Vented static seal assembly

摘要

A seal assembly for a high pressure pump where there is an O-ring positioned in a seal groove having side seal surfaces and a back seal surface, with said O-ring being exposed alternately to high and low pressures in the pumping chamber. A pressure relief passageway is provided to the O-ring at a side surface portion thereof to provide pressure relief at the back side of the O-ring and thus alleviate unwanted fluid accumulation behind the O-ring, thus extending the longevity of the O-ring.