GAS SEAL SYSTEM FOR THE SHAFT OF AN ELECTRIC COMPRESSOR MOTOR

摘要

An electric motor ( 30 ) is accommodated in a first portion ( 42 ) of a housing ( 40 ) and is arranged to drive a compressor ( 32 ) accommodated in a second portion ( 44 ) of the housing separated from the first housing portion ( 42 ) by a wall ( 46 ). An umbilical ( 48 ) introduces dry motor protection gas into the first housing portion ( 42 ) and a passage ( 54 ) between the first and second housing portions ( 42,44 ) allows a leakage of the motor protection gas from the first housing portion ( 42 ) into the second housing portion ( 44 ) at a higher pressure than gas supplied to the compressor ( 32 ) via an inlet pipe ( 58 ) thereby preventing moisture laden gas from the compressor ( 32 ) entering the first housing portion accommodating the electric motor ( 30 ).