RTX Corporation
FACE SEAL ARRANGEMENT FOR REDUCED FORCE AND PRESSURE

Abstract:

A bearing is mounted to a static structure outwardly of the shaft, and supporting the shaft. A bearing compartment is defined by face seal arrangements on each of two axial sides of a bearing. Each face seal arrangement includes a seal seat rotating with the shaft and a non-rotating sealing ring. The seal housing is exposed to high pressure air outward of the bearing compartment. A coil spring biases the seal housing towards the seal seat, such that the sealing face is biased into contact with the seal seat by a bias force including a net fluid force acting on the seal housing and the coil spring. The sealing face is defined by a contact portion contacting the seal seat and a feed portion recessed from the seal seat. The feed portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced feed slots fluidly connected to at least one annular groove.