MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING SPLIT SEAL RINGS

Abstract

An improved rotor or stator split ring seal assembly includes a flexible ring-advancing mechanism that advances at least one of the split ring halves radially inward, so that during assembly the split ring halves meet before adjacent elastomeric members, thereby preventing the elastomeric members from expanding between the seal ring halves and interfering with their alignment. The ring-advancing mechanism is flexed as the seal is assembled, thereby allowing the ring halves to be seated in the housing. The ring-advancing mechanism can be removable after assembly or internal to the seal. In various embodiments, the ring-advancing mechanism is a flexible bracket, a coil spring, or a vertical or horizontal leaf spring. Separate, identical ring-advancing mechanisms can be included with each of the housing halves so as to advance the split ring halves symmetrically.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A mechanism configured as a split ring seal assembly, the mechanism comprising: a seal ring that is split into first and second split ring halves; a housing that is split into first and second housing halves, the housing halves including respective first and second ring seat halves into which the seal ring halves can be respectively seated; an elastomeric sealing member split into first and second elastomeric halves that form seals respectively between the first ring half and first housing half, and between the second ring half and the second housing half; and a split ring advancing mechanism comprising a flexible alignment component cooperative with the first housing half and configured to shift the first split ring half radially inward while the first split ring half remains axially seated in the first ring seat half, so that ends of the first split ring half extend circumferentially beyond corresponding ends of the first elastomeric half, the flexible alignment component being flexible so as to allow the first split ring half to move radially outward into a radially seated configuration as the first and second housing halves are assembled.

3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the flexible alignment component is removable from the first housing half after assembly of the first and second housing halves.

4. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the flexible alignment component includes a base that is attachable to an exterior of the first housing half, a flexible neck extending upward from the base, and a head that is configured to push radially inward against an outer rim of the first split ring half.

5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the head includes a projection that is configured to extend over a top of the first split ring half and thereby maintain the first split ring half axially seated in the first ring seat half.

6. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the head includes a beveled front surface configured to press the first split seal ring half simultaneously in a radially inward and an axially downward direction.

7. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the head and neck are split vertically into two halves.

8. The mechanism of claim 7, wherein one of the two halves of the head is configured to maintain the first split ring half axially seated in the first ring seat half while the other of the two halves of the head is configured to push the first split seal ring half radially inward.

9. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the flexible alignment component extends within a space between an outer rim of the first split seal ring half and an inner wall of the first ring seat half.

10. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the flexible alignment component is a coil spring.

11. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the flexible alignment component is a vertical leaf spring.

12. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the flexible alignment component is a horizontal leaf spring.

13. The mechanism of claim 2, further comprising a second flexible alignment component cooperative with the second housing half.

14. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the split ring seal assembly is a rotor split ring seal assembly.

15. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the split ring seal assembly is a stator split ring seal assembly.

16. A mechanism for assembling a split ring seal assembly that is radially distributed about a central axis thereof, the split ring seal assembly including a housing that is split into first and second housing halves, and a seal ring that is split into first and second split ring halves, the first and second housing halves including respective first and second ring seat halves into which the first and second split ring halves can be respectively seated, the split ring seal assembly further including an elastomeric sealing member split into first and second elastomeric halves that form seals respectively between the first ring half and first housing half, and between the second ring half and the second housing half, the mechanism comprising: a flexible alignment component attachable to an exterior of the first housing half and configured to shift the first split ring half radially inward while the first split ring half remains axially seated in the first ring seat half, so that ends of the first split ring half extend circumferentially beyond corresponding ends of the first elastomeric half, the flexible alignment component being flexible so as to allow the first split ring half to move radially outward into a radially seated configuration as the first and second housing halves are assembled.

17. The mechanism of claim 16, wherein the flexible alignment component includes a base that is attachable to an exterior of the first housing half, a flexible neck extending upward from the base, and a head that is configured to push radially inward against an outer rim of the first split ring half.

18. The mechanism of claim 17, wherein the head includes a projection that is configured to extend over a top of the first split ring half and thereby maintain the first split ring half axially seated in the first ring seat half.

19. The mechanism of claim 17, wherein the head includes a beveled front surface configured to press the first split seal ring half simultaneously in a radially inward and an axially downward direction.

20. The mechanism of claim 16, wherein the flexible alignment component is a coil spring, vertical leaf spring, or horizontal leaf spring that extends within a space between an outer rim of the first split seal ring half and an inner wall of the first ring seat half.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1A is an upper perspective view drawn to scale of separated halves of a split ring seal assembly according to the prior art;

[0025] FIG. 1B is an upper perspective view drawn to scale of the split ring seal assembly of FIG. 1A shown partially assembled;

[0026] FIG. 2A is an upper perspective view drawn to scale of separated halves of a split ring seal assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2B is a side perspective view drawn to scale of one half of the split ring seal assembly of FIG. 2A, shown in a pre-assembled configuration;

[0028] FIG. 2C is an upper perspective view drawn to scale of the split ring seal assembly of FIG. 2A shown partially assembled;

[0029] FIG. 3A is a side perspective view drawn to scale of a flexible alignment component in an embodiment similar to FIG. 2A that includes a head with an axially limiting extension;

[0030] FIG. 3B is a side perspective view drawn to scale of a flexible alignment component in an embodiment similar to FIG. 2A that includes a head with a beveled pushing edge;

[0031] FIG. 4A is a perspective sectional view drawn to scale of a split seal ring assembly in an embodiment of the present invention that includes the flexible alignment member of FIG. 3A, shown in a pre-assembled configuration;

[0032] FIG. 4B is a perspective sectional view drawn to scale of the split seal ring assembly of FIG. 4A, shown in an assembled configuration;

[0033] FIG. 5A is a perspective side view drawn to scale of a flexible alignment member in an embodiment of the present invention for which the head is vertically split into two identical halves;

[0034] FIG. 5B is a perspective sectional view drawn to scale of a split seal ring assembly in an embodiment of the present invention that includes the flexible alignment member of FIG. 5A, shown in a pre-assembled configuration;

[0035] FIG. 6A is a perspective side view drawn to scale of a flexible alignment member in an embodiment of the present invention for which the head is vertically split into two halves that perform different functions;

[0036] FIG. 6B is a perspective sectional view drawn to scale of a split seal ring assembly in an embodiment of the present invention that includes the flexible alignment member of FIG. 6A, shown in an assembled configuration;

[0037] FIG. 7A is a perspective view drawn to scale of a housing half included in various embodiments of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 7B is a perspective close-up view drawn to scale of a region of the housing half of FIG. 7A showing a spring-like component installed therein, where the flexible alignment member is a coil spring;

[0039] FIG. 7C is a perspective close-up view drawn to scale of a region of the housing half of FIG. 7A showing a spring-like component installed therein, where the flexible alignment member is a bent vertical leaf spring; and

[0040] FIG. 7D is a perspective close-up view drawn to scale of a region of the housing half of FIG. 7A showing a flexible alignment component installed therein, where the flexible alignment member is a horizontal leaf spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention is an improved seal ring advancing mechanism and split ring seal assembly design that prevent an adjoining split elastomeric sealing member from expanding into the space between the ends of the split seal ring halves and interfering with closure and alignment of the split seal ring.

[0042] The disclosed seal-advancing mechanism includes a flexible alignment component that advances at least one of the halves of the split seal ring radially inward, so that the ends of the split ring halves are brought into contact before the ends of the split elastomeric sealing member, thereby preventing the elastomer from entering a gap between the ends of the seal ring halves when the elastomer is subsequently compressed. As the housing and other components of the split seal are brought together during assembly, the flexible alignment component is flexed, so that the two halves of the split seal ring remain in a fixed, joined relationship while the two halves of the remainder of the split ring seal assembly are moved radially inward toward each other until they are also mated together.

[0043] FIG. 2A is a perspective view from above of a rotor split ring seal assembly 100 according to an embodiment in which the flexible alignment components 200 are a pair of brackets that are attached to each of the housing halves 104 of the split seal assembly 100. As can be seen in the figure, the split seal ring halves 102 are pushed radially inward relative to the housing halves 104 by the flexible alignment components 200 of the brackets, so that the ends 110 of the split seal ring halves 102 extend beyond the ends of the elastomeric sealing members 106.

[0044] The structure of the flexible alignment components 200 in this embodiment is more readily discerned in FIG. 2B, which is a perspective view of one half of the split ring seal assembly 100 of FIG. 2A shown from the side. It can be seen in this view that the flexible alignment component 200 includes a rigid base 202 that is attached to the side of the housing 104 by a bolt 208. The flexible alignment component 200 further includes a top section or head 204 that is positioned against an outer edge of the split seal ring 102 that extends above the housing 104. The head 204 of the alignment component 200 is connected to the rigid base 202 by a flexible neck 206.

[0045] The effect of the flexible alignment components 200 is illustrated in FIG. 2C, which is similar to FIG. 2A, but which shows the two halves of the split ring seal assembly 100 having been moved toward each other until the ends 110 of the split seal rings 102 have made contact. As can be seen in the figure, the ends of the elastomeric members 106 have not yet made contact, and so any tendency for the elastomeric members 106 to be pressed into the gap 112 between the split seal ring halves 102 has been avoided.

[0046] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side perspective views of flexible alignment components 300, 302 from two embodiments that are similar to FIGS. 2A-2C. In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the head 304 of the flexible alignment components 300 includes an extension 306 that rests on top of the split seal ring 102 and holds it against the housing 104 while the lower portion 308 of the head 304 pushes the split ring 102 radially inward during assembly of the housing halves 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the head 306 of the flexible alignment component 302 is beveled, so that the split seal ring 102 is pressed downward toward the housing 104 as the housing halves 104 are assembled.

[0047] FIG. 4A presents a perspective, sectional view of one half of a split ring seal assembly 100 that includes the flexible alignment component 300 of FIG. 3A. In the figure, the housing halves 104 have not yet been assembled, and it can be seen that the flexible alignment component 300 has pushed the split seal ring half 102 radially forward, such that the ends 110 of the split seal ring half 102 extend beyond the ends of the elastomeric members 106.

[0048] FIG. 4B is a perspective sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A after it has been assembled with the other half of the split ring seal assembly (not shown). It can be seen in the figure that the end 110 of the split seal ring 102 has been pushed back into alignment with the end of the split housing 104, and that the flexible neck 206 of the flexible alignment component 300 has been bent back so as to accommodate this radially outward shift of the split ring 102 half relative to the housing half 104.

[0049] FIG. 5A is a perspective side view of a flexible alignment component 500 similar to FIG. 3A, but for which the head 502 is split into two halves, thereby increasing the bendability of the flexible neck 506. FIG. 5B is a side perspective view of the flexible alignment component of FIG. 5A installed on a housing half 104.

[0050] FIG. 6A is a perspective side view of a flexible alignment component 600 in an embodiment that is similar to FIG. 5A, except that the two halves 606, 608 of the head 604 of the flexible alignment component 600 perform different functions. According to this embodiment, one half 606 of the head 604 extends over the top of the split ring 102 and maintains its axial position during assembly, while the other half 608 pushes the split ring 102 radially inward. The flexible alignment component 600 is shown it its flexed configuration, whereby only the pushing half 608 of the head 604 is bent back by the radially outward shifting of the split ring 102.

[0051] FIG. 6B is a side perspective view of the flexible alignment component 600 of FIG. 6A installed on a housing half 104, shown in the assembled configuration with the pushing half 608 of the flexible alignment component 600 bent back.

[0052] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A through 6B, the flexible alignment component is a flexible bracket that is attachable to the exterior of the split seal housing 104 and can be removed after the split ring seal is assembled. In other embodiments, the flexible alignment component is internal to the split ring seal assembly, and is not removed after assembly. In some of these embodiments, the flexible alignment component is a conventional spring, such as a coil spring or a leaf spring. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a split seal housing 104 shown with the split seal ring 102 removed from its seat 702. The dotted line 700 in the figure indicates a region that is expanded in FIGS. 7B through 7D. The hole 704 in the seat 702 is configured to hold an orienting pin, and is included in FIG. 7A primarily as a reference feature for FIGS. 7B through 7D

[0053] FIG. 7B is a close-up perspective view of the expanded region 700 of FIG. 7A in an embodiment where the flexible alignment component is a coil spring 706 that extends radially inward through a hole 707 in the side wall of the split ring seat 702. The coil spring 706 pushes the split ring 102 radially inward, and then as the split ring seal is assembled, the coil spring 706 is compressed into the hole 707 within the seat 702.

[0054] Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 7C, the flexible alignment component is a bent, vertical leaf spring 708, and in the embodiment of FIG. 7D it is a horizontal leaf spring 710. In the embodiments of FIGS. 7C and 7D, as the housing halves 104 are brought together, the leaf springs 708, 710 are pressed flat against the vertical wall of the seat 702 and fit into grooves provided in the vertical sides of the split rings 102 (not shown). In similar embodiments, grooves for the leaf springs are provided in the vertical walls of the seat 702.

[0055] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application.

[0056] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein and is not inherently necessary. However, this specification is not intended to be exhaustive. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate after learning the teachings related to the claimed subject matter contained in the foregoing description that many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter includes any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. In particular, the limitations presented in dependent claims below can be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other.