US Patent 11434827 Hydrostatic seal with secondary seal structural protection

A hydrostatic seal assembly configured to be disposed between relatively rotatable components includes a base. The seal also includes a shoe operatively coupled to the base. The seal further includes a secondary seal disposed proximate an axially forward end of the shoe, the secondary seal extending radially from a radially inner end to a radially outer end to define a radial distance of the secondary seal, the secondary seal having an axially forward face. The seal yet further includes a structural component located adjacent to the axially forward face of the secondary seal and extending radially inwardly to cover at least half of the radial distance of the secondary seal.