HYDRODYNAMICALLY LUBRICATED ROTARY SHAFT SEAL WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE GROOVE

摘要

The present invention is a hydrodynamically lubricated interference typerotary shaft sealsuitable for environmental exclusion and high pressure lubricant retentionwhich incorporates anenvironment-side groove to control and minimize interfacial contact pressureat the dynamicsealing interface, which permits optimum hydrodynamic film thickness, therebysignificantlylowering the self generated heat produced by the seal, as compared to theprior art. Thecool-running nature of the present invention permits the use of higher modulusseal materials andhigher surface speeds, compared to the prior art, and allows the seal tooperate in applicationswith relatively poor heat dissipation. The controlled interfacial contactpressure of the presentinvention also permits effective hydrodynamic lubrication with lower viscositylubricants,including water.