A centrifugal hydraulic seal between the rotating and non-rotating components of rotating process equipment is provided. The centrifugal hydraulic seal reduces toxic gases inside an operating machine from escaping to the atmosphere or reduces gas from the atmosphere entering into the operating machine by the placement of protruding vanes on the face of the rotating seal wall on the low pressure side of the seal.

A centrifugal hydraulic seal between the rotating and non-rotating components of rotating process equipment is provided. The centrifugal hydraulic seal reduces toxic gases inside an operating machine from escaping to the atmosphere or reduces gas from the atmosphere entering into the operating machine by the placement of protruding vanes on the face of the rotating seal wall on the low pressure side of the seal.

A bearing isolator seal provides enhanced coupling and stability of the rotor to the shaft, without undue seal enlargement, by including a plurality of drive O-rings in a common retention groove. In embodiments, the isolator seal accommodates axial rotor misalignment up to a maximum permitted axial misalignment, which can be at least 0.025″. Embodiments include a labyrinth passage between the rotor and the stator configured to expel fluid by centrifugal force. Embodiments include a shut off feature that takes advantage of axial misalignment. Some embodiments include a unitization feature that holds the rotor and stator together during assembly. The unitization feature can include chamfers on rotor and stator extensions that facilitate assembly and disassembly when sufficient force is applied.

A centrifugal hydraulic seal between the rotating and non-rotating components of rotating process equipment is provided. The centrifugal hydraulic seal reduces toxic gases inside an operating machine from escaping to the atmosphere or reduces gas from the atmosphere entering into the operating machine by the placement of protruding vanes on the face of the rotating seal wall on the low pressure side of the seal.

A centrifugal hydraulic seal between the rotating and non-rotating components of rotating process equipment is provided. The centrifugal hydraulic seal reduces toxic gases inside an operating machine from escaping to the atmosphere or reduces gas from the atmosphere entering into the operating machine by the placement of protruding vanes on the face of the rotating seal wall on the low pressure side of the seal.

A wind turbine drive train component (22) comprising a rotating shaft (61) with a radial seal (50) is provided. The radial seal (50) comprises a stationary part and a rotating part. The stationary part comprises a ring (51) with an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge being configured for contactlessly surrounding the shaft (61). The rotary part comprising a disc (52), coaxially connected to the shaft (61) for rotation therewith and comprising a flange (53) that wraps around the outer edge of the ring (51). The radial seal (50) further comprises an annular air lock gap (55) for containing an amount of lubrication fluid (64) and thereby closing off the air lock gap (55) when the rotary part rotates at a rotational speed above a predetermined threshold speed, the annular air lock gap (55) being formed by an inner surface of the flange (53), an outer part of the opposing parallel surface of the disc (52) and the outer edge of the ring (51).

A wind turbine drive train component (22) comprising a rotating shaft (61) with a radial seal (50) is provided. The radial seal (50) comprises a stationary part and a rotating part. The stationary part comprises a ring (51) with an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge being configured for contactlessly surrounding the shaft (61). The rotary part comprising a disc (52), coaxially connected to the shaft (61) for rotation therewith and comprising a flange (53) that wraps around the outer edge of the ring (51). The radial seal (50) further comprises an annular air lock gap (55) for containing an amount of lubrication fluid (64) and thereby closing off the air lock gap (55) when the rotary part rotates at a rotational speed above a predetermined threshold speed, the annular air lock gap (55) being formed by an inner surface of the flange (53), an outer part of the opposing parallel surface of the disc (52) and the outer edge of the ring (51).

A hydraulic seal arrangement for a rotating machine comprises an annular housing disposed around a shaft having an axis of rotation, the annular housing being relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft and having a sealing fluid zone within a radially outer portion of an interior of the annular housing. A fin extends radially from the shaft into the annular housing, with at least a portion of the fin extending radially into the sealing fluid zone. In use, the sealing fluid is centrifugally accelerated before being directly introduced into the sealing fluid zone by a sealing fluid inlet so as to generate a swirl component upon its introduction.

A hydraulic seal arrangement for a rotating machine comprises an annular housing disposed around a shaft having an axis of rotation, the annular housing being relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft and having a sealing fluid zone within a radially outer portion of an interior of the annular housing. A fin extends radially from the shaft into the annular housing, with at least a portion of the fin extending radially into the sealing fluid zone. In use, the sealing fluid is centrifugally accelerated before being directly introduced into the sealing fluid zone by a sealing fluid inlet so as to generate a swirl component upon its introduction.

A wind turbine drive train component (22) comprising a rotating shaft (61) with a radial seal (50) is provided. The radial seal (50) comprises a stationary part and a rotating part. The stationary part comprises a ring (51) with an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge being configured for contactlessly surrounding the shaft (61). The rotary part comprising a disc (52), coaxially connected to the shaft (61) for rotation therewith and comprising a flange (53) that wraps around the outer edge of the ring (51). The radial seal (50) further comprises an annular air lock gap (55) for containing an amount of lubrication fluid (64) and thereby closing off the air lock gap (55) when the rotary part rotates at a rotational speed above a predetermined threshold speed, the annular air lock gap (55) being formed by an inner surface of the flange (53), an outer part of the opposing parallel surface of the disc (52) and the outer edge of the ring (51).