Patent Publication Number: US-2021164571-A1

Title: Seal ring

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a seal ring used for sealing a clearance between a rotary shaft and a housing, and specifically relates to a seal ring used in a state in which the seal ring is attached to an annular groove, i.e., a so-called stuffing box. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Typically, a seal ring is attached to the outer periphery of a rotary shaft. A sliding surface of the seal ring slides in close contact with a sliding surface formed at the rotary shaft, and accordingly, the seal ring seals a clearance between the rotary shaft and a housing to prevent leakage of sealed fluid (liquid). 
     For maintaining sealing properties in the seal ring for a long period of time, conflicting conditions of “sealing” and “lubrication” need to be satisfied. Particularly in recent years, while prevention of leakage of the sealed fluid has been made for, e.g., environmental measures, a demand for friction reduction has increased for reducing a mechanical loss. Friction reduction can be accomplished by the technique of generating a dynamic pressure between the sliding surfaces by rotation of the rotary shaft to slide the sliding surfaces with a fluid film of the sealed fluid being interposed. 
     For example, a seal ring as described in Patent Citation 1 has been known as the seal ring configured to generate the dynamic pressure between the sliding surfaces by rotation of the rotary shaft. The seal ring of Patent Citation 1 is attached to an annular groove provided at the outer periphery of a rotary shaft. The seal ring is pressed to a housing side and one side wall surface side of the annular groove by the pressure of high-pressure sealed fluid, and a sliding surface at one side surface of the seal ring slides in close contact with a sliding surface at one side wall surface of the annular groove. Moreover, at the sliding surface at one side surface of the seal ring, multiple dynamic pressure grooves opening on an inner diameter side are provided in a circumferential direction. The dynamic pressure groove includes a deep groove at the center in the circumferential direction and shallow grooves formed continuously to both sides of the deep groove in the circumferential direction, extending in the circumferential direction, and having bottom surfaces inclined such that the shallow grooves gradually become shallower toward terminal ends. When the rotary shaft and the seal ring rotate relative to each other, the sealed fluid is introduced from the inner diameter side of the sliding surface into the deep grooves. Moreover, a negative pressure is generated in each shallow groove of the seal ring on a side opposite to a rotation direction of the rotary shaft. Meanwhile, the sealed fluid introduced into the deep grooves is supplied to each shallow groove on the same side as the rotation direction, and therefore, a positive pressure is generated in such a shallow groove. Then, the positive pressure increases due to wedge action caused by the inclined bottom surface of the rotation-direction-side shallow groove, and is generated across the entirety of the dynamic pressure groove. Accordingly, the force of slightly separating the sliding surfaces from each other, i.e., so-called buoyancy, is obtained. The sliding surfaces are slightly separated from each other, and therefore, the high-pressure sealed fluid flows into a portion between the sliding surfaces from the inner diameter side of the sliding surface and the sealed fluid flows out of the rotation-direction-side shallow grooves generating the positive pressure to the portion between the sliding surfaces. Thus, a fluid film is formed between the sliding surfaces, and lubricity between the sliding surfaces is maintained. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         
           
             Patent Citation 1: JP 9-210211 A (third page,  FIG. 3 ) 
           
         
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the seal ring of Patent Citation 1, the sliding surface of the rotary shaft moves relative to the dynamic pressure grooves in the circumferential direction. The positive pressure increases as the number of rotations of the rotary shaft increases, and the fluid film is formed between the sliding surfaces to enhance the lubricity of the sliding surface. However, the dynamic pressure groove is configured such that both shallow grooves are positioned on the same circumference with respect to the deep groove. Thus, particularly upon high-speed rotation, cavitation is caused in a region where a great positive pressure and a great negative pressure are generated in the circumferential direction. Due to greater variation in the buoyancy generated across the circumferential direction of the sliding surface, there is a probability that an adverse effect on the fluid film, such as a non-uniform fluid film, is caused and the lubricity becomes unstable. 
     The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a seal ring configured so that stable lubrication performance can be provided across a wide range of rotation speed. 
     Solution to Problem 
     For solving the above-described problem, a seal ring according to the present invention is a seal ring for sealing a clearance between a rotary shaft and a housing, including dynamic pressure grooves formed at a sliding surface of the seal ring and arranged in a circumferential direction so as to be configured to generate dynamic pressure, the dynamic pressure grooves including deep grooves having openings on a sealed fluid side and shallow grooves being shallower than the deep grooves, the shallower grooves being formed continuously to the deep grooves and extending to at least one side in the circumferential direction, wherein at least adjacent two of the deep grooves of the dynamic pressure grooves in the circumferential direction are formed as a dynamic pressure groove unit configured such that the adjacent two of the deep grooves communicate with each other through a communication groove extending in the circumferential direction on an opposite side of the openings of the deep grooves in a radial direction. According to the aforesaid feature of the present invention, high-pressure sealed fluid is introduced to the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove on one side in the circumferential direction through the opening, and the sealed fluid introduced to the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove on the other side in the circumferential direction is supplied to the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove on one side in the circumferential direction from the opposite side of the opening in the radial direction through the communication groove. Thus, in the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove on one side in the circumferential direction, the sealed fluid is more easily held than in the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove on the other side in the circumferential direction. The sealed fluid is sufficiently supplied from the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove on one side in the circumferential direction to the shallow groove of the same dynamic pressure groove. Thus, in the shallow groove of the dynamic pressure groove on one side in the circumferential direction, a relatively-high dynamic pressure can be generated. Moreover, in the shallow groove, on an outer diameter side of which the communication groove is arranged, of the dynamic pressure groove on the other side in the circumferential direction, a relatively-low dynamic pressure can be generated. A fluid film can be formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction, and stable lubrication performance can be provided across a wide range of rotation speed. Further, in the region of the dynamic pressure groove unit defined by the multiple dynamic pressure grooves and the communication groove at the sliding surface, the thickness of the fluid film is relatively equal across the circumferential direction, and therefore, the fluid film is easily formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction. 
     It may be preferable that the shallow grooves are provided continuously to both sides of deep grooves in the circumferential direction. According to such a preferable configuration of the present invention, the seal ring can be rotated in both directions upon use. 
     It may be preferable that the dynamic pressure groove unit consists of two of the dynamic pressure grooves and the communication groove. According to such a preferable configuration of the present invention, two of the dynamic pressure grooves and the single communication groove form the dynamic pressure groove unit, and therefore, balance in supply of the sealed fluid between the dynamic pressure grooves communicated with each other through the communication groove is easily adjusted. Thus, the fluid film can be formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction. 
     It may be preferable that all of the dynamic pressure grooves are formed as dynamic pressure groove units at the sliding surface. According to such a preferable configuration of the present invention, each of all of the dynamic pressure grooves provided at the sliding surface forms each of the dynamic pressure groove units, and therefore, the fluid film can be formed with more favorable balance in the circumferential direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a seal ring according to an embodiment of the present invention by partially-simplified illustration. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view illustrating a sealing structure for a clearance between a rotary shaft and a housing by the seal ring in the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial side view of the seal ring in the embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is an A-A sectional view of the seal ring of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view illustrating a variation of a deep groove of a dynamic pressure groove in the embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side view illustrating a variation of the dynamic pressure groove unit in the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out a seal ring according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment. 
     Embodiment 
     A seal ring according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . Hereinafter, the right side in the plane of paper of  FIG. 2  will be described as a sealed fluid side L, and the left side in the plane of paper will be described as an atmosphere side A. Note that the fluid pressure of sealed fluid on the sealed fluid side L will be described as a higher pressure than an atmospheric pressure. Moreover, a sliding surface includes a flat surface and a groove recessed as compared to the flat surface. For the sake of convenience in description, the flat surface forming the sliding surface is, in the drawings, indicated by the color of white, and the groove forming the sliding surface is indicated by dots. 
     The seal ring  1  according to the present embodiment seals a portion between a rotary shaft  2  and a housing  3  of a rotary machine, the rotary shaft  2  and the housing  3  rotating relative to each other. In this manner, the seal ring  1  partitions the inside of the housing  3  into the sealed fluid side L and the atmosphere side A (see  FIG. 2 ), and prevents leakage of the sealed fluid from the sealed fluid side L to the atmosphere side A. Note that the rotary shaft  2  and the housing  3  are made of a metal material such as stainless steel. Moreover, the sealed fluid is one used for the purpose of cooling and lubricating, e.g., a not-shown gear and a not-shown bearing provided in a machine chamber of the rotary machine, such as oil. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the seal ring  1  is a component molded with resin such as PTFE, and is provided with a joint portion  1   a  at one spot in a circumferential direction to form a C-shape. The seal ring  1  is used with the seal ring  1  being attached to an annular groove  20 , the annular groove  20  being provided along the outer periphery of the rotary shaft  2  and having a rectangular sectional shape. Moreover, the seal ring  1  has a rectangular sectional shape. The seal ring  1  is pressed to the atmosphere side A by the fluid pressure of the sealed fluid acting on a side surface on the sealed fluid side L, and accordingly, a sliding surface S 1  formed on a side surface  10  (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as a “side surface  10 ”) side on the atmosphere side A slidably closely contacts a sliding surface S 2  on a side wall surface  21  (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as a “side wall surface  21 ”) side of the annular groove  20  on the atmosphere side A. Further, in response to stress in an expansion direction due to the fluid pressure of the sealed fluid acting on an inner circumferential surface, the seal ring  1  is pressed in an outer diameter direction, and accordingly, an outer circumferential surface  11  closely contacts an inner circumferential surface  31  of a shaft hole  30  of the housing  3 . 
     Note that the sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2  form a substantial sliding region between the side surface  10  of the seal ring  1  and the side wall surface  21  of the annular groove  20  of the rotary shaft  2 . Moreover, a non-sliding surface S 1 ′ is formed continuously to an outer diameter side of the sliding surface S 1  on the side surface  10  side, and a non-sliding surface S 2 ′ is formed continuously to an inner diameter side of the sliding surface S 2  on the side wall surface  21  side (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the sliding surface S 1  formed on the side surface  10  side of the seal ring  1  mainly includes a flat surface  16  and multiple dynamic pressure grooves  12  provided in the circumferential direction. Note that the dynamic pressure grooves  12  are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the sliding surface S 1 , except for the vicinity of the joint portion  1   a.    
     The flat surface  16  includes a seal portion  16   a  positioned on the outer diameter side and formed continuously in a substantially annular shape across the joint portion  1   a , and a lubrication portion  16   b  positioned on the inner diameter side, sandwiched by adjacent ones of the dynamic pressure grooves  12  in the circumferential direction, and formed continuously to the seal portion  16   a  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the dynamic pressure groove  12  has the function of generating a dynamic pressure according to rotation of a rotary shaft  2 . The dynamic pressure groove  12  includes a deep groove  120  opening on the inner diameter side (i.e., the sealed fluid side) of the seal ring  1  and provided at the center in the circumferential direction and a pair of shallow grooves  121 ,  122  formed continuously from both sides of the deep groove  120  in the circumferential direction and extending in the circumferential direction. Note that in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the right side with respect to the deep groove  120  in the plane of paper will be described as the shallow groove  121 , and the left side in the plane of paper will be described as the shallow groove  122 . 
     Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the deep groove  120  has a bottom surface formed flat, and the shallow grooves  121 ,  122  have bottom surfaces as inclined surfaces formed such that the shallow grooves  121 ,  122  gradually become shallower from a deep groove  120  side to terminal ends in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the bottom surface of the deep groove  120  is formed deeper than deepest portions of the shallow grooves  121 ,  122 , and the depth of the deep groove  120  is several tens to several hundreds of μm and preferably 100 to 200 μm. Further, the deep groove  120  is formed longer in a radial direction than the shallow grooves  121 ,  122 . 
     Moreover, as specifically illustrated in  FIG. 3 , two dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are, at the sliding surface S 1 , formed as a dynamic pressure groove unit  100  communicated through a single arc-shaped communication groove  14  extending in the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side as a side opposite to openings of deep grooves  120 ,  120 ′ in the radial direction. Further, the communication groove  14  is formed on the outer diameter side of the flat surface  16  and the inner diameter side of the seal portion  16   a  formed continuously in the substantially annular shape across the joint portion  1   a  (see  FIG. 1 ). Note that at the sliding surface S 1 , all dynamic pressure grooves  12  are formed as the dynamic pressure groove units  100 . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the deep groove  120  of the dynamic pressure groove  12  and the communication groove  14  are formed with the substantially same depth. Note that the seal ring  1  of  FIG. 2  shows a B-B section of  FIG. 3 . 
     Next, fluid film formation between the sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2  upon rotation of the rotary shaft  2  will be described. Note that a case where the rotary shaft  2  rotates clockwise as indicated by a white arrow in  FIG. 3 , i.e., a case where the seal ring  1  rotates counterclockwise relative to the annular groove  20  of the rotary shaft  2  in  FIG. 3 , will be described herein by way of example. Further, solid arrows in  FIG. 3  indicate the flow of the sealed fluid between the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ forming the dynamic pressure groove unit  100 . Upon relative rotation of the rotary shaft  2  and the housing  3 , the sliding surface S 1  on the side surface  10  side slides on the sliding surface S 2  on the side wall surface  21  side. At this point, the sealed fluid is introduced from the inner diameter side to the deep grooves  120 ,  120 ′ of the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ provided at the sliding surface S 1 . Moreover, in the communication groove  14  extending in the circumferential direction on the outer diameter side (i.e., the opposite side of the openings in the radial direction) of the deep grooves  120 ,  120 ′, the sealed fluid is supplied in the circumferential direction (i.e., a rotation direction) to follow rotation of the rotary shaft  2 . Further, a negative pressure is generated in the shallow grooves  122 ,  122 ′ (hereinafter merely referred to as “shallow grooves  122 ,  122 ′”) of the seal ring  1  on a side (i.e., the left side in the plane of paper of  FIG. 3 ) opposite to the rotation direction of the rotary shaft  2 . Meanwhile, the sealed fluid introduced into the deep grooves  120 ,  120 ′ is supplied to the shallow grooves  121 ,  121 ′ (hereinafter merely referred to as “shallow grooves  121 ,  121 ′”) of the seal ring  1  on the same side (the right side in the plane of paper of  FIG. 3 ) as the rotation direction, and a positive pressure is generated in these shallow grooves  121 ,  121 ′ due to wedge action caused by the inclined surfaces. Then, the positive pressure is generated across the entirety of the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′, and accordingly, the force of slightly separating the sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2  from each other, i.e., so-called buoyancy, is obtained. The sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2  are slightly separated from each other, and therefore, the high-pressure sealed fluid flows into a portion between the sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2  from the inner diameter side and the sealed fluid flows out of the shallow grooves  121 ,  121 ′ generating the positive pressure to the portion between the sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2 . Further, two dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction form the dynamic pressure groove unit  100 , and therefore, the sealed fluid introduced to the deep groove  120 ′ of the dynamic pressure groove  12 ′ (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as a “dynamic pressure groove  12 ′”) on the side (i.e., the other side in the circumferential direction, or the left side in the plane of paper of  FIG. 3 ) opposite to the rotation direction of the rotary shaft  2  from the outer diameter side through the communication groove  14  is supplied to the deep groove  120  of the dynamic pressure groove  12  (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as a “dynamic pressure groove  12 ”) on the same side (i.e., one side in the circumferential direction, the right side in the plane of paper of  FIG. 3 ) as the rotation direction of the rotary shaft  2 . 
     According to such a configuration, in the dynamic pressure groove unit  100 , the sealed fluid is more easily held in the deep groove  120  of the dynamic pressure groove  12  than in the deep groove  120 ′ of the dynamic pressure groove  12 ′, and is sufficiently supplied from the deep groove  120  to the shallow groove  121  as a positive pressure generator in the dynamic pressure groove  12 . Thus, a relatively-high dynamic pressure can be generated in the shallow groove  121  of the dynamic pressure groove  12 , and a relatively-low dynamic pressure can be generated in the shallow groove  121 ′ of the dynamic pressure groove  12 ′ on the outer diameter side of which the communication groove  14  is arranged. A fluid film can be formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction, and stable lubrication performance can be provided across a wide range of rotation speed. 
     Further, the communication groove  14  is provided on the outer diameter side of the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′, and in the region of the dynamic pressure groove unit  100  defined by the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ and the communication groove  14  at the sliding surface S 1 , the sealed fluid is supplied from the communication groove  14  to the flat surface  16  (e.g., the lubrication portion  16   b ) between the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ by a resting pressure. Thus, in the region of the dynamic pressure groove unit  100 , the thickness of the fluid film is relatively equal across the circumferential direction, and therefore, the fluid film is easily formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction. 
     Moreover, the shallow grooves  122 ,  122 ′ of the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ open on the inner diameter side (i.e., the sealed fluid side), and the sealed fluid is introduced from the inner diameter side of the sliding surface S 1 . Thus, the sealed fluid is easily held on the shallow groove  122 . 
     Further, in the dynamic pressure groove unit  100 , the sealed fluid is supplied from the deep groove  120 ′ of the dynamic pressure groove  12 ′ to the deep groove  120  of the dynamic pressure groove  12  through the communication groove  14 , and is sufficiently held in the deep groove  120  of the dynamic pressure groove  12 . Thus, the negative pressure generated in the shallow groove  122  of the dynamic pressure groove  12  is reduced, and therefore, a pressure difference between the shallow groove  122  of the dynamic pressure groove  12  and the shallow groove  121 ′ of the dynamic pressure groove  12  adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction can be decreased. Thus, in the portion between the sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2 , the dynamic pressure can be generated with pressure (i.e., the positive pressure and the negative pressure) variation in the circumferential direction being reduced in the region of the dynamic pressure groove unit  100 . While vibration due to, e.g., cavitation can be prevented, lubricity of the seal ring  1  can be enhanced. 
     Moreover, the dynamic pressure groove unit  100  configured such that two dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are communicated with each other through the single communication groove  14  is formed, and therefore, balance in supply of the sealed fluid between the dynamic pressure grooves  12 ,  12 ′ communicated with each other through the communication groove  14  is easily adjusted. Thus, the fluid film can be formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction. Further, all of the dynamic pressure grooves  12  are formed as the dynamic pressure groove units  100  at the sliding surface S 1 , and therefore, the fluid film can be formed with more favorable balance in the circumferential direction. 
     Moreover, the dynamic pressure groove  12  includes the deep groove  120  opening on the inner diameter side and provided at the center in the circumferential direction, and the shallow grooves  121 ,  122  formed continuously to both sides of the deep groove  120  in the circumferential direction, extending in the circumferential direction, and having the bottom surfaces inclined such that the shallow grooves  121 ,  122  gradually become shallower toward the terminal ends in the circumferential direction. Thus, the seal ring  1  can be rotated in both directions upon use, and even upon high-speed rotation, the sealed fluid can be reliably supplied to any of the shallow grooves  121 ,  122  through the deep groove  120 . 
     Further, the communication groove  14  is provided so that the sealed fluid can flow out to a wide area between the sliding surfaces S 1 , S 2  on the outer diameter side and the lubricity of the seal ring  1  can be enhanced. 
     Moreover, the seal ring  1  is in the C-shape, and therefore, seal performance can be stably maintained even when the circumferential length of the seal ring  1  changes due to thermal expansion/contraction. 
     Note that as in a variation of the seal ring  1  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a deep groove  220  of a dynamic pressure groove  212  of a seal ring  201  may be formed with a greater depth on the inner diameter side than a depth on the outer diameter side, and a communication groove  214  may be formed with the substantially same depth as the inner-diameter-side depth of the deep groove  220 . According to such a configuration, the sealed fluid easily flows from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side of the deep groove  220 , and therefore, is easily introduced into the communication groove  214 . Thus, lubricity of the seal ring  201  can be more enhanced. 
     The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The present invention also includes even changes and additions made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the communication groove may be formed to extend in the circumferential direction from multiple spots in the radial direction (e.g., a double threaded shape). Moreover, the communication groove is not limited to the arc shape, and may be formed straight or formed in a wave shape, for example. 
     Moreover, all of the dynamic pressure grooves  12  formed at the sliding surface S 1  do not necessarily form the dynamic pressure groove units  100 . In this case, the dynamic pressure groove units  100  and the independent dynamic pressure grooves  12  are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Further, the multiple dynamic pressure groove units  100  formed at the sliding surface S 1  are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. According to such a configuration, the dynamic pressure can be equally generated in the circumferential direction. In addition, as long as the multiple dynamic pressure groove units are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at the sliding surface S 1 , the dynamic pressure grooves  12  themselves are not necessarily arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. 
     Further, the dynamic pressure groove unit is not limited to one including two dynamic pressure grooves, and three or more dynamic pressure grooves may be communicated with each other through a single communication groove to form a dynamic pressure groove unit. Note that  FIG. 6  illustrates a variation of the dynamic pressure groove unit including three dynamic pressure grooves. 
     Moreover, the number and shape of dynamic pressure grooves provided at the sliding surface S 1  of the seal ring may be changed as necessary such that a desired dynamic pressure effect is obtained. As long as the shallow groove formed continuously to the deep groove and extending to at least one side in the circumferential direction is formed, e.g., a T-shaped groove or a Rayleigh step may be employed. Note that the location and shape of the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove to which the sealed fluid is introduced may be changed as necessary according to the assumed degree of abrasion of the sliding surface. 
     Further, the seal ring may be formed in an annular shape without the joint portion  1   a , and the outer shape thereof is not limited to a circular shape as viewed from the side. The seal ring may be formed in a polygonal shape. 
     Moreover, the seal ring is not limited to the rectangular sectional shape, and for example, may have a trapezoidal sectional shape or a polygonal sectional shape. The seal ring may be configured such that the side surface forming the sliding surface S 1  is inclined. 
     Further, the grooves described in the above-described embodiments may be formed at the sliding surface S 2  of the annular groove  20  of the rotary shaft  2 . 
     Moreover, the oil has been described as the example of the sealed fluid, but the sealed fluid may be liquid such as water or coolant or gas such as air or nitrogen. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  Seal ring 
               2  Rotary shaft 
               3  Housing 
               10  Side surface 
               12 ,  12 ′ Dynamic pressure groove 
               14  Communication groove 
               16  Flat surface 
               16   a  Seal portion 
               16   b  Lubrication portion 
               20  Annular groove 
               21  Side wall surface 
               100  Dynamic pressure groove unit 
               120 ,  120 ′ Deep groove 
               121 ,  121 ′ Shallow groove (positive pressure generator) 
               122 ,  122 ′ Shallow groove (negative pressure generator) 
             S 1 , S 2  Sliding surface 
             S 1 ′, S 2 ′ Non-sliding surface