Abstract: A shaft seal 10 and method for use including an annular bore retention section 12 which includes a metal reinforcing shell 20 having a cylindrical portion and a radial flange; an annular flex section 16 comprised of axial flex section 28 and radial flex section 30; and a dual lip sealing element 14 comprised of primary sealing lip 32 and secondary sealing lip 34, both of said sealing lips being lined with a low-friction material such as, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene liner 42.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly 10 and method for preventing binding of disc brake caliper slider pins 34 in bushing seals 14 of a disc brake caliper 18. The bushing seal 14 is a unitary, molded, tubular article including a molded tubular elastomeric body 44 having a hydraulically formed tubular polytetrafluoroethylene liner 46 bonded to the I.D. of the elastomeric body and having a polytetrafluoroethylene scraper lip 48 adjacent the inboard end 50 of the bushing seal for scraping foreign particles off of the slider pin 34 to keep them out of the bushing seal 14 where they could cause binding. The bushing seal 14 also has a smooth tapering O.D. surface such that it can be easily installed in a slider pin bore 30.

Abstract: Inner and outer sealing rings (16 and 18) for the balancing ring (12) of a hydraulic motor, each comprising an annular elastomeric body (30) including a flat, radially extending central ring (36) and a pair of sealing elements (38 and 40) projecting axially away from opposite ends of the central ring (36) and in opposite axial directions therefrom and tapering to a sealing lip (50 and 52) in the directions away from the central ring. The inner and outer sealing rings (16 and 18) have cylindrical O.D. and I.D. surfaces, (54 and 66), respectively. Each sealing ring preferably has a reinforcing ring (32 and 62) and a liner (34 and 64) of low friction material.

Abstract: A shaft seal 10 and method, for use, for example with a rotary drill bit in the oil patch industry, including an annular metal ring 12, an annular elastomeric body 14 and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner 16. The seal 10 has an axially inwardly extending lubricant lip 18 and an axially outwardly extending mud lip 20. When the pressure of the lubricant exceeds a particular value for which the seal is designed (for example, in the range of 100-200 psi), the pressure causes the lubricant lip 18 to reverse direction and allow lubricant to be purged and flow axially outwardly past both lips, until its pressure is reduced after which the lubricant lip 18 returns (flips back) to it original position. During purging, the mud lip 20 acts as a restricted opening controlling purging and excluding drilling mud.

Abstract: A shaft seal 10 and method for sealing fluids in applications with excessive shaft-to-bore misalignment or dynamic shaft runout, including a seal 10 having a mounting section 22, a sealing element 24, and a convoluted flex section 26 which allows radial movement of the sealing element. The sealing element 24 includes a bearing member 42 having a liner 46 with a low friction, cylindrical bearing surface adjacent the lip 38, for causing the lip 38 to follow any radial movement of the shaft, and to prevent the lip 38 from taking an oval shape and leaking.

Abstract: A non-convoluted, elongated sealing boot of elastomeric material in, or for use in, a cylinder and piston assembly of a disc brake of a vehicle brake system as a dirt seal to protect the piston and the cylinder chamber from road dirt and to prevent water entry. The sealing boot includes an elongated, molded elastomer sleeve which comprises seven distinct interacting segments, or wall portions, of a plurality of different and tapering thicknesses which permit the sleeve, when installed in a disc brake assembly, to be collapsed to a convoluted shape upon retracting the piston into the cylinder to replace the brake pads of the disc brake assembly.

Abstract: A thrust washer is combined with a seal for preventing contaminants from entering into the assembly and doing corrosion damage. In one embodiment, a spring shackle bracket assembly thrust washer is provided with an elastomeric seal bonded thereto and having a sealing lip extending from the I.D. of the washer axially into the space between the spring eye and the shackle pin. In addition, a layer of the seal material on a radial face of the washer can prevent wear between the washer and the adjacent bracket.

Abstract: A thrust washer having a backing layer of resilient material such as rubber or other elastomers and having, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene bearing surface, which can include one or more integral sealing lips formed from the polytetrafluoroethylene bearing material. Another aspect of this invention is a unitary article including said resiliently-backed thrust washer in combination with a seal. This unitary article can be purchased and installed as a unit taking the place of four separate prior art elements that had to be purchased and installed separately.

Abstract: A shaft seal with a polytetrafluoroethylene-lined lip having the following dimensional criteria thus providing sufficient retraction to effect positive sealing against a smaller diameter shaft section after installation and stretching over a larger diameter shaft section:(1) Lip Angle=15.degree.--25.degree.;(2) Included Angle--must be divergent axially from the flex secton;(3) Clearance Diameter--must be greater than the shaft oversized step diameter;(4) Lip Interference.gtoreq.125% of X (X is the difference between the diameters of the oversized shaft section and the diameter of the section to be sealed; and(5) Lip Height.gtoreq.175% of X.The above parameters are for seals to be used on shafts where there will be runout and/or angular shaft displacement. When there is no runout or angular shaft displacement, the seal parameters are identical to those listed above except that lip interference .gtoreq.100% of X, and lip height.gtoreq.150% of X.

Abstract: A two-part separable, semi-unitized shaft seal for sealing between a housing bore and a relatively rotatable shaft extending through the bore and comprising a metal wear sleeve member and a sealing member assembled onto the wear sleeve member for shipping and installation of the seal as a unitized seal. However, when the housing and shaft are disassembled, the wear sleeve remains on the shaft and the sealing member remains with the housing, whereby each part can be examined and replaced, if necessary, without discarding the entire seal. The wear sleeve press-fits onto the shaft and the sealing member forms an elastomeric interference fit in the housing bore.

Abstract: A one-piece oil seal and boot seal including an oil seal portion with a sealing lip and a boot sleeve portion with at least one dust lip and preferably with both an intermediate dust lip and an outer dust lip. The one-piece construction overcomes the need for a separate assembly operation.

Abstract: A high-pressure, high temperature expansion joint having superior physical characteristics and susceptible of economical manufacture. The joint comprises inner and outer covering layers of elastomeric material and a body which includes at least one layer of a bias-cut fabric and at least one outer supporting layer formed of a helically-wound strip of elastomeric material with a plurality of parallel reinforcing strands running longitudinally through the strip. The joint is formed in a shallow or flowing arch configuration which does not trap particulate materials in a fluid stream, and obviates the need for a filler piece.

Abstract: A shaft seal (and method for making the same) of the type having an annular elastomeric body, a molded lip, and the molded lip having a liner of sintered polytetrafluoroethylene bonded thereto. The elastomer is molded simultaneously with the polytetrafluoroethylene liner being formed and bonded to the elastomer. The method for making the seal employs the same mold used to make common, molded lip elastomeric seals.

Abstract: A two-part, separable, semi-unitized shaft seal for sealing between a housing bore and a relatively rotatable shaft extending through the bore and comprising a metal wear sleeve and a sealing member assembled onto the wear sleeve for shipment and installation of the seal as a unitized seal. However, when the housing and shaft are disassembled, the sealing member remains with the housing and the wear sleeve remains with the shaft, whereby each part can be examined and separately replaced, if necessary, without discarding the entire seal. The wear sleeve pressfits onto the shaft and the sealing member forms an elastomeric interference fit in the housing bore.

Abstract: An installation tool 10 and method for preventing damage to the lip or lips 34 and 35 of a shaft seal 12 mounted in a bore 16 of a housing 18 during installation of a shaft 20 through the bore and seal, the tool including a handle 26, an annular body 22 and a lip protective sleeve 24. The body and sleeve have a split 27 therethrough to allow for circumferential expansion thereof such that it can be removed radially off of the shaft 20.

Abstract: A seal 10 for sealing between a splined shaft 30 and a housing 32 having a bore 34 through which the splined shaft 30 extends. The seal 10 includes a shell 12 and an elastomeric body 14 bonded thereto. The body 14 includes a mounting portion 16 and a toothed seal portion 18 having a plurality of seal teeth 42 that are matingly received in the grooves 48 in the splined shaft. The seal teeth 42 are molded to provide interference "y" at the top and bottom of the teeth 42 and interference "x" at the sides; x.gtoreq.150% y. The seal 10 also has a seal 24 to seal against the housing 32.

Abstract: A two-part, separable, semi-unitized shaft seal for sealing between a housing bore and a relatively rotatable shaft extending through the bore and comprising a metal wear sleeve member and a sealing member assembled onto the wear sleeve member for transportation, shipping and installation of the seal as a unitized seal. However, when the housing and shaft are disassembled, one of the two seal parts remains with the housing and the other part remains with the shaft, whereby each part can be examined and replaced, if necessary, without discarding the entire seal. One seal part press-fits onto one of the housing and shaft and the other seal part forms an elastomeric interference fit on the other of the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: A thrust washer is combined with a seal for preventing contaminants from entering into the assembly and doing corrosion damage. In one embodiment, a spring shackle bracket assembly thrust washer is provided with an elastomeric seal bonded thereto and having a sealing lip extending from the I.D. of the washer axially into the space between the spring eye and the shackle pin. In addition, a layer of the seal material on a radial face of the washer can prevent wear between the washer and the adjacent bracket.

Abstract: A shaft seal (and method for making the same) of the type having an annular elastomeric body, a molded lip, and the molded lip having a liner of sintered polytetrafluoroethylene bonded thereto. The elastomer is molded simultaneously with the polytetrafluoroethylene liner being formed and bonded to the elastomer. The method for making the seal employs the same mold used to make common, molded lip elastomeric seals.

Abstract: An annular scraper and a shaft seal including a scraper and a method for making the same. The seal and scraper are of bonded construction. The seal includes an outer shell such as a stainless steel capsule, a polytetrafluoroethylene sealing element, a brass scraper, and a bonded elastomeric ring behind the scraper to allow deflection and return of the scraper. The scraper is preferably a single member having a continuous, uniform scraping edge without any slits. A bushing can be included for guiding a reciprocating shaft (a cable or rod) in near perfect alignment. The process preferably includes the step of forming the scraping edge by pinching or piercing a brass member in the mold simultaneously with the steps of molding the elastomeric ring and bonding the elastomeric ring to the scraper. The process of making the seal includes the step of simultaneously forming the ring of polytetrafluoroethylene into a sealing element.