| 主权项 |
1. A labyrinth seal assembly for forming a seal between a shaft and a housing, comprising
a stationary element configured to be coupled to the housing and having an annular shape defining a space through which the shaft extends, a rotary element disposed within the space and coupled to the shaft so as to rotate therewith, the rotary element having an outer surface that extends in an axial direction and having a groove formed therein, the rotary element being disposed between the stationary element and the shaft, and a valve element mounted within the groove and disposed between the stationary element and the rotary element when assembled, wherein the valve element is sized and dimensioned such that a portion of the valve element extends radially outwardly from the groove when mounted therein, wherein the stationary element has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface includes a first radially innermost axially extending inner surface and a first stepped radially extending surface coupled thereto, and wherein the valve element is movable between a contacting position and a non-contacting position in response to rotation of the shaft, and wherein the valve element is adapted to contact the first stepped axially extending surface when disposed in the contacting position to form the seal. |
