A seal ring configuration adapted to be disposed about a shaft to seal a
fluid at a pressure differentials across the seal. The seal ring
configuration comprises a mating ring and an axially movable primary
ring. The primary ring includes a seal face in opposing relationship to
the mating ring seal face to define a seal interface. The mating ring
seal face or the primary ring seal face defines an annular axially
recessed section and a dam section. The recessed section is axially
disposed further from the cooperating seal face relative to the dam
section. The axially recessed section further includes a face pattern
axially spaced further from the dam section than the recessed portion and
is capable of generating a hydrodynamic force between the mating ring
seal face and the primary ring seal face.