| CPC F16J 15/3464 (2013.01) | 13 Claims |
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1. A machine comprising:
a stationary component comprising a housing defining an interior space within the housing and containing a working fluid and an exterior space external to the housing;
a rotating component arranged to rotate relative to the stationary component, the rotating component comprising a rotating shaft that extends from the exterior space to the interior space, and wherein the rotating shaft comprises a rotating mating ring that is a unitary part of the rotating shaft; and
a seal assembly attached to the housing and arranged between the housing and the rotating mating ring of the rotating shaft and configured to provide a seal therebetween, the seal assembly comprising:
a sealing member having a sealing face comprising an outer diameter sealing face and an inner diameter sealing face, wherein an annular channel is defined in the sealing face between the outer diameter sealing face and the inner diameter sealing face; and
wherein the rotating mating ring comprises a rotating sealing face, wherein the outer diameter sealing face and the inner diameter sealing face each sealingly engage with the rotating sealing face, and the annular channel is bounded by the outer diameter sealing face, the inner diameter sealing face and the rotating sealing face,
wherein the rotating mating ring comprises at least one ejection hole extending through the rotating mating ring from the rotating sealing face at an inlet end aligned with the annular channel of the sealing member and a radially outward outlet end, and
wherein the at least one ejection hole provides fluid communication between the annular channel of the sealing member and the interior space such that working fluid that passes the outer diameter sealing face will be reintroduced back into the interior space.
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