Hydrophobic shaft seal
AssigneeMeritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
InventorDavid K. Platner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seal assembly seal assembly includes an outer member, an inner member, and a resilient member therebetwen. The resilient member is located between an inner diameter of the outer member and an outer diameter of the inner member. The resilient member includes substantially V-shaped or opposed parabolic members in cross-section which define a cavity therebetween. The cavity formed between the parabolic members is filled with the hydrophobic material to provide a barrier to undesirable moisture, lubricate the interface between the parabolic members and the outer diameter of the inner member, and further minimize ingestion of contaminants.
Claims20
A seal assembly for a housing having a fluid therein, comprising:
- an first member;
- an second member rotatable relative to said first member;
- a resilient member adjacent said first member and said second member, said resilient member defining a resilient member outer diameter and a first and a second parabolic member which define a cavity;
- a first annular seal mounted between said resilient member outer diameter and said first parabolic member to bias said first parabolic member away from said resilient member outer diameter;
- a second annular seal mounted between said resilient member outer diameter and said second parabolic member to bias said second parabolic member away from said resilient member outer diameter;
- and
- a hydrophobic material within said cavity.
A gearbox assembly, comprising:
- a housing;
- a shaft extending from and rotatable relative to said housing;
- a first member mounted to said housing;
- a second member rotatable relative to said first member, said second member mounting said shaft;
- a resilient member adjacent said first member and said second member, said resilient member defining a resilient member outer diameter and a first and a second parabolic member which define a cavity open toward said second member;
- a first annular seal mounted between said resilient member outer diameter and said first parabolic member to bias said first parabolic member away from said resilient member outer diameter;
- a second annular seal mounted between said resilient member outer diameter and said second parabolic member to bias said second parabolic member away from said resilient member outer diameter;
- and
- a hydrophobic material within said cavity.
An axle assembly, comprising:
- a housing;
- a shaft extending from and rotatable relative to said housing;
- a first member mounted to said housing;
- a second member rotatable relative to said first member, said second member mounting said shaft;
- a resilient member adjacent said first member and said second member, said resilient member defining a resilient member outer diameter and a first and a second parabolic member which define a cavity open toward said second member;
- a first annular seal mounted between said resilient member outer diameter and said first parabolic member to bias said first parabolic member away from said resilient member outer diameter;
- a second annular seal mounted between said resilient member outer diameter and said second parabolic member to bias said second parabolic member away from said resilient member outer diameter;
- and
- a hydrophobic material within said cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.