US 12,480,581 B2
Mechanical seal assembly comprising a torque meter, and method therefor
Florian Dotzer, Berg (DE); Andreas Fesl, Otterfing (DE); and Dieter Klusch, Penzberg (DE)
Assigned to EagleBurgmann Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Wolfratshausen (DE)
Appl. No. 18/684,969
Filed by EagleBurgmann Germany Gmbh & Co. KG, Wolfratshausen (DE)
PCT Filed Jul. 19, 2022, PCT No. PCT/EP2022/070217
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 20, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/030743, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 9, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 122 476.4 (DE), filed on Aug. 31, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2025/0129850 A1, Apr. 24, 2025
Int. Cl. F16J 15/34 (2006.01)
CPC F16J 15/3492 (2013.01) [F16J 15/3464 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mechanical seal assembly, comprising: a mechanical seal including a rotating slide ring and a stationary slide ring which define a sealing gap between their sliding surfaces, and a torque meter which is configured to detect a torque acting on the stationary slide ring, wherein the torque meter includes a measuring unit and a sensor, wherein the measuring unit is fixed by a foot to a housing and has a free end which protrudes in a groove formed in an outer periphery of the stationary slide ring, and wherein the sensor is configured to detect a position change of the measuring unit in the groove,
further comprising a controller which is configured to conclude a wear of the sliding surfaces of the mechanical seal based on the detected torque on the stationary slide ring,
wherein the controller is further configured to operate the mechanical seal assembly in such a way that contact between the rotating slide ring and the stationary slide ring occurs at the sliding surfaces, and is further configured to detect a contact torque arising upon contact of the sliding surfaces, and to conclude a wear of the sliding surfaces based on the contact torque.