Seal protection mechanism

Abstract

A seal protection mechanism for a shaft seal of a land-based vehicle is described. The seal protection mechanism comprises a fixed part and a rotary part. The fixed part is fixed relative to the vehicle. The rotary part is rotatable relative to the fixed part about an axis. The rotary part is configured to rotate with a shaft about which the shaft seal is disposed. One of the fixed part and the rotary part comprises an axial opening. The other of the fixed part and the rotary part is at least partly received in the axial opening. The fixed part and the rotary part define a passageway. At least one of the fixed part and the rotary part comprises a debris breaking portion. The debris breaking portion is disposed in the passageway. In use, rotation of the rotary part relative to the fixed part causes the debris breaking portion to break apart any debris passing through said passageway towards the shaft seal. The seal protection mechanism therefore acts to protect the shaft seal by breaking apart debris before said debris can reach the shaft seal. This is beneficial because the shaft seal is a vulnerable component which can be damaged by debris.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.