Cartridge seal aims for utilities market
22 Aug 2000
John Crane's new 4610 cartridge seal is priced so that it can compete with traditional gland packing sealing, and designed to be as simple as possible to install and maintain. Intended for rotating shaft equipment where ANSI/DIN/API design seals will not fit, the unit is targeted primarily at utilities applications such as water and waste treatment.
The seal incorporates a crest-to-crest spring design which is designed not to clog and, unlike helical coil springs, cannot be overcompressed. This design also ensures that the loading on the seal face is uniform. The running face itself, made of premium-grade carbon and silicon carbide, is computer optimised and hydraulically balanced. The company's design engineers have incorporated an indirect through-sleeve drive mechanism which, they claim, eliminates drive screw damage.
Another design innovation is a centralising ring, which sets the seal into place automatically, both axially and radially. This prevents damage from over-compression during setting, and allows the seal to be installed without having to remove setting clips.
The seal is available in sizes from 24-70mm (1"-23/4"), and can cope with pressures up to 11bar and temperatures to 130 degrees C while running at 3600rpm.
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