US Patent 10422245 Seal element with internal lubricant plenum for rotational equipment

A sealing apparatus for rotational equipment includes an annular seal plate rotatable around an axis. The annular seal plate includes an annular seal land surface, an internal plenum, a plurality of inlet passages, a plurality of cooling passages and a plurality of outlet passages. The inlet passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the inlet passages extends into the annular seal plate to the internal plenum. The cooling passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the cooling passages extends into the annular seal plate from the annular seal land surface to the internal plenum. The outlet passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the outlet passages extends into the annular seal plate to the internal plenum. The outlet passages are arranged radially between the inlet passages and the cooling passages.