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 primary seal lip is operably attached to the elastomeric material. The primary seal lip separates an oil side of the assembly from an air side of the seal assembly. The elastomer material has an annular groove formed on the air side of the primary seal lip. The assembly further includes an auxiliary lip subassembly including an annular metal washer with at least one auxiliary lip fixed thereto as a one-piece subassembly. The annular metal washer has an annular outer periphery snappingly received within the annular groove.

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 primary seal lip is operably attached to the elastomeric material. The primary seal lip separates an oil side of the assembly from an air side of the seal assembly. The elastomer material has an annular groove formed on the air side of the primary seal lip. The assembly further includes an auxiliary lip subassembly including an annular metal washer with at least one auxiliary lip fixed thereto as a one-piece subassembly. The annular metal washer has an annular outer periphery snappingly received within the annular groove.

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 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 dynamic radial seal includes a rigid casing. The seal also includes an elastomeric casing positioned interior of and bonded to the rigid casing. The elastomeric casing has an axial spring member which extends radially inwardly from and axially along the rigid casing. The axial spring member includes a neck portion which extends from the elastomeric casing and a seal attachment portion that is attached to the neck portion and has a bonding surface. The seal also includes a pre-stressed fluoropolymer seal which has a bonding surface and a sealing surface. A bond joins the bonding surface of the pre-stressed fluoropolymer seal to the bonding surface of the seal attachment portion. The seal attachment portion of the spring member is operative to provide sealing contact of the fluoropolymer seal along the entirety of its sealing surface when engaged with a mating surface of a shaft.

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 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 compression sensor gasket assembly includes a gasket body and a pressure sensor assembly having a sensor tip and an externally threaded portion. The gasket body has opposite sides extending between an opening configured to register with a cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine and an outer periphery. A notch extends into the outer periphery to a recessed surface. A sensor receptacle configured for at least partial receipt of the pressure sensor assembly extends from the recessed surface to the opening. A nut is disposed in the notch with internal threads of the nut being aligned for threaded engagement with the externally threaded portion of the pressure sensor assembly. The nut has bifurcated fingers extending laterally outwardly from an outer surface. The bifurcated fingers have inner surfaces bonded to at least one of the opposite sides of the gasket body to facilitate proper orientation of the pressure sensor 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 assembly includes an outer case having an axially extending cylindrical outer rim and an axially extending cylindrical inner rim spaced radially from one another by an annular pocket. A radially extending first leg connects the outer rim to the inner rim and a second leg extends radially inwardly from the inner rim to a free end. The assembly includes a wear sleeve having an axially extending cylindrical wall with an outer surface providing a running surface and a flange extending radially outwardly from the running surface. A seal lip extends inwardly from the free end of the second leg into sealing abutment with the running surface. A first porous filter is received in the pocket, and a second porous filter extends in substantial abutment with the outer rim and the second leg of the outer case.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a radial shaft seal assembly. The method includes the step of stretching an inner diameter of a ring-shaped polytetrafluoroethylene seal radially outward from an axis with a mandrel to a first stretched condition on a mold core element. The method also includes the step of defining a substantially enclosed mold cavity around the polytetrafluoroethylene seal stretched over the mold core element with at least one mold element. The method also includes the step of locating a rigid casing within the mold cavity spaced from the stretched polytetrafluoroethylene seal. The method also includes the step of introducing a liquefied rubber elastomer into the mold cavity. The method also includes the step of molding the liquefied rubber elastomer under heat and pressure such that the rigid casing and polytetrafluoroethylene seal in a stretched state are bonded to a solid rubber elastomer member.

Abstract: A radial shaft seal assembly includes an outer case having an axially extending cylindrical outer rim and an axially extending cylindrical inner rim spaced radially from one another by an annular pocket. A radially extending first leg connects the outer rim to the inner rim and a second leg extends radially inwardly from the inner rim to a free end. The assembly includes a wear sleeve having an axially extending cylindrical wall with an outer surface providing a running surface and a flange extending radially outwardly from the running surface. A seal lip extends inwardly from the free end of the second leg into sealing abutment with the running surface. A first porous filter is received in the pocket, and a second porous filter extends in substantial abutment with the outer rim and the second leg of the outer case.

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 method of constructing a shaft seal assembly includes attaching a PTFE seal element to an outer metal case and disposing a bore of the PTFE seal element onto a mandrel. Then, heating the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel. Further, cooling the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel and, removing the shaft seal assembly from the mandrel. The resulting seal element provides a reliable seal against a running surface of a shaft in use, while at the same time producing low running torque against the running surface of the shaft. Further, a minimal axial push force is required to install the shaft seal assembly onto the shaft, thereby reducing the potential of damage to the seal element or inversion of the seal element during installation.

Abstract: A method of constructing a shaft seal assembly includes attaching a PTFE seal element to an outer metal case and disposing a bore of the PTFE seal element onto a mandrel. Then, heating the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel. Further, cooling the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel and, removing the shaft seal assembly from the mandrel. The resulting seal element provides a reliable seal against a running surface of a shaft in use, while at the same time producing low running torque against the running surface of the shaft. Further, a minimal axial push force is required to install the shaft seal assembly onto the shaft, thereby reducing the potential of damage to the seal element or inversion of the seal element during installation.

Abstract: A lubricant seal assembly has an outer seal component and a separate inner wear sleeve. The outer seal component has a carrier and a PTFE seal element which lays down against the wear sleeve to provide a seal collar extending to an oil side of the seal assembly. The wear sleeve is formed on an air side of the assembly with an end flange, but is free of any such flanges on the oil side. The end flange has an axial portion extending into the seal component to define a labyrinth debris exclusion path. One or more elastomeric debris exclusion lips are formed on the carrier and are precisely positioned relative to the wear sleeve with the aid of an installation tool that engages end faces of the seal component and wear sleeve to press them into precise axial alignment relative to one another in repeatable fashion.

Abstract: A lubricant seal assembly has an outer seal component and a separate inner wear sleeve. The outer seal component has a carrier and a PTFE seal element which lays down against the wear sleeve to provide a seal collar extending to an oil side of the seal assembly. The wear sleeve is formed on an air side of the assembly with an end flange, but is free of any such flanges on the oil side. The end flange has an axial portion extending into the seal component to define a labyrinth debris exclusion path. One or more elastomeric debris exclusion lips are formed on the carrier and are precisely positioned relative to the wear sleeve with the aid of an installation tool that engages end faces of the seal component and wear sleeve to press them into precise axial alignment relative to one another in repeatable fashion.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluid seal for sealing a relatively rotatable member, wherein the fluid seal has an elastomeric sealing member bonded to a PTFE insert. A wafer of PTFE material has a body portion and an end portion of a greater thickness than the body portion. The wafer is placed in a mold cavity with one side of the wafer opposed to a surface portion of the mold cavity. Elastomeric material is forced into the mold cavity to form a molded preform of the elastomeric sealing member and bond the preform to an opposite side of the wafer. The molded preform and bonded wafer are removed from the mold cavity. The end portion of the wafer and an end portion of the preform are trimmed to form the fluid seal.

Abstract: A shaft seal includes an annular rigid seal case insertable into a cylindrical bore in a seal housing. The joint between the seal case and the bore is sealed by an annular resilient sleeve stretched over the outer surface of the case. The sleeve is initially formed as a thin flat annular elastomeric disk by a low cost molding or slicing operation. Installation of the sealing element on the seal case is accomplished by stretching the disk radially and then turning it angularly from a radial disk orientation to an axial sleeve configuration.

Abstract: A shaft seal having a thin radial section is adapted for mounting within a small radial annular clearance space between a housing and a shaft. An elastomeric sealing member is bonded to an axially inner portion of the seal and a polytetrafluoroethylene sealing member is clamped to an axially outer portion of the seal.