Method of forming sealing elements

Abstract

To provide a system and method for forming sealing elements for a mechanical seal.SOLUTION: The invention provides a system and method for forming sealing elements for a mechanical seal, where the sealing elements are shaped to fill substantially completely a groove that seats the sealing elements. The mechanical seal includes a holder assembly, a sleeve assembly, a balance piston or any other rotary or stationary part having one or more grooves formed therein, and a sealing element that is seated within the groove.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 832,206, filed April 10, 2019, entitled "Method for Forming an Elastomeric Ring of a Mechanical Seal," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional mechanical seals, the holder portion of the mechanical seal is typically clamped or otherwise secured between the impeller and shaft of a commercial device, such as a pump, reducing the number of seal crevices. This has the effect of reducing unwanted leakage of process fluid from the pump. However, this securing method requires field personnel to modify the mechanical seal design to implement the securing mechanism, which can compromise the overall sealing integrity of the mechanical seal.

[0003] In another known approach, mechanical seals use an additional sealing element, such as an annular O-ring, to help seal the process fluid within the mechanical seal. One drawback of these conventional annular sealing elements is that they may not completely seal against the fluid or completely fill the space or groove into which they are installed. This is unacceptable in commercial environments, where the absence of microbacterial growth is crucial. To address this drawback, specially designed sealing elements have been formed using conventional molding techniques. For example, sealing elements are manufactured by molding liquid materials into rigid frames called molds. However, these conventional molding techniques make the manufacture of suitable sealing elements expensive and time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a system and method for forming a sealing element for a mechanical seal, the sealing element being shaped to substantially completely fill a groove in which the sealing element is mounted. The mechanical seal includes a holder assembly having one or more grooves formed therein and a sealing element mounted within the groove.

[0005] The present invention further relates to a mechanical seal that uses a sealing cover element configured to overlie or cover a fastener-receiving opening formed in a holder assembly, thereby forming a fluid-tight seal, the sealing cover element having legs that fit into grooves located on either side of the fastener-receiving opening to secure the sealing cover element to the holder assembly.

[0006] The present invention relates to a method for forming a sealing element of a mechanical seal, the method including the steps of winding a source of elastomeric material, heating the elastomeric material to form a homogeneous elastomeric material, coating the homogeneous elastomeric material with a resin material, placing the resin-coated elastomeric material in a turning machine, forming the outer contour and shape of the sealing element in the molded resin-coated elastomeric material, and cutting the sealing element from the molded resin-coated elastomeric material.

[0007] The elastomeric material may include ethylene propylene (EP), ethylene propylene diene methylene (EPDM), fluoroelastomers including FKM and FPM as defined in ASTM International Standard D1418, perfluoroelastomers including FFKM, and tetrafluoroethylene propylene rubber including FEPM, and the elastomeric material has a hardness of between about 70 Shore A and about 90 Shore A.

[0008] The present invention relates to a system for forming a sealing element of a mechanical seal, the system including: a source of elastomeric material; a winding machine for winding the elastomeric material; a heating unit with one or more heating elements for heating the elastomeric material to form a homogeneous elastomeric material; a coating unit for coating the homogeneous elastomeric material with a resin material; a turning machine for forming an outer contour and shape of the sealing element in the molded resin-coated elastomeric material; and a cutting unit for cutting the sealing element from the molded resin-coated elastomeric material. The system further includes an electronic device for communicating with and controlling one or more of the winding machine, the heating unit, the coating unit, the turning machine, and the cutting unit. The electronic device includes a processor and a memory element.

[0009] The turning machine may include one or more cutting elements for forming the contour in the molded resin coated elastomeric material.

[0010] In another aspect, the invention relates to a mechanical seal mounted about a shaft, the mechanical seal including: a holder assembly having a body with an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, the holder assembly including a first groove formed in the inner surface of the holder assembly and a second groove formed in the outer groove of the holder assembly; a rotary seal ring coupled to the holder assembly; a static seal ring disposed adjacent to the rotary seal ring; a first sealing element mounted within the first groove and configured to substantially completely fill the first groove; and a second sealing element mounted within the second groove and configured to substantially completely fill the second groove.

[0011] The first sealing element has a shape complementary to a shape of the first groove, and the second sealing element has a shape complementary to a shape of the second groove. Additionally, the body of the holder assembly includes one or more fastener-receiving openings formed therein and extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, the one or more fastener-receiving openings being sized and configured to receive fasteners.

[0012] With respect to the holder assembly, the assembly further includes first and second cover grooves formed in the outer surface of the holder assembly, the first cover groove being formed on one side of the fastener-receiving opening and the second cover groove being formed on the other side of the fastener-receiving opening, and a sealing cover element including a body with a first leg, an opposing second leg, and a middle portion disposed between and coupled to the first and second legs, the first leg of the sealing cover element being sized and configured to fit within the first groove, the second leg of the sealing cover element being sized and configured to fit within the second groove, and the middle portion of the sealing cover element covering the fastener-receiving opening. The first leg portion is sized and configured to substantially completely fill the first cover groove, the second leg portion is sized and configured to substantially completely fill the second cover groove, the middle portion of the sealing cover element has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, and the first and second legs each have a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, the top surface of the middle portion is radially spaced from the top surfaces of the first and second legs, and the bottom surfaces of the first and second legs are radially spaced from the bottom surface of the middle portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views, illustrating the principles of the invention and showing relative dimensions, although not to scale. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a mechanical seal that uses a sealing cover element to seal a set screw opening in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a holder element of a mechanical seal in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sealing element of FIG. 1 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a sealing element forming system for forming and shaping a sealing element for a mechanical seal in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating the steps involved in forming the sealing element of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention provides a sealing cover element that provides sealing for a set screw opening formed in a holder assembly of a mechanical seal, as well as additional sealing elements that provide a fluid-tight seal at selected sealing locations. The present invention is described below in connection with the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in many different applications and embodiments, and is not specifically limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

[0015] The term "shaft" as used herein is intended to refer to any suitable device in a mechanical system to which a seal can be attached, including shafts, rods, and other known devices.

[0016] As used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" refer to a direction generally parallel to the axis of any shaft. The terms "radial" and "radially" refer to a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of any shaft. The terms "fluid" and "fluids" refer to liquids, gases, and combinations thereof.

[0017] As used herein, the term "axially inward" refers to portions of a stationary device and / or components of a mechanical seal that are located proximate to the stationary device (e.g., mechanical system) in which the mechanical seal is used. Thus, the term refers to components of a mechanical seal mounted on or within the stationary device or located deep within or closest to (inboard of) the device. Conversely, the term "axially outward" refers to portions of the stationary device and mechanical seal that are distal (outboard) from the mechanical seal.

[0018] As used herein, the term "radially inner" refers to the portion of a mechanical seal or associated component that is proximate to any shaft, and conversely, the term "radially outer" refers to the portion of a mechanical seal or associated component that is distal from the shaft.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "stationary device" and / or "stationary surface" are intended to include any suitable stationary structure that accommodates a shaft or rod to which a seal with a gland is secured. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the gland assembly may also form part of the mechanical seal or part of the stationary device.

[0020] As used herein, the terms "process medium" and / or "process fluid" generally refer to the medium or fluid being transported through a stationary device. In a pump application, for example, the process medium is the fluid being pumped through the pump housing.

[0021] As used herein, the term "gland" is intended to include any suitable structure that enables, facilitates, or assists in securing a mechanical seal to a securing device, while at the same time at least partially surrounding or containing one or more seal components. If desired, the gland may also provide fluid access to the mechanical seal.

[0022] As used herein, the term "mechanical seal" is intended to include various types of mechanical seals, including single seals, split seals, tandem seals, double seals, concentric seals, gas seals, spiral seals, solid seals, split seals, and other known seal types and configurations.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the mechanical seal 10 of the present invention includes an annular holder assembly 20, an annular rotary seal ring 90, an annular static seal ring 100, and an additional annular sealing element, all disposed about a shaft 12. The holder assembly 20 is typically disposed within an annular gland (not shown) that is secured to a stationary device, as is known in the art. The rotary seal ring 90 has a sealing face 92 configured to be disposed in sealing contact with a sealing face 102 of the static seal ring 100. The mechanical seal 10 also includes one or more biasing elements, such as a spring 84, mounted between a backside or aft portion of the rotary seal ring 90 and the inner radially stepped surface of the holder assembly 20 to provide a biasing force to the aft portion of the rotary seal ring 90.

[0024] The illustrated holder assembly 20 includes a body 22 having an inner surface 24 and an outer surface 26. The inner surface 24 defines an inner fastener or set screw opening 28 for receiving a fastener, such as a pin or set screw 30. The pin or set screw 30 serves to couple a rotary seal ring 90 to the holder assembly 20. The inner surface 24 defines an innermost sealing groove 32 sized and configured for receiving a sealing element 80. The sealing element 80 provides a fluid-tight seal between the axially innermost portion of the holder assembly 20 and the shaft 12. The inner surface 24 also includes an axially outermost sealing groove 34 for receiving a sealing element 82. The sealing element 82 provides a seal between the holder assembly 20 and the radially outer surface of the rotary seal ring 90. An additional sealing element 88 may be employed to provide a seal around an upper portion of a stationary seal ring 100.

[0025] The body 22 of the holder assembly 20 also includes a fastener-receiving opening 36 formed between its outer surface 26 and inner surface 24. Specifically, the fastener-receiving opening 38 extends completely between the inner and outer surfaces of the holder assembly 20. The fastener-receiving opening 36 is sized and configured to receive a fastener, such as a set screw 38. The outer surface 26 of the body 22 further includes a pair of sealing element grooves 40 and 50 disposed on either side of the fastener-receiving opening 36 and thus axially spaced along the outer surface 26. The grooves 40 and 50 are preferably located relatively adjacent to the fastener-receiving opening 36. The grooves are sized and configured to receive a portion of the annular sealing cover element 110. According to one embodiment, the holder assembly 20 may include multiple fastener-receiving openings 36. The set screw 38 serves to position and mount the mechanical seal 10 at one or more selected locations and mechanically couple the holder assembly 20 to the shaft 12. The sealing cover element 110 helps minimize or prevent process fluid from leaking past the set screw 38 through the opening 36 .

[0026] 1-2, groove 40 includes a groove bottom or floor 42 and a pair of opposing groove sidewalls 44A, 44B. Similarly, groove 50 includes a groove floor 52 and a pair of opposing sidewalls 54A, 54B. The sidewalls of grooves 40, 50 may be configured to be generally straight (i.e., extending generally vertically or radially) or may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of holder assembly 20. Grooves 40, 50 may be the same size and shape, or may have different configurations.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the hermetic cover element 110 includes a body 112 having a pair of opposing legs 116, 118 joined to one another by a middle portion 114. The legs 116, 118 are formed at opposite ends of the hermetic cover element 110. The middle portion 114 has a top surface 120 spaced both axially and radially (e.g., horizontally and vertically) from top surfaces 122 of the legs 116, 118. Similarly, a bottom surface 126 of the middle portion 114 is spaced both axially and radially (e.g., horizontally and radially) from bottom surfaces 128 of the leg portions 116, 118. Each of the legs 116, 118 also includes a sidewall. For example, the leg 116 includes opposing sidewalls 132A, 132B, and the leg 118 includes opposing sidewalls 134A, 134B. These opposing side walls meet the bottom surface 128 to form relatively straight (e.g., 90-degree angles), or rounded or curved corners or edges. The legs 118, 118 may have dimensions slightly larger than those of the grooves 40, 50 so that the legs form a friction or mechanical fit when seated within the grooves. Additionally, the middle portion 114 has a length corresponding to the axial distance between the grooves 40, 50. The sealing cover element 110 may be made of any suitable resilient material and may be formed from an elastomeric material.

[0028] In operation, the mechanical seal 10 of the present invention is assembled and then installed in a fixture (not shown). During assembly, the rotary seal ring 90 is coupled to the holder assembly 20 by the pin or set screw 30. The holder assembly 20 is then axially positioned along the shaft 12 of the fixture and tightened thereto using the set screw 38. To prevent leakage past the set screw 38, a sealing cover element 110 is placed over the set screw 38 and the corresponding fastener-receiving opening 36, thereby forming a fluid-tight seal. To prevent the sealing cover element 110 from accidentally becoming dislodged or being shaken off the mechanical seal 10 as the shaft rotates at higher speeds, the sealing cover element 110 can be stretched over the set screw 38. Specifically, the leg 116 is installed in the groove 50, and the leg 118 is installed in the groove 40. When the legs 116, 118 are installed or pressed into the grooves 40, 50, the middle portion 114 of the sealing cover element 110 straddles or extends between the grooves 40, 50, covering the fastener-receiving opening 36 and the set screw 38 installed therein. That is, the bottom surface 128 of the leg 116 contacts the floor 52 of the groove 50, and the side walls 132A, 132B of the leg 116 contact the side walls 54A, 54B, respectively, of the groove 50. Similarly, the bottom surface 128 of the leg 118 contacts the floor 42 of the groove 40, and the side walls 134A, 134B of the leg 118 contact the side walls 44A, 44B, respectively, of the groove 40. This installation or fitting mechanism of the sealing cover element 110 helps prevent fluid from leaking through or past the threaded hole of the set screw opening 36 and the associated set screw 38. The legs 116, 188 of the sealing cover element 110 are axially compressed when installed within the grooves 40, 50, eliminating the possibility of leakage from the set screw, thus achieving a substantially fluid-tight, clearance-free design.

[0029] Additionally, the holder assembly 20 may be configured such that the sealing cover element 110 is attached to the inner surface 24 of the body 22, rather than the outer surface 26, as shown. In this embodiment, grooves 40, 50 are formed in the inner surface 24 on either side of the fastener-receiving opening 36. The grooves 40, 50 may be configured such that the legs 116, 188 of the sealing cover element 110 are pressed axially into the grooves. The sidewalls of the grooves 40, 50 may be configured to be generally straight (i.e., extending generally vertically or radially) or may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the holder.

[0030] Based on the design and configuration of the sealing cover element 110, the sealing cover element can meet the space constraint requirements of the mechanical seal 10 and the associated fastening devices. Furthermore, the combination of the sealing cover element 110 with other sealing elements contributes to the creation of a tight environment, which is essential in applications where microbacterium growth is not permitted.

[0031] The present invention also relates to systems and methods for forming or fabricating sealing elements to create a substantially gap-free design. That is, the sealing elements can be formed to substantially completely fill the grooves or channels that house them. In one embodiment, the term "substantially completely" is intended to mean filling the grooves or channels with the sealing elements so that greater than 95%, and preferably greater than 97%, of the grooves or channels are filled solely with the sealing elements. Based on the teachings herein and the application and environment of the mechanical seal, one skilled in the art should be able to readily determine the percentage of the grooves or channels that need to be filled with the sealing elements to minimize the unfilled portion of the grooves. Furthermore, the sealing elements can have any selected shape and size, preferably not circular or oval.

[0032] To form a tight design using sealing elements such as sealing elements 80 and 88, and, if desired, sealing cover element 110, that perfectly correspond to and fit within their respective channels or grooves, these elements typically must be specially formed and configured. Preferably, these specially configured sealing elements are configured or molded (e.g., complementary in shape) to the selected shape and contour of the corresponding groove. In accordance with the present invention, annular sealing elements 80 and 88, as well as any other sealing elements of mechanical seal 10, if desired, can be formed from an elastomeric material. The annular sealing elements are preferably machined from elastomeric raw materials, including, for example, elastomeric tubing. The forming process of the present invention allows for great flexibility, responsiveness, and reduced tooling costs.

[0033] The mechanical seal 10 of the present invention employs specially designed and configured sealing elements, such as sealing elements 80 and 88, with various profiles and shapes designed to significantly reduce or eliminate potential gaps or voids within the channels or grooves into which they are mounted. These specially formed and molded sealing elements are installed where traditional O-rings or sealing elements would previously be used. The use of traditional sealing elements can result in undesirable gaps or voids within the channels, rendering the traditional sealing elements unsuitable for their intended purpose. The sealing elements of the present invention are machined from raw sealing materials, such as elastomeric tubing, to maximize manufacturing flexibility. The sealing elements of the present invention are configured to substantially match the shape and size of the channels or grooves and are further designed to be radially and / or axially compressed within their respective grooves, depending on the shape and profile of the sealing elements, the recessed groove geometry, and / or the device design. These sealing elements thus minimize, reduce, or eliminate potential gaps that may prevent the growth of microbacteria. This gap-free design also allows the mechanical seal 10 to be more easily and thoroughly cleaned.

[0034] The sealing element 80 of the present invention is sized and configured to fit substantially completely within the corresponding groove or channel 32, and the sealing element 82 is sized and configured to fit substantially completely within the groove 34. The sealing elements 80, 82, and 88 can be made from a relatively soft or resilient elastomeric material. Specifically, the elastomeric material typically has a hardness between about 70 Shore A and about 90 Shore A. Typical elastomeric materials suitable for use herein include, for example, synthetic elastomers including ethylene propylene (EP) and ethylene propylene diene methylene (EPDM), a type of synthetic rubber; fluoroelastomers including FKM and FPM as defined by ASTM International Standard D1418; perfluoroelastomers including FFKM; and tetrafluoroethylene propylene rubber including FEPM.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4 , the present invention includes a sealing element forming system 140 for forming or fabricating an annular sealing element for use with the mechanical seal 10. The forming system 140 includes a material source 142 containing a source of elastomeric material. The elastomeric material is then conveyed or transferred to a winding machine 144 so that the raw material can be wound into any suitable shape, which can include a generally elongated tubular shape having a circular, oval, square, or rectangular cross-section. Such tubing preferably has a rectangular cross-section prior to machining. The winding machine 144 can be any conventional winding machine known in the art. The raw material tube is then exposed to heat from a heating unit 146 to heat the raw material tube to a selected temperature for a selected time. The heating unit 146 can be a known type of heating unit using one or more heating elements. For example, the heating unit 146 can be a resistive heating unit or any other suitable or otherwise known type of heating unit. The feedstock tube is heated by the heating unit to a selected temperature or temperature range to generally form a substantially homogeneous product. The temperature or temperature range, as well as the duration of heating, can vary depending on the type of feedstock and the type of mechanical seal 10 employed by the system 140. The heated feedstock tube can then be coated with a suitable coating material by the coating unit 148. The coating material may be any suitable material, such as a resin material, such that when the heated feedstock is coated, the coated material has sufficient rigidity for subsequent machining in any conventional chipping machine.

[0036] This coated material thus has an outer resin layer that can then be secured, such as by clamping, to a conventional turning or lathing machine 150. Turning machines are standard machines in the relevant industry and require no further description here. Turning machines can include relatively sharp and hard metal turning or cutting tools (not shown) that can be used to machine or cut any type of contour into a generally rectangular elastomeric tube. The turning preferably cuts or removes material from the tube until the dimensions and contours of the tube meet the sealing element requirements needed for a particular channel design. In addition to the lathing machine 150, any other relevant portion of the forming system 140 can be coupled to an electronic device 160 that can be used to control the operation of any selected portion of the forming system 140. For example, an electronic device can be used to control one or more of the winding machine 144, the heating unit 146, the coating unit 148, and / or the lathing machine 150. The electronic device 160 can be a computer, server, tablet, smartphone, or the like. As is known in the art, electronic device 160 may include a processor 162 and a storage or memory element 164, in addition to other elements such as a display, a user interface, and input elements (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.). Memory element 164 may store any selected applications and software suitable for communicating with and / or operating one or more components of system 140. For example, turning machine 150 may be in communication with electronic device 160, which may store software instructions that operate the turning machine to cut or turn material into any predetermined, pre-stored shape.

[0037] The illustrated forming system 140 also includes a cutting unit 152, which may include one or more cutting elements suitable for cutting material. The cutting unit 152 is used to cut the turned material into individual annular or ring-shaped sealing elements. The cutting of the turned material by the cutting unit 152 may be performed in a chipless process using a relatively sharp cutting tool. The cutting unit using the cutting tool may form part of the lathe 150 or may be a separate component that forms part of the cutting unit 152.

[0038] 4-5, in step 170, the sealing element forming system 140 may provide raw material via the material source unit 142. The material is preferably an elastomeric material, which may be provided or supplied in any selected shape, such as a sheet. The elastomeric raw material is then wound into an elongated structure or tube by the winder 144 in step 174. The elastomeric tube is then heated for a selected time to form a substantially homogeneous product in step 174.

[0039] Next, in step 176, the heated feedstock tube may be coated with a suitable coating material by coating unit 148. The coating material may be any suitable material, such as a resin material, such that when the heated feedstock tube is coated, the coated material is sufficiently rigid for subsequent machining in any conventional chipping or lathing machine.

[0040] The outer resin layer allows the coating material to be secured and machined by a turning or lathe machine 150. The turning machine 150 can be used to machine or cut any type of contour into the generally rectangular shaped elastomeric stock material. In step 178, this turning preferably involves removing material from the tube by machining, carving, cutting, or chipping until the outer dimensions and contours (e.g., contours) of the tube conform to or are complementary to the dimensions of the channels or grooves. For example, the coated material can be treated or machined along its outer surface to form the cross-sectional contours of the sealing elements 80, 82, and 88.

[0041] The illustrated forming system 140 may also include a cutting unit 152 including one or more cutting elements suitable for cutting material, which may be integrated into the lathe 150 or may be a separate, distinct unit 152. In step 180, the turned material is cut into individual annular or ring-shaped sealing elements using the cutting unit 152.

[0042] It will thus be seen that the present invention effectively attains the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the foregoing description. Because certain changes can be made to the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in this description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0043] Moreover, the following claims are to be understood to cover all general and specific features of the invention described herein, as well as all statements regarding the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mechanical seal mounted around a shaft, a holder assembly comprising a body having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, the holder assembly including a first groove formed in the inner surface of the holder assembly and a second groove formed in the outer surface of the holder assembly; a rotary seal ring coupled to the holder assembly; a stationary seal ring disposed adjacent to the rotary seal ring; a first sealing element configured to be mounted within the first groove and to substantially completely fill the first groove; a second sealing element mounted within the second groove and configured to substantially completely fill the second groove.

2. 10. The mechanical seal of claim 1, wherein the first sealing element has a shape complementary to the shape of the first groove, and the second sealing element has a shape complementary to the shape of the second groove.

3. 3. The mechanical seal of claim 2, wherein the body of the holder assembly includes one or more fastener-receiving openings formed therein and extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, the one or more fastener-receiving openings being sized and configured to receive fasteners.

4. first and second cover grooves formed in the outer surface of the holder assembly, the first cover groove being formed on one side of the fastener-receiving opening and the second cover groove being formed on the other side of the fastener-receiving opening; a sealing cover element including a body having a first leg, an opposing second leg, and a middle portion disposed between and coupled to the first and second legs; 4. The mechanical seal of claim 3, wherein the first leg of the sealing cover element is sized and configured to be mounted within the first groove, the second leg of the sealing cover element is sized and configured to be mounted within the second groove, and the middle portion of the sealing cover element covers the fastener-receiving opening.

5. 5. The mechanical seal of claim 4, wherein the first leg is sized and configured to substantially completely fill the first cover groove, and the second leg is sized and configured to substantially completely fill the second cover groove.

6. the intermediate portion of the sealing cover element having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, and the first and second leg portions each having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; 5. The mechanical seal of claim 4, wherein the upper surface of the middle portion is radially spaced from the upper surfaces of the first and second leg portions.

7. 7. The mechanical seal of claim 6, wherein the bottom surfaces of the first and second leg portions are radially spaced from the bottom surface of the intermediate portion.

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