CONTROLLABLE MECHANICAL SEAL

摘要

In a mechanical seal (l8) an actuator (32,32a) is provided for deforming at least one of the surfaces so that the gap converges in a direction from a high pressure side (20) to a low pressure side (22) of the seal; a sensor (48) is provided for measuring a temperature indicative of incipient contact of said surfaces (34,36) and a control system (46) responsive to the sensor (48) generates an external voltage which is applied to the actuator to control the convergence of the surfaces and thus maintain an optimum thickness of the lubricating film for a wide range of operating conditions.