GB2347180A

GB2347180A - Mechanical face seal with fluid flow promoter

Info

Publication number: GB2347180A
Application number: GB9921862A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Easa Taheri Oskouei; Alan Roddis; Andrew Parkin
Original assignee: AES Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: AES Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 1998-09-16
Filing date: 1999-09-16
Publication date: 2000-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-16
Also published as: GB2347180B; GB9921862D0; US6428011B1

Abstract

A mechanical face seal for use with a rotating shaft has a stationary (1) and a rotating (2) assembly, with two respective sealing faces (3), which are urged into sealing contact. Fluid is introduced (9) into the seal assembly. The seal is designed in such a way as to promote flow of the fluid within the seal assembly regardless of the direction of shaft rotation. Fluid flow can preferably be promoted by a device (13) having a grooved circumferentially extending face (fig 3), with at least one groove extending axially and circumferentially in one direction and at least one other groove extending in the opposite direction (fig 3 and 4). The grooves may have a plan angle of 1{-89{ and the base of the groove may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal. The face of the device between two grooves may also be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The device may be located on the stationary or rotating parts of the seal assembly. There can be a space within the seal into which a fluid is fed, which is then separated into two opposing flow paths. In use the shaft may be stationary and the outer structure rotates around the shaft.

Description

MECHANICAL SEALS Field of Invention This invention relates to mechanical seals which may be used to separate a first liquid fluid from a second fluid. In the context of a pump, for example, the mechanical seal is mounted so as to extend between the pump shaft and the pump housing.

Background of the Invention A mechanical shaft seal for separating a first liquid fluid from a second fluid includes a rotary assembly for mounting on a rotatable shaft for rotation therewith and a stationary assembly for securing to a fixed structure within which the rotary assembly is located. Such a seal includes a"floating component"which forms part of either the rotary or the stationary assembly and which is axially moveable relative to the rotatable shaft. In addition, the seal includes a"static"component which forms part of the other of the rotary and stationary assemblies, this component being axially fixed relative to the rotatable shaft. The floating component has a flat angular end face or seal face which is directed toward the static component, usually by means of one or more springs, to close the seal faces together to form a sliding face seal.

A seal with a floating component forming part of the rotary assembly is described as a rotary seal and a seal whose floating component forms part of the stationary assembly is referred to as a stationary seal.

If the sliding seal between the rotary and stationary components is assembled and pre-set prior to despatch from the manufacturer, the seal is referred to as a"cartridge seal"If the rotary and stationary components are despatched in unassembled form from the manufacturer, the seal is a"component seal".

A mechanical seal may be single mechanical seal or a multiple mechanical seal, typically a double or triple mechanical seal. Furthermore a mechanical seal may include a barrier fluid system by means of which a third fluid, normally liquid, is fed to the seal and this third or barrier fluid acts to separate the first and second fluids and is intended to facilitate the removal of heat generated between the sliding seal faces, thereby helping to prolong the life of the seal.

In order for the barrier fluid system to be effective, the barrier fluid has to be fed to the seal and, within the seal, to one or more areas where cooling is to be effected and thence is fed away from the seal. This involves axial movement of the barrier fluid and to some extent this is affected by the forces induced as a result of the rotation of the rotary assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Statements of the Invention The present invention is based on the discovery that there may be located within the seal a means for promoting or enhancing the actual movement of the barrier fluid along a desired flow path, which means may be effective regardless of the direction of rotation of the rotary assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a mechanical shaft seal for separating a first liquid fluid from a second fluid comprising: (a) a rotary assembly for mounting on rotatable shaft for rotation therewith; (b) a stationary assembly for securing to a fixed structure within which the rotary assembly is located; (c) said rotary assembly and said stationary assembly each carrying a respective mating sealing face; (d) one of said seal faces being located on a floating component mounted for axial movement with respect to said shaft; (e) means for urging the floating component in a direction toward the other of said seal faces; (f) means for feeding a third fluid to a location within the seal which, when the seal is in use, lies between the first and second fluids; and (g) means for promoting axial flow of said third liquid within the seal, said axial flow promoting means being arranged to promote said flow irrespective of the direction of rotation of the rotating assembly relative to the stationary assembly.

Preferably the axial flow promotion means comprises a member having a grooved, circumferentially extending face, at least one groove extending both axially and circumferentially in one direction about said face and at least one other groove extending both axially and circumferentially in the opposite direction about said face.

Accordingly the present invention provides the inducement of barrier fluid flow which is independent of the direction of rotation of the equipment of which the seal forms a part.

Preferably the grooves have a plan view angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal of between 1 and 89 .

The base of at least one of the grooves may be inclined radially relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal. Additionally or alternatively, the face of the grooved member, between at least two grooves, may be inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal.

The grooves may be circumferentially adjacent each other on the grooved member.

Alternatively, at least one groove may be axially adjacent or separated from at least one other groove.

The groove member may form part of the rotary assembly. The fixed structure to which, in use, the stationary assembly is secured will include a housing having a component located radially outside grooved member, said component having an inner face which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal.

Alternatively, the grooved member may form part of the stationary assembly or, in use, form part of the fixed structure to which the stationary assembly is attached.

Preferably the seal defines a space to which, in use, the third fluid is fed, there being located within said space means for dividing said space into two opposing flow paths for said third fluid.

The present invention may be applied to rotary and stationary seals whether they are of cartridge or component type.

Brief description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings are as follows : Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a double stationary mechanical seal in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of part of a seal similar to that shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the axial flow promoting member of the seal shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an extrapolated plan view of the grooved face of the member shown in Figure 3; Figures 5a to 5d are extrapolated plan views of alternative groove patterns; Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of part of a second embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of part of a third embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is an extrapolated plan view of the grooved face of the axial flow promoting member of the seal of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a longitudinal section through a fourth embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross section of part of a fifth embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention; Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through part of a seventh embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention; Figures 12a to 12c illustrate different groove profiles of flow promoting members which may be used in seals for the present invention; Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of part of a seventh embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of part of an eighth embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the Invention The present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a double stationary mechanical seal located about a rotatable shaft 6. The seal is a cartridge seal and includes on the inboard side of the seal a stationary component 1 and, a rotary component 2 which together define sealing faces 3. Rotary component 2 is located radially outwardly of a sleeve 5 which is fixed for rotation with shaft 6.

As well as the inboard sealing components mentioned above, the seal includes an outboard sealing arrangement providing sealing faces 11. Barrier fluid is fed to the seal via inlet 9 located in gland 10. The barrier fluid follows a path located radially outwardly of a deflector ring 7 in a direction towards seal face 3, this path being indicated by the arrows in the upper part of Figure 1. The barrier fluid then follows a path located radially inwardly of deflector 7 as indicated by the arrows in the lower part of Figure 1. The barrier fluid exits from the seal via outlet 12 located in gland 10. The barrier fluid may then be recycled back to inlet 9.

Flow inducing ring 13 is located between the inboard sealing faces 3 and the outboard sealing faces 11. At best seen in Figures 2 and 3, ring 13 includes a main body portion 131 from the inner edge of which extends an integral channel 132 housing an O ring 133. O ring 133 bears against sleeve 5.

Extending in an outboard direction from main body portion 131 of ring 13 is a flange 134 which steps outwardly to provide a space between this flange and the rotary component 135 of the outboard seal. Located in this space is a further O ring 136. Accordingly the flange inducer ring forms part of the rotary assembly with which it is in sealing engagement through rings 133 and 136.

Extending into main body portion 131 of ring 13 from the outer face thereof is a plurality of deep grooves, slots or vanes 15, each of which extend from the inboard face of main body portion 131 to the outboard face thereof. Each groove 15 is rectangular in cross section and extends not only axially but also circumferentially across the main body portion 131 of ring 13. Some of the grooves extend circumferentially in one direction and others in the opposite direction. The resulting pattern of grooves is best seen in Figure 4 from which it will be seen that some grooves 137 are single grooves and others 138 are double grooves due to the meeting of two single grooves where they converge on the inboard or outboard edge of body portion 131. The resulting pattern is one of alternating double and single grooves, the double grooves being of chevron shape in plan.

The grooves 15 and 16, located on ring 13, rotate with the seal and cause the barrier fluid to be propelled axially in an outboard direction. When the shaft 6 is rotating in one direction, then grooves 15 are effective to cause the barrier fluid flow and when the shaft rotates in the opposite direction, grooves 16 are effective to cause barrier fluid flow in the same outboard direction. Accordingly barrier fluid flow is achieved irrespective of the direction of the rotation of flow inducing ring with the shaft.

Figures 5a to 5d illustrate different groove patterns that are effective to produce barrier fluid flow in the desired direction irrespective of the direction of rotation of the shaft. It will been seen that in each of these groove patterns there are some grooves which extend in one direction circumferentially and others in the opposite direction. The pattern of grooves as well as the shape of each groove may be varied to suit the performance required from the flow inducing ring.

Referring to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention. This seal is substantially similar to that shown in Figure 1. However, in this case ring 61, which corresponds to ring 13 of the Figure 1 embodiment is not provided with the grooves 15 and 16. Instead the housing 25 is provided with grooves 62 which extend radially outwardly from the inner face of the housing adjacent ring 61. The pattern of grooves is similar to that shown in Figure 4.

The grooves 15 and 16 in the ring 13 make an angle of about 30 from the longitudinal axis. As illustrated in Figure 5a to 5d, the grooves may make other angles and indeed the angle may vary from 1 to 89 , typically from 5 to 85 .

Referring to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, a third embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention is broadly similar to that illustrated in Figure 1.

The flow inducing ring 73 is provided, however, with two sets of grooves, inboard set 19 and outboard set 20, the two sets being located axially adjacent each other in a tandem arrangement. The inboard set 19 is provided with grooves 21 (see Figure 8) which produce barrier flow when the shaft rotates in a clockwise direction. The outboard 20 has grooves 22 which produce a barrier flow when the shaft rotates in an anti-clockwise direction.

It will be appreciated that the inboard and outboard sets of grooves could be interchanged. Also the number of sets of grooves, and the orientation of the grooves within each set, can be varied to produce any desired amount of barrier fluid flow.

Furthermore the sets of grooves may be placed on the inner surface of the housing 74 as shown in Figure 9 representing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings, a fifth embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention is broadly similar to that shown in Figure 1.

However in this case the flow inducing ring 83 is provided with grooves 84, each of which has an inclined base 87, the inclination being in an outward direction from the inboard to the outboard side of the seal.

Referring to Figure I 1 of the accompanying drawings, a sixth embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention is again similar to that illustrated in Figure 1. However, in this case the flow inducing ring 93 has an inclined outside diameter 98, the inclination again being outwardly from the inboard to the outboard side of the seal.

Referring to Figures 12 to 12c of the accompanying drawings, there are illustrated different groove cross-sections which may be used in, for instance, the flow inducing ring 13 of the Figure 1 embodiment. In Figure 12a, the groove 15 has a cross-section similar to that shown in Figure 3. The groove in cross-section has a base which is curved to follow the circumferential surface of the ring at that diameter. The sides of the groove extend radially outwardly from the base.

The groove 15 shown in Figure 12b is gently curved from the centre of its base where it follows the circumference at that diameter, the curve changing direction to provide the curved sides of the groove extending to the outer surface of the ring. In Figure 12c the grooves 15 are also curved but much more sharply at the sides of the groove so that each side is channel-shaped.

Referring to Figure 17 of the accompanying drawings, a seventh embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention is broadly similar to that shown in Figure 1. However, in this case the inner radial surface 96 of housing 97 is inclined in a direction outwardly from the inboard to the outboard side of the seal.

Furthermore, the outer radial surface of flow inducing ring 93 is also inclined in the same direction to provide a gap between housing 97 and ring 93 which is constant from the inboard to the outboard side.

Where the inner radial surface of the housing and/or the outer radial surface of the flow inducing ring is inclined, the angle of inclination may vary from 1 to 89 .

Referring to Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated an eighth embodiment of a seal in accordance with the present invention, the seal being again broadly as shown in Figure 1. In this case the inner radial surface 126 of housing 127 is inclined in a direction outwardly from the inboard to the outboard side of the seal.

The outer radial surface 128 of flow inducing ring 113 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal so that the gap between the two adjacent radial surfaces increases from the inboard to the outboard side of the seal.

It should be appreciated that the present invention may be applied to a seal to be provided between a stationary shaft and a rotatable housing.

It should also be appreciated that the flow inducing means may be located anywhere in the flowpath of the barrier fluid. For instance, in another embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the flow inducing means may be integral with the sleeve (item 5 of the Figure 1 embodiment) and may be positioned below a deflector (item 7A of Figure 1) which in turn extends below the inboard sealing faces.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A mechanical shaft seal comprising: (a) a rotary assembly for mounting on rotatable shaft rotation therewith; (b) a stationary assembly for securing to a fixed structure within which the rotary assembly; (c) said rotary assembly and said stationary assembly each carrying a respective mating sealing face; (d) one of said seal faces being located on a floating component mounted for axial movement with respect to said shaft; (e) means for urging the floating component in a direction toward the other of said seal faces; means for feeding a third fluid to a location within the seal which, when the seal is in use, lies between the first and second fluids ; and (g) means for promoting axial flow of said third liquid within the seal, said axial flow promoting means being arranged to promote said flow irrespective of the direction of rotation of the rotating assembly relative to the stationary assembly.
2. A seal according to Claim 1 wherein said axial flow promotion means comprises a member having a grooved, circumferentially extending face, at least one groove extending both axially and circumferentially in one direction about said face and at least one other groove extending both axially and circumferentially in the opposite direction about said face.
3. A seal according to Claim 2 wherein said grooves have a plan view angle of between 1 and 89 .
4. A seal according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the base of the groove is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal.
5. A seal according to any of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the face of said member, between at least two grooves, is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the seal.
6. A seal according to any of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the at least one groove is axially adjacent or separated from the at least one other groove.
7. A seal according to any of Claims 2 to 6 wherein said member forms a part of the rotary assembly.
8. A seal according to Claim 7 wherein the fixed structure includes a housing having a component located radially outside said member, said component having an inner face which is inclined relative to said longitudinal axis of the seal.
9. A seal according to any of Claims 2 to 6 wherein said member forms part of the stationary assembly or, in use, of the fixed structure to which the stationary assembly is attached.
10. A seal according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is defined within the seal a space to which, in use, the third fluid is fed, there being located within said space means for dividing said space into two opposing flow paths for said third fluid.
11. A mechanical shaft seal according to any of the preceding claims except that, in use, the shaft is stationary and the fixed structure rotates about the shaft.