Rotary shaft seal

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:864832

Langebrake, Clair O ^[1]

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1. Waverly, OH

The invention is a novel rotary shaft seal assembly which provides positive-contact sealing when the shaft is not rotated and which operates with its sealing surfaces separated by a film of compressed ambient gas whose width is independent of the speed of shaft rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a disc affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith. Axially movable, non-rotatable plates respectively supported by sealing bellows are positioned on either side of the disc to be in sealing engagement therewith. Each plate carries piezoelectric transducer elements which are electrically energized at startup to produce films of compressed ambient gas between the confronting surfaces of the plates and the disc. Following shutdown of the shaft, the transducer elements are de-energized. A control circuit responds to incipient rubbing between the plate and either disc by altering the electrical input to the transducer elements to eliminate rubbing.

• Research Organization: MARTIN MARIETTA ENRGY SYST INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76OR00001
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4424975
• OSTI ID: 864832
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

rotary
shaft
seal
novel
assembly
provides
positive-contact
sealing
rotated
operates
surfaces
separated
film
compressed
ambient
gas
width
independent
speed
rotation
preferred
embodiment
disc
affixed
therewith
axially
movable
non-rotatable
plates
respectively
supported
bellows
positioned
engagement
plate
carries
piezoelectric
transducer
elements
electrically
energized
startup
produce
films
confronting
following
shutdown
de-energized
control
circuit
responds
incipient
rubbing
altering
electrical
input
eliminate
rotary shaft
axially movable
shaft seal
electrical input
electrically energized
seal assembly
control circuit
preferred embodiment
piezoelectric transducer
sealing surface
sealing surfaces
sealing engagement
surfaces separated
rotatable plate
shaft rotation
sealing engage
ambient gas
confronting surfaces
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