High pressure seal with defined leak path

摘要

A seal for a high pressure fluidic device comprises a main body having a through bore 49 for sealingly engaging about a shaft. The main body comprises a deformable seal body 55 having an outer sealing surface 51 and a larger diameter cap 57 which has a rigidity greater than that of the seal body 55 to transmit compressive force to the seal body 55 when the seal is under axial compression. Radial fluid relief passageways 21a are formed in the end face of the cap 57 between the through bore 49 and the external surface of the cap 57.