Securing and centering devices for a split mechanical seal

Abstract

A split mechanical seal, for mounting to a stationary housing that contains a rotating shaft, including first and second seal ring assemblies, at least one resilient biasing element and at least one axial biasing element. The first and second seal ring assemblies each include a seal ring having two segments that are resiliently supported in the seal. The segments have an outer surface and a pair of segment sealing faces disposed at opposite ends of the segments. The resilient biasing element is concentrically disposed about and in intimate contact with the outer surface of one of the seal rings, for applying a first radially inward force that biases the sealing faces of the seal ring segments into sealing contact with each other. The mechanical seal includes a pair of resilient biasing elements disposed about each seal ring, and the resilient biasing element is preferably an elastomeric member. The axial biasing element is associated with at least one seal ring for generating and applying, in cooperation with the elastomeric member, a second radially inward force; the second force operating to bias the segment sealing faces together when the mechanical seal is exposed to a selected pressure condition. The axial biasing element is an abutment, integrally formed with the segments of both seal rings, that has a radially outwardly slanted outer surface. The abutment transforms the axial force into an axial force component and a second radially inward force component. This second radially inward component also operates to bias the sealing faces of the seal ring segments into sealing contact with each other. The seal further includes integrally formed screw housings that have formed therethrough a fastener-receiving aperture. The aperture has a tapped smaller-diameter portion and an untapped larger diameter portion. The aperture mounts a screw that has a screw-head and a shaft. The shaft has a tapped larger-diameter distal end and a smaller-diameter proximal end. The screw when mounted within the aperture, is positively maintained therein.