The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1992
Filed:
Apr. 08, 1991
Martin D Maier, Olean, NY (US);
Dresser-Rand Company, Corning, NY (US);
Abstract
Support mechanism for fluid film seals in turbo machinery is disclosed which controls the relative position of a seal with respect to a shaft by a plurality of wedge support structures that are located between the seal and surrounding seal housing at predetermined circumferential locations. Each support structure consists of a pair of wedge-like elements, one attached to the seal and the other to the housing, which are similar in geometry but positioned in reverse orientation with respect to one another. These form a slidably engaged contact surface inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the shaft centerline. Positive lubrication is provided between the sliding surfaces by means of fluid supply holes that extend from a region of high pressure within the seal to a slot located inside the sliding face of the wedges. In response to the axial pressure differential acting across the seal, the seal assembly slides along the contact surfaces formed by the wedges and assumes a desired eccentric position with respect to the shaft. The relationship between the axial and radial motion and the corresponding radial force that the seal exerts on the shaft is controlled, in part, by the taper angle of the wedges. The location of the wedge support structures can be selected to either increase or decrease the static load of the shaft at the support bearings.