Single ring gland seal for a dynamoelectric machine rotating shaft

Claim 1

A single ring gland seal for a rotating shaft member, said seal comprising: (a) a ring member having a first inner cylindrical surface, said inner surface of said ring member encompassing said shaft member by a predetermined clearance, said ring member having a first axial face with a first portion thereof nearest said shaft member contacting a low pressure gaseous zone, said ring member having a second axial face with a second portion thereof nearest said shaft member contacting a high pressure gaseous zone, said ring member having an outer radial face disposed between said first and second axial faces; (b) bracket means having an annular groove therein being shaped to receive said ring member, said ring member axially moveable along said shaft member within said annular groove; (c) channel means through said ring member for conducting a barrier fluid between said shaft and said annular groove; (d) barrier fluid input means for supplying barrier fluid to said channel means at a predetermined pressure which is greater than the pressure of said high pressure gaseous zone; (e) said ring member having a passage means therethrough for conducting a relatively low pressure gas between said first axial face and said second axial face; (f) said first axial face having a relief portion, whereby said pressurized barrier fluid exerts a force against said relief portion of said second axial face which is greater than the force exerted against said second axial face of said ring member whereby said second axial face is maintained against said annular groove face thereby diminishing the flow of said barrier fluid to said high pressure gaseous zone.