Abstract: An improved sealing apparatus and associated methods are disclosed herein. The sealing apparatus includes a housing defining a center axis, an alignment element positioned around the center axis, and a sealing element fixedly attached with the alignment element. The alignment element has first and second protrusions extending toward the center axis. The sealing element has a third protrusion extending toward the center axis. The alignment element is made of a first material with less elasticity than a second material of which the sealing element is made.

Abstract: An improved shaft assembly with a rigid component for facilitating sealing is disclosed. The shaft assembly includes a housing, a cap connected to the housing, a shaft operably positioned in the housing, first and second sealing elements, and the rigid component fixedly attached to the first sealing component. The first and second sealing components are in contact with the housing and the shaft. The rigid component is in contact with the first sealing component and the cap, so as to prevent the first sealing component from extruding outside the cap when the shaft reciprocally moves relative to the housing.

Abstract: An improved sealing apparatus and associated methods are disclosed herein. The sealing apparatus includes a housing defining a center axis, an alignment element positioned around the center axis, and a sealing element fixedly attached with the alignment element. The alignment element has first and second protrusions extending toward the center axis. The sealing element has a third protrusion extending toward the center axis. The alignment element is made of a first material with less elasticity than a second material of which the sealing element is made.

Abstract: An improved shaft assembly with a rigid component for facilitating sealing is disclosed. The shaft assembly includes a housing, a cap connected to the housing, a shaft operably positioned in the housing, first and second sealing elements, and the rigid component fixedly attached to the first sealing component. The first and second sealing components are in contact with the housing and the shaft. The rigid component is in contact with the first sealing component and the cap, so as to prevent the first sealing component from extruding outside the cap when the shaft reciprocally moves relative to the housing.

Abstract: A labyrinth sealing device is disclosed for use between a rotating shaft and a bearing housing. In some embodiments, an internal stator engages the housing and a rotor engages the shaft. A labyrinth pathway is defined between the rotor and stator to prevent the migration of lubricants and/or contaminants in either direction. The rotor acts as a running surface for the sealing element, but may also with a ground surface of the rotor to provide a pump that continuously draws lubricant away from the sealing lip toward a sump. In another embodiment, the stator and sealing element are combined as a single element formed from a sealing material. A recess in the sealing lip creates a pressure differential at the sealing surface and minimizes wear.

Abstract: A labyrinth sealing device is disclosed for use between a rotating shaft and a bearing housing. In some embodiments, an internal stator engages the housing and a rotor engages the shaft. A labyrinth pathway is defined between the rotor and stator to prevent the migration of lubricants and/or contaminants in either direction. The rotor acts as a running surface for the sealing element, but may also with a ground surface of the rotor to provide a pump that continuously draws lubricant away from the sealing lip toward a sump. In another embodiment, the stator and sealing element are combined as a single element formed from a sealing material. A recess in the sealing lip creates a pressure differential at the sealing surface and minimizes wear.

Abstract: An apparatus including a seal and a grounding ring along with methods for securing such an apparatus to the housing of a motor. The apparatus comprises an electrically conductive stator including a groove formed in a face thereof. A rotor mates with the stator, wherein the rotor includes a seal groove formed around an inner radius thereof and further comprising a rotor seal disposed in the seal groove. A seal ring is interposed between the stator and the rotor. The stator engages the seal ring around an inner circumference of the seal ring and the rotor engages the seal ring around an outer circumference of the seal ring. A grounding ring is interposed between the stator and the rotor, wherein the grounding ring is electrically coupled to the stator. An electrically conductive adhesive is included for application into the groove and onto the face.

Abstract: A labyrinth sealing device is disclosed for use between a rotating shaft and a bearing housing. In some embodiments, an internal stator engages the housing and a rotor engages the shaft. A labyrinth pathway is defined between the rotor and stator to prevent the migration of lubricants and/or contaminants in either direction. The rotor acts as a running surface for the sealing element, but may also with a ground surface of the rotor to provide a pump that continuously draws lubricant away from the sealing lip toward a sump. In another embodiment, the stator and sealing element are combined as a single element formed from a sealing material. A recess in the sealing lip creates a pressure differential at the sealing surface and minimizes wear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a labyrinth sealing assembly for placement between a shaft and a bearing housing comprising an annular stator having a body portion, an axially inner engagement surface, an axially inner extending portion extending from a radially outer end of the stator, an axially inner extending member extending from a radially inner end of the stator, and a keeper lip extending radially outward from the axially inner extending surface of the radially inner end of the stator, and an annular rotor having an axially outer engagement surface having a plurality of wear ridges on a radially outer engagement surface, and a keeper notch arrangement on a radially inner surface comprising a recess. The keeper lip engages the keeper notch to provide a snap fit between the rotor and stator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a labyrinth sealing assembly for placement between a shaft and a bearing housing comprising an annular stator having a body portion, an axially inner engagement surface, an axially inner extending portion extending from a radially outer end of the stator, an axially inner extending member extending from a radially inner end of the stator, and a keeper lip extending radially outward from the axially inner extending surface of the radially inner end of the stator, and an annular rotor having an axially outer engagement surface having a plurality of wear ridges on a radially outer engagement surface, and a keeper notch arrangement on a radially inner surface comprising a recess. The keeper lip engages the keeper notch to provide a snap fit between the rotor and stator.