Shaft Seal Assembly

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of a multi-shaft seal assembly generally includes a first seal, a second seal, and a collar. In the illustrative embodiment the collar may be integrally formed with a portion of the first seal, and may serve to axially space the second seal from the first seal. The second seal may be formed with a cutaway therein to ensure proper clearance between the second seal and one of the shafts. Other embodiments of the multi-shaft seal assembly use a collar formed with the equipment housing or second seal. Still other embodiments include additional seals for additional shafts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-shaft seal assembly comprising:
 a. a first seal engaged with a housing, wherein said first seal is configured to surround a first shaft protruding from said housing, and wherein said first seal functions to prevent ingress of contaminants to said housing and egress of lubricant from said housing;   b. a collar engaged with said housing, wherein said collar is configured to surround at least a portion of a second shaft protruding from said housing; and,   c. a second seal engaged with said collar, wherein said second seal is configured to surround said second shaft protruding from said housing, wherein said first seal and said second seal are axially spaced from one another with respect to the rotational axis of said first shaft, and wherein said second seal functions to prevent ingress of contaminants to said housing and egress of lubricant from said housing.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said collar is further defined as having an axial dimension substantially equal to that of said first seal. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 2  wherein said first seal is further defined as residing in a first generally vertical plane, wherein said second seal is further defined as residing in a second generally vertical plane, and wherein said first and second generally vertical planes are spaced from one another by an amount approximately equal to said axial dimension of said collar. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said second seal further comprises a cutaway, and wherein said cutaway accommodates a portion of said first shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said collar further comprises a collar cutaway, and wherein said collar cutaway accommodates a portion of said first seal. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said collar further comprises a collar lip, and wherein said collar lip is configured to engage a peripheral surface of said second seal. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 6  wherein said first seal is further defined as comprising:
 a. a stator engaged with a housing; 
 b. a rotor engaged with said first shaft, wherein said rotor rotates with said shaft. 
 
     
     
         8 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said second seal is further defined as comprising:
 a. a stator engaged with a housing; 
 b. a rotor engaged with said first shaft, wherein said rotor rotates with said shaft. 
 
     
     
         9 . The multi-shaft seal assembly according to  claim 8  wherein an interface between said stator and said rotor of said first seal is defined as being semi-spherical in shape. 
     
     
         10 . A shaft seal assembly comprising:
 a. a stator configured for engagement with housing, said stator comprising:
 i. a stator body; 
 ii. a projection extending from said stator body; 
 iii. a channel formed in said stator; 
   b. a rotor configured for engagement with a shaft, said rotor comprising:
 i. a rotor body; 
 ii. a projection extending from said rotor body; 
 iii. a channel formed in said rotor; and, 
   c. wherein said projection extending from said stator body, said projection extending from said rotor body, said channel formed in said stator, and said channel formed in said rotor cooperate to form a labyrinth seal having a first cooperating cavity and a second cooperating cavity.   
     
     
         11 . The shaft seal assembly according to  claim 10  wherein said first cooperating cavity is further defined as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         12 . The shaft seal assembly according to  claim 11  wherein said second cooperating cavity is further defined as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         13 . The shaft seal assembly according to  claim 12  wherein a length of said first cooperating cavity is generally perpendicularly oriented with respect to a length of said second cooperating cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The shaft seal assembly according to  claim 13  further comprising a unitizing ring positioned at a point along said labyrinth seal. 
     
     
         15 . The shaft seal assembly according to  claim 14  wherein said first cooperating groove is further defined as being formed from a radial recess in said stator and a corresponding radial recess in said rotor. 
     
     
         16 . The shaft seal assembly according to  claim 15  wherein said second cooperating groove is further defined as being formed from an axial projection of said stator and a second radial recess in said rotor.