Importance

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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.

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First Claim