Inventors:
Alan P. Schofield - Placentia CA
Mark A. Krzemien - Long Beach CA
Assignee:
Furon Company - Laguna Niguel CA
International Classification:
F16J 1532
Abstract:
A composite one-piece dynamic lip seal forms a dynamic ring seal between static and dynamic surfaces in a variety of applications requiring fluid sealing. The lip seal body is generally U-shaped in cross section and is principally made from a soft elastomeric material. The seal has ID and OD legs on opposite sides of a cavity in its high pressure end, forming ID and OD lips of the seal, either of which can be the dynamic leg of the seal depending upon the application. A U-shaped energizer spring is integrally bonded to the elastomer and is aligned with the U-shaped cross section of the seal so that ID and OD legs of the spring apply radial spring loading to the ID and OD legs of the seal. A reinforcing ring integrally bonded to the elastomeric body of the seal forms an exterior contact surface and an elastomeric reinforcement along a substantial length of the dynamic leg of the seal, from a low pressure end of the seal to an end spaced from the high pressure end of the seal. The reinforcing ring bonds to the elastomeric body, which then forms the contact surface on the dynamic leg of the seal continuously from the reinforcing ring to the high pressure end of the seal.