Shaft seal assembly

摘要

An illustrative embodiment of a multi-shaft seal assembly generally includes a first seal, a second seal, and a collar. In the illustrative embodiment the collar may be integrally formed with a portion of the first seal, and may serve to axially space the second seal from the first seal. The second seal may be formed with a cutaway therein to ensure proper clearance between the second seal and one of the shafts. Other embodiments of the multi-shaft seal assembly use a collar formed with the equipment housing or second seal. Still other embodiments include additional seals for additional shafts.

主权项

1. A multi-shaft seal assembly comprising:
a. a first seal configured for engagement with a housing, wherein said first seal is further configured to surround a first shaft protruding from said housing from an area within said housing to an external environment outside of said housing, wherein said first seal is anon-contacting labyrinth seal much that said first seal functions to prevent ingress of contaminants from said external environment to said housing and egress of lubricant from said housing to said external environment adjacent said first shaft via an interface between a first rotating component and a first static component; b. a collar configured for engagement with said housing, wherein said collar is positioned adjacent said first seal at a collar cutaway formed in a circumference of said collar, wherein said collar is further configured to surround at least a portion of a second shaft protruding from said housing; and, c. a second seat engaged with said collar, wherein said collar axially spaces said second seal from said housing such that said first and second seals are not axially aligned with one another, wherein said second seal is configured to surround said second shall protruding from said housing from an area within said housing to said external environment outside of said housing, wherein said first seal and said second seal are axially spaced from one another with respect to the rotational axis of said first shaft, wherein said second seal is a non-contacting labyrinth seal such that said second seal functions to prevent ingress of contaminants from said external environment to said housing and egress of lubricant from said housing to said external environment adjacent said second shaft via an interface between a second rotating component and a second static component, wherein said first seal resides in a first plane and said second seal resides in a second plane, and wherein said first and second planes are parallel with respect to one another and spaced from one another in a direction normal to said first and said second planes.