Automatically disengaging spacing mechanism for a mechanical seal

Abstract

A spacing mechanism is provided for locating at least one rotatable component relative to a stationary component of a mechanical seal. The spacing mechanism is configured to automatically disengage from the rotatable seal component, and/or its associated hardware, upon rotation of the rotatable seal component. The spacing mechanism may be configured to axially and/or radially locate one or more rotatable components relative to one or more stationary components and may be configured to automatically disengage from the rotatable seal component by the rotation of the rotatable seal component.

1 - 42 . (canceled)  
   
   
       43 . A spacing mechanism for locating a rotatable seal component relative to a stationary seal component of a mechanical seal, wherein said spacing mechanism has an engaging portion that engages said rotatable seal component when said rotatable seal component is at rest and is movable relative to said rotatable seal component, said engaging portion of said spacing mechanism being constructed and located such that said engaging portion centers said rotatable seal component relative to said stationary seal component and automatically disengages from said rotatable seal component upon rotation of said rotatable seal component.  
   
   
       44 . The spacing mechanism of  claim 43 , wherein said engaging portion of said spacing mechanism is adapted to rotate about an axis.  
   
   
       45 . The spacing mechanism of  claim 44 , wherein said spacing mechanism is formed having a spacing clip with an integral pin for mating with said mechanical seal and said axis is defined by said integral pin.  
   
   
       46 . The spacing mechanism of  claim 44 , further comprising a spacing pin, wherein said engaging portion of said spacing mechanism is adapted to rotate about a spacing pin, said spacing pin defining said axis.  
   
   
       47 . The spacing mechanism of  claim 43 , wherein said engaging portion of said spacing mechanism defines a constant radius about said axis.  
   
   
       48 . The spacing mechanism of  claim 43 , wherein said rotatable seal component comprises a lock ring adapted to be mounted to a shaft, wherein said spacing mechanism engages a groove of said lock ring.  
   
   
       49 . The spacing mechanism of  claim 43 , wherein said rotatable seal component comprises a sleeve adapted to be mounted to a shaft.  
   
   
       50 . The spacing mechanism of  claim 43 , wherein said rotatable seal component comprises a shaft.  
   
   
       51 . A mechanical seal for providing a seal along a shaft, comprising: rotatable seal components adapted to be coupled to said shaft, wherein said rotatable seal components includes a rotatable seal ring; 
 a gland;    a stationary seal ring coupled to said gland and interfacing with said rotatable seal ring; and    a spacing mechanism mounted to at least one of said gland and said stationary seal ring;    wherein said spacing mechanism is adapted to extend toward and engage at least one of said rotatable seal components to center said rotatable seal ring relative to said stationary seal ring before said shaft is rotating and retract from at least one of said rotatable seal components upon rotation of said shaft.    
   
   
       52 . The mechanical seal of  claim 51 , wherein said rotatable seal components comprises a lock ring mounted to said shaft, wherein said spacing mechanism engages said lock ring.  
   
   
       53 . The mechanical seal of  claim 52 , wherein said lock ring is provided with a groove to accommodate an end of said spacing mechanism for locating said stationary seal ring relative to said rotatable seal ring along an axis of said shaft.  
   
   
       54 . The mechanical seal of  claim 51 , wherein said spacing mechanism is adapted to retract from at least one of said rotatable seal components by rotation of said shaft.  
   
   
       55 . A method of operating a mechanical seal having a spacing mechanism, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning at least one spacing mechanism to engage a rotatable seal component at rest and to center said rotatable seal component relative to a stationary seal component; and    rotating said rotatable seal component to automatically disengage said spacing mechanism from said rotatable seal component.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said positioning includes locating said spacing mechanism to rotate about an axis.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said positioning includes locating a plurality of spacing mechanisms to radially locate said rotatable seal component relative to said stationary seal component of said mechanical seal.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said positioning includes locating said spacing mechanism such that said spacing mechanism has a distal end extending radially from said axis, said distal end defining a constant radius from said axis.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said positioning includes locating said spacing mechanism such that said spacing mechanism engages at least one radial wall of a groove of a lock ring mounted to a shaft to axially locate said rotatable seal component relative to said stationary seal component of said mechanical seal.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said positioning includes locating said spacing mechanism such that said spacing mechanism has a spacing clip having an integral pin for mating with said mechanical seal and said axis is defined by said integral pin.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said positioning includes locating said spacing mechanism to include a spacing clip to rotate about a spacing pin.  
   
   
       62 . A spacing mechanism for locating a rotatable seal component relative to a stationary seal component of a mechanical seal, wherein said spacing mechanism has an engaging portion that is mounted to said rotatable seal component and engages said stationary seal component when said rotatable seal component is at rest and is movable relative to said stationary seal component, said engaging portion of said spacing mechanism being constructed and located such that said engaging portion centers said rotatable seal component relative to said stationary seal component and automatically disengages from said stationary seal component upon rotation of said rotatable seal component.