Abstract: A shaft seal assembly for use with a reciprocating or rotating shaft includes a shaft seal, a lubricant-storing ring, and a retainer. The retainer and ring can be formed as a subassembly and then combined with a shaft seal. The seal includes an annular body portion, a first sealing lip portion, and a first pocket portion. The first sealing lip portion has a substantially uniform axial dimension and is adapted to sealingly engage a shaft. The first pocket portion includes a plurality of pockets, each having an opening toward the first sealing lip portion. The plurality of pockets are each adapted to collect a working fluid when the shaft axially displaces in a first direction and to dispense the working fluid when the shaft axially displaces in a second direction. The assembly provides a lubricated shaft and seal that improves the effective life of the shaft seal.

Abstract: A seal assembly adapted to frictionally engage an annular groove formed in a bore and independently maintain its non-rotational motion in the bore. The seal assembly comprises an annular sealing member and an annular support member that are mechanically engaged. The sealing member includes a heel portion having a generally L-shaped cross-section and a sealing portion having a generally V-shaped cross-section defining an outer lip. The heel portion and the outer lip are adapted to frictionally engage the annular groove to limit rotation of the seal assembly therein. The annular support member has a generally inverted L-shaped cross-section and is mechanically interconnected with the heel portion of the sealing member. The support member is adapted to support and prevent extrusion of the sealing member between the bore and shaft. The support member is constructed of material that is substantially less deformable than the sealing member.