A cartridge-type bearing seal includes removably connected stator and rotor sections. The stator section supports a distribution ring that divides an internal annular volume into radially outside and inside portions. The ring has at least one tangentially oriented duct. When pressurized purge fluid is supplied to the outside portion, the fluid flows through the ducts to induce tangential fluid flow within the inside portion, which causes circumferentially uniform fluid pressure in the annular volume adjacent the rotating shaft. The pressurized fluid traverses a flow path along the shaft and eventually out of the bearing housing, to prevent contaminant ingress between the rotating shaft and the bearing housing. This bearing seal eliminates the need to machine a tangentially oriented passage in the bearing housing.