Abstract: A method for forming a composite seal is disclosed. The seal includes a seal ring made from a lubricous fluorocarbon material affixed by a positioning collar to a seal casing having axial and radial flanges. The casing radial flange has an inner margin and a given outer diameter, and the seal ring has contact and non-contact faces. The seal ring also includes at least an outer margin of frustoconical configuration, terminating in an outer edge of a given diameter. The method includes positioning the seal ring and the casing in a multi-element mold, closing the mold and filling the mold cavity thus formed with a fluent, curable elastomer which is permitted to cure into a solid collar positioning the seal ring and affixing it to the casing. Thereafter, portions of the positioning collar are cut away to leave the seal ring secured to the casing by a positioning collar of substantially reduced, thin cross-section.

Abstract: A unitized, fluid seal assembly for heavy duty applications. The seal assembly includes a primary seal unit, an annular wear sleeve, and a separately formed thrust bumper made from a stiff but resilient, high temperature resistant, lubricous plastic material. The thrust bumper has a body with opposed, tapered surfaces meeting to define a narrow band that contacts the radial end face of a radial flange on the wear sleeve or the primary seal casing. The primary seal unit includes an elastomeric seal body with primary and excluder lips, and the wear sleeve includes an additional excluder lip contacting a portion of the primary seal casing.