Rotary shaft wave seal
AssigneeMicrodot Inc.
InventorsBrian F. Rericha, Bernard G. Stritzke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A seal for use about a rotatable shaft comprises an annular cylindrical elastic sealing element having a radially inwardly extending flange defining a sealing lip at its radially innermost edge. An axially undulatory wave spring molded internally of the flange induces axial undulations in the sealing lip thereon while acting as a garter spring to maintain the lip in contiguity with a shaft passing therethrough. Upon rotation of the shaft, the undulating sealing lip deflects the fluid to be contained therewith away from the seal, thereby increasing seal effectiveness.
Claims8
A method for manufacturing a rotary shaft seal comprising the steps of
- inserting an annular axially undulating spring element between a pair of relatively movable mold sections;
- axially compressing said spring element between said mold sections;
- molding an elastic material about and concentric with said axially compressed, radially expanded spring element;
- curing said elastic material while said spring element is maintained in axial compression by said mold;
- and
- releasing said cured elastic material from said mold, whereby said spring element axially expands and radially contracts so as to distort a portion of said cured elastic material into an axially undulated and radially contracted configuration.
A rotary shaft seal comprising
- an annular spring element having undulating axially facing parallel edge portions facilitating radial expansion of said spring element upon axial compression thereof;
- an annular, substantially cylindrical elastic sealing element having a radially inwardly extending flange defining a sealing lip on the radially innermost portion thereof, said spring element being disposed internally of the flange, whereby said spring element induces axial undulations in the sealing lip while inducing radial contraction thereof;
- and
- means for rigidly supporting said sealing element relative to a rotatable shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.