초록 ▼

A seal assembly is disclosed for installation in an annular groove having inner and outer radial surfaces interconnected by an axial surface. The seal assembly is comprised of a generally annular energizer element formed of an elastomeric material and including a body portion and a generally radiall

A seal assembly is disclosed for installation in an annular groove having inner and outer radial surfaces interconnected by an axial surface. The seal assembly is comprised of a generally annular energizer element formed of an elastomeric material and including a body portion and a generally radially extending sealing lip. The seal assembly further comprises a generally annular heel bearing element formed of a generally rigid material. Upon installation of the energizer element and heel bearing element into the annular groove, an annular void, generally triangular in cross section, is formed between the two seal elements. Upon the application of pressure at or above a predetermined pressure limit, the energizer element moves into the annular void drawing at least a portion of the sealing lip into the groove to reduce the axial width of the sealing lip contact area.

대표청구항 ▼

A seal assembly for installation in an annular groove having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface interconnected by an axial surface, the seal assembly comprising: a generally annular energizer element formed of an-elastomeric material including a body portion and a generally radially

A seal assembly for installation in an annular groove having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface interconnected by an axial surface, the seal assembly comprising: a generally annular energizer element formed of an-elastomeric material including a body portion and a generally radially extending sealing lip to provide a low pressure seal when installed within the groove, the energizer element engaging at least a portion of the axial surface of the groove and a first portion of the outer radial surface of the groove proximate the axial surface of the groove, the sealing lip extending beyond the groove for engagement with an element to be sealed to define a low pressure sealing lip contact area of a first predetermined axial width; and a generally annular heel bearing element formed of a generally rigid material to provide a high pressure seal when installed within the groove, the heel bearing element engaging at least a portion of the energizer element proximate the sealing lip and engaging a second portion of the outer radial surface of the groove distal from the axial surface of the groove, a portion of the heel bearing element engaging the element to be sealed with the energizer element, the heel bearing element and a third portion of the outer radial surface of the groove extending between the first and second portions thereof establishing a first generally annular void, the annular void being generally triangular in cross section whereby upon the application of pressure below a first predetermined pressure limit the sealing lip of the energizer element functions to perform primary sealing and upon the application of pressure at or above the predetermined pressure limit the energizer element is compressed and a portion of the energizer element moves into the annular void, drawing at least a portion of the sealing lip into the groove to reduce the axial width of the low pressure sealing lip contact area and applying radial pressure upon the heel bearing element so that the heel bearing element performs the primary sealing function, the shape and location of the annular void being such that fluid within the annular void is forced out of the annular void by the energizer element and passes out of the groove between the outer radial surface of the groove and the heel bearing element.