Patent ID: 7686308

Claim:
A fluid-activated shaft bulkhead seal system comprising: an annular housing fixed with respect to a bulkhead and about a rotating shaft extending through the bulkhead and the annular housing; an annular sealing structure including an inward alignment ring about and spaced from the rotating shaft, the sealing structure sealed and moveable with respect to the annular housing when the rotating shaft contacts the alignment ring; the annular sealing structure supporting a pair of lip seals, one on each side of the alignment ring, each lip seal including an outwardly facing pocket between a lip portion spaced from the rotating shaft and a portion abutting the sealing structure; a foam body in the pocket of each lip seal; and each foam body including a gel material configured to expand the foam body in the presence of fluid urging the lip portions of the lip seals into contact with the rotating shaft to seal the sealing structure with respect to the rotating shaft.