CN109488692B

CN109488692B - Combined assembly comprising a bearing and a seal having a common outer body

Info

Publication number: CN109488692B
Application number: CN201811054973.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J.贝克尔; G.P.海恩斯; C.L.克鲁尔; M.毛尔格利亚
Original assignee: SKF AB; Kaydon Ring and Seal Inc
Current assignee: SKF AB; Kaydon Ring and Seal Inc
Priority date: 2017-09-11
Filing date: 2018-09-11
Publication date: 2022-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-11
Also published as: FR3071019B1; DE102018214217A1; IT201700101128A1; FR3071019A1; CN109488692A

Abstract

The combination bearing and seal assembly includes a tubular outer body connectable with the outer member and having first and second axial ends, opposite inner and outer surfaces, and a bearing outer raceway on the outer body inner surface. A tubular inner body is disposed within the outer body bore and is disposable about and coupleable with the rotatable member. The inner body has inner and outer surfaces, opposite outer and inner axial ends, the inner axial end providing a generally radial sealing contact surface, and a bearing inner raceway on the inner body outer surface. Rolling elements disposed between the outer and inner races rotatably couple the outer and inner bodies and form a bearing. An annular seal is located within the outer body bore, is coupled to the tubular outer body, and has a generally radial sealing surface sealingly engageable with the inner body contact surface.

Description

Combined assembly comprising a bearing and a seal having a common outer body

Technical Field

The present invention relates to bearings and seals, and more particularly to bearings and seals for high speed and/or high temperature applications.

Background

Bearings and seals are generally known in numerous different types and configurations, such as sliding bearings, rolling element bearings, elastomeric lip seals, carbon ring seals, and the like. When used in relatively high speed or/and relatively high temperature applications, the bearings are typically rolling element bearings and the seals are typically radial face seal carbon ring seals to function effectively under such environmental conditions. Typically, a separate annular seal assembly is located adjacent to the bearing assembly to prevent or at least reduce the flow of certain fluids (e.g., steam, combustion products, etc.) into the bearing.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, the present invention is a combination bearing and seal assembly for coupling a rotatable inner member with an outer member, the inner member being rotatable about a central axis. The bearing and seal assembly includes: a generally tubular outer body, connectable with the outer member, is positionable about the rotatable inner member. The outer body has a central axis, first and second axial ends, opposing inner and outer circumferential surfaces, an outer body inner surface defining a bore, and a bearing outer raceway on the outer body inner surface. A generally tubular inner body is disposed within the outer body bore so as to be generally coaxial with the outer body, the inner body being disposable about and couplable with the rotatable member. The inner body has inner and outer circumferential surfaces and opposite outer and inner axial ends, the inner axial end providing a generally radial sealing contact surface. The inner body also has a bearing inner raceway on an outer surface of the inner body that is substantially axially aligned with the outer raceway. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed between the outer and inner races to rotatably couple the outer and inner bodies and form a bearing. Further, a generally annular seal is disposed within the outer body bore generally axially between the outer body second axial end and the inner body inner axial end, coupled to the tubular outer body, and disposable about the rotatable inner member. The seal has a generally radial sealing surface configured to sealingly engage the inner body contacting surface to generally prevent fluid flow between the outer body second axial end and the bearing.

In another aspect, the present invention is also a combination bearing and seal assembly for coupling a rotatable inner member rotatable about a central axis with an outer member. The combination bearing and seal assembly includes a generally tubular outer body connectable with the outer member and disposable about the rotatable member. The outer body has opposite inner and outer circumferential surfaces, an outer body inner surface defining a bore and having a portion providing the bearing outer raceway. A generally tubular inner body may be disposed within the outer body bore and about the rotatable inner member, and the inner body may be coupled to the inner member so as to be rotatable about the central axis. The inner body has inner and outer circumferential surfaces, opposite outer and inner axial ends, and the inner body inner radial end provides a generally radial sealing contact surface. A portion of the inner body outer circumferential surface is generally axially aligned with the bearing outer raceway and provides the bearing inner raceway. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed between the outer and inner races to rotatably couple the outer and inner bodies and form a bearing. Further, a generally annular seal is movably coupled with the outer body, disposed within the outer body bore so as to be axially spaced from the inner body, and disposable about the rotatable inner member. The seal has a generally radial sealing surface configured to sealingly engage the inner body radial contact surface and an inner circumferential surface spaced radially outward from the rotatable inner member when the seal is disposed about the rotatable member.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the figure:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, axial cross-sectional view of a combination bearing and seal assembly according to the present disclosure, shown connected with inner and outer components of a machine;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective axial cross-sectional view of the combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of the combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional axial cross-sectional view of the combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6 showing details of the seal;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6 showing details of the bearing;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view through line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tubular inner body of the combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 11 is a perspective enlarged cut-away axial cross-sectional view of the tubular inner body;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a seal of the combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 13 is an axial cross-sectional view of a seal of the combination bearing and seal assembly;

FIG. 14 is another more enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6 showing details of the bearing with an alternative bearing race member;

FIG. 15 is a perspective axial cross-sectional view of an alternative construction of a seal of the combination bearing and seal assembly, showing the cartridge seal assembly separated from the outer tubular body; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional axial cross-sectional view of a combination bearing and seal assembly having an alternative cartridge seal arrangement.

Detailed Description

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words "inner", "inwardly" and "outer", "outwardly" refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, a designated centerline or geometric center of the described element, the particular meaning being apparent from the context of the description. Further, as used herein, the terms "connected" and "coupled" are each intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members therebetween, as well as indirect connections between members with one or more other members interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like elements, as shown in FIGS. 1-16, a combination bearing and seal assembly 10 is used to couple a rotatable inner member 1 (e.g., a shaft) with an outer member 2, such as a housing, frame, etc., the inner member 1 being rotatable about a central axis A_CAnd (4) rotating. The rotatable member 1 is preferably a shaft 3 (or a sleeve/slide on the shaft 3), most preferably a high speed engine shaft, such as a gas turbine, a steam turbine, a compressor or the like, disposed within a frame or housing 2 of a machine 4. Furthermore, the shaft 3 and the bearing and seal assembly 10Each preferably configured to operate in a relatively high temperature environment, such as ambient conditions greater than 100 degrees celsius (100 ℃). The bearing and seal assembly 10 basically comprises a generally tubular outer body 12 connectable with the outer member 2 and disposable about the rotatable inner member 1, a generally tubular inner body 14 disposed within the outer body 12 and disposable about the rotatable member 1, a plurality of rolling elements 16 disposed between the inner body 12 and the outer body 14, and an "axial face" seal 18 disposed within the outer body 12 and disposable about the rotatable member 1.

More specifically, the tubular outer body 12 has a central axis 13, first and second

axial ends

12a, 12b, respectively, and opposing inner and outer

circumferential surfaces

20, 22, respectively, with the inner surface 20 defining a bore 24. The outer body 12 also has a bearing outer raceway 26 on the outer body inner surface 20, which is preferably provided by a portion of the outer body inner surface 20. Alternatively, the outer raceway 26 may be provided by an inner circumferential surface 38a of an annular body 38 disposed within the bore 24, as shown in fig. 14. Furthermore, the tubular outer body 12 is configured to be fixedly connected with the outer member 2 so as to be relative to the shaft center axis a_CIs not rotatable. When the outer body 12 is disposed about the inner member/shaft 3, the outer body axis 13 is at least substantially aligned with the shaft axis A_CCo-linear.

The tubular inner body 14 is disposed within the outer body bore 24 so as to be generally coaxial with the outer body 12 (i.e., centered on the axis 13), and is coupleable with the rotatable inner member 1 so as to be rotatable about the central axis A_CRotates (i.e. during rotation of the shaft 3). The inner body 14 has inner and outer

circumferential surfaces

30 and 32, respectively, and opposite outer and inner

axial ends

14a and 14b, respectively. The outer axial end 14a is generally axially adjacent the outer body first axial end 12a, and the inner radial end 14b provides a generally radial seal contact surface 34. The inner surface 30 of the tubular inner body 14 is preferably sized to frictionally engage the outer circumferential surface 3a of the shaft 3 (or the outer surface of a sleeve/slide (not shown)) to rotatably couple the tubular inner body 14 with the inner member 1 and seal the interface (not shown) between the inner body 14 and the member/shaft 3. In addition, the tubular inner body 14 has a bearing inner raceway 36 on the inner body outer surface 32, the inner raceway 36 being positioned in substantial axial alignment with the outer raceway 26(i.e., aligned along axis 13). The inner race 36 is preferably provided by a portion of the inner body outer circumferential surface 32, but may also be provided by an outer circumferential surface 39a of an annular body 39 disposed about the inner body 14 (fig. 14).

Further, a plurality of rolling elements 16 are disposed between the inner and

outer raceways

26, 36 to rotatably couple the outer and

inner bodies

12, 14 and form a bearing 15. Each rolling element 16 is preferably a cylindrical roller 17, but may also be formed as a bead, a needle, a tapered roller or any other type of rolling element (alternatives not shown). The bearing and seal assembly 10 also preferably includes a bearing cage 40 configured to retain the rolling elements 16 as described below, but may be formed without a cage or other retaining device.

Additionally, the seal 18 is disposed within the outer body bore 24 so as to be generally axially between the outer body second axial end 12b and the inner body inner axial end 14 b. The seal 18 has opposite inner and outer

axial ends

18a, 18b and is connected to the tubular outer body 12 so as to be substantially unable to rotate about the axis a_CAnd (4) rotating. Further, the seal 18 has a generally radial sealing surface 42 on the inner axial end 18a, the sealing surface 42 configured to sealingly engage the inner body contacting surface 34 to at least generally prevent fluid flow between the outer body second axial end 12b and the bearing 15, particularly through an interface SI between the seal 18 and the body 14. Having described the above basic elements, these and other components of the combination bearing and seal assembly 10 will be described in further detail below.

Referring to fig. 1-9 and 14-16, the tubular outer body 12 is generally circular, but preferably in the axial direction D₁(fig. 1) tapers generally radially inwardly from the first axial end 12a to the second axial end 12 b. The outer tubular body 12 is preferably formed as a one-piece structure or unitary body, but may be formed from a plurality of connected tubular body portions (not shown). Preferably, a plurality of lugs 44 are located adjacent the body first axial end 12a and extend radially outwardly from the outer surface 22 and are circumferentially spaced about the central axis 13. The lugs 44 are engageable with the outer member 2 to fixedly connect the bearing and seal assembly 10,as shown in fig. 1, although the outer body 12 may also be provided with a radial flange or any other suitable structure to enable connection with the second member 2.

In addition, the outer body 12 preferably has an annular shoulder 46 extending radially inwardly from the remainder of the body inner surface 20 and located adjacent the second axial end 12 b. Shoulder 46 has an inner circumferential surface 47 engageable by seal 18, preferably by a secondary seal 78 disposed about seal 18, as described below. Alternatively, the outer body 12 may be formed without any shoulder, but rather a portion 20a of the inner surface 20 may be engaged by a box seal 90, as shown in fig. 15 and 16 and described below. For the preferred shoulder 46, the outer body 12 preferably also includes an annular retainer flange 48 extending radially inwardly from the outer body second axial end 12b and providing a radial retaining surface 49 for the biasing member 86, as discussed in detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11 and 14-16, tubular inner body 14 is also preferably generally circular in shape and has an axial length L_AIAbout the axial length L of the outer body 12_AOAs shown in fig. 5. Like the outer body 12, the tubular inner body 14 is also preferably formed as a single piece or unitary body, but may be formed from a plurality of connected tubular body portions. The inner body 14 has a radially outwardly extending shoulder 50 adjacent the body inner axial end 14b to increase the radial width of the axial end 14b and thereby increase the surface area of the seal contact surface 34. Preferably, a plurality of grooves 52 extend axially inward from the seal contact surface 34 and are each configured when the rotatable member 1 is about the central axis A_CAn axial biasing force is generated on the seal 18 upon rotation such that the sealing surface 42 is axially spaced from the inner body contacting surface 34.

More specifically, when the tubular inner body 14 is about the central axis A_CFluid entering the groove 52 upon rotation (i.e., with the rotatable member 1) becomes pressurized and directed against the sealing surface 42, causing the seal 18 to be axially displaced away from the contact surface 34, thereby reducing (and preferably temporarily eliminating) friction between the seal 18 and the tubular inner body 14. Preferably, to further reduce friction, especially in static and dynamic stripsIn the transition between the pieces, a wear resistant coating may be provided on the contact surface 34 of the inner tubular body 14.

Preferably, the inner raceway 36 is spaced radially inward from the remainder of the outer circumferential surface 32 of the inner tubular body 14. Thus, two

support surfaces

54a, 54b are defined, respectively, each adjacent a separate

axial end

36a, 36b of the inner race 36 that supports the bearing cage 40, as described in further detail below. In addition, the inner body 14 also preferably has a plurality of axial slots 56 extending from the inner body outer axial end 14a and radially outwardly from the body inner surface 30. At least one and preferably a plurality of radial lubrication channels 58 each extend generally radially between the body inner circumferential surface 30 and one of the two

support surface portions

54a, 54b, preferably from a single one of the axial grooves 56. In this way, lubricant entering the axial slots 52 passes radially outward through the radial passages 56 by centrifugal force and then into the space between the bearing

surfaces

54a, 54b and the cage 40 to lubricate the cage 40 as the cage 40 slides over the bearing

surfaces

54a, 54b and the rolling elements 16.

Referring to fig. 3, 8 and 9, a bearing cage 40 is disposed generally between the outer and inner

tubular members

12, 14 and is configured to "loosely" retain the plurality of rolling elements 16. The cage 40 includes inner and outer

circumferential surfaces

41A, 41B and a plurality of radially extending openings 43 between the

surfaces

41A, 41B, each preferably formed as a generally rectangular pocket, as best shown in FIG. 3. A separate one of the plurality of rolling elements 16 is disposed within each cage opening/pocket 43 such that the cage 40 rotates about the central axis a as each rolling element 16 simultaneously rolls on the

raceways

26, 36 and rotates within the associated pocket 43_CIs angularly displaced. Further, as described above, bearing cage 40 is disposed about both inner body

support surface portions

54a, 54b such that when cage 40 is about axis A_CUpon angular displacement, cage inner surface 41A slides along

surfaces

54a, 54 b.

Referring now to fig. 1-9 and 12-14, seal 18 preferably includes a generally circular annular body 60 having opposite outer and inner axial ends 60a and 60b, the inner end 60b providing sealing surface 42, and inner and outer

circumferential surfaces

62 and 63. The annular body 60 is preferably a one-piece structure, but may also include a plurality of individual arcuate segments (not shown) that are joined together to form the body 60. The seal body 60 is sized such that the seal inner surface 62 is spaced radially outward from the rotatable member 1 when the seal 18 is disposed about the member/shaft 1, as shown in fig. 1, to eliminate any friction between the seal 18 and the rotatable member 1/shaft 3. In addition, a shoulder 64 extends radially inwardly from the remainder of the inner surface 62 adjacent the seal body inner axial end 60b to increase the radial width of the inner end 60b and thereby increase the surface area of the sealing surface 42. Preferably, the annular flange 65 extends radially outwardly from the body outer surface 63 and includes a plurality of axial slots 66, each configured to receive a coupler 70, as described below. The seal body 60 is preferably formed of a carbon material, but may also be formed of a ceramic material, a high temperature polymer material, or any other suitable material.

As best shown in fig. 1 and 3-7, the combination bearing and seal assembly 10 preferably further includes at least one and preferably a plurality of couplers 70, each configured to movably couple the seal 18 with the tubular outer body 12. In this manner, the seal member 18 is axially displaceable within the outer body bore 24 and relative to the central axis A_CNon-rotatable; that is, the coupling 70 prevents the seal 18 from rotating about the axis A_CAngular displacement of (a). Each coupler 70 preferably includes an elongated pin 72 having a first end 72a disposed within outer body shoulder 46 and a second end 72b disposed within one of sealing flange axial slots 69. The coupler pin 72 interacts with the seal flange 68 to substantially prevent angular displacement of the seal 18, but the groove 69 allows the seal 18 to slide axially along the pin 72. While a coupler pin 70 is presently preferred, the combination bearing and seal assembly 10 may have any other structure or component to movably couple the seal 18 with the outer tubular body 12, one alternative being shown in fig. 15 and 16, as described below.

Still referring to fig. 1 and 3-7, the bearing and seal assembly 10 preferably further includes a secondary seal 78 for preventing fluid flow between the seal 18 and the outer tubular body 12. The secondary seal 80 preferably includes an annular body 80 disposed about the seal 18 and configured to generally seal between the seal 18 and the outer tubular body 12, thereby preventing fluid flow between the seal outer surface 63 and the tubular body inner surface 20. Preferably, the seal body 60 has an annular groove 82 extending radially inward from the outer surface 63, and the secondary seal body 80 is an O-ring disposed within the groove 82 and configured to seal outwardly against the inner surface portion 47 of the outer body shoulder 46. However, the secondary seal 78 may be configured in any other suitable manner, such as an integral portion (e.g., a flange) of the seal body 60 that directly seals against the shoulder inner surface 47.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 3-7, the bearing and seal assembly 10 also preferably includes at least one biasing member 86 configured to bias the seal 18 generally axially toward the inner body seal contact surface 34. More specifically, the biasing member 86 preferably comprises a wave spring 88 and is disposed between the seal outer axial end 60a and the outer body retainer flange 48. The wave spring 88 is partially compressed between the body end 60a and the retainer flange 48 so as to tend in another direction D toward the tubular inner body 14₂(fig. 1) to "push" or axially displace the seal body 60. Alternatively, the biasing member 86 may include one or more coil compression springs or any other suitable component capable of axially biasing the seal 18.

In any event, the biasing member 86 serves to ensure that the seal body sealing surface 42 remains juxtaposed with the seal contact surface 34 in the static state of the assembly 10 and machine 3, i.e., when the inner member 1/shaft 3 is non-rotating, to prevent fluid flow in the sealing interface SI between the seal 18 and the inner tubular body 14. However, the rotatable member/shaft 1 and the coupled tubular inner body 14 surround the central axis a_CUnder dynamic conditions of rotation or angular displacement, the groove 52 in the inner body contacting surface 34 pressurizes and directs fluid in interface S1 to displace the seal body 60 away from the tubular body 14 to reduce friction. Although some fluids pass through the seal interface SI under dynamic conditions, the significant reduction in friction greatly increases seal life, which is believed to be greater thanIt is more important to completely prevent or interrupt fluid flow through the interface SI.

Referring now to fig. 15 and 16, the seal 18 may also be provided by a cartridge seal assembly 90, the cartridge seal assembly 90 further including an outer seal housing 92 and an outer circumferential surface 93, the outer seal housing 92 having an inner cavity C at least partially containing the seal 18_H. Preferably, the seal housing outer surface 93 may frictionally engage a portion of the outer body inner surface 20 to retain the cartridge seal assembly 90 within the tubular outer body 12, although a C-clip 94 is also preferably provided to engage the outer body 12 and the housing 92 to axially retain the cartridge seal 19. Further, the housing 92 is preferably generally C-shaped and has an outer annular portion 92a providing an outer surface 93, and an inner annular portion 92b and a radial portion 92C connecting the outer portion 92a with the inner portion 92 b.

Preferably, at least one and preferably two fixed anti-rotation lugs 96 are each rigidly attached to the inner surface of the housing outer annular portion 92a and engage mating grooves (not shown) in the seal body 60 to prevent angular displacement of the seal 18. Further, an inner secondary seal 98, preferably an O-ring, is disposed between the seal body 60 and the housing inner annular portion 92 b. The biasing member 86 is preferably disposed within the housing 92 and is compressed between the housing annular portion 92c and the seal body outer end 60 b. As such, the biasing member 86 biases the seal body 60 toward the tubular inner body 14 such that the body 60 slides against the fixed anti-rotation lug 96 and over the inner secondary seal 98 and fluid flow through the housing 92 and seal 18 is substantially prevented.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined generally in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination assembly including a bearing and a seal for coupling an outer member with a rotatable inner member, the inner member rotating about a central axis, the combination assembly comprising:

a generally tubular outer body connectable with the outer member, disposable about the rotatable inner member and having a central axis, first and second axial ends, opposed inner and outer circumferential surfaces, the outer body inner surface defining a bore, and a bearing outer raceway on the outer body inner surface;

a generally tubular inner body disposed within the outer body bore so as to be generally coaxial with the outer body, the inner body disposable about and coupleable with the rotatable inner member and having inner and outer circumferential surfaces, opposite outer and inner axial ends, the inner axial end providing a generally radial sealing contact surface, and a bearing inner raceway on the inner body outer surface, the inner raceway being generally axially aligned with the outer raceway;

a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the outer and inner races to rotatably couple the outer and inner bodies and form a bearing; and

a generally annular seal disposed within the outer body bore generally axially between the outer body second axial end and the inner body inner axial end, coupled to the tubular outer body and disposable about the rotatable inner member, the seal having a generally radial sealing surface configured to sealingly engage the inner body contact surface to generally prevent fluid flow between the outer body second axial end and the bearing.

2. The combination assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the outer raceway being provided by a portion of an inner surface of the outer body or by an inner circumferential surface of an annular body disposed within the outer body; and is

The inner raceway is provided by a portion of the outer surface of the body or by the outer circumferential surface of an annular body disposed about the inner body.

3. The combination assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the outer circumferential surface of the tubular inner body having a surface portion providing the inner raceway, the raceway surface portion having two opposite axial ends, and two shoulder surface portions, each shoulder surface portion being spaced radially outwardly from a separate one of the raceway surface portion axial ends; and is

The combination assembly further includes a generally annular bearing cage slidably disposed about the two shoulder surface portions and including a plurality of radially extending openings, a separate one of the plurality of rolling elements being disposed within each cage opening.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the tubular inner body has at least one lubrication channel extending generally radially between the inner body inner circumferential surface and one of the two shoulder surfaces.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tubular outer body is configured to be fixedly connected with the outer member so as to be non-rotatable relative to the central axis.

6. The combination assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

at least one coupler configured to movably couple the seal with the outer body such that the seal is axially movable within the outer body bore and non-rotatable relative to the central axis;

a biasing member configured to bias the seal generally axially toward the inner body seal contact surface;

a secondary seal comprising an annular body disposed about the seal and configured to substantially seal between the seal and the tubular outer body; and

a generally annular bearing cage disposed generally between the tubular outer body and the tubular inner body and including a plurality of radially extending openings, a separate one of the plurality of rolling elements being disposed within each cage opening.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the seal has an inner circumferential surface sized such that the seal inner circumferential surface is spaced radially outwardly from the rotatable inner member when the seal is disposed about the rotatable inner member.

8. The combination assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the seal includes a generally annular body and one of a plurality of arcuate segments; and is

The seal is formed from one of a carbon material, a ceramic material, and a high temperature polymer material.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the seal is provided by a cartridge seal, the cartridge seal further comprising an outer seal housing having an internal cavity at least partially containing the seal and an outer circumferential surface engageable with a portion of an inner surface of the outer body to retain the cartridge seal assembly within the tubular outer body.

10. The combination assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the tubular inner body having a plurality of grooves extending axially inward from the seal contact surface and configured to generate an axial biasing force on the seal as the rotatable inner member is rotated about the central axis such that the seal surface is axially spaced from the contact surface; and is

A wear resistant coating is disposed on the sealing contact surface of the tubular inner body.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein each of the inner and outer tubular bodies comprises one of a single tubular body and a plurality of connected tubular body portions.