Abstract: A seal system includes a housing defining a bore having an inner bore surface. A rotating shaft is rotatably received in the bore and includes a recessed annular groove. A seal body has an unassembled form having a ring shape, wherein in an assembled state the seal member is received in the annular groove of the rotating shaft with the seal member flipped with a first side surface facing radially inward toward the annular groove and a second side surface facing radially outward toward the bore, the first side surface along a cylindrical outer diameter surface being lifted off of a bottom surface of the annular groove so that the second side surface along the outer diameter surface engages the inner bore surface while the second side surface along an inner diameter surface is spaced from the inner bore surface.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having an axial leg extending axially from the annular mounting portion toward the air side. A radial leg portion extends radially inward from an end of the axial leg. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the radial leg portion. A dust lip extends from the end of the radial leg portion in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft, there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg that is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: A seal is provided for insertion in a bore in an outer member and engaging an inner member received in the bore. The seal includes an outer annular insert having a first diameter and an inner annular insert having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. An elastomeric body includes an outer portion over-molded on the outer annular insert and an inner seal over-molded on the inner annular insert and including an intermediate web extending between the outer portion and the inner portion. The web extends both axially and radially relative to a center axis of the outer annular insert. The inner seal includes an inboard sealing surface and the outer portion including an outboard sealing surface.

Abstract: An energy saving seal seals between a bore and a shaft for separating an oil side from an air side of the seal. The seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion toward the air side. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the axial leg. The sealing lip includes a bead on an outer surface. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under a negative pressure, the axial leg flexes inward in response to the negative pressure and engages the bead to provide a self-contact feature that holds the lay down sealing lip in engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a trunnion including an annular recess in an outer surface. A bearing cup is disposed on the trunnion and includes an inner diameter surface having a retention recess therein. A needle bearing assembly is disposed between an outer surface of the trunnion and the inner diameter surface of the bearing cup. A seal assembly is disposed at an open end of the bearing cup and includes a seal support insert including a radially outwardly protruding retention member engaged with the retention recess of the bearing cup. An elastomeric seal is molded to the seal support insert and includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending seal lips engaging the outer surface of the trunnion and a dust lip extending axially from the seal support insert and including a dust lip retention feature received in an annular recess of the trunnion.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially from an end of the axial leg. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg through the bellows geometry which maintains the lay down sealing lip in contact with the shaft. In addition, the seal is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is provided for use in a fuel cell and utilizes an external manifold and seal structure which are molded directly to the gas diffusion layers. The integrated manifold and gas diffusion layers are formed as duplicate components which can be oriented 180 degrees offset to one another to create the MEA assembly with a catalyst coated membrane disposed therebetween. The integrated manifold and seal structures can be held together by heat pressing or other known connection techniques.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising first and second gas diffusion layers and an ion exchange membrane disposed between the diffusion layers. Each diffusion layer includes an inner surface facing the membrane, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and a side surface defining a perimeter of the diffusion layers. An outboard region extends about the diffusion layers at the perimeter. The outboard region surrounds an inboard region. The outboard region has a low density region proximate to the side surface and a high density region between the low density region and the inboard portion. A seal is mounted at the low density region. The high density region prevents portions of the seal from entering the inboard region thereby damaging the MEA. The seal includes a first rim having a smaller radius than a second rim.

Abstract: A valve stem seal including a radially outwardly extending flange that includes one or more circumferential grooves to allow the flange to flex and lay flat against a support surface and protect the flange from fatigue.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially from an end of the axial leg. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg through the bellows geometry which maintains the lay down sealing lip in contact with the shaft. In addition, the seal is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: A seal includes an annular mounting portion having an axial leg extending axially from the annular mounting portion toward the air side. A radial leg portion extends radially inward from an end of the axial leg. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the radial leg portion. A dust lip extends from the end of the radial leg portion in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under negative pressure and when the lay down sealing lip begins to lift radially off the shaft, there is a counterbalance force applied to the axial leg that is designed to be flexible enough that the oil side vacuum “rocks” the seal bringing the dust lip into contact with the shaft and blocking airflow.

Abstract: An energy saving seal seals between a bore and a shaft for separating an oil side from an air side of the seal. The seal includes an annular mounting portion having a bellows portion extending axially and radially inward from the mounting portion. An axial leg extends axially from the bellows portion toward the air side. A lay down sealing lip extends radially inward and axially toward the oil side from an end of the axial leg. The sealing lip includes a bead on an outer surface. A dust lip extends from the end of the axial leg in a direction opposite the lay down sealing lip. When the oil side is under a negative pressure, the axial leg flexes inward in response to the negative pressure and engages the bead to provide a self-contact feature that holds the lay down sealing lip in engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A seal for sealing between a first member and a second member, including a first annular insert and a second annular insert axially spaced from the first annular insert. An elastomeric body includes a first portion over-molded on the first annular insert and a second portion over-molded on the second annular insert and an intermediate web extending between the first and second portions. The first and second portions including an annular flap extending from the first and second annular inserts that in an un-installed condition, extend radially relative to the first and second annular inserts and in an installed position are adapted to be compressed between the annular inserts and a surface of the first and second members.

Abstract: A dynamic seal advantageously utilizes a groove on the active side or surface of the seal to capture a leaked lubricant and hydrodynamically pump the lubricant back into the lubricated side of the seal. The groove stops short of the leading edge of the seal that faces the lubricant side thereby forming a static dam between the termination point of the groove and the seal edge. When the fluid pressure within the groove adjacent the static dam exceeds the opening pressure for the seal lip, the lubricant within the groove is pumped back into the lubricant side of the seal. The groove can have an induction zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is gradual and a booster zone wherein the fluid pressure rise is relatively faster than in the induction zone. The booster zone is disposed adjacent the static dam.

Abstract: A shaft-sealing device comprising a sealing ring having a seal secured thereto, and a protective member engaged with the sealing ring. The said protective member includes a cylindrical member having a shaft-engaging surface and a seal-engaging surface, and an annular flange extends radially away from the shaft. The shaft-engaging surface is operable to be attached to the shaft during operation of the device, and the seal-engaging surface is operable to be in sealing contact with the seal during operation of the device. The annular flange is operable to engage the sealing ring.

Abstract: A dynamic lip seal is provided for sealing between a housing and a shaft and with a fluid medium to be sealed on an oil side and air on an air side of the seal. The seal includes a seal lip extending from a seal body and including a shaft contact portion adapted for engagement with the shaft and including a static band and a first set of spiral grooves disposed on an oil side of the static band, and a second set of spiral grooves on an air side of the static band. The first and second sets of spiral grooves are both configured to pump oil toward the static band when the shaft is rotated in a first direction, and the first and second sets of spiral grooves are both configured to pump oil away from the static band when the shaft is rotated in a second direction.

Abstract: A molding apparatus includes a plurality of inter-engaging mold cavity components and a plurality of inter-engaging gate inserts that combine with the plurality of inter-engaging mold cavity components to define an annular mold cavity. The plurality of inter-engaging gate inserts combine to define a plurality of separate arcuate shaped gate segments that each communicate with the annular mold cavity.

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an annular rigid case disposed around a valve guide and a valve stem. An annular elastomeric body is press fit within the annular rigid case and including a radially inwardly extending seal lip in sealing contact with the valve stem. The annular elastomeric body includes a first axial end facing the valve guide and a second axial end facing away from the valve guide. The annular rigid case includes a radially inwardly extending end wall opposing the second axial end of the annular elastomeric body and including a lip support extending axially from an inner portion of the radially inwardly extending end wall and opposing a radially inner surface of the radially inwardly extending seal lip.

Abstract: A seal system for a reciprocating cylinder includes a buffer seal, a rod seal, and a wiper seal. The buffer seal includes a dynamic seal lip and a static lip extending from a hinge portion. The hinge portion of the static lip allows fluid to escape past the outer diameter of the seal when the rod is retracted thereby releasing any pressure build-up between the rod seal and buffer seal. The axial face portion of the dynamic seal lip includes axially extending notches therein. The notches prevent the buffer seal from sticking to the axial wall of the groove and provide a consistent path for the fluid to energize the annular groove between the static and dynamic lips during the extension phase which is necessary for the function of the seal. The back-up ring is an integrated part of the buffer seal, used to provide superior extrusion resistance.

Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an annular rigid case disposed around a valve guide and a valve stem. An annular elastomeric body is press fit within the annular rigid case and including a radially inwardly extending seal lip in sealing contact with the valve stem. The annular elastomeric body includes a first axial end facing the valve guide and a second axial end facing away from the valve guide. The annular rigid case includes a radially inwardly extending end wall opposing the second axial end of the annular elastomeric body and including a lip support extending axially from an inner portion of the radially inwardly extending end wall and opposing a radially inner surface of the radially inwardly extending seal lip.