Mechanical split seal

Abstract

A split seal component including a seal face comprising two seal face segments rigidly mounted in two holder halves and methods of assembly and installation. The seal face segments may each have a nose that is held snugly by each holder half and is supported axially. Aligning pins received in aligning holes of the holder halves may be used to align the face segments. A fixture may be used to axially align the seal segments. A split o-ring and inner axial wall may be included that position the seal face concentrically with a shaft. Each holder half may have an integral band that clamps and also positions the face segments concentrically with the shaft. The walls of the holder halves may be stress-relieved proximate the junctions of the holder halves. A kit is provided for a rotary seal component with a rigidly mounted seal face. Another seal component includes a seal face comprising two seal face segments resiliently mounted in two holder halves. Each seal face segment has a ridge that abuts against a split o-ring positioned in a recess in an outer wall of each holder half. An inner axial wall maintains the axial alignment of the seal face segments and, in conjunction with the split o-ring, retains the seal face and a biasing device in the holder half.

1 . A split seal component usable on a shaft, comprising: 
 a holder including two holder halves each having an annular portion positionable adjacent to said shaft and an axially-extending channel between an inner axial wall of said annular portion and an outer axial wall, said channel configured to contain at least a portion of a seal face segment;    a circular seal face including two seal face segments each having a primary sealing surface, an inner wall, an outer wall and a portion positionable in said channel, said portion dimensioned to permit some radial movement thereof when positioned in the channel; and    a split o-ring positioned between said portion of the seal face segment and one of said axial walls to aid alignment of said one seal face segment relative to the other seal face segment, the o-ring positioned with said annular portion extending axially beyond the axial location of said split o-ring.    
     
     
         2 . A split seal component as in  claim 1 , wherein each seal face segment includes a radially-extending portion arranged to inhibit withdrawal of the seal face segment from the holder half.  
     
     
         3 . A split seal component as in  claim 2 , wherein said radially-extending portion extends in a direction away from the inner axial wall.  
     
     
         4 . A split seal component as in  claim 2 , wherein said radially-extending portion is configured to contact said split o-ring upon axial movement of the seal face segment out of said channel.  
     
     
         5 . A split seal component as in  claim 1 , wherein said annular portion of the holder half extends at least partially along the periphery of a semicircle.  
     
     
         6 . A split seal component as in  claim 1 , wherein said holder is configured for one of: rotation with said shaft; stationary mounting.  
     
     
         7 . A split seal component as in  claim 1 , wherein said holder is configured to hold said seal face one of: rigidly; resiliently, permitting limited axial displacement.  
     
     
         8 . A split seal component usable on a shaft, comprising: 
 a circular seal face including two seal face segments each having a primary sealing surface, an inner wall and an outer wall;    a holder including two holder halves each having an annular portion positionable adjacent said shaft and an axially-extending channel between an inner axial wall of said annular portion and an outer axial wall, said channel configured to contain at least a portion of one said seal face segment and to aid alignment by limiting tilting of said one seal face segment relative to the other seal face segment; and    at least one resilient element positioned at least partially within said channel to act upon the seal face axially.    
     
     
         9 . A split seal component as in  claim 8 , further comprising a split o-ring positioned between said portion of a seal face and one of said axial walls.  
     
     
         10 . A split seal component as in  claim 9 , wherein said split o-ring is positioned between said outer wall of a seal face and said outer axial wall.  
     
     
         11 . A split seal component as in  claim 9 , wherein each seal face segment includes a radially-extending portion arranged to contact said split o-ring upon axial movement of the seal face segment to inhibit its withdrawal from the holder half.  
     
     
         12 . A split seal component as in  claim 8 , wherein each seal face segment includes a radially-extending portion arranged to inhibit withdrawal of the seal face segment from the holder half.  
     
     
         13 . A split seal component as in  claim 8 , wherein the annular portion extends at least partially along the periphery of a semicircle.  
     
     
         14 . A split seal component as in  claim 8 , wherein said holder is configured for one of: rotation with said shaft; stationary mounting.