Patent Description:
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 (e.g., 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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.

In the seal ring of Patent Citation <NUM>, 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.

Patent Citation <NUM> discloses a sealing device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

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.

For solving the above-described problem, a seal ring according to the present invention is seal ring for sealing a clearance between a rotary shaft and a housing, said seal ring having the features of claim <NUM> including: inclined grooves formed at a sliding surface so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, the inclined grooves being open on an outer diameter side of the seal ring to generate a drawing pressure; and supply grooves being open on a sealed fluid side of the seal ring and extending in a radially outward direction toward inner diameter sides of the inclined grooves. According to the aforesaid feature, high-pressure sealed fluid introduced through inner-diameter-side openings of the supply grooves is, on the outer diameter side, drawn by the drawing pressure due to a flow in the outer diameter direction in each inclined groove upon rotation of the rotary shaft, and the flow of sealed fluid in the radially outward direction is formed among the supply grooves and the inclined grooves. Thus, a fluid film can be formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction among the supply grooves and the inclined grooves, and therefore, stable lubrication performance can be provided across a wide range of rotation speed.

According to the invention a seal portion is formed continuously in the circumferential direction and positioned between the supply grooves and the inclined grooves. According to this configuration, the supply grooves and the inclined grooves between which the flow of sealed fluid in a radial direction is formed are separated from each other in the radial direction by the seal portion, and therefore, the fluid film is formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction on the seal portion.

It may be preferable that the supply grooves are equally arranged in the circumferential direction. According to this preferable configuration, the flow of sealed fluid in the radial direction is formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction on the seal portion.

According to the invention the supply grooves are communicated with each other through a communication groove which is positioned on the inner diameter side of the seal portion and extends in the circumferential direction. According to this configuration, the high-pressure sealed fluid introduced through the inner-diameter-side openings of the supply grooves is supplied in the circumferential direction by the communication groove, and therefore, the flow of sealed fluid in the radial direction is reliably formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction on the seal portion.

It may be preferable that the seal ring further comprise dynamic pressure grooves each formed at the sliding surface between adjacent two of the supply grooves in the circumferential direction and being open on the sealed fluid side of the seal ring. According to this preferable configuration, a negative pressure generated by the inclined grooves can be partially cancelled by a positive pressure generated in the dynamic pressure grooves, and therefore, the flow of sealed fluid in the radial direction is easily formed on the seal portion.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out a seal ring according to the present invention will be described based on embodiments.

A seal ring according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. Hereinafter, the right side in the plane of paper of <FIG> 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 side views, indicated by the color of white, and the groove forming the sliding surface is indicated by dots.

The seal ring <NUM> according to the present embodiment seals a portion between a rotary shaft <NUM> and a housing <NUM> of a rotary machine, the rotary shaft <NUM> and the housing <NUM> rotating relative to each other. In this manner, the seal ring <NUM> partitions the inside of the housing <NUM> into the sealed fluid side L and the atmosphere side A (see <FIG>), and prevents leakage of the sealed fluid from the sealed fluid side L to the atmosphere side A. Note that the rotary shaft <NUM> and the housing <NUM> 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 <FIG>, the seal ring <NUM> is a component molded with resin such as PTFE, and is provided with a joint portion 1a at one spot in a circumferential direction to form a C-shape. The seal ring <NUM> is used with the seal ring <NUM> being attached to an annular groove <NUM>, the annular groove <NUM> being provided along the outer periphery of the rotary shaft <NUM> and having a rectangular sectional shape. The rotary shaft <NUM> rotates clockwise as indicated by a white arrow in <FIG>, and the seal ring <NUM> rotates counterclockwise relative to the annular groove <NUM> of the rotary shaft <NUM>. Note that in <FIG>, the section of the seal ring <NUM> along a radial direction is schematically illustrated.

Moreover, the seal ring <NUM> has a rectangular sectional shape. The seal ring <NUM> 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 S1 formed on a side surface <NUM> (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as a "side surface <NUM>") side on the atmosphere side A slidably closely contacts a sliding surface S2 on a side wall surface <NUM> (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as a "side wall surface <NUM>") side of the annular groove <NUM> 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 <NUM> is pressed in a radially outward direction, and accordingly, an outer circumferential surface <NUM> closely contacts an inner circumferential surface <NUM> of a shaft hole <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

Note that the sliding surfaces S1, S2 form a substantial sliding region between the side surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> and the side wall surface <NUM> of the annular groove <NUM> of the rotary shaft <NUM>. Moreover, a non-sliding surface S1' is formed continuously to an outer diameter side of the sliding surface S1 on the side surface <NUM> side, and a non-sliding surface S2' is formed continuously to an inner diameter side of the sliding surface S2 on the side wall surface <NUM> side (see <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sliding surface S1 formed on the side surface <NUM> side of the seal ring <NUM> includes a flat surface <NUM>, multiple supply grooves <NUM> extending in the radial direction from an inner-diameter-side end portion of the side surface <NUM>, a communication groove <NUM> communicated with outer-diameter-side end portions of the supply grooves <NUM> and formed continuously in a substantially annular shape across the joint portion 1a, and multiple inclined grooves <NUM> formed inclined to the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM> from the vicinity of an outer-diameter-side end portion of the communication groove <NUM> (i.e., an outer-diameter-side end portion of a later-described seal portion 16a) and communicated with an outer-diameter-side end portion of the side surface <NUM> (on the atmosphere side A). Note that the supply grooves <NUM> are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the sliding surface S1, except for the vicinity of the joint portion 1a. Moreover, the inclined grooves <NUM> extend from the sliding surface S1 to the non-sliding surface S1', and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, except for the vicinity of the joint portion 1a.

The flat surface <NUM> includes the seal portion 16a positioned between the outer-diameter-side end portion of the communication groove <NUM> and an inner-diameter-side end portion of each of the multiple inclined grooves <NUM> and formed continuously in a substantially annular shape across the joint portion 1a, an inner-diameter-side lubrication portion 16b sandwiched by adjacent ones of the supply grooves <NUM> in the circumferential direction, and an outer-diameter-side lubrication portion 16c sandwiched by adjacent ones of the inclined grooves <NUM> in the circumferential direction (see <FIG>). The dimension of the seal portion 16a in the radial direction is <NUM>/<NUM> (preferably <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>) of the dimension of the sliding surface S1 in the radial direction, and is the substantially same dimension as the dimension of the outer-diameter-side lubrication portion 16c in the circumferential direction. Note that the dimension of the seal portion 16a in the radial direction is preferably short, considering that the sealed fluid easily moves over the seal portion 16a.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the supply groove <NUM> supplies, regardless of rotation/stop of the rotary shaft <NUM>, the sealed fluid to a portion between the sliding surfaces S1, S2 when the sealed fluid has a higher pressure than that of atmospheric air. The supply groove <NUM> has a rectangular shape as viewed from the side. The supply groove <NUM> opens on the inner diameter side (i.e., the sealed fluid side) of the sliding surface S1, and is communicated with the communication groove <NUM> on the outer diameter side. Moreover, a bottom surface 13d (see <FIG>) of the supply groove <NUM> is formed flat, and is parallel with the flat surface <NUM>. The depth of the supply groove <NUM> is several tens to several hundreds of µm and preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. Note that the depth of the supply groove <NUM> may be much deeper (e.g., up to about a depth of <NUM>).

The communication groove <NUM> is formed to extend in the circumferential direction at a position on the outer diameter side with respect to the center of the sliding surface S1 in the radial direction, has an arc shape as viewed from the side, and has a shorter dimension in the radial direction than the dimension of the supply groove <NUM> in the circumferential direction. Moreover, a bottom surface 14d of the communication groove <NUM> is formed flat, is parallel with the flat surface <NUM>, and is formed continuously to the bottom surface 13d of the supply groove <NUM>. The depth of the communication groove <NUM> is substantially the same as that of the supply groove <NUM> (see <FIG>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the inclined groove <NUM> extends to the outer diameter side in the rotation direction of the rotary shaft <NUM> from the seal portion 16a, i.e., extends inclined with respect to the radial direction, and has the function of generating a drawing pressure in the inclined grooves <NUM> due to a flow in the radially outward direction upon rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM>. The inclined groove <NUM> is configured such that a closed portion 15d extending along the outer-diameter-side end portion of the seal portion 16a, a planar outer inclined wall portion 15b positioned on an opposite rotation side of the rotary shaft <NUM> and formed perpendicularly to a bottom surface 15e, a planar inner inclined wall portion 15c positioned on a rotation side of the rotary shaft <NUM> and formed perpendicularly to the bottom surface 15e, and an opening 15a crossing the outer inclined wall portion 15b and the inner inclined wall portion 15c and communicated with a non-sliding surface S1' side (i.e., the atmosphere side A) form a parallelogram shape as viewed from the side. The inclined groove <NUM> has the substantially same dimension in the circumferential direction as the dimension of the communication groove <NUM> in the radial direction, and has a longer dimension in an extension direction than the dimension in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the bottom surface 15e of the inclined groove <NUM> is formed flat, and is parallel with the flat surface <NUM>. The depth of the inclined groove <NUM> is shallower than those of the supply groove <NUM> and the communication groove <NUM>.

Further, the outer-diameter-side lubrication portion 16c having a shorter dimension in the circumferential direction than the dimension of the inclined groove <NUM> in the circumferential direction is interposed between adjacent ones of the inclined grooves <NUM> in the circumferential direction. Note that the dimensions of these portions may be the same as each other, or the outer-diameter-side lubrication portion 16c may have a longer dimension. Moreover, the multiple inclined grooves <NUM> may be formed with a curvature such that the outer-diameter-side lubrication portions 16c are formed to the outer diameter side with the substantially equal width.

Next, fluid film formation between the sliding surface S1 of the seal ring <NUM> and the sliding surface S2 of the side wall surface <NUM> of the annular groove <NUM> (hereinafter sometimes merely referred to as "between the sliding surfaces S1, S2") will be described with reference to <FIG>, and <FIG>. Note that a case where the rotary shaft <NUM> rotates clockwise as indicated by the white arrow in <FIG>, i.e., a case where the seal ring <NUM> rotates counterclockwise relative to the annular groove <NUM> of the rotary shaft <NUM> in <FIG>, will be described herein by way of example. Further, note that each of <FIG>, and <FIG> schematically illustrates an association between an enlarged partial side view of the seal ring <NUM> as viewed from the side and an A-A sectional view cut along the supply groove <NUM>, the communication groove <NUM>, and the inclined groove <NUM> of the enlarged partial side view.

First, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the rotary shaft <NUM> stands still, the supply grooves <NUM> and the communication groove <NUM> are filled with the sealed fluid due to the fluid pressure. Moreover, the high-pressure sealed fluid is supplied to the supply grooves <NUM> and the communication groove <NUM>, and due to a resting pressure, the force of separating the sliding surfaces S1, S2 acts on the supply grooves <NUM> and the communication groove <NUM>.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, upon rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM>, the sliding surface S1 on the side surface <NUM> side slides on the sliding surface S2 on the side wall surface <NUM> (see <FIG>) side. Accordingly, the sealed fluid in the communication groove <NUM> generates a clockwise flow along the communication groove <NUM>. Moreover, although not shown in the figure, the sliding surface S2 passes over the supply grooves <NUM>, and therefore, the sealed fluid flows out of the supply grooves <NUM> to follow the rotation direction of the rotary shaft <NUM>.

Meanwhile, on the outer diameter side with respect to the seal portion 16a, the sealed fluid and air in the inclined grooves <NUM> move from a closed portion 15d side to an opening 15a side of the inclined groove <NUM>, and accordingly, the drawing pressure is generated from the closed portion 15d side to the opening 15a side of the inclined groove <NUM>. Thus, a negative pressure is generated on the closed portion 15d side.

The sealed fluid forming a fluid film on the seal portion 16a is drawn into the inclined grooves <NUM> by such a negative pressure. Accordingly, the sealed fluid in the communication groove <NUM> leaks out to a seal portion 16a side, and the flow F of moving the sealed fluid over the seal portion 16a from the communication groove <NUM> and drawing the sealed fluid into the inclined grooves <NUM> is formed (see <FIG>). The fluid film is reliably formed on the seal portion 16a, and lubricity is enhanced. The fluid film of the sealed fluid is formed between the sliding surfaces S1, S2 due to, e.g., the flow F and the resting pressure, and the lubricity is enhanced.

Moreover, the multiple inclined grooves <NUM> are formed at equal intervals across the circumferential direction, and therefore, a dynamic pressure is substantially uniformly generated across the outer diameter side of the sliding surface S1 (i.e., the seal portion 16a). Thus, stable buoyancy can be obtained across the circumferential direction.

Further, as described above, not only the sealed fluid is mainly supplied from the communication groove <NUM> to a portion between the sliding surface S2 and the seal portion 16a, but also the high-pressure sealed fluid is supplied from the inclined grooves <NUM> and the communication groove <NUM> to the outer-diameter-side lubrication portion 16c interposed between adjacent ones of the inclined grooves <NUM> in the circumferential direction and is supplied from the inner diameter side of the sliding surface S1 and the supply grooves <NUM> to the inner-diameter-side lubrication portion 16b defined by adjacent ones of the supply grooves <NUM> and the communication groove <NUM>. Thus, the fluid film of the sealed fluid having a substantially equal thickness is formed between the sliding surfaces S1, S2.

As described above, the high-pressure sealed fluid introduced through inner-diameter-side openings of the supply grooves <NUM> moves over the seal portion 16a, and on the outer diameter side, is drawn by the drawing pressure due to the flow in the radially outward direction in the inclined grooves <NUM> upon rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM>. Accordingly, the flow F of sealed fluid in the radially outward direction is formed among the supply grooves <NUM>, the communication groove <NUM>, and the inclined grooves <NUM>. Thus, the fluid film can be formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction among the supply grooves <NUM>, the communication groove <NUM>, and the inclined grooves <NUM>, and therefore, stable lubrication performance can be provided across a wide range of rotation speed.

Moreover, the sealed fluid is sufficiently supplied as described above, and therefore, the fluid film can be reliably formed between the sliding surfaces S1, S2 across a wide range of rotation speed. Thus, the lubricity of the seal ring <NUM> can be enhanced.

Further, the supply grooves <NUM>, the communication groove <NUM>, and the inclined grooves <NUM> among which the flow of sealed fluid in the radial direction is formed are separated in the radial direction by the seal portion 16a, and therefore, the fluid film is formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction on the seal portion 16a. With this configuration, the lubricity of the seal portion 16a can be enhanced.

In addition, the multiple supply grooves <NUM> are equally arranged in the circumferential direction, and therefore, the flow of sealed fluid in the radial direction is formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction on the seal portion 16a.

Moreover, the multiple supply grooves <NUM> are, on the inner diameter side of the seal portion 16a, communicated with each other through the communication groove <NUM> extending in the circumferential direction, and therefore, the high-pressure sealed fluid introduced through the inner-diameter-side openings of the supply grooves <NUM> is supplied in the circumferential direction by the communication groove <NUM>. Thus, the flow of sealed fluid in the radial direction is reliably formed with favorable balance in the circumferential direction on the seal portion 16a.

Further, the seal ring <NUM> is in the C-shape, and therefore, seal performance can be stably maintained even when the circumferential length of the seal ring <NUM> changes due to thermal expansion/contraction.

Next, a seal ring according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Note that the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components as those described in the above-described embodiment, and overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

The seal ring <NUM> in the second embodiment will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, a sliding surface S1 (see <FIG>) formed at a side surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> includes a flat surface <NUM>, multiple supply grooves <NUM>, a communication groove <NUM>, multiple inclined grooves <NUM>, and a dynamic pressure groove <NUM> provided between adjacent ones of the supply grooves <NUM> in a circumferential direction.

The dynamic pressure groove <NUM> has the function of generating a dynamic pressure according to rotation of a rotary shaft <NUM>. The dynamic pressure groove <NUM> includes a deep groove <NUM> opening on an inner diameter side (i.e., the sealed fluid side) of the seal ring <NUM> and provided at the center in the circumferential direction and a pair of shallow grooves <NUM>, <NUM> (i.e., positive pressure generators and negative pressure generators) formed continuously from both sides of the deep groove <NUM> in the circumferential direction and extending in the circumferential direction. An inner-diameter-side lubrication portion 16b in an inverted U-shape as viewed from the side is arranged between the dynamic pressure groove <NUM> and each of the supply grooves <NUM> adjacent to such a dynamic pressure groove <NUM> in the circumferential direction and the communication groove <NUM>. Note that in <FIG> and <FIG>, the right side with respect to the deep groove <NUM> in the plane of paper is the shallow groove <NUM> (i.e., the positive pressure generator), and the left side in the plane of paper is the shallow groove <NUM> (i.e., the negative pressure generator).

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the deep groove <NUM> has a bottom surface formed flat, and the shallow grooves <NUM>, <NUM> have bottom surfaces as inclined surfaces formed such that the shallow grooves <NUM>, <NUM> gradually become shallower from a deep groove <NUM> side to terminal ends in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the bottom surface of the deep groove <NUM> is formed much deeper than deepest portions of the shallow grooves <NUM>, <NUM>, and the depth of the deep groove <NUM> is several tens to several hundreds of µm and preferably <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to such a configuration, in fluid film formation between the sliding surfaces S1, S2, a negative pressure is generated in each shallow groove <NUM> (hereinafter merely referred to as a "shallow groove <NUM>") of the seal ring <NUM> on a side (i.e., the left side in the plane of paper of <FIG>) opposite to a rotation direction of the rotary shaft <NUM>. Meanwhile, sealed fluid introduced into the deep grooves <NUM> is supplied to each shallow groove <NUM> (hereinafter merely referred to as a "shallow groove <NUM>") of the seal ring <NUM> on the same side (i.e., the right side in the plane of paper of <FIG>) as the rotation direction, and a positive pressure is generated in such a shallow groove <NUM> due to wedge action caused by the inclined surface. Then, the positive pressure is generated across the entirety of the dynamic pressure grooves <NUM>, and accordingly, the force of slightly separating the sliding surfaces S1, S2 from each other, i.e., so-called buoyancy, is obtained. That is, the positive pressure (i.e., the buoyancy) can be generated not only on an outer diameter side of the sliding surfaces S1, S2 but also on an inner diameter side by the dynamic pressure grooves <NUM>. Thus, responsiveness of fluid film formation to rotation of the rotary shaft <NUM> can be enhanced.

Moreover, the force of sucking the sealed fluid present between the sliding surfaces S1, S2 around the shallow groove <NUM> generating the negative pressure acts on such a shallow groove <NUM>. Thus, the sealed fluid is supplied to the shallow groove <NUM> and a surrounding inner-diameter-side lubrication portion 16b thereof from the supply groove <NUM> adjacent to such a shallow groove <NUM> in the circumferential direction. Further, the shallow groove <NUM> as the negative pressure generator in the dynamic pressure groove <NUM> opens on the inner diameter side (i.e., the sealed fluid side), and the sealed fluid is also introduced from the inner diameter side of the sliding surface S1. Thus, the sealed fluid is easily held on the shallow groove <NUM>.

Further, the negative pressure generated by the inclined grooves <NUM> can be partially cancelled by the positive pressure generated on the outer diameter side of the sliding surface S1, and the sliding surfaces S1, S2 can be easily separated from each other by the dynamic pressure generated across the entirety of the dynamic pressure grooves <NUM>. Thus, the flow of sealed fluid in a radial direction is easily formed on a seal portion 16a.

In addition, the dynamic pressure groove <NUM> arranged on the inner diameter side of the sliding surface S1 may be freely formed, and may be formed as, e.g., a T-shaped groove, a Rayleigh step, or a spiral groove.

Next, a seal ring according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. Note that the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components as those described in the above-described embodiments, and overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

The seal ring <NUM> in the third embodiment will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, a sliding surface S1 (see <FIG>) formed at a side surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> includes a flat surface <NUM>, multiple supply grooves <NUM>, a communication groove <NUM>, multiple inclined grooves <NUM>, and a dynamic pressure groove <NUM> provided between adjacent ones of the supply grooves <NUM> in a circumferential direction.

The dynamic pressure groove <NUM> includes a deep groove <NUM> opening on an inner diameter side (i.e., the sealed fluid side) of the seal ring <NUM>, provided at the center in the circumferential direction, and communicated with the communication groove at an outer-diameter-side end portion and a pair of shallow grooves <NUM>, <NUM> formed continuously from both sides of the deep groove <NUM> in the circumferential direction and extending in the circumferential direction. An inner-diameter-side lubrication portion 16b in an L-shape as viewed from the side is arranged between the dynamic pressure groove <NUM> and each of the supply grooves <NUM> adjacent to such a dynamic pressure groove <NUM> and the communication groove <NUM>.

According to such a configuration, in fluid film formation between the sliding surfaces S1, S2, sealed fluid can be supplied to the communication groove <NUM> not only from the supply grooves <NUM> but also from the deep grooves <NUM> of the dynamic pressure grooves <NUM>. Thus, a fluid film can be more reliably formed between the sliding surfaces S1, S2 across a wide range of rotation speed, and lubricity of the seal ring <NUM> can be enhanced.

Next, a seal ring according to a fourth example (not claimed) will be described with reference to <FIG>. Note that the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components as those described in the above-described embodiments, and overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

The seal ring <NUM> in the fourth example will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, a sliding surface S1 (see <FIG>) formed at a side surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> includes a flat surface <NUM>, multiple supply grooves <NUM>, and a single inclined groove <NUM> inclined to a rotation direction of a rotary shaft <NUM> from the vicinity of an outer-diameter-side end portion of each supply groove <NUM> (e.g., an outer-diameter-side end portion of a seal portion 16a) to an outer-diameter-side end portion of the side surface <NUM>. According to such a configuration, a flow F (see <FIG>) moving over the seal portion 16a at outermost diameter portions of the sliding surfaces S1, S2 can be formed with a simple configuration.

Next, a seal ring according to a fifth example (not claimed) will be described with reference to <FIG>. Note that the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components as those described in the above-described embodiments, and overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

The seal ring <NUM> in the fifth example will be described. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the present example, a sliding surface S1 (see <FIG>) formed at a side surface <NUM> of the seal ring <NUM> includes a flat surface <NUM>, multiple supply grooves <NUM>, multiple communication paths <NUM> each communicated with adjacent two of the supply grooves <NUM>, and multiple inclined grooves <NUM> inclined to a relative turning direction from the vicinity of an outer-diameter-side end portion of each communication path <NUM> (e.g., an outer-diameter-side end portion of the seal portion 16a) to an outer-diameter-side end portion of the side surface <NUM>. According to such a configuration, a flow F (see <FIG>) moving over the seal portion 16a at outermost diameter portions of the sliding surfaces S1, S2 can be formed with a simpler configuration than those of the first to third embodiments.

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 as defined by the claims.

For example, the configuration of the dynamic pressure groove of the second embodiment or the third embodiment may be applied to the fourth and fifth embodiments.

Moreover, the form in which the rotary shaft <NUM> is turned clockwise to generate the dynamic pressure in the inclined grooves <NUM> has been described. However, the rotary shaft <NUM> is rotated counterclockwise to move the sealed fluid from the opening 15a side to the closed portion 15d side of the inclined groove <NUM>, and therefore, outflow of the sealed fluid can be reduced with favorable responsiveness.

Further, the number and shape of dynamic pressure grooves, supply grooves, communication paths, or inclined grooves provided at the sliding surface S1 or the non-sliding surface S1' of the seal ring may be changed as necessary such that a desired dynamic pressure effect is obtained. Note that the location and shape of the deep groove of the dynamic pressure groove to which the sealed fluid is introduced, the location and shape of the supply groove to which the sealed fluid is introduced, the location and shape of the communication path to which the sealed fluid is introduced, and the location and shape of the inclined groove to which the sealed fluid is introduced may be changed as necessary according to the assumed degree of abrasion of the sliding surface.

In addition, the inclined groove may have a bottom surface as an inclined surface formed such that the inclined groove gradually becomes shallower from the opening side to the closed portion. With such a form, the drawing pressure is more easily generated due to taper action.

Moreover, the seal ring may be formed in an annular shape without the joint portion 1a, 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.

Further, 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 S1 is inclined.

In addition, the grooves described in the above-described embodiments may be formed at the sliding surface S2 of the annular groove <NUM> of the rotary shaft <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A sealing device comprising
a seal ring (<NUM>) for sealing a clearance between a rotary shaft (<NUM>) and a housing (<NUM>),
a rotary shaft (<NUM>), and
a housing (<NUM>),
said seal ring comprising inclined grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed at a sliding surface so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and supply grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein a seal portion is formed continuously in the circumferential direction and positioned between the supply grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the inclined grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
the seal ring (<NUM>) is housed in an annular groove (<NUM>) which has a rectangular sectional shape and is formed in an outer periphery of the rotary shaft (<NUM>), said rotary shaft (<NUM>) being inserted into a shaft hole of the housing (<NUM>),
wherein a side surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the seal ring (<NUM>) includes a sliding surface (S1, S2) which may be slidably brought into close contact with a side wall surface (<NUM>) of the annular groove (<NUM>),
wherein an outer peripheral surface of the seal ring (<NUM>) may be brought into close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole,
wherein the inclined grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are formed so as to communicate with an outer-diameter-side end portion of the side surface (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the seal ring (<NUM>),
characterised in that the supply grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are communicated with each other through a communication groove which is positioned on the inner diameter side of the seal portion and extends in the circumferential direction,
wherein the inclined grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are formed inclined to the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft (<NUM>) from the vicinity of an outer-diameter-side end portion of the communication groove, and
wherein the supply grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are open on a sealed fluid side of the seal ring (<NUM>) and extending in a radially outward direction toward inner diameter sides of the inclined grooves (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).