Abstract: An improved seal for a rotary shaft which exerts a pumping effect on a lubricant on its shaft. The seal comprises a substantially rigid annular supporting member and a generally annular elastic sealing member affixed coaxially to the supporting member and extending radially inwardly of the supporting member. The radially inner surface of the said sealing member defines a sealing contact surface adapted to sealingly contact the shaft. The improvement includes a first circumferentially extending portion on the sealing contact surface and a plurality of projecting portions extending axially from one side of the first portion and being circumferentially spaced apart, the first portion having a substantially constant axial width throughout its circumferences.

Abstract: A sealing ring for a rotary shaft which serves to retain and/or return a lubricant, includes a generally annular rigid supporting member and a generally annular elastic sealing member connected to the supporting member. The sealing member terminates in a sealing surface contacting the shaft with one side of the sealing surface directed toward the ring lubricant and the other side toward the atmosphere. On the atmospheric side, spaced-apart projections rest against the shaft surface. Projections on the lubricant side also press against the shaft surface. The projections on both sides include edges oriented obliquely to the shaft axis which provide pumping action when the shaft rotates. Lubricant pumped under the sealing surface to the atmospheric side by projections on the lubricant side is pumped back by the projections on the atmospheric side. In the process the seal is lubricated.