Flexible floating ring seal arrangement for rotodynamic pumps

摘要

A floating ring seal arrangement for rotodynamic pumps comprises a flexible ring that is structured to fit within a circular channel formed by generally concentric grooves in the rotating and non-rotating elements of the pump, the ring further being sized to rest against the inner diameter of the groove of the rotating element when static, and capable of radially expansion under centrifugal forces to cause the flexible ring to float in the circular channel during operation of the pump, or deformation under centrifugal or pressure forces such that gaps between the flexible ring and groove in the non-rotating element are minimized or eliminated.