LIP SEAL WITH RADIALLY COMPRESSIBLE SUPPORT BAND

摘要

A seal assembly includes an annular elastomeric seal element, and a resilient annular reinforcing element nested within the elastomeric element to exert a radial biasing force that increases the effective sealing force even in the presence of shrinkage, wear or loss of elasticity in the elastomeric element. The reinforcing element preferably is a spring steel band having a sinuous circumferential configuration so that the band can expand or contract to exert a desired force on the elastomeric element and can expand or contract to facilitate its installation in certain applications.