AN ELECTRIC MOTOR WITH SUCH A MODULAR SEALING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure relates to a modular sealing system for sealing between a stator and a rotor of an electric motor and an electric motor with such a sealing system for sealing between a stator and a rotor. Further this disclosure relates to a gearless mill with such an electric motor and a method for replacing a sealing element of a sealing system in a mounted state. In particular, this disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing between a stator and a rotor of an electric motor for a gearless mill and to a use of a sealing component at least partly embodied in substantially a T-shape for sealing between a stator and a rotor of an electric motor for a gearless mill.

BACKGROUND

[0002] An electric motor may be used to drive a mill by mounting a direct drive ring motor around an outer shell of a mill body. This embodiment of an electric motor, for example, does not require a gear between the drive and the mill and therefore may save a loss of efficiency resulting from the gear. Electric motors for a gearless mill may have dimensions that are suitable to surround the mill body. Therefore, the final assembly is typically conducted on site, i.e. subassemblies and single components may be delivered to site in order to facilitate logistics. However, assembling the electric motor on site may cause unexpected issues which may generate additional costs and be very time consuming.

[0003] Gearless mill drives may be used for mining for grinding large pieces of mined material into pieces of reduced dimensions. Therefore, electric motors for gearless mills and all its components may be exposed to extreme conditions, for example vibrations, high temperatures and a dusty environment.

[0004] In order to protect the components of the electric motor, for example and inter alia, a sealing system may be required. In particular, the sealing system may be required at each side of the electric motor between the stator and the rotor in order to protect the inner components, for instance, from the dusty environment. The sealing system may comprise at least one sealing element which is connected to the stator and pressed against the rotor. [0005] Due to the extreme conditions the components of the electric motor, in particular the sealing system, may have to withstand, maintenance may be required during a service life of the electric motor. Further, the requirements for the sealing system may be very high.

[0006] For example, at a maintenance of the sealing system the whole sealing system must be uninstalled and put on the ground as well as stator components in order to change consumable sealing elements. Regarding the dimensions of such electric motors and the boundary conditions of maintenance of the sealing system on site, maintenance may become time consuming.

SUMMARY

[0007] Aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the disclosure.

[0008] The present disclosure provides a modular sealing system, an electric motor, a gearless mill and a method for replacing a sealing element of a sealing system of an electric motor so as to simplify the maintenance of an electric motor and to reduce the number of unexpected issues at the final assembly of the electric motor on site. In particular, the present disclosure provides a sealing arrangement and a use of a sealing component at least partly embodied in substantially a T-shape for sealing between a stator and a rotor of an electric motor for a gearless mill so as to simplify the maintenance and replacement of the sealing element.

[0009] In one aspect, the disclosure provides a modular sealing system for sealing between a stator cover and a rotor cover of an electric motor for a gearless mill. It comprises a seal carrier for carrying at least one sealing element for sealing against the rotor cover. The seal carrier may be connected to the stator cover such that a movement in a direction toward to the stator cover is possible. The modular sealing system further comprises at least an operation status and a first maintenance status. In the first maintenance status a distance between the rotor cover and the seal carrier is larger than in the operation status.

[0010] In another aspect, the disclosure provides an electric motor which comprises a rotor cover, a stator cover and a modular sealing system as disclosed herein.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a gearless mill which comprises a mill body and an electric motor according to the present disclosure. [0012] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for replacing a sealing element of a sealing system of an electric motor which may be used for gearless mills. The method is conducted at a mounted state of the sealing system and comprises the step of moving a seal carrier from an initial position in a direction opposite to a rotor cover. Subsequently, replacing the sealing element and moving the seal carrier back to the initial position follow.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a sealing arrangement for sealing between a stator cover and a rotor cover of an electric motor for a gearless mill. It comprises a seal holder and a sealing component. The seal holder is divided in at least two circular segments and further comprises a slot in substantially a T-shape. The sealing component is at least partly embodied in substantially a T-shape such that the sealing component is fixed in the slot of the seal carrier in a positive-locking manner by the substantially T-shape.

[0014] In another aspect, the disclosure provides a use of a sealing component at least partly embodied in substantially a T-shape for sealing between a stator and a rotor of an electric motor for a gearless mill. The sealing component is fixed between the stator and the rotor in a positive-locking manner by the substantially T-shape.

[0015] The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective and cross-sectional view of an electric motor according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a gearless mill according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a modular sealing system according to embodiments of the present disclosure in the operation status. [0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modular sealing system according to embodiments of the present disclosure in the first maintenance status.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a modular sealing system according to embodiments of the present disclosure in the second maintenance status.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a segmented modular sealing system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a seal holder of a sealing arrangement according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to sealing systems of electric motors for gearless mills which are maintainable in an advantageous way of art through providing a modular sealing system. An apparatus operating according to the techniques disclosed herein, enables a maintenance of the sealing system in a mounted state, i.e. the sealing system being arranged between a stator cover and a rotor cover, by setting it into a first maintenance status. The modular sealing system according to this disclosure and further the stator cover do not have to be uninstalled and put on ground in order to conduct maintenance activities at the modular sealing system on site. In some examples, the modular sealing system further is settable into a second maintenance status wherein other components are maintainable without the requirement to uninstall the modular sealing system from the electric motor. In particular, the techniques of this disclosure relate to sealing systems of electric motors for gearless mills which are maintainable in an advantageous way of art through providing a positive locking sealing component which omits a number of fixing elements.

[0026] The modular sealing system according to this disclosure seals a sealing gap between the stator cover and the rotor cover of an electric motor. Due to different possible design options, the sealing gap may be oriented axially, radially or obliquely to a rotational axis of the electric motor.

[0027] The terms “stator cover” and “rotor cover”, as used herein, refer to components which may define the gap to be sealed between the stator and the rotor. The modular sealing system may be arranged between the stator cover and the rotor cover. According to embodiments, a stator cover and a rotor cover may be components which literally cover stator components respectively rotor components. In such embodiments, the gap to be sealed may be located between the stator cover and the rotor cover. The stator cover and/or the rotor cover may include several parts.

[0028] According to embodiments, the modular sealing system may comprise a seal carrier. The seal carrier may provide a connection to the stator cover such that a movement in a direction toward to the stator cover may be possible. Further, the seal carrier may provide a fixation for a sealing element for sealing against the rotor cover.

[0029] As the modular sealing system according to the present disclosure is directed to electric motors that may be used for gearless mills which may comprise a diameter of at least five meters, the components of the modular sealing system may be substantially of the same dimension. In particular, electric motors for gearless mills comprise a diameter of at least ten meters. In particular, electric motors for gearless mills may comprise a diameter of at least 15 meters.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the modular sealing system may be divided in circular segments in order to minimize the size of the individual components of the modular sealing system and thus, facilitate logistics. In particular, the modular sealing system may be divided in at least four circular segments. According to embodiments, the modular sealing system may be divided in at least eight circular segments. In particular, the modular sealing system may be divided in at least 16 circular segments. In some particularly preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the modular sealing system may be divided in at least 32 circular segments. One circular segment may comprise the same size as another circular segment or may comprise a different size.

[0031] According to embodiments, the modular sealing system may comprise a holding carrier for providing a connection to the stator cover. The seal carrier may be connected to the holding carrier such that a movement in a direction toward to each other is possible. For example, the seal carrier may be connected to the stator cover and/or to the holding carrier. The holding carrier may simplify the assembly of the electric motor on site as the holding carrier may be preassembled to the seal carrier.

[0032] As used herein, the term “holding carrier” refers to a component of the modular sealing system which may hold the seal carrier. The holding carrier may be mounted to a stator component of the electric motor. The term “seal carrier” refers to a component of the modular sealing system which may carry at least one sealing element. The seal carrier may be mounted to the holding carrier and/or to the stator cover.

[0033] According to embodiments, the seal carrier is further connectable to the rotor cover. The seal carrier may be connectable to the rotor cover by at least one first connection means. The modular sealing system may be set to the second maintenance status by connecting the seal carrier to the rotor cover. In the second maintenance status maintenance activities may be conducted at other components of the electric motor without uninstalling the modular sealing system from the electric motor. The term “other components of the electric motor” may refer to components which require uninstalling stator components for maintenance activities. Stator components may be connected to a sealing system so as the maintenance of the other components of the electric motor may require typically uninstalling the sealing system. Embodiments of the modular sealing system disclosed herein may not have to be uninstalled and put on ground in order to conduct maintenance activities at the other components of the electric motor.

[0034] In some embodiments, at least the seal carrier and/or the holding carrier may be divided into circular segments. For example, at least two segments each may be connected by at least one second connection means. In some embodiments, two segments may be connected by a connecting plate. The connecting plates provide circular stiffness to the whole system and may not have to be removed in case of changing from the operation status to the first or second maintenance status or vice versa.

[0035] In embodiments, a spring may be arranged between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier. The spring may provide a connection and further a restoring force. In the operation status, the spring may act such on the modular sealing system that the spring may provide a sufficient force for sealing against the rotor cover. The term “sufficient”, as used herein, refers to a force which is sufficient to provide a sealing function.

[0036] According to embodiments, the spring may be embodied in a Y-shape or in a V-shape. These embodiments of the spring may be particularly suitable to enable a very low distance between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier in the first maintenance status and therefore maximize a space for, e.g., maintenance activities, between the seal carrier and the rotor cover. Furthermore, this design may absorb manufacturing and installation tolerances and thus, increasing the flexibility of the design. [0037] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the spring may be embodied as a plate spring or as a membrane spring. In some embodiments, the spring may be embodied as a coil spring. In particular, the spring may be embodied as a spring clip.

[0038] According to some embodiments, at least 32 springs may be arranged between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier. In particular, at least 64 springs may be arranged between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier. Preferably, at least 96 springs may be arranged between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier. Those embodiments may have the advantage that the stability of the modular sealing system increases. Furthermore, using a higher number of springs in order to provide the sufficient force to the modular sealing system may enable the use of springs of reduced dimensions, in particular in depth, compared to the use of a lower number of springs. Using a higher number of springs, as mentioned above e.g. at least 64 springs, may enable an even lower distance between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier in the first maintenance status so as to maximize the space between the rotor cover and the seal carrier.

[0039] According to embodiments wherein the modular sealing system may be divided in circular segments, the number of springs which may be arranged between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier, may be divided accordingly to the number of circular segments of the modular sealing system. For example, a modular sealing system may comprise 64 springs arranged between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier and further the modular sealing system may be divided in 32 circular segments. Accordingly, at each circular segment two springs may be arranged between a seal carrier segment and the stator cover and/or a holding carrier segment. According to some embodiments, at each circular segment three springs may be arranged between each seal carrier segment and the stator cover and/or each holding carrier segment.

[0040] In some embodiments, the seal carrier and/or the holding carrier may comprise an indentation for each spring. The spring may be arranged such to the indentation respectively indentations, that the spring may sink at least partly in the indentation respectively indentations in the first and/or second maintenance status so as to increase the space for, e.g., replacing sealing elements in the first maintenance status.

[0041] In embodiments, a curtain seal may be arranged between the seal carrier and the stator cover and/or the holding carrier. The curtain seal may be compressed in the first maintenance status of the modular sealing system and be in the initial shape in the operating status. The curtain seal may simplify the design of the modular sealing system. The curtain seal may, for instance, be of a plastic material as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) or FKM (fluorocarbon-based fluoroelastomer). In particular, the curtain seal may be embodied as a bendable plate. The bendable plate may be of a metallic material. The term “compressed”, as used herein, refers to a state, wherein the curtain seal may comprise a less extension in at least one direction than in the uncompressed state. In particular, the curtain seal may comprise a less extension in the compressed state in the direction the seal carrier may move toward to the stator cover and/or the holding carrier. In embodiments, the curtain seal may comprise at least one shoulder comprising a larger height. In particular, the curtain seal may comprise two shoulders. The shoulders may be arranged at edges of the curtain seal. The shoulders may be used for the fixation of the curtain seal. The shoulders may, for instance, increase the stiffness of the fixation of the curtain seal.

[0042] According to particular advantageous embodiments, the seal carrier may carry the sealing element in a positive locking manner. The term “positive locking manner”, as used herein, refers to a connection between the seal carrier and the sealing element which may not require additional fixing elements in order to hold the sealing element in its designated position. A slot of the seal carrier may be embodied in a shape which corresponds at least partly to a shape of the sealing element. The sealing element may be mounted to the seal carrier by moving the sealing element sideward in a side opening of a circular segment or in a front opening of the slot of the seal carrier. The sealing element may comprise a positive locking fixing section and a seal section. The seal section may be embodied as a lip seal. In particular, the seal section may be embodied as a double lip seal.

[0043] For example, a slot which may be designated to carry the sealing element may be embodied in substantially a T-shape and the sealing element may be at least partly embodied in substantially a T-shape. The slot may be arranged around the whole seal carrier.

[0044] The term “T-shape”, as used herein, refers to a design of the slot and the sealing element which may allow a fixation in the positive locking manner and may resemble the letter T. In particular, the positive locking fixing section of the sealing element may comprise a first section, resembling the I-part of the T-shape, and a second section, resembling the --part of the T-shape. The first section may comprise a length which may be substantially the same as the length of the second section, preferably the second section may comprise a length of 80% - 120% of the first section. Particularly preferably, the second section may comprise a length of 90% - 110% of the length of the first section. The first section may comprise a width of 80% - 120% of the length of the first section. In particular, the first section may comprise a width which is substantially the same as the length of the first section. The second section may comprise a width of 150% - 250% of the length of the second section. In particular, the second section may comprise a width of 180% - 220% of the length of the second section. The first section may be arranged centered to the second section. In particular, the first section may be arranged off-center to the second section.

[0045] The slot may comprise a first portion, resembling the I-part of the T-shape, and a second portion, resembling the --part of the T-shape. The first and the second portion may comprise substantially the same dimensions as the first and the second section of the sealing element. The term “substantially the same dimensions”, as used herein, may refer to a fit which fit may be suitable for a tight fit and a simple mounting of the sealing element in the slot, e.g. a transition fit. In particular, the second portion may comprise a length of at least 0.5 mm more than the second section of the sealing element so as a mounting may be facilitated. Preferably, the second portion may comprise a length of at least 1 mm more than the second section of the sealing element.

[0046] The positive locking design may allow, for instance, reducing the time needed for maintenance of the modular sealing system by providing a simple hooking of the sealing element instead of holding the sealing element by fixing elements, e.g. by screws. Using the T-shape design for sealing between a stator and a rotor of an electric motor for a gearless mill provides unexpectedly substantially the same sealing effect at a similar probability of failure as using fixation by bolting or a like.

[0047] According to some embodiments, the slot of the seal carrier may be embodied such that the first portion may be formed rectangularly and the second portion may be formed circular. The sealing element may be embodied at least partly accordingly. The width of the first portion may be less than a diameter of the circular second portion so as to positive lock the sealing element at the second portion. The seal section may be guided out of the slot through the rectangular first portion.

[0048] In embodiments, holding carrier and/or the stator cover may comprise a drilling and the seal carrier may comprise a threaded bore aligned to the drilling. A screw which may be arranged through them may be used to move the seal carrier in a direction towards the holding carrier respectively the stator cover.

[0049] The maintenance executed at the modular sealing system according to the present disclosure or according to the method of the present disclosure may reduce the required time by about 80% regarding prior art sealing systems which may have to be uninstalled and put on ground in order to conduct maintenance activities at the sealing system. Further, the modular design, in particular the modular design comprising the holding carrier according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, may allow a preassembling before delivering the modules to the site. The preassembling may reduce the time required for assembly on site and may increase the chance to discover malfunctioning components before delivering to site. Dividing the modular sealing system in circular segments may further facilitate logistics and handling. In particular, the sealing arrangement comprising a positive locking sealing component may save time at maintenance activities when replacing the consumable sealing components as screws or other fixing elements may not have to be loosened and fastened. The present disclosure may be applied as a new sealing system for new products or may be adapted to existing electric motors. Further, the present disclosure provides an electric motor comprising a stator cover, a rotor cover and a modular sealing system according to the present disclosure and a gearless mill comprising a mill body and the electric motor according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, some examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example may be provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, not limitation of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of embodiments may be used with other embodiments to yield still further embodiments. The drawings may not be true-to-scale.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows schematically an electric motor according to embodiments of the present disclosure in an exploded perspective and cross-sectional view. The electric motor may be embodied as a ring motor 70 comprising a rotational axis 71. Supplying electrical energy to the ring motor 70 may result in rotating a hollow shaft 72 around the rotational axis 71. The ring motor 70 may comprise a stator 73 and a rotor 74. The stator 73 may further comprise stator components 75. The rotor 74 may further comprise rotor components 76. The rotor 74 may be embodied as an external rotor so as the stator 73 and the stator components 75 may be arranged internal. According to some embodiments, the rotor 74 may be embodied as an internal rotor so as the stator 73 and the stator components 75 may be arranged external to the rotor 74 and the rotor components 76. A first sealing gap 77, oriented axially to the rotational axis 71, may be defined by a stator cover 30 and a rotor cover 40 at a feed side 91 and a second sealing gap 78, oriented axially to the rotational axis 71, may be defined by the stator cover 30 and the rotor cover 40 at a discharge side 92. According to some embodiments, the first sealing gap 77 and/or the second sealing gap 78 may be oriented radially or obliquely to the rotational axis 71 of the electric motor. The stator cover 30 may be considered the closest component to the rotor 74, in particular, as the rotor cover 40 may be considered the closest component to the stator 73, the stator cover 30 and the rotor cover 40 may mutually define a first 77 and a second sealing gap 78. The stator cover 30 and the rotor cover 40 may include several parts. In some embodiments, the stator cover 30 and the rotor cover 40 may literally cover stator components 75 respectively rotor components 76. The first sealing gap 77 may be of the same or of a different dimension of the second sealing gap 78. A sealing system (not shown), in particular a modular sealing system, may be arranged in the first sealing gap 77 and/or the second sealing gap 78. According to some embodiments, a sealing arrangement may be arranged in the first 77 and/or second sealing gap 78.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a gearless mill according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The gearless mill may comprise an electric motor, in particular a ring motor 70, and a mill body 80 with a mutual rotational axis 71. The ring motor 70 may be arranged at a feed side 91 of the mill body 80 and may extend less in a longitudinal direction 93 than the mill body 80. A direct drive ring 81 may be mounted to the mill body 80 so as the mill body 80 may be part of the ring motor 70 or vice versa. Supplying the ring motor 70 with electrical energy may result in a rotation of the mill body 80 around the rotational axis 71.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a modular sealing system according to embodiments of the present disclosure in a perspective cross-sectional view in the operation status 100. A stator cover 30 and a rotor cover 40 are illustrated. A holding carrier 10 may be fixed to the stator cover 30 by a first screw connection. The connection of the stator cover 30 and the holding carrier 10 may comprise a sealing means between the holding carrier 10 and the stator cover 30.

[0054] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the holding carrier 10 may be connected to a seal carrier 20 by at least two types of connection means 50, 53. FIG. 3 exemplarily shows a spring 50 in a Y-shape which may be arranged between the holding carrier 10 and the seal carrier 20. FIG. 3 shows a second screw connection 58 between the spring 50 and the carriers 10, 20. The spring 50 may be connected to the holding carrier 10 by another connection means than to the seal carrier 20, for example by hooking.

[0055] An indentation 12 may be provided at the holding carrier 10 and/or at the seal carrier 20 for each spring 50. The indentation 12 may serve to sink the spring 50 in the first maintenance status 200.

[0056] A curtain seal 53 may be arranged between the holding carrier 10 and the seal carrier 20 in two recesses 57. According to some embodiments, the curtain seal 53 may comprise a small height, e.g. less than 5 mm. In particular, the curtain seal 53 may comprise a height of less than 3 mm. Preferably, the curtain seal 53 may comprise a height of less than 2 mm. In order to ensure fixation, friction enhancing press strips 56 may be arranged at edges of the curtain seal 53. The press strips 56 may further provide a sealing effect and may be arranged on top (as shown) and/or under the curtain seal 53. According to embodiments, the curtain seal 53 may comprise at the edges for fixation a larger height than in a middle area so as to increase the stiffness at the fixation. In particular, the edges may comprise a height of at least 1 mm. Preferably, the edges may comprise a height of at least 3 mm. Particularly preferably, the edges of the curtain seal 53 may comprise a height of at least 5 mm. In particular, the edges may be embodied as shoulders. In embodiments, the curtain seal 53 may be of a plastic material. In embodiments, the curtain seal 53 may be of a metallic material.

[0057] Finally, a fixation may be provided by, for instance, a first screw 59a which may be threaded through a hole so as to push against the press strips 56. According to embodiments, the curtain seal 53 may be embodied such that the curtain seal 53 may be fixed to the seal carrier 20, the holding carrier 10 and/or to the stator cover 30 in a positive locking manner.

[0058] Still referring to FIG. 3, the seal carrier may comprise four sealing elements 21, 23; two lip seals 21 and two main seals 23. The sealing elements 21, 23 may be fixed by a fixation member which may be, for example, accordingly to the fixation of the curtain seal 53, a number of the first screw 59b. In embodiments, the main seals 23 may be fixed by a clamping fixation member. The clamping fixation member may be embodied in a circular shape and include recesses. Turning the clamping fixation member may fix respectively release the main seals 23. [0059] The spring 50 may provide a restoring force 62 acting at least on the seal carrier 20 such that the sealing elements 21, 23 may be pressed against the rotor cover 40 in order to ensure sealing.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a modular sealing system according to embodiments of this disclosure in a cross-sectional view in the first maintenance status 200. In order to set the modular sealing system to the first maintenance status 200, a second screw 52 may be threaded through a first drilling 31 of the stator cover 30 and through a second drilling 11 of the holding carrier 10 and into a first threaded bore 25 of the seal carrier 20. The drillings 31, 11 and the threaded bore 25 may be aligned. The second screw 52 may be different to or the same as the first screw 59. Threading the second screw 52 may move the seal carrier 20 in a direction 60 toward to the holding carrier 10 such that a distance 61 between the seal carrier 20 and the holding carrier 10 may decrease. The seal carrier 20 may be moved from its initial position in a direction opposite to the rotor cover 40. The curtain seal 53 is illustrated in a compressed state. The spring 50 may be in an even more compressed state than in the operation status 100.

[0061] A gap 63 between the rotor cover 40 and the seal carrier 20 may result and may enable the replacement of the sealing elements 21, 23 subsequently to the release of the fixation of the sealing elements 21, 23.

[0062] In order to move the seal carrier 20 back in its initial position, i.e. the position of the operating status 100, the second screw 52 may be unthreaded.

[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates the second maintenance status 300 of an embodiment of the present disclosure in a perspective cross-sectional view. A holding carrier 10 may be connected to a seal carrier 20 by a curtain seal 53, a spring 50 in a Y-shape and/or a second screw 52. The seal carrier 20 may comprise four sealing elements 21, 23 and may be connected by a clamp 54 to a rotor cover 40.

[0064] The clamp 54 may be fixed by a third screw 54a threaded into a second threaded bore 26 of the seal carrier 20 and may be mounted to the rotor cover 40 by a fourth screw 54b which may be threaded against the rotor cover 40. The clamp 54 may be frictional connected to the rotor cover 40. In order to increase the stability of the connection, friction increasing strips may be arranged at the contact surfaces of the clamp 54 to the rotor cover 40. The third and/or the fourth screw 54a, 54b may be different to or the same as the first and/or the second screw 52, 59.

[0065] In order to set the modular sealing system to the second maintenance status 300, the modular sealing system may be set to the first maintenance status 200. Subsequently, the clamp 54 may be fixed to the rotor cover 40 and to the seal carrier 20 as described above. The holding carrier 10 may be released from a stator cover 30 such that other components may be maintained without the requirement to uninstall the whole modular sealing system. In order to release the load on the spring 50 the screw 52 may be unthreaded as shown in FIG. 5.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view on an embodiment of a modular sealing system according to the present disclosure. In particular, the modular sealing system may be divided into circular segments. On a side between a holding carrier 10 and a seal carrier 20 a rectangular recess 55 may be provided. A connection plate 51 may further be provided for connecting two segments of the holding carrier 10 and/or of the seal carrier 20. The connecting plate 51 may be fixed by a fixation member, for instance, by a number of screws.

[0067] The connecting plates 51 may increase the stiffness of the whole modular sealing system. The whole modular sealing system may be divided in a number of circular segments which may be suitable for facilitating the handling and the logistics and which may not increase the effort for the assembly disproportionately, i.e. considering the dimensions of such a modular sealing system, it may be divided in at least four, in particular at least eight, preferably at least 16, and particularly preferably at least 32 circular segments.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows embodiments according to the present disclosure with a seal holder 1 of a sealing arrangement. The seal holder 1 may comprise a slot 3 in substantially a T-shape. A sealing component 2 is illustrated which may comprise at least partly substantially a T-shape and may be embodied as a lip seal. The sealing component 2 may be fixed to the seal holder 1 in a positive locking manner.

[0069] The slot 3 may comprise a first portion, resembling the I-part of the T-shape, and a second portion, resembling the --part of the T-shape. The sealing component 2 may accordingly comprise at least partly a first and a second section. As it can be seen in FIG. 7, the second portion of the slot 3 may comprise a greater length than the second section of the sealing component 2. The first section and the second section of the sealing component 2 may comprise substantially the same length. The first section may be centered to the second section. The first portion may be centered to the second portion.

[0070] According to embodiments, the seal holder 1 may be a circular segment of the sealing arrangement. The sealing component 2 may be mounted to the seal holder 1 by moving the sealing component 2 sideward in the slot 3.

[0071] Thus, a modular sealing system has been presented in the foregoing description with reference to specific examples. In particular, a sealing arrangement has been presented in the foregoing description with reference to specific examples. It is to be understood that various aspects disclosed herein may be combined in different combinations than the specific combinations presented in the accompanying drawings. It is appreciated that various modifications to the referenced examples may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure and the following claims.