Patent · US Expired

Floating lip seal with reinforced flexible portion

US4844484A · kind A · utility

73Cited by
9References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 1988
Grant dateJul 4, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S277/924
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An annular shaft seal including a continuous lip sealing element for sealing against oil flow between a bore and a shaft extending through the bore includes a convoluted elastomeric flexible section which connects the sealing element with a rigid case support. The flexible section is defined by a plurality of annuli, wherein each adjoining pair of annuli defines a reverse bend therebetween. One or more of the reverse bends is reinforced with a relatively non-elastic material, preferably plastic, which is integrally molded thereinto, and provides a torsional rigidity while permitting radial flexibility. This provides a closer following of the lip seal element on the shaft under conditions of extreme runout wherein the lip seal element would otherwise become dynamically distorted.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.