Segmented seal portion and assembly
A segment of a seal assembly for sealing a higher pressure area from a lower pressure area is disclosed. The segment comprises a radial external surface, a radial internal surface for sealing against a rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads including a scooping groove. The scooping groove is positioned at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove and provides for a transition flow between the one or more pads and the transverse groove.
1. A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the segment comprising:
a radial external surface;
a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member;
a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment; and
one or more pads, each of the one or more pads including a scooping groove at or in proximity to the transverse groove, a ramped portion adjacent to the edge of the scooping groove, and a plateau adjacent to the edge of the ramped portion; wherein the scooping groove has an increasing depth moving in a direction toward the transverse groove, and the scooping groove including a transition portion between the transverse groove and the ramped portion of the pad.
2. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the pad is comprised of a Rayleigh step or pad.
3. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the transverse groove is semicircular.
4. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the scooping groove transitions directly into the transverse groove.
5. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the ramped portion transitions into the plateau.
6. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the plateau is adjacent or in proximity to another transverse groove.
7. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the scooping groove has a depth greater than the greatest depth of the ramped portion.
8. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the segment includes a joint or connection configuration at each radial end that is configured for connection to another segment.
9. The segment of claim 8 , wherein the segment includes a joint or connection configuration that is adapted for an interconnecting or interlocking with a joint or connection of an adjacent segment.
10. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the segment is configured for connection with an external housing that receives the segment.
11. The segment of claim 10 , wherein the segment is configured such that when connected with the external housing the segment does not rotate relative to the housing.
12. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the volume associated with the scooping groove is configured to provide room for the efficient flow of an associated fluid between the transverse groove and a sloped or ramped portion of the pad.
13. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the scooping groove is at least four times longer than its deepest radial dimension.
14. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the scooping groove includes a side wall on both a high pressure and low-pressure side of the scooping groove.
15. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the scooping groove functions as a reservoir and feeds air to the ramped portion.
16. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the segment is comprised of carbon.
17. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the segment is comprised of plastic.
18. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the segment is comprised of ceramic.
19. The segment of claim 1 , wherein the segment is comprised of metal.
20. A segment of a seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the segment comprising:
a radial external surface;
a radial internal surface for sealing against said rotating member;
a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment; and
a plurality of pads including a plateau, a ramped portion adjacent the plateau, and a scooping groove adjacent the ramped portion and at or in proximity to the transverse groove; wherein the ramped portion transitions into the scooping groove with an increasing depth moving in a direction toward the transverse groove, the scooping groove has a depth greater than the greatest depth of the ramped portion, and the scooping groove including a transition portion between the transverse groove and the ramped portion.
21. A segmented seal assembly for sealing against a rotating member, the assembly comprising:
a plurality of segments including a radial outer surface, a radial inner surface for sealing against said rotating member, a transverse groove for maintaining a pressure around portions of the segment, and one or more pads that create lift augmentation pressure, the one or more pads including a scooping groove at or in proximity to an edge of the transverse groove; a ramped portion adjacent to the edge of the scooping groove; and a plateau adjacent to the edge of the ramped portion; wherein the scooping groove has an increasing depth moving in a direction toward the transverse groove, and the scooping groove including a transition portion between the transverse groove and the ramped portion of the pad.
22. The assembly of claim 21 , wherein the assembly is ring-shaped.
23. The assembly of claim 21 , wherein the assembly is comprised of three segments.
24. The assembly of claim 23 , wherein each segment of the assembly covers a radial portion or extent of approximately 120°.