Annular seal with V-cut

摘要

There is described herein an annular elastomer seal arranged for primary compression-type sealing capability and secondary lip-type sealing capability. The annular seal includes a pair of grooves in a radial seal face thereof, the grooves diverging with depth to form what appears as a V-shaped cut when the seal is viewed in radial cross section. When compressive stress diminishes as a result of elastomer relaxation phenomena, seepage of pressurized fluid into the grooves creates a lip seal.