Seal element cooling in high speed mechanical face seals

摘要

A mechanical face seal is provided that incorporates fluid passages through either or both of a first and a second element of the seal for directing a flow of cooling fluid to an exposed area of the second element which extends radially outward beyond the contact area of the seal. The fluid passages are configured and oriented to provide more cooling flow through each seal element and over the surfaces of each seal element then is achievable with prior cooling and lubrication approaches, to thereby enhance heat dissipation from the elements of the seal to such a degree that lubrication, seal life and performance of the seal are improved. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the seal elements are specially configured to create an annular gap between the elements for centrifugally pumping fluid away from a contact area of the seal. One or more passages through either or both of the first and second elements provide a flow of fresh, relatively cool fluid into the annular gap at a position immediately adjacent but outside of the contact area. The flow of fresh fluid continuously replenishes the fluid pumped away from the contact area by the annular gap. A superior mechanism is thus provided for cooling a seal having a second element including a non-clamped silicon carbide mating ring insert carried by a mating ring carrier in compliance with American Petroleum Institute Standard 682.