Patent ID: 8540613

Claim:
A centrifugal separator comprising: a base; a substantially vertical spindle upstanding from the base; a rotor mounted on the spindle and defining a rotor chamber surrounding the spindle; wherein the base includes an inlet passage receiving fluid to be filtered; and wherein the spindle includes an axial bore and outlets therefrom to supply the fluid to be filtered to the rotor chamber from the inlet passage; wherein the spindle is connected to the rotor so as to rotate in unison with the rotor relative to the base and wherein bearings for rotation of the spindle relative to the base are provided in a bearing housing which is fixedly mounted to the base, in that the spindle is also connected to the rotor in a manner which isolates the bearing housing from the rotor chamber; and an axial sealing arrangement comprising: an elongated stationary non-rotating tubular seal component mounted to the base, the seal component having a first axial bore extending therethrough and through opposing axial end faces of the non-rotating tubular seal component; an axially elongated rotating tubular seal component mounted to the spindle and rotating with the spindle, the rotating seal component having a second axial bore extending therethrough and through opposing axial end faces of the rotating tubular seal component; wherein a first one of the end faces of the rotating tubular seal component contacts and rotates upon a second one the end faces of the non-rotating tubular seal component forming a seal interface, the seal interface forming a rotary seal connecting the first and second axial bores such that a major portion of fluid flow in the first and second axial bores is prevented from escaping through the seal interface; wherein the sealing arrangement is provided, separate from the rotation bearings, between the spindle and the base at a location below the bearings in the bearing housing.