Split mechanical face seal with negative pressure control system

摘要

A split mechanical face seat that provides fluid sealing between a housing and a rotating shaft includes first and second seal rings each having at least two seal ring segments and a radially extending seal surface. The seal ring surfaces of the seal rings are opposed to one another. One of the seal rings is connected to the rotating shaft to rotate therewith, while the other seal ring is connected to the housing. The split seal also includes a mechanism for introducing a fluid to the seal surfaces of the first and second seal rings. The seal further is provided with a system for fluidly retaining together the seal ring segments of one of the seal rings in a sealing relationship during a negative pressure condition.