Abstract: A magnetic rotary seal with improved drain back is provided, comprising a housing adapted to matingly engage a fixed opening, wherein the housing includes an annular retaining member. A stator is positioned within the housing, wherein the stator includes a first resilient sealing member adapted to sealingly contact the housing, and a first frictional sealing face. A rotor is positioned between the annular retaining member of the housing and the stator, wherein the rotor includes a second resilient sealing member adapted to sealingly contact a shaft, and a second frictional sealing face. Magnets are operatively positioned between the stator and the rotor urging engagement of the first frictional sealing face of the stator with the second frictional sealing face of the rotor. The housing further includes an annular channel for receiving lubricating fluids from within the seal, and a drain port in fluidic communication with the channel.

Abstract: The invention herein is a seal to seal a rotating shaft to housing. The seal has a stator and a rotor, magnetically and mechanically coupled. The mechanical couple is provided through an interlocking annular groove provided on one component and a flange face on the other component. The mechanical couple allows the two components to become interconnected once a predetermined range of free movement of the rotor is exceeded. The stator and rotor are also mechanically coupled through a plurality of magnets positioned on either the stator or rotor. After the predetermined range is exceeded, the rotor slips along the shaft while the stator remains fixed, maintaining a seal in during axial movement of the rotating shaft.