Abstract: A radial shaft seal assembly is provided including an inner wear sleeve having a cylindrical wall with a bore sized for tight receipt of a shaft therethrough and an exposed cylindrical outer surface. The inner wear sleeve includes an oil side flange and an air side flange extending radially outwardly from the inner wall in axially spaced relation from one another. The assembly includes an outer case having cylindrical outer wall configured for receipt in a housing. An elastomeric body is fixed to the outer case. The elastomeric body includes an annular serpentine portion extending radially inwardly from the outer wall to a radially innermost end. A main seal lip extends from the innermost end of the annular serpentine portion into sealed contact with the oil side flange. A dust lip extends from the innermost end of the annular serpentine portion into sealed contact with the air side flange.

Abstract: An isolator for damping heat and vibrations between a heat shield and heat source is provided. The isolator includes a housing and a washer. The housing surrounds a center opening and extends axially from a first end portion to a second end portion and includes an intermediate portion therebetween. The housing has a serpentine shape. The first end portion and the intermediate portion of the housing clamp a washer therebetween, and the second end portion and the intermediate portion of the housing clamp the heat shield therebetween. The washer includes a plurality of through openings between an outer periphery and the center opening for enhancing vibration dampening and minimizing heat transfer from the heat source to the heat shield. The isolator optionally includes a collar member disposed along the center opening of the washer to facilitate mounting of the isolator to the heat source.

Abstract: A scavenger pump seal and radial shaft seal assembly therewith are provided. The scavenger pump seal includes an inner case configured for fixed attachment to a shaft for conjoint rotation with the shaft and an outer case configured for fixed receipt in a housing in which the shaft rotates. The inner case has an innermost wall sized for a press fit on the shaft and an outermost wall. An absorbent member is fixed to the inner case with the outermost wall overlying the absorbent member, thereby preventing the absorbent member from moving radially outwardly. The outer case has an outermost wall sized for fixed receipt in the housing, and facilitates preventing the egress of oil to the external environment.

Abstract: An isolator for damping heat and vibrations between a heat shield and heat source is provided. The isolator includes a housing and a washer. The housing surrounds a center opening and extends axially from a first end portion to a second end portion and includes an intermediate portion therebetween. The housing has a serpentine shape. The first end portion and the intermediate portion of the housing clamp a washer therebetween, and the second end portion and the intermediate portion of the housing clamp the heat shield therebetween. The washer includes a plurality of through openings between an outer periphery and the center opening for enhancing vibration dampening and minimizing heat transfer from the heat source to the heat shield. The isolator optionally includes a collar member disposed along the center opening of the washer to facilitate mounting of the isolator to the heat source.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal assembly is provided including an inner wear sleeve having a cylindrical wall with a bore sized for tight receipt of a shaft therethrough and an exposed cylindrical outer surface. The inner wear sleeve includes an oil side flange and an air side flange extending radially outwardly from the inner wall in axially spaced relation from one another. The assembly includes an outer case having cylindrical outer wall configured for receipt in a housing. An elastomeric body is fixed to the outer case. The elastomeric body includes an annular serpentine portion extending radially inwardly from the outer wall to a radially innermost end. A main seal lip extends from the innermost end of the annular serpentine portion into sealed contact with the oil side flange. A dust lip extends from the innermost end of the annular serpentine portion into sealed contact with the air side flange.

Abstract: An isolator for damping heat and vibrations between a heat shield and heat source is provided. The isolator includes a housing and a washer. The housing surrounds a center opening and extends axially from a first end portion to a second end portion and includes an intermediate portion therebetween. The housing has a serpentine shape. The first end portion and the intermediate portion of the housing clamp a washer therebetween, and the second end portion and the intermediate portion of the housing clamp the heat shield therebetween. The washer includes a plurality of through openings between an outer periphery and the center opening for enhancing vibration dampening and minimizing heat transfer from the heat source to the heat shield. The isolator optionally includes a collar member disposed along the center opening of the washer to facilitate mounting of the isolator to the heat source.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly including an elastomeric material molded to an annular metal shell is provided. The elastomeric material includes a lip extending from the annular shell to a lip distal end. The lip includes a first lip section projecting toward a center axis, and a second lip section projecting from the first lip section away from the center axis. A dust band is disposed between the first and second lip sections. The elastomeric material also includes flutes disposed on the second lip section and extending helically around the center axis and radially toward the center axis. The dust band can include vents, in which case one of the flutes extends from one side of each vent. The height of the flutes can increase from the dust band to the flute distal end, such that the flutes and the dust band have an equal interior diameter for engaging the shaft.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly including an elastomeric material molded to an annular metal shell is provided. The elastomeric material includes a lip extending from the annular shell to a lip distal end. The lip includes a first lip section projecting toward a center axis, and a second lip section projecting from the first lip section away from the center axis. A dust band is disposed between the first and second lip sections. The elastomeric material also includes flutes disposed on the second lip section and extending helically around the center axis and radially toward the center axis. The dust band can include vents, in which case one of the flutes extends from one side of each vent. The height of the flutes can increase from the dust band to the flute distal end, such that the flutes and the dust band have an equal interior diameter for engaging the shaft.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal configured for receipt in a housing and about a shaft to sealingly isolate an air side of the seal from an oil side of the seal is provided. The seal includes a mounting portion and a seal lip having a sealing surface extending between an oil side end and a free air side end. An annular bridge is connected to the oil side end of the seal lip by a first hinge and to the mounting portion by a second hinge. The bridge extends in radially overlying relation to the seal lip. A projection extends from the first hinge away from the bridge. A plurality of ribs extend radially inwardly from the projection. The ribs minimize friction between the seal and the shaft during installation and prevent the seal lip from inverting during the oil-side installation assembly.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal configured for receipt in a housing and about a shaft to sealingly isolate an air-side of the shaft seal from an oil-side of the shaft seal is provided. The seal includes an annular mounting portion; an elastomeric seal body connected to the mounting portion, and a seal lip connected to the seal body. The seal lip has an annular inner sealing surface extending axially between an oil-side end and a free air-side end. The inner sealing surface has a first groove region and a circumferentially continuous annular static band. The first groove region is spaced axially from the static band and extends between the static band and the oil-side end to pump lubrication toward the oil-side of the seal. The static band prevents the lubrication from leaking from the oil-side to the air-side of the seal.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal to isolate an air side of the seal from an oil side of the seal is provided. The seal includes a mounting portion and a seal lip having a sealing surface extending between an oil side end and an air side end. An annular bridge is connected to the oil side end by a first hinge and to the mounting portion by a second hinge. The bridge extends in overlying relation to the seal lip. A projection extends from the first hinge away from the bridge. A plurality of ribs extend radially inwardly from the projection. A plurality of nubs extend axially from the oil side end of the seal lip toward the oil side of the shaft seal. The ribs and nubs minimize friction between the seal and a shaft during installation and prevent the seal lip from inverting during an oil-side installation assembly.

Abstract: A scavenger pump seal and radial shaft seal assembly therewith are provided. The scavenger pump seal includes an inner case configured for fixed attachment to a shaft for conjoint rotation with the shaft and an outer case configured for fixed receipt in a housing in which the shaft rotates. The inner case has an innermost wall sized for a press fit on the shaft and an outermost wall. An absorbent member is fixed to the inner case with the outermost wall overlying the absorbent member, thereby preventing the absorbent member from moving radially outwardly. The outer case has an outermost wall sized for fixed receipt in the housing, and facilitates preventing the egress of oil to the external environment.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly includes a metal case having an annular leg extending radially inwardly to a free end with opposite oil and air sides of the leg facing respective oil and air sides of the seal assembly. An elastomeric material bonded to the leg forms a main body adjacent the free end and a primary seal lip radially inwardly from the main body. The primary seal lip has a sealing surface that extends between an air side end and free oil side end. The air side end is attached to an annular bridge via a first hinge and the bridge is operably attached to the main body via a second hinge. The first and second hinges each have a thickness that is less than a thickness of the bridge and the thickness of the first hinge is less than a thickness of the primary seal lip.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal configured for receipt in a housing and about a shaft to sealingly isolate an air-side of the shaft seal from an oil-side of the shaft seal is provided. The seal includes an annular mounting portion and a seal lip operably attached to the mounting portion. The seal lip has an annular inner sealing surface extending axially between an oil-side end and a free air-side end. The inner sealing surface has a first groove region extending along the shaft in sealed engagement therewith and a second groove region extending along the shaft in sealed engagement therewith. The first groove region and the second groove region are spaced axially from one another by an intermediate non-grooved region. The first groove region is configured to direct contamination toward the air-side of the seal and the second groove region is configured to direct lubrication toward the oil-side of the seal.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal configured for receipt in a housing and about a shaft to sealingly isolate an air side of the seal from an oil side of the shaft seal is provided. The seal includes a mounting portion and a seal lip having an annular sealing surface extending between an oil side end and a free air side end. An annular bridge is connected to the oil side end of the seal lip by a first hinge and to the mounting portion by a second hinge. The bridge extends from the first hinge to the second hinge in radially overlying relation to the seal lip. An annular projection extends from the mounting portion axially away from the bridge. The projection has an oil side facing the seal lip and confronts the air side end of the seal lip upon the seal lip pivoting about the first hinge.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal configured for receipt in a housing and about a shaft to sealingly isolate an air-side of the shaft seal from an oil-side of the shaft seal is provided. The seal includes an annular mounting portion; an elastomeric seal body connected to the mounting portion, and a seal lip connected to the seal body. The seal lip has an annular inner sealing surface extending axially between an oil-side end and a free air-side end. The inner sealing surface has a first groove region and a circumferentially continuous annular static band. The first groove region is spaced axially from the static band and extends between the static band and the oil-side end to pump lubrication toward the oil-side of the seal. The static band prevents the lubrication from leaking from the oil-side to the air-side of the seal.

Abstract: A shaft seal assembly includes a metal case having a wall extending cylindrically about a central axis with an annular leg extending radially inwardly from the wall toward the central axis. An elastomeric material is bonded to the leg, and a PTFE seal element is attached to the elastomeric material at a bond joint. The bond joint is spaced radially inwardly from the leg and in radial alignment with the leg and inhibits the elastomeric material from flexing. As such, the elastomeric material is isolated or substantially isolated from impacting the performance of the PTFE seal element during use. Accordingly, the bond joint provides a reliable seal of the PTFE seal element against a running surface of a shaft or wear sleeve.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal configured for receipt in a housing and about a shaft to sealingly isolate an air side of the seal from an oil side of the shaft seal is provided. The seal includes a mounting portion and a seal lip having an annular sealing surface extending between an oil side end and a free air side end. An annular bridge is connected to the oil side end of the seal lip by a first hinge and to the mounting portion by a second hinge. The bridge extends from the first hinge to the second hinge in radially overlying relation to the seal lip. A projection extends from the first hinge away from the bridge toward the oil side of the seal to prevent the seal lip from inverting during the oil-side installation assembly.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic shaft seal assembly includes a PTFE seal member having outer and inner sections. The outer section is affixed to an annular carrier. The inner section is free and includes at least one hydrodynamic groove in direct running contact with a rotating shaft or wear sleeve. A mid-portion of the seal member is formed between the inner and outer sections. The mid-portion is thinned and includes one or more annular undulations formed therein to improve flexibility of the inner section relative to the outer section. The seal assembly may include one or more excluder features. A rubber casing is molded about portions of the carrier. Preferably, one or more annular undulations are formed in a coining operation during the rubber molding process.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal to isolate an air side of the seal from an oil side of the seal is provided. The seal includes a mounting portion and a seal lip having a sealing surface extending between an oil side end and an air side end. An annular bridge is connected to the oil side end by a first hinge and to the mounting portion by a second hinge. The bridge extends in overlying relation to the seal lip. A projection extends from the first hinge away from the bridge. A plurality of ribs extend radially inwardly from the projection. A plurality of nubs extend axially from the oil side end of the seal lip toward the oil side of the shaft seal. The ribs and nubs minimize friction between the seal and a shaft during installation and prevent the seal lip from inverting during an oil-side installation assembly.