초록 ▼

A dynamic seal provides for the return of captured lubricant to the lubricant side regardless of the direction of rotation between the seal and the shaft. The seal uses bi-directional pumping elements to facilitate the hydrodynamic pumping of the captured lubricant in response to relative rotation.

A dynamic seal provides for the return of captured lubricant to the lubricant side regardless of the direction of rotation between the seal and the shaft. The seal uses bi-directional pumping elements to facilitate the hydrodynamic pumping of the captured lubricant in response to relative rotation. The seal includes a valve portion that can change a pumping rate of particular pumping elements such that more lubricant is pumped toward the lubricant side than the non-lubricant side.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A bi-directional, dynamic seal comprising:a lubricant side;a non-lubricant side;a sealing portion having an active surface communicating with said non-lubricant side and operable to engage with a shaft;a plurality of pumping elements extending along said active surface, said p

What is claimed is: 1. A bi-directional, dynamic seal comprising:a lubricant side;a non-lubricant side;a sealing portion having an active surface communicating with said non-lubricant side and operable to engage with a shaft;a plurality of pumping elements extending along said active surface, said pumping elements operable to capture lubricant and pump said captured lubricant to at least one of said lubricant side and said non-lubricant side due to relative rotation between said shaft and said pumping elements; anda valve portion displaceable relative to said active surface and operable to engage said shaft,wherein rotation of said shaft rotationally displaces said valve portion relative to said active surface such that said displaced valve portion changes a pumping rate of at least one of said pumping elements.