Rotary seal with improved dynamic interface

A hydrodynamic seal, comprising:

• (a) a generally ring-shaped body of sealing material having a static sealing surface;
• (b) a dynamic sealing lip being defined by said generally ring-shaped body of sealing material and defining a dynamic sealing surface;
• (c) a relatively rotatable surface being in sealing contact with said dynamic sealing surface and establishing a dynamic sealing interface therewith, said relatively rotatable surface and said dynamic sealing lip defining at least one direction of relative rotation;
• (d) a lubricant having contact with said dynamic sealing lip and said relatively rotatable surface and being present within said dynamic sealing interface;
• and
• (e) a plurality of pressure manipulating features each being located at least partially on said dynamic sealing surface and collectively establishing at least one elevated contact pressure zone with said relatively rotatable surface at least partially within said dynamic sealing interface, said at least one elevated contact pressure zone interacting with said lubricant within said dynamic sealing interface for causing controlled movement of said lubricant across said dynamic sealing interface.

A sealing device, comprising:

• (a) a generally ring-shaped body;
• (b) a static sealing lip being defined by said generally ring-shaped body and defining a static sealing surface;
• (c) a dynamic sealing lip being in generally opposed relation to said said static sealing lip and defining a dynamic sealing surface;
• and
• (d) a plurality of pressure manipulation features projecting from said dynamic sealing surface.

A sealing device, comprising:

• (a) a generally ring-shaped body;
• (b) a static sealing surface being defined by said generally ring-shaped body;
• (c) a dynamic sealing lip being in generally opposed relation to said said static sealing surface and defining a dynamic sealing surface;
• (d) a plurality of pressure manipulation features projecting from said dynamic sealing surface;
• and
• (e) said plurality of pressure manipulation features being skewed with respect to said dynamic sealing lip.

A sealing device, comprising:

• (a) a structure;
• (b) a relatively rotatable surface disposed in spaced relation to said structure and having a direction of relative rotation relative to said structure;
• (c) a seal being located by said structure and comprising:
• (i) a generally ring-shaped body;
• (ii) a dynamic sealing surface;
• (iii) a plurality of pressure manipulation features projecting from said dynamic sealing surface;
• (d) said dynamic sealing surface establishing sealing contact pressure with said relatively rotatable surface;
• (e) said plurality of pressure manipulation features establishing at least one elevated contact pressure zone having contact pressure greater than said sealing contact pressure;
• and
• (f) said at least one elevated contact pressure zone being skewed with respect to said direction of relative rotation.

A method for establishing a sealed partition between an environment and a lubricant, comprising;

• (a) providing a seal having a generally ring-shaped body defining a dynamic sealing surface of generally circular configuration having a plurality of pressure manipulation features projecting therefrom;
• (b) providing a relatively rotatable surface having at least one direction of relative rotation relative to said dynamic sealing surface;
• (c) compressing said dynamic sealing surface and said plurality of pressure manipulation features against said relatively rotatable surface, wherein:
• (i) said dynamic sealing surface establishing sealing contact pressure with said relatively rotatable surface, thereby establishing a dynamic sealing interface beween said dynamic sealing surface and said relatively rotatable surface;
• (ii) said plurality of pressure manipulating features collectively establishing at least one elevated contact pressure zone with said relatively rotatable surface being at a contact pressure that is higher than said sealing contact pressure;
• and
• (iii) said at least one elevated contact pressure zone being skewed with respect to said at least one direction of relative rotation.