Split mechanical face seal

摘要

A split mechanical face seal that provides fluid sealing between a housing and a rotating shaft includes first and second seal rings each having at least two seal ring segments and a radially extending seal face. The seal ring faces of the seal rings are opposed to one another. One of the seal rings is connected to the rotating shaft to rotate therewith, while the other seal ring is connected to the housing. The split seal also includes a continuous, circumferential groove formed in the seal face of the first seal ring for introducing a fluid to the seal faces of the first and second seal rings to establish a seal therebetween. A split support member having at least two support segments for coupling the first seal ring to the housing or the rotating shaft is also provided. The split face seal is operable as both a contacting and a non-contacting mechanical face seal.