Abstract: A lip seal for use in low torque, high pressure applications including a rigid retainer, a resilient body essentially covering the retainer and an inner support member. The inner support member provides spacing and orienting functions for the other elements. The inner support member has a radial dimension and outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of an outer axial wall of the retainer so that a gap is maintained between the retainer and the inner support member under a variety of pressure, torque and shaft deflection conditions. Gap maintaining elements, preferably in the form of axially extending guides, prevent contact between the rigid seal elements. The guides may further comprise nub portions at one end which contain the inner support member in the cavity prior to installation on the shaft.

Abstract: A multi-layer radial lip seal assembly adapted to be retained to the housing of an automotive air conditioning compressor and to be disposed about a rotatable shaft extending through a chamber provided in the housing. The lip seal assembly includes a first seal member or disc of virgin FEP adjacent to a second seal member or disc of graphite-filled PTFE. A retainer is provided to support the first and second seal members and an elastomer is molded to the retainer and seals the seal members to the retainer. The first seal member acts to protect the second seal member during installation and quickly wears away, so that the second seal member becomes the primary seal member.