Screw Type Shaft Seals for Potassium Lubricated Generators

Development of liquid and vapor screw seals to separate the bearing and rotor cavity in a potassium cooled and lubricated space electric power generator has been completed to the point where ground test application is possible. Individual tests were made in potassium simulating fluids to determine seal performance at laminar and turbulent conditions. Liquid seal performance was verified in 375??F potassium. Vapor seal performance concurred with analysis of a simplified flow model. Remaining problems associated with adaptation of these seals to an actual generator are discussed.