Robert C Mccann DeceasedHappy Valley, OR

6783322, Aug 31, 2004

Apr 23, 2002

10/131311

Robert B. Ray - Clackamas OR
Joseph H. Reidy - Portland OR
Robert A. McCann - Tigard OR
Steven J. Schoebrun - Tigard OR

Roper Holdings, Inc. - Wilmington DE

F04D 2910

415112, 415231

A pump system, including an impeller and an impeller shaft, which has one end secured to the impeller and another end that may be coupled to a motor to drive the impeller. The pump system further includes a substantially liquid-proof barrier which has an opening through which the impeller shaft extends. The opening in the barrier is sealed with a shaft sealing system that includes a supply chamber fluidly coupled with a cavity. The cavity surrounds, and is at least partially bounded by, the impeller shaft. The shaft sealing system further includes a pressure mechanism that is configured to pressurize lubrication matter contained within the supply chamber and cavity, so as to inhibit liquid from passing along the impeller shaft through the cavity and thereby penetrating the liquid-proof barrier. The pressure mechanism is further configured to vary pressure of the lubrication matter based on atmospheric pressure surrounding the pump system.