Seal with spiral grooves and contamination entrapment dams
US8376369B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J15/3244
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dynamic seal utilizes a groove on the active side of the seal to capture a leaked lubricant and pump the lubricant back into the lubricated side of the seal. The groove stops short of the leading edge of the seal that faces the lubricant side forming a static dam between the termination point of the groove and the seal edge. When the fluid pressure within the groove exceeds the opening pressure for the seal lip, the lubricant within the groove is pumped back into the lubricant side of the seal. The groove can have an induction zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is gradual and a booster zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is relatively faster than in the induction zone. The booster zone is disposed adjacent the static dam. Bars are provided across the spiral grooves to prevent contaminants from reaching and becoming trapped in the booster zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.