Mechanical split seal

Abstract

A split seal component including a seal face comprising two seal face rigidly mounted in two holder halves and methods of assembly and installation face segments may each have a nose that is held snugly by each holder half and 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 extending from an end wall and between an inner axial wall of said annular portion and an outer axial wall, said inner axial wall having a distal end spaced from said end wall and 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 each seal face segment and one of said axial walls and arranged to press said portion of each seal face segment toward the other one of said axial walls, the o-ring positioned at an axial location intermediate and spaced from both said end wall of the channel and said distal end of the inner axial wall of the annular portion.    
   
   
       2 . A split seal segment as in  claim 1 , wherein said o-ring is positioned between said portion of each seal face segment and said outer axial wall and arranged to press that portion toward said inner axial wall.  
   
   
       3 . A split seal segment as in  claim 1 , wherein said split o-ring is arranged to press radially inwardly against said portion of each said seal face segment to aid alignment of the seal face segments.  
   
   
       4 . 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.  
   
   
       5 . A split seal component as in  claim 4 , wherein said radially-extending portion extends in a direction away from the inner axial wall.  
   
   
       6 . A split seal component as in  claim 4 , 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.  
   
   
       7 . A split seal component as in  claim 1 , wherein said inner axial wall of the annular portion of the holder half has a curvature of a first radius and said outer axial wall has a curvature of a radius larger than said first radius.  
   
   
       8 . A split seal component as in  claim 1 , wherein said holder is configured for one of: rotation with said shaft; stationary mounting.  
   
   
       9 . 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 configured for placement adjacent said shaft and an axially-extending channel extending from an end wall and 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 with radial spacings between said portion of that seal face segment and each of said inner and outer axial walls effective 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;    said inner and outer axial walls having respective distal ends located at approximately the same distance from said end wall.    
   
   
       10 . A split seal component as in  claim 9 , further comprising: a split o-ring positioned between said portion of one said seal face segment and one of said axial walls at an axial location intermediate and spaced from both said end wall of the channel and said distal end of the inner axial wall of the annular portion.  
   
   
       11 . A split seal component as in  claim 10 , wherein said split o-ring is positioned between the outer wall of said seal face segment and said outer axial wall.  
   
   
       12 . A split seal component as in  claim 10 , 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.  
   
   
       13 . A split seal component as in  claim 9 , wherein each seal face segment includes a radially-extending portion arranged to inhibit withdrawal of the seal face segment from the holder half.  
   
   
       14 . A split seal component as in  claim 9 , wherein said inner axial wall of the annular portion of the holder half has a curvature of a first radius and said outer axial wall has a curvature of a radius larger than said first radius.