Embodiments include an apparatus and techniques for operating an electromagnetic cartridge seal. Embodiments include operating a cartridge seal in one of a plurality of modes, and receiving a signal at a force applying mechanism of the cartridge seal, the force applying mechanism being coupled to a primary sealing component of the cartridge seal. Embodiments also include controlling the force applying mechanism based at least in part on the received signal.

A seal assembly for sealing an annular space between a first cylindrical surface and a second cylindrical surface. The annular space has high pressure zones and low pressure zones. The seal assembly has an annular seal with an inner surface that faces the second cylindrical component, an outer surface that faces the first cylindrical component, a sealing end and an engagement end. A seal actuator assembly applies a force to the engagement end of the annular seal to urge the annular seal in a first direction towards an engaged position within the annular space. The force applied to the engagement end of the annular seal has a first component aligned with the first direction and a second component that is perpendicular to the first direction. The first component is at least 1.7 times greater than the second component.

A contacting seal for a gas turbine engine includes a seal seat configured to rotate circumferentially about an axis of rotation and a seal element configured to contact the seal seat at an interface surface. The seal element is rotationally fixed relative to the axis of rotation. An actively-controlled actuation system is operably connected to the seal element to control a contact force between the seal element and the seal seat at the interface surface based on a level of lubricant flow to the interface surface. A method of operating a contacting seal includes positioning a rotationally fixed seal element in contact with a rotating seal seat at an interface surface between the seal seat and the seal element, and actively-controlling a contact pressure between the seal seat and the seal element at the interface surface utilizing an actuation system.

A steam turbine system includes: a steam turbine having a casing into which steam is fed from an outside of the casing and a rotating shaft that is provided within the casing so as to be rotatable around a central axis; a deaerator that is connected to the steam turbine and that deaerates leaked steam that has leaked from a gap between the casing and the rotating shaft to the outside of the casing; a vacuum pump that is connected to the deaerator and that lowers a pressure within the deaerator; and a shaft sealing device that is connected to the deaerator and that seals the gap between the casing and the rotating shaft. The shaft sealing device has a seal member having a seal body, a housing, a biasing member, and a negative-pressure introduction part.

A mechanical seal assembly with an electronically controllable carrier load. The assembly includes a magnetic ring affixed to the carrier and driven by a solenoid. The solenoid can apply an axial force to the carrier. The carrier load can be controlled to prevent or reduce friction between the primary ring and mating ring in slow-roll running conditions by partially or completely compensating a spring force provided by a biasing mechanism. The carrier load can further be controlled to inhibit seal hang-up. In embodiments, desired the carrier load can be determined by rotational speed. In embodiments, carrier load can be determined based on sensor signals.

A mechanical seal assembly with an electronically controllable carrier load. The assembly includes a magnetic ring affixed to the carrier and driven by a solenoid. The solenoid can apply an axial force to the carrier. The carrier load can be controlled to prevent or reduce friction between the primary ring and mating ring in slow-roll running conditions by partially or completely compensating a spring force provided by a biasing mechanism. The carrier load can further be controlled to inhibit seal hang-up. In embodiments, desired the carrier load can be determined by rotational speed. In embodiments, carrier load can be determined based on sensor signals.

A steam turbine system includes: a steam turbine having a casing into which steam is fed from an outside of the casing and a rotating shaft that is provided within the casing so as to be rotatable around a central axis; a deaerator that is connected to the steam turbine and that deaerates leaked steam that has leaked from a gap between the casing and the rotating shaft to the outside of the casing; a vacuum pump that is connected to the deaerator and that lowers a pressure within the deaerator; and a shaft sealing device that is connected to the deaerator and that seals the gap between the casing and the rotating shaft. The shaft sealing device has a seal member having a seal body, a housing, a biasing member, and a negative-pressure introduction part.

A mechanical seal has a first sealing ring with sliding surface contacting a second sealing ring to form a sealing gap. An elastically deformable membrane is connected to the first sealing ring at a connecting location and covers an end face of the first sealing ring. The membrane has a side that is facing a medium space to be sealed and is loaded by pressure in the medium space. The membrane has a cone section adjoining the connecting location. The cone section, in an unloaded state, has an axial spacing to the end face of the first sealing ring such that the cone section by elastic deformation contacts more or less, as a function of the pressure in the medium space, the end face of the first sealing ring so that a ratio between a gap-opening force and a gap-closing force is adjusted at the sealing gap.

A force balanced face seal may comprise a seal housing comprising an annular extrusion, a seal support, wherein the annular extrusion is disposed within the seal support, and a primary seal coupled to the seal housing, wherein the primary seal comprises a sealing face and a base opposite the sealing face and proximate the seal housing.

A controlled gap seal device is adapted to surround a shaft with an annular seal element. A ring is positioned on an outer surface of the seal element, the ring adapted to modify a diametrical dimension of the seal element by thermally expanding/contracting as a function of temperature variations. A housing assembly has an interior enclosing the seal element and the ring, with the seal configured to be generally stationary in the interior. The housing assembly has an air inlet and air outlet in fluid communication with a surrounding environment for directing a flow of gas from the surrounding environment onto the ring to controllably cool and shrink the ring. A method for modifying a diameter of a controlled gap seal relative to the shaft is also provided.