US3874676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cooling apparatus for shaft seal
Assignee: Elliott Turbomachinery Co Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-21
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1994-03-21
Abstract
Abstract Shaft sealing apparatus for preventing process gases or fluids from escaping a rotary machine such as a turbine or a compressor. Oil under relatively high pressure, this is, pressure slightly higher than the pressure of the working substance contained in the machine, is caused to flow between the shaft and a plurality of axially aligned, free floating, bushings (seals) encompassing the closure end of the shaft. The oil is introduced into the flow path adjacent a first gas side seal and flows along the shaft towards atmosphere or an area of lower pressure through a series of oil breakdown seals positioned behind the gas side seal in relation to the direction of flow. A secondary low pressure oil system is arranged to pass cooling oil over the back side of the breakdown seals to prevent overheating of the seals during machine start-up or when the machine is operating under abnormal load conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Owen S Taylor
- 👤 Donald P Ravicchio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/40; F01; F01D; F01D11/00; F01D25/00; F01D25/08; F01D25/12; F16J15/162; F16J15/44; F16J15/441; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/927; Y10S277/93
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In a shaft sealing device of the type wherein a fluid barrier is established between the shaft and a series of bushing seals to prevent high pressure working substances contained within a pressure vessel from escaping to surrounding areas of relatively lower pressure including a first bushing seal encompassing the shaft and being positioned adjacent to the high pressure region, at least one other seal bushing encompassing said shaft behind said first bushing in the direction of lower pressure and means to introduce sealing fluid into contact with the shaft within the region encompassed by said first bushing whereby said fluid flows between said bushings and the shaft toward the region of lower pressure, the improvement comprising; a flow passage in said pressure vessel being capable of carrying coolant into thermal communication with said sealing bushings, means for continuously passing a flow of coolant through said passage whereby said bushings are maintained at or below a predetermined temperature level, and sealing means to isolate the coolant flow from the flow of sealing fluid moving between the shaft and said bushings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a shaft sealing device of the type wherein a fluid barrier is established between the shaft and a series of bushing seals to prevent high pressure working substances contained within a pressure vessel from escaping to surrounding areas of relatively lower pressure including a first bushing seal encompassing the shaft and being positioned adjacent to the high pressure region, at least one other seal bushing encompassing said shaft behind said first bushing in the direction of lower pressure and means to introduce sealing fluid into contact with the shaft within the region encompassed by said first bushing whereby said fluid flows between said bushings and the shaft toward the region of lower pressure, the improvement comprising; a flow passage in said pressure vessel being capable of carrying coolant into thermal communication with said sealing bushings, means for continuously passing a flow of coolant through said passage whereby said bushings are maintained at or below a predetermined temperature level, and sealing means to isolate the coolant flow from the flow of sealing fluid moving between the shaft and said bushings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bushings are provided with cooling fins upon the surface thereof coming into thermal communication with the coolant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coolant moves through the flow passage at a steady rate and uniform pressure when the shaft is in motion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coolant and the sealing fluid are of the same substance supplied from a common reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the said coolant is precooled prior to being passed through said flow passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said coolant is oil maintained at a pressure relatively lower than the pressure of the sealing fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further including; a first pump means for raising the pressure of said oil to a first uniform pressure level; a second pump means operatively connected to the output of said first pump means for raising the pressure of the oil to a second higher level, and regulator means for maintaining said second pressure level at a preset differential above the pressure of the working substance contained within the pressure vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3360272A
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US3484113A
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US3819191A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |