SEAL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

摘要

A seal assembly and method for the manufacture thereof is provided. The seal assembly provides a dynamic fluid seal between a housing having a bore and a shaft having an outer running surface rotating within the bore. The seal assembly comprises a rigid carrier for supporting the seal assembly within the bore of the housing. A flexible member is mounted to the rigid carrier. The flexible member is formed from an elastomeric material that allows the flexible member to flex during use. A sealing element is retained by the flexible member about the outer running surface. The sealing element is formed from a non-polytetrafluoroethylene bearing grade plastic material having a hardness relatively greater than a hardness of the elastomeric material of the flexible member. The sealing element moves with the flexible member as the flexible member flexes. The sealing element extends along the outer running surface in a plurality of helically wound convolutions.