HYDRODYNAMIC SEAL WITH IMPROVED EXTRUSION, ABRASION AND TWIST RESISTANCE

摘要

A hydrodynamically lubricating seal has a generally circular seal body defining a static sealing surface (6) and having a dynamic sealing lip (14) projecting from the seal body and defining a dynamic sealing surface (16), a non-hydrodynamic edge (18) and a non-circular angulated flank (20) having a first angle. The flank angle and the dynamic sealing surface (16) have theoretical intersection (22) being positioned from the non-hydrodynamic edge by a variable distance (25) having a minimum dimension being greater than 1/16 inch and also having a maximum dimension. The circular seal body defines a theoretical center-line (23) and, when viewed in a longitudinal cross-section taken along the theoretical center-line, a hydrodynamic inlet curve (52) is shown that blends the theoretical intersection (22) between the flank angle and the dynamic sealing surface (16). This hydrodynamic inlet curve (52) is tangent to the dynamic sealing surface (16) at a location of tangency and has a rate of curvature less than the rate of curvature of a 1/8 inch radius.