in the present embodiment each of the circumferential slots44extends both: a) circumferentially in the seal runner26(i.e. along/in the circumference31of the seal runner26), and b) radially (i.e. along a radial direction (XR)) through the seal runner26.

More particularly in this embodiment, each of the circumferential slots44extends from a radially outer surface26D of the seal runner26to the radially inner surface26C of the seal runner26. In an aspect, the circumferential slots44may help the fluid(s) circulate and for example create turbulent flows of the fluid(s) that may be present in the cavity (C) which may contact the radially outward surface13B of the shaft13. This may help cool the shaft and/or the seal runner26.

Further in the present embodiment, and as best shown inFIG. 3A, portions26′ of the seal runner26defining the axially-extending slots28are radially-inwardly offset relative to portions26″ of the seal runner26defining the circumferential slots44. Accordingly, when the seal runner26is mounted to the shaft13, the portions26′ are radially closer to the shaft13than the portions26″, and thus parts of the perforated circumferential wall30of the seal runner26defines spaces45between the radially inner surface26C of the seal runner26and the radially outward surface13B of the shaft13. For clarity, only some of the portions26′ and26″ have been labeled in the figures.

Still referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, in this embodiment the circumferential slots44define in the seal runner26both axially-extending ribs46, and circumferentially-extending ribs48. For clarity, only some of the ribs46and48have been labeled in the figures. In the present embodiment, each given axially-extending rib46is disposed between a pair of adjacent axially-extending slots28. Also in the present embodiment, and although this may be different in other embodiments, each given axially-extending rib46is disposed at a midpoint, relative to the circumference31, between its respective pair of adjacent axially-extending slots28. In some applications, and although need not be present in all embodiments, the ribs46and/or48may help maintain various functions of the contact seal assembly20, such as helping the contact seal assembly20to reduce leaks for example.

To this end, when the seal runner26is rotated with the shaft13about the rotation axis15and a liquid, such as oil for example, is present in the cavity (C), the ribs46and/or48may impart some of the rotational forces into the flow passing through the space45through the circumferential slots44, as shown with arrows47. This may help create a turbulent flow49of the liquid in the spaces45, which may provide for better cooling for example in comparison to laminar flows and/or or at least less turbulent flows of the liquid.

Further in the present embodiment, each given circumferentially-extending rib48connects the portion26′ of the seal runner26that defines one of the axially-extending slots28of a respective pair of adjacent axially-extending slots28, to the portion26′ of the seal runner26that defines the other axially-extending slot28of the respective pair of adjacent slots28. In an aspect, the ribs48may help provide stiffness in parts of the seal runner26where it may be required in some embodiments, while allowing for relatively more deformation in other parts of the seal runner26. In some cases, the allowed deformation may be at locations that are spaced away from the front face26A of the seal runner26, and this may help improve or maintain the sealed rotational gap leak free in at least some operating conditions. In this embodiment, and although this may be different in other embodiments, the circumferentially-extending ribs48define the rear face26A of the seal runner26.

Now referring toFIG. 4, another embodiment of a seal runner is shown at50. In some embodiments, the seal runner50may be used instead of the seal runner26. The seal runner50includes some of the features of the seal runner26. Such features have been shown with the same reference numerals as were used with respect to the seal runner26and will not be described in detail again. A difference between the seal runner50and the seal runner26is that the seal runner50includes three circumferential slots52between each pair of adjacent axially-extending slots28.

Only some of the circumferential slots52have been labeled to maintain clarity of the figure. As shown, each set of three circumferential slots52between a given pair of adjacent axially-extending slots28defines two axially-extending ribs46. In this embodiment, and although this need not be the case in other embodiments, each set of two axially-extending ribs46is spaced equidistantly from the respective pair of adjacent axially-extending slots28, and the circumferential slots52all have one and the same circumferential length52A.

Now referring toFIG. 5, another embodiment of a seal runner is shown at56. The seal runner56includes some of the features of the seal runner26. Such features have been shown with the same reference numerals as were used with respect to the seal runner26and will not be described in detail again. A difference between the seal runner56and the seal runner26is that the axially-extending slots56of the seal runner56are V-shaped.

Now referring toFIG. 6, another embodiment of a seal runner is shown at58. The seal runner58includes some of the features of the seal runner26. Such features have been shown with the same reference numerals as were used with respect to the seal runner26and will not be described in detail again. A difference between the seal runner60and the seal runner26is that the axially-extending slots60of the seal runner58are rectangular.

Now referring toFIG. 7, another embodiment of a seal runner is shown at62. The seal runner62includes some of the features of the seal runner26. Such features have been shown with the same reference numerals as were used with respect to the seal runner26and will not be described in detail again. A difference between the seal runner62and the seal runner26is that the circumferentially-extending ribs64of the seal runner62define notches64therein. Only some of the notches64have been labeled to maintain clarity of the figure. The notches64help reduce stiffness of the circumferentially-extending ribs64and/or parts of the seal runner62defining the front face26B of the seal runner62. In an aspect, this may help reduce or prevent warping of the front face26B in at least some operating conditions.

Now referring toFIG. 8, another embodiment of a seal runner is shown at66. The seal runner66includes some of the features of the seal runner26. Such features have been shown with the same reference numerals as were used with respect to the seal runner26and will not be described in detail again.

A difference between the seal runner66and the seal runner26is that the circumferentially-extending ribs68of the seal runner66define indents68therein, in this embodiment in the rear face72of the seal runner66, and in an outer radial surface. Only some of the indents68have been labeled to maintain clarity of the figure. The indents68help reduce stiffness of the circumferentially-extending ribs68and/or parts of the seal runner62at locations away from the front face26B of the seal runner62. In an aspect, this may help reduce or prevent warping of the front face26B in at least some operating conditions.

With the various non-limiting embodiments described above in mind, the present technology further provides a method of manufacturing a seal runner, such as one of the seal runners26,50,54,58,62,66described above for example. The method may include a step of forming an annular body, such as one of the annular bodies26,50,54,58,62,66of the seal runners26,50,54,58,62,66, which may have a planar annular front face28B and an annular rear face28A opposite the front face28B. The method may also include a step of forming in the annular body26,50,54,58,62,66a plurality of axially-extending slots, such as one or more of the axially-extending slots28,56,60, that are open at the rear face28A and distributed about a circumference31of the annular body26,50,54,58,62,66.

In some such cases, the axially-extending slots28,56,60may be distributed at equidistant locations about the circumference31. The method may also include a step of forming in the circumference31of the annular body26,50,54,58,62,66a plurality of circumferential slots, such as the slots44and/or52for example, between adjacent ones of the axially-extending slots28and extending: a) circumferentially (XC) in the annular body26,50,54,58,62,66, and b) radially (XR) through the annular body26,50,54,58,62,66. As an example, the various steps of this method may be performed using conventional manufacturing techniques and conventional material(s) selected to suit each particular intended application, and may be performed in any order that may be suitable for the selected manufacturing technique(s).

Referring back toFIG. 2, the present technology further provides a method of sealing an gap (IN) between: a) a part10P of a machine, such as the engine10or a starter/alternator for example, which defines a cavity (C), and a shaft of the machine, such as the shaft11or13for example, which rotates about a respective rotation axis15and extends through the part10P of the machine10into the cavity (C). In some such cases, the cavity (C) may contain a liquid such as an oil which may be stored in the cavity (C) and/or circulated through the cavity (C). In the example of the engine10, the liquid may be the engine's10oil circulating through the cavity (C) for, inter alia, lubricating bearings (B) and/or other parts of the engine10as may be required given each particular embodiment of the engine10.

In some embodiment, this method may include a step of rotating an annular seal runner, such as a given seal runner26,50,54,58,62,66described above, with the shaft11/13about the shaft's rotation axis15against a carbon seal, such as the carbon seal22, engaged to the part10P of the machine10. In the example of the engine10, this may be done by driving the shaft11/13with the engine10while the seal runner26is non-rotationally secured to the shaft11/13. As seen above, this may maintain a sealed rotational gap, such as may be defined by a combination of the gaps32and (IN) for example, between the shaft13and that part10P of the machine10. The method may also include a step of creating a turbulent flow of the liquid in a space45between a radially outer surface13B of the shaft13and a radially inner surface26C of the annular seal runner26.

As seen above with respect toFIG. 2, in some embodiments the turbulent flow49may be created, or at least intensified, by imparting some of the rotational forces/inertia of the shaft13into liquid flowing through the space45via ribs46and/or48of the seal runner26. To this end, the ribs46/48may be examples of flow agitators. It is contemplated that the seal runner26may include other flow agitators, either instead of or in combination with the ribs46and/or48for carrying out at least this function/step. In at least some applications and operating conditions, this method of operation may help keep the seal runner(s)26,50,54,58,62,66and/or the carbon seal(s)22cooler and may help prevent warping and hence leakage thereof. Also as seen above, in some embodiments the step of creating the turbulent flow49may include moving at least some the liquid through the space45through a circumferential wall30of the seal runner26, and thus moving at least some of the liquid along a radially-extending surface of the circumferential wall30, such as via the circumferential slots44along one or more radially-extending surfaces of the circumferential slots44for example.

In another aspect, the present technology provides a method for sealing a gap between a part of a machine, such as the engine10, and a rotatable shaft of the machine, such as the shaft11and/or13for example. In some embodiments, the method includes rotating the shaft11/13, contacting a front annular face26B of a seal runner, such as one of the seal runners26,50,54,58,62and66, against a wear seal22to seal the gap, and spreading a load on the seal runner26,50,54,58,62,66from the shaft11/13via annular segments of the seal runner26,50,54,58,62,66extending at least in part around the shaft11/13and separated by axially-oriented slots28at a rear portion of the seal runner26,50,54,58,62,66. In some embodiments, this method may include unstiffening the front annular face26B of the seal runner26,50,54,58,62,66with the axially-oriented slots28. In an aspect, this method may help dissipate heat from the front annular face26B of the seal runner26,50,54,58,62,66and may help prevent warping of the front annular face26B during at least some rotational speeds of the shaft11/13at which prior art seal runner assemblies made of the same materials and applied in the same location may experience warping of the front annular face of the prior art seal runners.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without department from the scope of the technology disclosed. The engine10or other machine in which the contact seal assemblies20of the present technology may be used, except as described herein, may be conventional.

For example, while the contact seal assembly20has been described above as having particular sets of features in its various embodiments and when using various ones of the seal runners26,50,54,58,62,66, in other embodiments the contact seal assembly20need not have all of these features. As another example, in some embodiments a contact seal assembly implemented according to the present technology may have a combination of one or more of the features of the various embodiments of the contact seal assembly20, but not necessarily all of the features of a given embodiment of the contact seal assembly20described above.

As another example, in some embodiments, a given seal runner26,50,54,58,62,66may have a different number of and/or a different relative positioning of the various possible slots28,44,52and/or other features. As yet another example, while providing advantages in the above embodiments, in other embodiments the circumferential slots44,52may be omitted.

As yet another example, while the circumferential wall30in the above embodiments extends around an entirety of the circumference31of the seal runner26, in other embodiments this may not be the case. As yet another example, in some embodiments the spring24A may be positioned between the shaft13and the seal runner26to bias the seal runner26against the carbon seal22.

Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present technology will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.