Device for sealing a passage through a wall

Abstract

The invention refers to a device for sealing a passage ( 1 ) through a stationary wall ( 2 ) between a first space ( 3 ), which is arranged to contain a liquid. A rotatable shaft ( 5 ) is intended to extend in the passage through the wall in such a way that a gap is formed, which extends around the shaft between the shaft and the wall. A chamber ( 8 ), containing liquid, is arranged between the gap and the first space and extends around the axis. A rotatable disc ( 14 ) is fixedly arranged on the shaft and exends outwardly from the shaft into said chamber. Means ( 17′, 17 ″) are arranged to force the liquid in the chamber to rotate at a rotary speed substantially exceeding the rotary speed of the shaft.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A device for sealing a passage through a stationary wall between a first space, which is arranged to contain a gas, and a second space, which is arranged to contain a liquid, wherein a rotatable shaft is intended to extend in the passage through the wall in such a way that a gap is formed, which extends around the shaft between the shaft and the wall, a chamber being disposed between the gap and the first space and extending around the shaft, the device comprising: 
 a rotatable disc fixedly disposed on the shaft and extending outwardly from the shaft into the chamber, wherein the chamber is arranged to contain liquid; and    means for forcing said liquid to rotate in the chamber at a rotary speed which substantially exceeds the rotary speed of the shaft.    
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the forcing means includes means for providing rotation in the chamber between the disc and the first space.  
   
   
       27 . A device according to  claim 26 , wherein the forcing means includes a blade member operable to rotate independently of the shaft.  
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the forcing means includes a drive member operable to rotate the blade member at a rotary speed which is higher than the rotary speed of the shaft.  
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the blade member is rotatably carried by a bearing member which is connected to at least one of the shaft, the disc, and the wall.  
   
   
       30 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the blade member includes at least one set of blades which are disposed in the chamber.  
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the blade member includes a rotor member which extends outwardly in the chamber.  
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the blade member includes a first set of blades disposed on the rotor member and oriented towards the first space, and a second set of blades disposed on the rotor member and oriented towards the disc.  
   
   
       33 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the rotor member includes a rotor of an electric motor having a stator disposed outside the chamber.  
   
   
       34 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the blade member forms the chamber.  
   
   
       35 . A device according to  claim 34 , wherein the blade member includes a first set of blades disposed on a first limiting wall of the chamber and oriented towards the disc, and a second set of blades disposed on a second limiting wall of the chamber and oriented towards the first limiting wall.  
   
   
       36 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the forcing means supplies liquid to the chamber at a speed and direction sufficient to force the liquid in the chamber to said rotation.  
   
   
       37 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the forcing means includes at least a nozzle for said liquid supply, wherein said nozzle extends in a substantially tangential direction into the chamber.  
   
   
       38 . A device according to  claim 36 , wherein the forcing means include a pump for providing said liquid supply.  
   
   
       39 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the chamber includes several sub-chambers disposed between the gap and the first space and extending around the shaft, and two rotatable discs rigidly disposed on the shaft and extending outwardly from the shaft into a respective one of said sub-chambers, wherein each of said sub-chambers is arranged to contain liquid.  
   
   
       40 . A device according to  claim 39 , wherein each sub-chamber is disposed to permit a part of said liquid to flow into the sub-chambers and at least partly be retained for said sealing of the passage.  
   
   
       41 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein liquid flows from said chamber to the second space.  
   
   
       42 . A device according to  claim 25 , further comprising a wall portion which partly defines the chamber and extends outwardly from the gap.  
   
   
       43 . A device according to  claim 41 , wherein the chamber between the disc and the wall portion forms an outlet channel disposed to reduce the speed of the liquid flowing from the chamber to the second space.  
   
   
       44 . A device according to  claim 43 , wherein the outlet channel extends from a radially outer position at the periphery of the disc to a radially inner position in proximity to the shaft.  
   
   
       45 . A device according to  claim 43 , further comprising guide vanes disposed in the outlet channel for conveying the liquid flowing from the chamber to the second space.  
   
   
       46 . A device according to  claim 45 , wherein the guide vanes are disposed on the wall portion.  
   
   
       47 . A device according to  claim 43 , wherein the wall portion is rigidly connected to the wall.  
   
   
       48 . A method for sealing a passage through a stationary wall between a first space, which contains a gas, and a second space, which contains a liquid, wherein a rotating shaft extends in the passage through the wall in such a way that a gap is formed, which extends around the shaft between the shaft and the wall, wherein the method includes the steps of: 
 providing a device including a chamber, which is arranged between the gap and the first space and extends around the shaft, and a rotating disc, which is rigidly arranged on the shaft and extends outwardly from the shaft into the chamber, wherein the chamber is arranged to contain liquid, and    forcing said liquid in the chamber to rotate at a rotary speed which substantially exceeds the rotary speed of the shaft.