Split Ring Having a Self-Regulating Throttle Gap

Abstract

A self-regulating sealing element for a throttle gap between a rotating and a stationary components is provided. The sealing element includes a split ring located in the throttle gap between the rotating component and the housing and preferably configured as a U-shaped element that both axially overlaps a portion of the stationary housing at the throttle gap and provides an annular space between the split ring and the stationary housing. The split ring's axial overlapping regions provide a labyrinth seal effect, while the medium in the annular gap provides a self-regulating damper to accommodate eccentricities between the rotating and stationary components. The split ring may be a bi-metal split ring that is configured such that when at operating temperature the axially-overlapping portions of the ring generally conform to the axial faces of the stationary member portion at the throttle gap to further minimize medium leakage across the split ring.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A sealing element for sealing a throttle gap between a rotating component against a stationary housing, comprising:
 a split ring configured to seal the throttle gap between the rotating component and the housing,   wherein
 the split ring is sized such that an enclosed annular space exists between the split ring and a portion of the stationary housing delimiting a radially outer extent of the throttle gap when the split ring is in an installed position on the stationary housing; 
 the annular space is concentric with the rotating component at a location on the rotating component delimiting a radially inner extent of the throttle gap; 
 the split ring has a U-shaped configuration around the annular space, with ends of the U-shape overlapping axial faces of the portion of the stationary housing delimiting the radially outer extent of the throttle gap such that at least one axial gap is formed between the U-shaped split ring and the portion of the stationary housing delimiting the radially outer extent of the throttle gap. 
   
     
     
         8 . The sealing element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein
 a fit of the split ring in the axial throttle gap is adjustable.   
     
     
         9 . The sealing element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein
 the split ring is made of at least one metallic material.   
     
     
         10 . The sealing element as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 the split ring is a bimetal split ring,   the bimetal split ring is a one piece pressed split ring or a multipart split ring, and   an inner metal layer of the bimetal split ring has a substantially smaller thermal expansion coefficient than an outer layer of the bimetal split ring.   
     
     
         11 . The sealing element as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein
 the split ring is constructed as a sheet metal profile, and   the sheet metal profile split ring is a one-piece pressed split ring or a multipart split ring.   
     
     
         12 . The sealing element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein
 the split ring includes at least one of a slot and a pin configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding feature of the stationary housing to suppress rotation of the split ring relative to the stationary housing.