Segmented seal portion and assembly

摘要

A segment (10) of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment (10) comprises a radial external surface (12), a radial internal surface (14) for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove (16) for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment (10), and one or more pads (15) including a scooping groove (19). The scooping groove (19) is positioned at or in proximity to an edge (22) of the transverse groove (16) and provides for a transition flow between the one or more pads (15) and the transverse groove (16).