摘要 |
A pneumatically controlled, two part, rotational face seal is disclosed that has dual modes of operation. There is a first, static mode where a face of each of the two parts of the seal touch each other and provide an air, liquid and water vapor tight, very low leakage rate with high rotational friction between the two parts of the seal. In the second, dynamic mode wherein the two parts of the seal are separated by inert gas and the face seal functions as a gas bearing having very low rotational friction as the two parts are rotated with respect to each other. One part of the seal may be attached to a rotatable turret and the other part may be attached to a base on which the turret is mounted. |