Rotary seal with improved film distribution
US9121504B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2013 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J15/324
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a generally circular rotary seal that establishes sealing between relatively rotatable machine components for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion, and incorporates seal geometry that interacts with the lubricant during relative rotation to distribute a lubricant film within the dynamic sealing interface. The features of a variable inlet size, a variable dynamic lip flank slope, and a reduction in the magnitude and circumferentially oriented portion of the lubricant side interfacial contact pressure zone at the narrowest part of the lip, individually or in combination thereof, serve to maximize interfacial lubrication in severe operating conditions, and also serve to minimize lubricant shear area, seal torque, seal volume, and wear, while ensuring retrofitability into the seal grooves of existing equipment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.