US Patent 7431303 Heat conducting seal

A mechanical face seal, for sealing about a rotating shaft, includes a seal head assembly in sealing engagement with a seal seat assembly. The seal seat assembly has a washer with a portion that is sandwiched between a grommet and a seal seat. Another portion of the washer is sandwiched between a sleeve or shoulder on the shaft and an impeller. Frictional heat generated by the seal can be conducted away from the seal seat to the sleeve or shoulder on the shaft, which is particularly advantageous when the face seal is operated without water adjacent to the seal seat.