Lip seals and related methods

Abstract

The seal assemblies, gaskets, bearing assemblies, and their components can be used as prepackaged seal systems and prepackaged seal and bearing systems. The seal assemblies can be arranged in a variety of configurations for different applications. The number of sealing points can be increased by incorporating gaskets or washers to restrict flow and gaskets or washers with memory lips to act as sealing lips. In the prepackaged configuration, the cylinder can be a straight cylinder, stepped cylinder, or split cylinder. The bearing assemblies can be prepackaged with the seal assemblies and can also be optionally fitted with a service grease to provide lubrication and limit fluid ingress into the spring cavity.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a PCT application based on U.S. Application No. 18 / 461,411 filed on September 5, 2023, U.S. Application No. 18 / 202,215 filed on May 25, 2023, U.S. Application No. 18 / 088,040 filed on December 23, 2022 (now U.S. Patent No. 11,746,906), and U.S. Application No. 18 / 051,805 filed on November 1, 2022, the contents of each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to lip seals, and more particularly to spring biased lip seals, lip seals with bearing assemblies, and related methods. [Background technology]

[0003] Bearings, such as ball bearings and roller bearings, are known to support an element, such as a shaft, that rotates within an outer stationary element, such as a housing. Lip seals, which may be equipped with energizers, are known to provide a seal in a flow passage located between moving and stationary surfaces, such as a shaft and a housing, to prevent the flow of liquid from an area of ​​high pressure to an area of ​​relatively low pressure.

[0004] When both seals and bearings are used in an application, they are typically spaced apart or unconnected to one another. Furthermore, the seals and bearings are typically mounted sequentially, one after the other. When used together, the seals are configured to prevent fluids, such as oil, from leaking out of a bearing box that houses the bearings and / or process fluids from leaking into the bearing box. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Aspects of the present invention relate to a prepackaged seal system, and a prepackaged seal and bearing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one example, a prepackaged seal system may include: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a first seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer; wherein the seal element includes a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, a portion of the spring cavity being formed by the locking ring; a second seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer; wherein the seal element includes a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, a portion of the spring cavity being formed by the locking ring; at least one washer including an outer periphery, an inner periphery defining an opening, and a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening; the first seal assembly, the second seal assembly, and the at least one washer are disposed within the bore of the cylinder prior to attachment to the shaft, and the at least one washer is disposed between the first seal assembly and the second seal assembly.

[0007] The cylinder may be a housing, and may also be called a cylinder housing or a housing cylinder.

[0008] The bore can have a first portion having a first inner diameter and a second portion having a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter.

[0009] The cylinder can have a first cylinder section connected to a second cylinder section along a splitline.

[0010] The seal system may include a bearing assembly, which may be comprised of an outer ring, an inner ring, and a cage that holds a number of rolling elements, the outer ring being mounted in the bore of the cylinder with an interference fit.

[0011] The bore in which the bearing assembly is disposed can have a first portion having a first inner diameter and a second portion having a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter.

[0012] The cylinder within which the bearing assembly is disposed can have a first cylinder section connected to a second cylinder section along a splitline.

[0013] The bearing assembly may be a first bearing assembly and further includes a second bearing assembly spaced from the first bearing assembly, the second bearing assembly may be secured to a housing, and the housing may contact the cylinder.

[0014] Aspects of the invention further include a seal assembly, which may include: a lock ring including a lock flange and an inner flange extension aligned with one another along an axial position, a first deck having a notch on a first side of the inner flange, and a second deck having a notch on a second side of the inner flange; a first seal element having an inner flange and an outer flange that mechanically engage the notch in the first deck and a first energizer that biases against the inner flange of the first seal element and an inner surface of the first deck; and a second seal element having an inner flange and an outer flange that mechanically engage the notch in the second deck and a second energizer that biases against the second seal element of the inner flange and an inner surface of the second deck.

[0015] Yet another aspect of the invention includes a seal assembly including: a seal element including an outer flange, an inner flange, and a central channel section connected to the inner flange and the outer flange; a washer including an outer periphery, an inner periphery defining an opening, and a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening; a locking ring including a first ring portion connected to a second ring portion at an intersection; where the second ring portion has a flat surface, a first projection on a first side of the flat surface, and a second projection on a second side of the flat surface; where the second projection of the second ring portion mechanically engages a notch in an outer surface of the outer flange, and where both the central channel section and the washer are disposed between the first ring portion and the second projection.

[0016] Further aspects of the present invention are methods of using the prepackaged seal system, and the prepackaged seal and bearing system, and components thereof, as shown and described.

[0017] Further aspects of the present invention are prepackaged seal systems and methods of manufacturing or making prepackaged seal and bearing systems and components thereof as shown and described.

[0018] As used herein, the terms "first" and "second," as well as related general terms, are intended to identify components by nomenclature only and are not structurally limiting unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0019] A seal system according to an embodiment of the invention includes a first seal assembly 102 and a second seal assembly 104 disposed within a can or cylinder. The seal system may be disposed within a pump, blower, turbine, actuator, or other equipment with a shaft or pin movable within a housing, and may be used in electronic applications, avionics, space, oil and gas, medical, to name a few non-limiting examples. The seal system is understood to be generally circular with a hole for receiving the shaft or pin, the hole being aligned along a centerline. JPEG2025511440000002.jpg910 and is shown in part in various figures of this application.

[0020] The exterior of the cylinder can be tailored, such as by machining, to fit within the housing of an apparatus for a particular application. Thus, the particular exterior configuration of the cylinder can be tailored or configured, such as sized, shaped, etc., to allow installation within the equipment housing without departing from the spirit of the invention. A cylinder is a housing and may be referred to as a cylinder housing or a housing cylinder.

[0021] The canister for holding the two seal assemblies can have a body including a wall having an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface. The outer wall surface can have a shoulder for mating with an equipment housing. The body can have two open ends for assembling the two seal assemblies from either end of the body. In one embodiment, a retaining wall is provided at one of the two ends of the body defining a retaining end, which prevents components of the seal system from escaping the bore through the retaining end. By default, the opposite end of the body is an insertion or assembly end for placing the seal components into the bore to form the seal system, as described further below.

[0022] The cylinder can be assembled to a shaft and then used to house the sealing components to form a sealing system before being assembled into a device or equipment housing. When pre-installed in a can, the sealing system may be referred to as a pre-packaged sealing system. The pre-packaged sealing system is then ready to be installed onto a shaft as a unit, and the pre-packaged sealing system and shaft can then be installed into the required housing. The size, dimensions, and material of the cylinder can be selected for the specific application. Metals such as stainless steels and alloys can be used for most applications. Stainless steels, cobalt chrome steels, titanium alloys, and platinum metals can be used for medical implant applications.

[0023] In one embodiment, the inner wall surface of the cylinder has a straight bore that can be understood to have generally the same inner diameter throughout the cylinder without any intentional steps or shoulders incorporated into the bore. The inlet of the insertion end of the cylinder can be chamfered to eliminate sharp edges and facilitate insertion of the sealing components. On the outside, the outer wall surface of the cylinder can include a chamfered surface, annular groove, and / or one or more stepped surfaces to cooperate or mate with an equipment housing in which the sealing system is installed. For example, annular grooves may be provided on the outside for use with an O-ring to seal against the housing or with a bias spring, such as a canted coil spring, to bias against the housing. The cylinder may be a housing and may be referred to as a housing cylinder.

[0024] The first seal assembly of the prepackaged seal system can include a seal element including an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section connecting the inner and outer flanges and defining a cavity therebetween that can accommodate an energizer. The cavity may be referred to as a bias spring or a spring cavity for accommodating an energizer, as described further below. The seal element is a non-metallic element and can be made from an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material such as PTFE, PE, PEEK, or other specialty polymers. The particular elastomer, thermoplastic material, or polymer can vary depending on the application.

[0025] In one embodiment, the energizer is a canted coil spring including multiple interconnected coils all canted in generally the same direction, which act to bias the inner flange away from the outer flange to press against the shaft and seal. Each coil of the canted coil spring can have an elliptical or non-elliptical shape, such as square, rectangular, or a combination of straight and curved edges. In other examples, the energizer can be an O-ring, or a different metal spring type, such as a ribbon spring, a V-spring, or a helical compression or extension spring. In some examples, such as relatively low pressure applications, the energizer can be omitted and the seal is a lip seal type, but not a spring energized lip seal.

[0026] When the energizer is disposed within a cavity defined in part by the lock ring and the inner flange, the energizer, such as a canted coil spring including multiple interconnected coils, biases against both the inner flange and the lock ring (e.g., the deck of the lock ring).When the cavity is defined only by the seal element, the energizer biases against both the inner and outer flanges of the seal element, biasing them away from each other.

[0027] In one example, the inner flange of the sealing element has an inner diameter for placement around the shaft and a sealing lip that presses against the shaft surface to provide a dynamic seal when the shaft moves or rotates. The inner diameter is preferably smaller than the outer shaft diameter to create an interference fit. The sealing lip can have a long dynamic surface that is about 20% to about 75% of the length of the inner flange, or a short dynamic surface that is about 5% to about 20% of the length of the inner flange. The sealing lip can be biased against the surface of the shaft by an energizer. The energizer can be a canted coil spring and have an operating bias range that operates with a substantially constant bias force over the bias range, so that the force applied by the canted coil spring at the sealing interface of the sealing element remains substantially constant even when the shaft moves up and down.

[0028] The locking ring can mechanically engage the seal element of the first seal assembly. The locking ring can have a body including a deck and a locking flange. The deck can include a notch for receiving the enlarged end of the outer flange in mechanical engagement, which is understood to be more than surface-to-surface contact. In addition to engaging the notch, the enlarged end of the outer flange also functions as a sealing lip that seals against the interior surface of the cylinder, which is forced against the cylinder by the shape of the deck and notch.

[0029] When mechanically engaged, the sealing element and locking ring are prevented or limited from separating axially from one another along the length of the shaft. The deck may have a protrusion rising from the low point of the notch to support an inner or base portion of the outer flange.

[0030] The deck of the lock ring has an inner surface that defines a portion of the spring cavity. That is, the inner surface of the deck, a portion of the central channel section, and the inner flange define the shape of the cavity that houses the energizer. The thickness of the deck can be varied to vary the dimensions of the spring cavity, and thus the size and / or type of energizer used to bias against the inner surface of the deck and the inner surface of the inner seal flange.

[0031] In one example, the inner surface of the deck can be contoured with flats and tapers relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. One or both of the flats and tapers can vary in size and angle to change the shape of the spring cavity for placing the energizer therein. For example, the taper can be expanded or widened, angled more or less relative to the shaft axis, or omitted entirely with a single flat. The taper can be incorporated to preload the energizer or rotate the position of the energizer when it is placed in the spring cavity. For example, if the energizer is a canted coil spring, the canted section can be selected to occupy a portion of the spring cavity such that when the canted coil spring is placed in the spring cavity, the contour of the inner surface rotates the minor axis of the canted coil spring from approximately horizontal relative to the shaft axis. The rotation of the minor axis changes the force versus deflection curve of the canted coil spring compared to when the minor axis is perpendicular to the shaft axis.

[0032] The locking ring can include an inner flange extension. A contoured surface of the inner surface can combine with the inner flange extension of the locking ring to cooperate to retain the energizer within the spring cavity. The inner flange extension can have a radial end tip that extends radially inward toward the shaft. The radial end tip projects inwardly relative to a flat on the inner surface. A thickness of the inner flange extension can limit or restrict axial movement of the energizer within the spring cavity.

[0033] The inner flange extension can reduce the spring cavity entrance or opening making it more difficult for the energizer to escape the cavity through the spring cavity entrance during use. If the inner flange extension does not extend below the plane defined by the flats on the inner surface, the spring cavity entrance between the end face of the inner flange and the lock ring will be larger and the energizer will escape more easily.

[0034] In the illustrated example, the radial end of the outer flange extension of the locking flange is sized to press against the inner surface of the cylinder to secure the locking ring against axial translation during use. For example, the outer flange extension of the locking ring may have an interference fit with the bore of the cylinder and the locking ring is secured to the cylinder via the interference fit. The sealing element is mechanically engaged with the locking ring and therefore is also secured against axial translation during use. Additionally, a protrusion or enlargement of the outer flange presses between the notch in the deck and the inner surface of the cylinder, with the enlargement acting as a sealing lip to form a static seal on the outer flange to prevent fluid flow therethrough.

[0035] In one example, the displacement is provided at the end of the central channel section facing the inner flange. Alternatively, the displacement can be provided at the end opposite the free end of the inner flange. The displacement can be integrally formed with the seal element body and can have an inside diameter (ID) smaller than the inside diameter of the inner flange at the inner seal lip.

[0036] The displacement has a fin-like cross-section with a flat or blunt tip that seals against the shaft adjacent the annular recess. The annular recess is a discontinuity along the inside of the seal flange; in other words, the inner flange can be separated from the displacement by the annular recess. The displacement fits snugly around the outside diameter (OD) of the shaft, preventing fluid outside the spring cavity from passing through the displacement and into the interface between the shaft and the inner flange, where it could interfere with the dynamic seal or be a difficult medium to maintain.

[0037] The second seal assembly of the prepackaged seal system may be the same or similar to the first seal assembly. For example, the second seal assembly may have the same or similar seal elements, lock ring, and energizer as the similar components of the first seal assembly. However, in this embodiment, the tips or free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges of the seal elements of the second seal assembly may face the seal elements of the first seal assembly. That is, the two seal assemblies face each other. In other examples, the seal system may be arranged such that the first and second seal assemblies face away from the pressure side (e.g., high pressure is from the left side and both seal assemblies face to the right), or both seal assemblies face the pressure side. Less preferred is that both seal assemblies face away from each other.

[0038] In yet another example, rather than being mounted to a housing where the outer seal flanges of the two seal assemblies are static relative to the inner surface of the cylinder, the seal assemblies may be mounted to the piston. In a piston mounted configuration, the seal flange that seals against the outer diameter (OD) of the shaft is static relative to the shaft, and the seal flange that seals against the inner surface of the cylinder is in a dynamic sealing arrangement relative to the cylinder. In a piston mounted seal system, the first seal assembly and the second seal assembly may be arranged to face each other, either both facing the pressure zone, both facing away from the pressure zone, or both facing each other. The cylinder may be the housing, and may be referred to as a cylinder housing.

[0039] In one example, the two locking rings of the two seal assemblies of the prepackaged seal system contact each other at the parting line between them. Preferably, a washer is provided between the two seal assemblies to separate the two locking rings. The washer between the two seal assemblies may be referred to as the first washer since additional washers may be incorporated into the seal system. The washer may be made of an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material (e.g., PTFE, PE, PEEK, or other specialty polymers) and may be incorporated into the primary and secondary seal configurations.

[0040] The first washer may have the same non-metallic material as the seal element or may be different. In one example, the seal system seals against two external or exterior environments outside the spring cavities of the first and second seal assemblies. Assuming that the area is a high pressure area and the first seal assembly fails and fluid from the high pressure area enters the spring cavity of the first seal assembly, the first washer helps prevent the fluid from entering or penetrating the spring cavity of the first seal assembly and then migrating or penetrating the spring cavity of the second seal assembly. Thus, the presence of the first washer allows the second seal assembly to continue to provide a seal despite the failure of the first seal assembly, and the first washer may have a memory lip that functions as a lip seal, as further described below.

[0041] In one example, the first washer has a planar body with a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first washer is wedged or placed between two seal assemblies, for example between two locking rings. The memory lip extends from the planar body and has a curved portion. The memory lip may be molded with the planar body to have a curved portion. The curved portion of the memory lip is curved or arcuate, and the second surface acts as a lip seal, shrinking the outer diameter of the shaft to seal against the shaft when the first surface is away from or not in contact with the shaft. When the washer is provided with a memory lip that acts as a lip seal to seal against the shaft, the washer may be referred to as a lip seal. The lip seal of the first washer provides another dynamic seal to the seal system, and in combination with the first and second seal assemblies provides three dynamic seal points or three dynamic seals against the shaft.

[0042] The memory lip defines an inner opening of the washer inside the outer periphery of the washer. The inner opening, or simply opening, has a diameter smaller than the OD of the shaft to provide interference with the shaft. The inside diameter of the opening is preferably the same as or smaller than the inside diameter of the inner flange to provide greater interference than the inner flange. The washer may be oriented so that the opening faces an area of ​​high pressure, such as an edge between two surfaces. Thus, the pocket immediately behind the opening in the memory lip faces away from the medium the washer seals against, avoiding the possibility of material accumulating in the pocket.

[0043] In one example, another washer may be provided adjacent the sealing element of the first seal assembly. This washer may be referred to as the second washer and may be the same or similar to the first washer. The second washer may have a memory lip that functions as a lip seal and an opening that faces the exterior area away from the first seal assembly. Thus, if the exterior area is a high pressure area, the incorporation of the second washer in addition to the displacement portion may help reduce or eliminate fluid ingress into the seal interface between the shaft and the inner flange of the first seal assembly. The lip seal of the second washer provides another dynamic seal to the seal system, and the combination of the first washer and the first and second seal assemblies may provide four dynamic seal points or four dynamic seals with the shaft.

[0044] Additionally, by positioning the second washer in the same orientation as the first washer, the memory lip of the second washer can be oriented to seal against external fluids that may leak into the spring cavity of the first seal assembly, and the memory lip of the first washer is oriented to seal against external fluids that may leak into the spring cavity of the second seal assembly in the event of failure of the first seal assembly.

[0045] The seal system may further include a washer disposed adjacent to the seal element of the second seal assembly. This washer may be referred to as a third washer incorporated into the seal system. The third washer may be the same or similar to the first washer. The third washer may have a memory lip that functions as a lip seal and an opening that faces an opposite exterior region away from the second seal assembly. Thus, if the opposite exterior region is a high pressure region relative to the spring cavity of the second seal assembly, incorporating the third washer into the lip seal may help reduce or eliminate fluid ingress from the exterior region into the seal interface between the shaft and the inner flange of the second seal assembly. The lip seal of the third washer may provide another dynamic seal to the seal system, and the combination of the first washer, the second washer, and the first and second seal assemblies may provide five dynamic seal points or five dynamic seals with the shaft.

[0046] In yet another example, the seal element of the second seal assembly can incorporate a displacement similar to that of the first seal assembly. In yet another example, the three washers can be omitted and the seal system can be implemented with only a displacement on each of the two seal elements of the two seal assemblies.

[0047] A retaining disk may be provided at the insertion end of the cylinder to retain the various components within the cylinder after assembly. The retaining disk may have an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The outer diameter of the retaining disk may be selected to form an interference fit with the inner diameter of the cylinder, for example, to provide a total clearance of about 0.1 to about 5 thousandths, and may be welded at the point of interference with the cylinder.

[0048] The inner diameter of the retaining disc may be dimensioned visually larger than the outer diameter of the shaft so as not to interfere with or rub against the outer diameter of the shaft during assembly and use. The space between the inner and outer diameters of the retaining disc body must be large enough to retain the various sealing components within the cylinder without impeding shaft movement. The retaining disc may be made from metallic or polymeric materials, with the particular material being selected depending on the application of the seal system.

[0049] The service grease can be filled into the spring cavity of the first seal assembly and / or into the spring cavity of the second seal assembly. The type of service grease can be selected for the particular seal application. For example, if the application is for an implantable medical device, the service grease can be a biocompatible grease, such as a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) based oil and thickener. For other non-medical applications, the grease can be a lubricating grease, such as calcium grease, lithium grease, sodium grease, etc. When the service grease is incorporated into one of both spring cavities, not only does the grease provide lubrication to the dynamic interface between the moving shaft and the inner flange, but the presence of the grease eliminates voids and pockets in the spring cavity, helping to prevent external fluids from entering the same space already occupied by the grease.

[0050] An alternative sealing system provided by a further aspect of the present invention is similar to the prepackaged sealing system of the first embodiment with some exceptions. In an exemplary alternative embodiment, the exterior of the cylinder can be modified with an extended recess to form a shoulder for assembly with an equipment housing. The shoulder can be located further from the insertion end of the cylinder than the shoulder of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the interior surface of the cylinder can be modified to have two different inner diameter sections defining two different inner diameter sections. The first inner diameter section can be sized with a first inner diameter (ID) and the second inner diameter section can be sized with a second ID that is larger than the first ID.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first and second seal assemblies are similar to the seal assembly of the first embodiment, except for their relative sizes. The OD of the first and second seal elements of the first embodiment are generally the same to fit a cylinder with a single ID bore, but the seal elements of the second seal assembly in this embodiment have a larger OD than the seal elements of the first seal assembly. The different sized ODs can be used to seal two different bore sections of different sized cylinders.

[0052] The cylinder with different bore sections and the seal elements with different outer diameters of this embodiment can facilitate assembly of the seal system. For example, when a first seal assembly is installed in a bore of a cylinder, the lock ring must be forced into the bore due to the interference fit between the lock flange and the first bore section. By sizing the cylinder with two different bore sections, the lock ring of the second seal assembly is forced to slide a minimal distance into the first bore section for installation and does not rub or contact the second bore section during assembly. Thus, installation or assembly of the second seal assembly can be simplified by the stepped bore of this embodiment compared to the straight cylinder bore of other embodiments.

[0053] The deck thickness and diameter of the lock ring of the alternative embodiment is increased to accommodate the sealing element of the second seal assembly to seal the second bore section of the cylinder. In one example, a notch for mechanically engaging the outer flange and a support surface adjacent the notch are displaced radially outward relative to the central axis to force the outer seal lip of the outer flange against the larger bore section. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the lock ring of the second seal assembly is the same or similar to the inner surface of the first seal assembly, so that a similar energizer can be used for both seal assemblies. However, the inner surface of the second seal assembly can be tailored to allow the use of two different energizers with two different size spring cavities to provide two different sealing forces.

[0054] As an example, an alternative sealing system may incorporate three washers, each of which may include a memory lip that functions as a sealing lip as described above, although in this embodiment the second and third washers may be standard washers without a memory lip, understood to be generally planar and having outer and inner peripheries that define an internal opening.

[0055] In one example, the inner openings of the second and third washers are sized to approximately a size-on-size fit with the shaft outer diameter. A size-on-size fit may be sufficient to prevent viscous fluids from penetrating the interface between the shaft and the inner flange, which may interfere with the dynamic seal or be a difficult medium to maintain. In other embodiments, a standard washer may be sized with an inner opening that is a size-on-size fit or a slightly interfering fit (approximately 0.1 to 2 thousandths) with the shaft outer diameter.

[0056] In this embodiment, the retention disc can be sized to engage the larger second bore section, for example, the outer diameter of the retention disc can be sized to provide an interference fit with the second bore section to retain the various components within the bore.

[0057] Another alternative sealing system is similar to the first two sealing systems with a few exceptions. In this embodiment, the cylinder has generally the same inner diameter, but is a split cylinder and includes a first cylinder section and a second cylinder section. The split cylinder has a stepped parting line and one of the two cylinder sections has an opening with an inner diameter to receive a protrusion on the other cylinder to assemble the two cylinder sections. In one example, the opening with the inner diameter and the protrusion with the outer diameter are sized for an interference fit to prevent unwanted separation. Although the opening is shown on the second cylinder section and the protrusion is shown on the first cylinder section, the two could be reversed.

[0058] Each cylinder section can have an open or insertion end and a closed end with a retaining wall. A first seal assembly is inserted into the first cylinder section via the insertion end and is retained by the retaining wall at an opposite end. Similarly, a second seal assembly is inserted into the second cylinder section via the insertion end of the second cylinder section and is retained by the retaining wall at an opposite end. The inner diameters of both retaining walls can be large enough to avoid rubbing or contacting the shaft outer diameter during installation and use.

[0059] Three gaskets or washers can be incorporated into the alternative sealing system. In this embodiment, each of the three gaskets can have a memory lip. Alternatively, the gaskets can be mixed with both standard gaskets and gaskets with memory lips. In one example, both the first and second gaskets can have a memory lip to function as a sealing lip, and the third gasket can be a standard gasket or washer. The first gasket can be located within the first cylinder section or the second cylinder section of the split cylinder. In one example, the first gasket sits within the bore of the first cylinder section with the outer diameter of the gasket pressed against the inner diameter of the first bore section. Additionally, the first gasket can be sized with a thickness that is compressed between the two locking rings of the two seal assemblies when the sealing system is fully assembled as shown.

[0060] In yet another embodiment, the seal system can be omitted and assembled directly into the housing without the cylinder. Optionally, the alternative assembly can be pre-packaged in the cylinder.

[0061] This alternative seal system may be comprised of a first seal assembly and a second seal assembly, each having a seal element with generally the same inner and outer diameter and positioned opposite one another. However, in this embodiment, the locking ring is a combination locking ring. That is, the combination locking ring has a single locking flange for locking into the interior of a cylinder or housing, but has two distinct decks, each deck including a respective notch for mechanically engaging a respective outer flange of a respective seal element.

[0062] The two decks of the combination lock ring can be positioned on either side of the locking flange. The combination lock ring is also provided with a single inner flange extension. The locking flange and the inner flange extension can be aligned along approximately the same axial location relative to the shaft, and the two decks can be positioned on either side of this aligned structure. The length of the single inner flange extension can be selected to optionally align the spring cavity openings of both the first and second seal assemblies, limiting leakage of the two energizers from their respective spring cavity openings during use.

[0063] In yet another alternative seal system, the seal assembly has a seal element, a lock ring, a washer, and an energizer disposed in the spring cavity. The seal assembly can be mounted directly in the gland of the housing to seal against the housing and the dynamic shaft without a cylinder or can. In one example, the seal assembly of this alternative embodiment can be pre-mounted in the cylinder. The seal system can further be provided with a washer with a memory lip that functions as the sealing lip, as previously described. This seal system is therefore understood as a double seal assembly with two dynamic seals or two dynamic sealing points. One of the two sealing lips can seal against the shaft without being biased by a spring.

[0064] The sealing element has an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section that together define a spring cavity. An energizer, which may be a canted coil spring, is disposed within the spring cavity and biases the inner and outer flanges away from one another. The spring cavity can be formed without a locking ring, and the shape of the spring cavity can be defined only by the inner flange, the outer flange, and the central channel section, without the locking ring. An enlarged end section of the outer flange can be sized with an outer diameter that presses and seals against the interior of a housing or cylinder.

[0065] The retaining lip may extend radially inward from an end of the outer flange toward the shaft axis or central axis of the seal assembly to reduce the opening of the spring cavity. The retaining lip may be formed integrally with the seal element, and the length of the retaining lip may be selected to minimize the opening of the spring cavity.

[0066] The outer flange may have a notch on its exterior for mechanically engaging a protrusion on the locking ring. The notch may be sized to the outer diameter to form an interference fit with the housing or cylinder. In the assembled configuration, both the enlarged end section of the outer flange and the locking ring may contact the interior of the housing or cylinder.

[0067] The locking ring of this embodiment can include a first flange portion attached to a second flange portion at an intersection. In the illustrated example, the first flange portion can be generally planar and extend transversely to the shaft. The first flange portion can function as a retention disk for securing various seal components within a housing or cylinder cavity, similar to the retention disks described elsewhere.

[0068] The second flange portion can extend axially relative to the shaft. In the illustrated example, the flange portion can have an end protrusion on an outer surface to define a larger outer diameter than the remaining outer diameter portion of the second flange. The outer protrusion can interfere with an inner surface of the cylinder or housing. In some examples, the protrusion can be located closer to the intersection of the two flange portions than the opposite end of the second flange portion.

[0069] Internally, the second flange portion of the locking ring is provided with a projection on its inner surface for mechanically engaging a notch in the outer flange of the sealing element. A space or gap is provided between the vertical lip of the inner projection and the wall of the first flange portion. This gap can be sized and shaped to accommodate the width of the central channel portion and washer to hold the two therebetween during assembly and service.

[0070] The washer can have a memory lip that functions as the sealing lip, as described above. In this embodiment, the memory lip is oriented to face the exterior area, and the free end of the inner flange of the sealing element is oriented to face the exterior area. In one example, a second washer is incorporated between the retaining wall and the sealing element. The second washer can be a standard washer or a washer with a memory lip. The addition of the second washer allows for the use of service grease in the spring cavity.

[0071] A seal system according to a further aspect of the invention can include a seal assembly mounted directly within the gland of the housing. Alternatively, the housing can be a cylinder and the seal assembly can be mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting within the gland of the housing. The seal assembly of the invention can include a seal element, a lock ring, a washer, and an energizer disposed within the spring cavity.

[0072] The seal assembly of the present invention is similar to the first seal assembly. The seal assembly of the present invention may be used as a single seal to prevent leakage to the outside when the internal fluid pressure is high, or to seal leakage into the low pressure spring cavity when the environmental pressure is high. In some instances, a washer may be placed against the lock ring. A retaining disk may be placed adjacent to the washer to hold the washer against the lock ring. The washer may be a standard washer or a washer with a memory lip. The addition of the washer allows for the use of service grease in the spring cavity of the seal assembly.

[0073] Further aspects of the present invention include a sealed bearing system, which shares many aspects with the seal systems described elsewhere herein. In one example, the sealed bearing system includes a cylinder with a retaining wall defining a bore with an open or insertion end for mounting various sealed bearing components. Externally, the cylinder can be shaped with shoulders, flanges, etc. to mate with an equipment housing, which can be a pump, mixer, valve, blower, or any number of devices with a shaft movable within the housing.

[0074] The bearing assembly can be disposed within the bore adjacent the seal assembly. A retaining disk is disposed between the seal assembly and the bearing assembly. Alternatively, a sealing washer having an internal opening that seals against the shaft is disposed between the seal assembly and the bearing assembly. In yet another alternative embodiment, a sealing washer and a retaining disk are disposed between the seal assembly and the bearing assembly.

[0075] Internally, the cylinder may have a stepped bore with a first bore section and a second bore section, similar to other split cylinders described elsewhere herein. A first seal assembly, a second seal assembly, and two washers may be disposed within the bore, similar to the seal systems described elsewhere herein. The first and second washers may be of a standard type with a straight inner opening without a memory lip. The inner opening of the standard washer may be smaller than the shaft outer diameter to create an interference fit. In other examples, each of the two washers may have a memory lip, or only one of the washers between the two locking rings or the washer adjacent to the retaining wall may have a memory lip. Additionally, the two seal elements face each other, but may be oriented so that both face the exterior area, or both face the exterior area, or they may be oriented so that they face away from each other.

[0076] A retaining disk can be placed in abutment with the seal element of the second seal assembly. The retaining disk is incorporated to provide an interference fit with the cylinder and retain the various seal components within the bore. In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to the retaining disk, a washer is placed in abutment with the seal element of the second seal assembly. The washer can be a standard washer with an inner opening that closely matches the size of the shaft outer diameter. The washer can be thicker than the first and second washers to separate the second seal assembly from the bearing assembly.

[0077] In one example, a bearing assembly of a sealed bearing system may be comprised of an outer ring, an inner ring, and a cage for holding a number of rolling elements in a retaining socket. The various components of the bearing assembly are typically made from metallic materials, which may all be the same material or more likely be made from a variety of different metallic materials. The inner ring may be configured to fit snugly around the outside of the shaft and rotate with the shaft along with the rolling elements. The rolling elements may be held by the cage as they rotate with the shaft in a spaced apart relationship. The inner ring may have an inner diameter configured to fit with an interference fit around the shaft and an outer diameter relative to the inner diameter, defining a thickness therebetween. The inner ring may have a width and be sized and shaped to accommodate the selected rolling elements.

[0078] The outer ring is fixedly secured to the inner surface of the cylinder and remains fixed relative to the cylinder as the inner ring, cage, and rolling elements rotate with the shaft. The outer ring can have an inner diameter configured to contact the rolling elements and an outer diameter configured to provide an interference fit within the interior of the cylinder. The inner and outer diameters of the outer ring define a thickness therebetween. The outer ring has a width and is sized and shaped to accommodate the type of rolling elements selected.

[0079] In one example, the bearing assembly is a ball bearing assembly, and the rolling elements are metal balls or spherical balls. When the bearing assembly is a ball bearing assembly, the outer and inner rings may include inner and outer bearing races for the balls to contact and roll on. In other examples, the bearing assembly may be a different bearing type, such as a roller bearing assembly, a tapered or angled roller bearing assembly, a thrust ball bearing assembly, or a roller bearing assembly. The rolling elements of the roller bearing assembly and the tapered roller bearing assembly may embody solid rotating cylinders or solid tapered cylinders.

[0080] As shown, the outer ring includes two exterior grooves that define three raised protrusions. Other examples may incorporate one or more exterior grooves and two or more raised protrusions. Additionally, the exterior of each protrusion may include relatively small grooves, such as microgrooves, to facilitate assembly of the outer ring into the bore of the cylinder. Incorporating grooves may reduce interference and friction, facilitating assembly.

[0081] The bearing assembly, seal assembly, and washer are assembled to the cylinder in a prepackaged configuration to form a sealed bearing system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The prepackaged seal and bearing assembly is then ready to be installed as a unit onto the shaft. The assembly can then be installed into the housing.

[0082] As mentioned above, a service grease may be incorporated into the spring cavities of one or both seal assemblies of the sealed bearing system. The same or a different service grease may be used with the bearing assemblies to provide lubrication of the rolling elements.

[0083] The alternative seal and bearing system is similar to the seal and bearing systems described elsewhere herein. The alternative embodiment prepackaged seal and bearing system can have a split cylinder to facilitate installation of the seal assembly, washer, and bearing assembly, similar to the split cylinder described elsewhere herein. A first washer with a memory lip can also be incorporated into the seal and bearing system of the present invention in place of the standard washer between the two seal assemblies.

[0084] The prepackaged seal and bearing system can be mounted in a housing with additional bearing assemblies. The seal and bearing system can be engaged or installed in a housing that can have multiple housing sections. For example, the prepackaged seal and bearing system can be first mounted on a shaft and then assembled and mounted in the housing.

[0085] In one example, a second bearing assembly can be attached to the housing and shaft and placed away from the first bearing assembly of the prepackaged seal and bearing system. This configuration illustrates how the prepackaged seal and bearing system can be used in a device. In this device, the gap between the first and second bearing assemblies (called the device chamber) can house any number of device components such as the motor rotor, motor stator, oil sump, valve packing material, fan blades, etc. Placing the bearing assemblies at either end of the device chamber provides support and stability as the shaft rotates. The prepackaged seal and bearing system provides a single sealing solution with multiple components and can be adapted for multiple applications. For example, the seal assemblies can be placed in various configurations, such as facing each other or both facing high pressure areas, to suit different applications. The prepackaged seal and bearing system can also be modified to use different gaskets or washers for additional sealing points, such as using one or more gaskets with memory lips that act as sealing lips. Cylinders can be straight bores, stepped bores, or can include split cylinders for ease of assembly.

[0086] Additionally, the service grease can be sealed within the spring cavity to seal it and make it more difficult for outside fluids to enter the same space. The service grease can be selected to suit a particular application. For example, if the housing is part of a medical implant device, the service grease needs to be biocompatible.

[0087] In yet another example, the prepackaged assembly is a prepackaged seal system without a bearing assembly, and the bearing assembly can be mounted outside or external to the cylinder of the prepackaged seal system.

[0088] Further aspects of the present invention are methods of using the seal assemblies, seal systems, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing assemblies as shown and described.

[0089] A further aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing or making the seal assemblies, seal systems, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing assemblies as shown and described.

[0090] The various seal assemblies, gaskets, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing systems are interchangeable so long as the components are not mechanically or operationally incompatible. For example, the cylinder of FIG. 7 can be replaced with the split cylinder of FIG. 8, and the washer of FIG. 7 can be replaced with the memory lip washer of FIG. 1A. Thus, the various embodiments described herein are intended to be interchangeable where interchangeable.

[0091] These and other features and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention will become better understood as they become better understood with reference to the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0092] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view of a seal system in a prepackaged assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a first seal assembly of the seal system. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view of a seal system in a prepackaged assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a first seal assembly of the seal system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the seal system in a prepackaged assembly, where the cylinder has a stepped bore. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the seal system in a prepackaged assembly, where the cylinder has a split bore. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a seal assembly with a dual locking ring engaging two spaced apart seal elements. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a seal assembly with a ring engaging two lip seals in a back-to-back configuration. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a seal and bearing system in a prepackaged assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a seal and bearing system in a prepackaged assembly according to an embodiment of the invention where the cylinder is a split cylinder. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the seal and bearing system of FIG. 8 assembled in a housing and spaced apart from the second bearing assembly. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 11A] 11A-11D are different views of a sealing washer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] 11A-11D are different views of a sealing washer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11C] 11A-11D are different views of a sealing washer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11D] 11A-11D are different views of a sealing washer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12A] 12A-12D are different views of another sealing washer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12B] 12A-12D are different views of another sealing washer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12C] 12A-12D are different views of another sealing washer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12D] 12A-12D are different views of another sealing washer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13A] 13A-13C are different views of another sealing washer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13B] 13A-13C are different views of another sealing washer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13C] 13A-13C are different views of another sealing washer, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 30]FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having two seal assemblies, each with a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having two seal assemblies, each with a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal and bearing system in a prepackaged assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional side view of the seal and bearing system of FIG. 38 assembled in a housing and spaced apart from the second bearing assembly. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly having two seal assemblies, each with a sealing element, a locking ring, and an energizer. [Diagram 40] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including two seal assemblies, each with a sealing element and an energizer, both sharing a locking ring. [Diagram 41]FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal and bearing system in a prepackaged assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 42] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional side view of another seal assembly including two seal assemblies, each with a sealing element and an energizer, both sharing a locking ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0093] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the lip seal and bearing assembly provided by aspects of the device, system, and method of the present invention, and is not intended to represent the only manner in which the device, system, and method of the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description describes features and procedures for constructing and using embodiments of the device, system, and method of the present invention in conjunction with the illustrated embodiment. However, it is understood that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As shown elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features.

[0094] The description of technical features or aspects of an exemplary configuration of the present disclosure should generally be considered as applicable to other similar features or aspects of another exemplary configuration of the present disclosure. Therefore, technical features described in this specification according to one exemplary configuration of the present disclosure may also be applicable to other exemplary configurations of the present disclosure, and therefore, redundant descriptions may be omitted in this specification.

[0095] 1A, a seal system 100 including a first seal assembly 102 and a second seal assembly 104 is shown disposed within a can or cylinder 106 having an interior surface defining a bore. The terms first and second, and related general terms, as used herein, are intended only to identify components by nomenclature and are not intended to be limiting in construction unless the context indicates otherwise. The seal system 100 may be disposed within a pump, blower, turbine, actuator, or other equipment having a shaft or pin 108 movable within a housing 110, including electronic applications, avionics, space, oil and gas, and medical applications, to name a few non-limiting examples. The seal system 100 is generally circular, has a bore for receiving the shaft or pin 108, and is generally spaced apart from the centerline. JPEG2025511440000003.jpg910. The exterior of the cylinder 106 can be tailored, such as machined, to mate with and be received within a housing 110 for a particular application. Thus, the particular exterior configuration can be tailored or configured, such as sized and shaped, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0096] The can 106 that holds the two seal assemblies 102, 104 can have a body 112 that includes a wall with an outer wall surface 113 and an inner wall surface 114 that defines a bore 116. The outer wall surface 113 is shown with a shoulder 113a for mating with the housing 110. The body 112 can have two open ends for assembling the two seal assemblies 102, 104 from either end of the body. In this embodiment, a retaining wall 118 is provided at one of the ends of the body 112 to define the retaining end and prevent components of the seal system 100 from escaping the bore 116 through the retaining end. By default, the opposite end of the body 112 is an insertion end or assembly end 120 where the seal components are placed into the bore 116 to form the seal system 100, as will be further described below. In an alternative embodiment, where a retaining wall 118 is shown or used, an open cylinder and retaining disk can be used instead. In other words, the cylinder can have two open ends with two retaining discs.

[0097] The cylinder 106 can be used to house the sealing components to form the seal system 100 before being assembled to the shaft 108 and then installed into a device or equipment housing. When pre-installed within the can 106, the seal system 100 may be referred to as a pre-packaged seal system. The pre-packaged seal system is then ready to be installed as a unit onto the shaft. The size, dimensions, and material of the cylinder can be selected for a particular application. Metals such as stainless steels and alloys can be used for most applications, although stainless steels, cobalt chrome steels, titanium alloys, and platinum metals can be used for medical implant applications.

[0098] In this embodiment, the cylinder's inner wall surface 114 has a straight bore 116, which can be seen to have generally the same inner diameter throughout the cylinder, without any intentional steps, unlike the stepped wall cylinder of FIG. 2, except that the entrance to the insertion end 120 may be chamfered to eliminate sharp edges and facilitate insertion of the seal components. On the outside, the outer wall surface 113 may include a chamfered surface, annular groove, and / or one or more stepped surfaces to interface or mate with an equipment housing in which the seal system 100 is mounted. For example, an annular groove may be provided on the outside for use with an O-ring to seal against the housing, or with a bias spring, such as a canted coil spring, to bias against the housing.

[0099] The first seal assembly 102 is comprised of an internal or inner flange 128, an external or outer flange 130, and a seal element 126 including a central channel section 132 connecting the internal and external flanges and defining a cavity 134 therebetween that can accommodate an energizer 136. The cavity 134 may be referred to as a spring cavity for accommodating a bias spring, as will be further described below. With further reference to FIG. 1B, which is an enlarged view of the first seal assembly 102, the seal element 126 is non-metallic and may be made from an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material such as PTFE, PE, PEEK, or other specialty polymers. The particular elastomer, thermoplastic material, or polymer may vary depending on the application. In the illustrated embodiment, the energizer 136 is a canted coil spring including multiple interconnected coils all canted in generally the same direction, which act to bias the internal flange 128 away from the outer flange 130 to press against and seal against the shaft 108. In other examples, the energizer 136 can be an O-ring or a different metal spring type such as a ribbon spring, a V-spring, or a helical compression or extension spring. In some examples, such as relatively low pressure applications, the energizer can be omitted and the seal is a lip seal type, but is not a spring biased lip seal.

[0100] As shown, the inner flange 128 of the seal element 126 has an inner diameter for placement around the shaft 108 and a seal lip 140 that presses against the shaft surface to provide a dynamic seal as the shaft moves or rotates. The inner diameter is preferably smaller than the outer shaft diameter to create an interference fit. The seal lip 140 can have a long dynamic surface that is about 20% to about 75% of the length of the inner flange 128, or a short dynamic surface that is about 5% to about 20% of the length of the inner flange. The seal lip 140 can be biased against the surface of the shaft 108 by an energizer 136. As shown, the energizer 136 is a canted coil spring that has an operable deflection range and provides a nearly constant biasing force over the deflection range so that the force at the seal interface remains nearly constant even when the shaft moves up and down.

[0101] The locking ring 146 mechanically engages the seal element 126 of the first seal assembly 102. The locking ring 146 includes a body 148 that includes a deck 150 and a locking flange 152. The deck 150 includes a notch for mechanically engaging and receiving the enlarged end section 129 of the outer flange 130, which is understood to be more than a surface-to-surface contact. In addition to engaging the notch, the enlarged end section 129 of the outer flange 130 also functions as a sealing lip that seals against the inner surface of the cylinder 106, which is pressed against the cylinder by the geometry of the deck and notch. When mechanically engaged, the seal element 126 and the locking ring 146 are prevented or limited from separating from each other axially along the length of the shaft. The deck includes a protrusion rising from a low point of the notch for supporting an inner or base portion of the outer flange 130. The deck 150 further includes an inner surface 154 that defines a portion of the spring cavity 134. The thickness of the deck 150 can be varied to vary the size of the spring cavity 134 so that the size and / or type of energizer 136 is used to bias against the inner surface of the deck 150 and the inner surface of the inner sealing flange 128 .

[0102] In the illustrated example, the inner surface 154 of the deck 150 is contoured with flats and tapers relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The size and angle of one or both of the flats and tapers can be varied to change the shape of the spring cavity 134 in which the energizer 136 is placed. For example, the taper can be expanded or widened at a greater or lesser angle relative to the shaft axis, or omitted entirely with a single flat. The taper can be incorporated to preload the energizer 136 or to rotate the position of the energizer 136. For example, if the energizer 136 is a canted coil spring, the canted section can be selected to occupy a portion of the spring cavity such that when the canted coil spring 136 is in the spring cavity, the contour of the inner surface 154 rotates the minor axis of the canted coil spring from approximately horizontal relative to the shaft axis. The rotation of the minor axis changes the force versus deflection curve of the canted coil spring compared to when the minor axis is perpendicular to the shaft axis.

[0103] The contoured surface of the inner surface 154 combines with an inner flange extension 158 of the lock ring to retain the energizer 136 within the spring cavity 134. The inner flange extension 158 has a radial end tip that extends radially inward toward the shaft. The radial end tip projects inward relative to a flat portion of the inner surface 154. The thickness of the inner flange extension 158 can limit or restrict axial movement of the energizer 136 within the spring cavity 134. The inner flange extension 158 also reduces a spring cavity entrance or opening 160 making it more difficult for the energizer 136 to pop out of the cavity through the spring cavity entrance 160 during use. If the inner flange extension 158 does not extend below the plane defined by the flat portion of the inner surface 154, the spring cavity entrance 160 between the end face of the inner flange 128 and the lock ring 146 will be larger, allowing the energizer 136 to escape more easily.

[0104] In the illustrated example, the radial end of the outer flange extension 162 of the locking flange 152 is sized to press against the inner surface 114 of the cylinder 106 to secure the locking ring 146 against axial translation during use. For example, the outer flange extension 162 of the locking ring may have an interference fit with the bore of the cylinder 106 such that the interference fit secures the locking ring to the cylinder. The sealing element 126 mechanically engages the locking ring 146 such that the sealing element 126 is also secured against axial translation during use. Additionally, a protrusion or enlarged section 129 of the outer flange 130 presses between the notch in the deck 150 and the inner surface 114 of the cylinder 106 such that the enlarged section 129 acts as a sealing lip to form a static seal on the outer flange 130 to prevent fluid flow therethrough.

[0105] In one example, the displacement 166 is provided at the end of the central channel section 132 on the inner flange 128 side. In another view, the displacement 166 is provided at the end opposite the free end of the inner flange 128. The displacement 166 can be integrally formed with the sealing element 126 body and can have an inside diameter (ID) smaller than the inside diameter of the inner sealing lip 140 of the inner flange 128 and / or the outside diameter of the shaft 108. The displacement 166 can have a fin-like cross section with a flat or blunt tip that seals against the shaft located adjacent the annular recess 168. The annular recess presents a discontinuity along the inside of the sealing flange. In other words, the inner flange 128 is separated from the displacement 166 by the annular recess 168. The displacement portion 166, which fits snugly around the outside diameter (OD) of the shaft 108, helps prevent fluid outside the spring cavity 134 from passing through the displacement portion 166 and into the interface between the shaft and the inner flange, potentially interfering with the dynamic seal or making the seal a difficult medium to maintain.

[0106] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the second seal assembly 104 of the seal system 100 can be the same as or similar to the first seal assembly 102. For example, the second seal assembly 104 can have the same or similar seal element 126, lock ring 146, and energizer 136 as the similar components of the first seal assembly 102. However, in this embodiment, the tips or free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges 128, 130 of the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly face the seal elements of the first seal assembly, i.e., the two seal assemblies face each other. In other examples, the seal system 100 can be arranged so that the first and second seal assemblies 102, 104 face away from the pressure side 50 (e.g., high pressure is from the left and both seal assemblies face to the right) or both seal assemblies face toward the pressure side 50. Less preferably, both seal assemblies face away from each other.

[0107] In yet another example, rather than being mounted to the housing as shown and the outer sealing flanges 130 of the two seal assemblies 102, 104 being static relative to the inner surface of the cylinder 106, the seal assemblies are piston mounted. In the piston mounted configuration, the sealing flanges sealing against the outer diameter (OD) of the shaft are static relative to the shaft and the sealing flanges sealing against the inner surface 114 of the cylinder 106 are in a dynamic sealing arrangement relative to the cylinder. In a piston mounted seal system, the first seal assembly 102 and the second seal assembly 104 may be positioned to face each other, both facing the pressure region, both facing away from the pressure region, or both facing each other.

[0108] In one example, the two locking rings 146 of the two seal assemblies contact each other at the parting line between them. Preferably, a washer 172 is provided between the two seal assemblies 102, 104 to ensure spacing between the two locking rings. The washer 172 disposed between the two seal assemblies may be referred to as a first washer 172a, as additional washers may be incorporated into the seal system 100. The washer 172 may be made of an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material (e.g., PTFE, PE, PEEK), or other specialty polymers, and may be incorporated into the primary and secondary seal configurations.

[0109] The first washer 172a may have the same non-metallic material as the seal elements, or it may be different. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1A, the seal system 100 seals against two external environments 50, 52 outside the spring cavities 134 of the first and second seal assemblies 102, 104. Assuming that the region 50 is a high pressure region and the first seal assembly 102 fails and fluid enters the spring cavity 134 of the first seal assembly, the washer 172 helps prevent the fluid from entering or seeping into the spring cavity 134 of the first seal assembly 102 and then migrating or seeping into the spring cavity 134 of the second seal assembly 104. Thus, due to the presence of the first washer 172a, the second seal assembly 104 can continue to provide a seal even if the first seal assembly 102 fails. The first washer 172a includes a memory lip that functions as a lip seal, as will be further described below.

[0110] In one example, the first washer 172a has a body 174 with a first surface 174a and an opposing second surface 174b. The first washer 172a is wedged or placed between two seal assemblies, for example between two locking rings 146, 146. A memory lip 176 extends from the planar body 174 and has a curved portion. The memory lip 176 may be molded with the planar body 174 to have a curved portion. The curved portion of the memory lip 176 is curved or arcuate, and the second surface 174b acts as a lip seal, shrinking the outer diameter of the shaft to seal against the shaft while the first surface 174a is away from or not in contact with the shaft. When a washer is provided with a memory lip 176 that acts as a lip seal to seal against the shaft, the washer may be referred to as a lip seal. The lip seal of the first washer 172a provides another dynamic seal for the seal system 100 and in combination with the first and second seal assemblies 102, 104 provides three dynamic seal points or three dynamic seals with the shaft.

[0111] The memory lip 176 defines an inner opening 180 of the washer 172 inside the outer circumference of the washer 172. The diameter of the inner opening 180, or simply the opening, is smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft, so that it interferes with the shaft. The inner diameter of the opening 180 is preferably equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the inner flange 128, so that it interferes more with the inner flange. The washer 172 is positioned so that the opening 180, e.g., the edge between the two surfaces 174a, 174b, faces the high pressure area 50. Thus, the pocket 182 (FIG. 1B) immediately behind the opening 180 is oriented away from the medium that the washer 172a seals, thus avoiding the possibility of material accumulating in the pocket 182.

[0112] 1A, adjacent to the seal element 126 of the first seal assembly 102 is another washer 172. This washer 172 is also referred to as a second washer 172b and is the same as or similar to the first washer 172a. The second washer 172a has a memory lip 176 that functions as a lip seal and an opening 180 that faces the exterior region 50 away from the first seal assembly 102. Thus, when the exterior region 50 is a high pressure region, the incorporation of the second washer 172a in addition to the displacement portion 166 helps reduce or eliminate the ingress of fluid into the seal interface between the shaft and the inner flange 128 of the first seal assembly 102. The lip seal of the second washer 172b provides another dynamic seal to the seal system 100, and in combination with the first washer 172a and the first and second seal assemblies 102, 104, provides four dynamic seal points or four dynamic seals with the shaft.

[0113] Additionally, by positioning the second washer 172b in the same orientation as the first washer 172a, the memory lip 176 of the second washer is oriented to seal against external fluids that may leak into the spring cavity 134 of the first seal assembly 102, and the memory lip 176 of the first washer is oriented to seal against external fluids that may leak into the spring cavity 134 of the second seal assembly 104 in the event of failure of the first seal assembly 102.

[0114] The seal system may further include a washer 172 disposed adjacent the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly 104. This washer 172 may be referred to as a third washer 172c incorporated into the seal system 100. The third washer 172c may be the same as or similar to the first washer 172a. The third washer 172c has a memory lip 176 that functions as a lip seal and an opening 180 that faces the exterior region 52 away from the second seal assembly 104. Thus, when the exterior region 52 is a high pressure region relative to the spring cavity 134 of the second seal assembly 104, incorporating the third washer 172a with a lip seal may reduce or eliminate ingress of fluid from the exterior region 52 into the seal interface between the shaft and the inner flange 128 of the second seal assembly 104. The lip seal of the third washer 172c provides another dynamic seal to the seal system 100. This, in combination with the first washer 172a, the second washer 172b, and the first and second seal assemblies 102, 104, provides five dynamic seal points or five dynamic seals with the shaft.

[0115] In yet another example, the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly 104 can incorporate a displacement 166 similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102. In yet another example, the three washers 172a, 172b, 172c can be omitted and the seal system 100 can be implemented with only each seal element having a displacement. In yet another example, any combination of one to three washers 172a, 172b, 172c can be used. For example, two end washers 172b, 172c can be used and the first middle washer 172a can be omitted, or one or both of the end washers 172b, 172c can be omitted and the middle washer 172a can be used. In another example, only one of the end washers 172b or 172c is used. In yet another alternative embodiment, when a particular washer is used, two or more consecutively stacked washers are used. For example, if a first intermediate washer 172a is used, two or more such washers can be used in the same location, rather than just one intermediate washer as currently shown. For example, for the single intermediate washer 172a currently shown, two washers back to back can be used, or for the single intermediate washer 172a currently shown, three washers back to back can be used. Two or more washers arranged back to back can provide increased stiffness over a single washer. In other instances, a single washer can operate at a higher stiffness compared to a single thinner washer due to the increased thickness of the single washer. Other dual seal embodiments described elsewhere herein can have similar alternative optional washer configurations. Additionally, one or more washers of the various configurations described can have a memory lip, can be a standard sealing washer, or a combination of both, as described further below.

[0116] The retaining disk 190 is provided at the insertion end 120 of the cylinder 106 to hold the various components after assembly. The retaining disk 190 can include an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The outer diameter of the retaining disk 190 is selected to interfere with the inner diameter of the cylinder 106, for example, to provide a total clearance of about 0.1 thousandths to about 5 thousandths, and can also be welded at the interference point with the cylinder 106. The inner diameter of the retaining disk 190 is dimensioned visually larger than the shaft OD so as not to interfere with or rub against the shaft OD during assembly and use. The space between the ID and OD of the retaining disk 190 body must be large enough to hold the various seal components in the cylinder without impeding the movement of the shaft 108. The retaining disk 190 can be made of metallic or polymeric materials with the specific material selected depending on the application of the seal system.

[0117] A service grease may be packed into the spring cavity 134 of the first seal assembly 102 and / or the spring cavity 134 of the second seal assembly 104. The type of service grease may be selected for a particular sealing application. For example, if the application is an implantable medical device, the service grease may be a biocompatible grease, such as a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) based oil and thickener. For other non-medical applications, the grease may be a lubricating grease, such as a calcium grease, lithium grease, sodium grease, etc. When service grease is incorporated into one or both of the spring cavities 134, the grease not only provides lubrication to the dynamic interface between the moving shaft and the inner flange, but the presence of the grease may also help prevent voids or pockets in the spring cavity from moving and allowing outside fluids into the same space already occupied by the grease.

[0118] Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative seal system 100 is shown provided in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. This seal system 100 is similar to the seal system of FIG. 1A with a few exceptions. In this embodiment, the exterior 113 of the cylinder 106 is modified with an extended recess to form a shoulder 113a for assembly with the housing 110. The shoulder 113a is located further from the insertion end 120 of the cylinder than the shoulder of the embodiment of FIG. 1A. In this embodiment, the interior surface 114 of the cylinder 106 is modified to have two distinct interior surface sections that define two distinct bore sections 116a, 116b. The first bore section 116a is sized with a first inner diameter (ID) and the second bore section 116b is sized with a second ID that is larger than the first ID.

[0119] In this embodiment, the first and second seal assemblies 102, 104 may be similar to the seal assemblies of Figure 1A, except for their relative sizes. While the OD of the first and second seal elements 126 of Figure 1A are generally the same to fit a cylinder 106 having a single ID bore, the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly 104 in this embodiment has a larger OD than the seal element 126 of the first seal assembly 102. The different sized ODs may be used to seal against two different bore sections 116a, 116b of a cylinder 106 of different sizes.

[0120] The cylinder 106 with different bore sections and the seal elements with different ODs of this embodiment facilitates assembly of the seal system 100. For example, when the first seal assembly 102 is installed in the bore of the cylinder 106, the lock ring 146 must be pressed into the bore due to the interference fit between the lock flange 152 and the first bore section 116a. By sizing the cylinder to have two different bore sections 116a, 116b, the lock ring 146 of the first seal assembly 102 is slidably pressed a minimal distance into the first bore section 116a for installation and does not rub or contact the second bore section 116b during assembly. Thus, installation or assembly of the first seal assembly 102 is simplified by the stepped bore of this embodiment compared to the straight cylinder bore of the other embodiments.

[0121] The thickness and diameter of the deck 150 of the lock ring 146 is increased to accommodate the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly 104 to seal the second bore section 116b of the cylinder. In the illustrated embodiment, the notch for mechanically engaging the outer flange 130 and the support surface adjacent the notch are displaced radially outward relative to the central axis to force the outer seal lip of the outer flange against the larger bore section. In this embodiment, the inner surface 154 of the lock ring of the second seal assembly 104 is the same as or similar to the inner surface 154 of the first seal assembly 102, allowing a similar energizer 136 to be used for both seal assemblies. However, the inner surface 154 of the second seal assembly can be adjusted to use two different energizers with two different size spring cavities to provide two different sealing forces.

[0122] In this embodiment, similar to FIG. 1A, three washers 172 are incorporated. As previously mentioned, all three washers 172 may include a memory lip that functions as a sealing lip, but in this embodiment, the second washer 172b and the third washer 172c may be standard washers without a memory lip, generally planar, and having outer and inner circumferences that define an inner opening. In one example, the inner openings of the second and third washers 172b, 172c are sized to approximately match the outer diameter of the shaft. Matching the size may be sufficient to prevent viscous fluids from entering the interface between the shaft and the inner flange, which may interfere with the dynamic seal or be a difficult medium to maintain. In other embodiments, the standard washers may be sized with inner openings that are a size-on-size fit or a slight interference fit (on the order of about 0.1 to 2 thousandths) with the outer diameter of the shaft.

[0123] In this embodiment, the retention disk 190 is sized to engage with the larger second bore section 116b, for example, the outer diameter of the retention disk 190 is sized to provide an interference fit with the second bore section 116b to retain various components within the bore.

[0124] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternative sealing system 100 is shown provided in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. The sealing system 100 is similar to the sealing system of FIG. 1A, with some exceptions. In this embodiment, the cylinder 106 has generally the same inner diameter, but is a split cylinder, including a first cylinder section 106a and a second cylinder section 106b. The split cylinder has a stepped parting line 192, and one of the two cylinder sections has an opening 194 with an inner diameter to receive a protrusion 196 of the other cylinder to assemble the two cylinder sections. In one example, the opening with the inner diameter and the protrusion with the outer diameter are sized for an interference fit to prevent unwanted separation. The second cylinder section 106b includes the opening and the first cylinder section 106a includes the protrusion, although the two could be reversed.

[0125] Each cylinder section has an open or insertion end and a closed end with a retaining wall 118. The first seal assembly 102 is inserted into the first cylinder section 106a from the insertion end and is retained at the opposite end by the retaining wall 118. Similarly, the second seal assembly 104 is inserted into the second cylinder section 106b from the insertion end of the second cylinder section and is retained at the opposite end by the retaining wall 118. Both retaining walls 118 can have a large enough inside diameter to avoid rubbing or contact with the shaft OD during installation and use.

[0126] Three gaskets or washers 172 may be incorporated into the present seal system. In this embodiment, each of the three gaskets may have a memory lip. Alternatively, the gaskets may be mixed with both standard gaskets and gaskets with memory lips. As shown, the first and second gaskets 172a, 172b both have a memory lip and function as sealing lips. The third gasket 172c may be a standard gasket. The first gasket 172a may be disposed within the first cylinder section 106a or the second cylinder section 106b. As shown, the first gasket 172a is disposed within the bore of the first cylinder section with the outer diameter of the gasket pressed against the inner diameter of the first bore section. Additionally, the first gasket 172a may be sized with a thickness that is compressed between the two locking rings of the two seal assemblies 102, 104 when the seal system is fully assembled as shown.

[0127] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative seal system 100 provided in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. This seal system 100 is similar to the seal system of FIG. 1A with some exceptions. In this embodiment, the cylinder 106 has approximately the same inside diameter. Alternatively, the seal system 100 can omit the cylinder and be assembled directly into the housing 110 without the cylinder. Similar washers can also be used in this seal assembly, except for the intermediate washer.

[0128] The seal system 100 is comprised of a first seal assembly 102 and a second seal assembly 104, each with seal elements 126 having generally the same ID and OD and positioned facing each other. However, in this embodiment, the lock ring 146 is a combination lock ring 146a. That is, the combination lock ring 146a includes a single lock flange 152 for locking into the interior of a cylinder or housing, but includes two distinct decks 150, each deck including a notch for mechanically engaging a respective outer flange 130 of a respective seal element. The two decks 150 are disposed on either side of the lock flange 152. The combination lock ring 146a also includes a single inner flange extension 158. The lock flange 152 and inner flange extension 158 are aligned along generally the same axial location, and the two decks are disposed on either side of this aligned structure. The length of the single inner flange extension 158 can be selected to optionally adjust the spring cavity openings 160 of both the first and second seal assemblies to limit leakage of the two energizers 136 from their respective spring cavity openings during use.

[0129] Now referring to FIG. 5, a seal system 100 according to yet another aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 having a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, a washer 172, and an energizer 136 disposed in a spring cavity 134. The seal assembly 102 can be directly mounted in the gland of the housing 110 without a cylinder or can and seal against the housing and the dynamic shaft 108. However, the seal assembly 102 of this embodiment may be pre-mounted in the cylinder 106. The seal system 100 is further provided with a washer 172 having a memory lip 176 that functions as a sealing lip as described above. Therefore, the seal system 100 is understood as a double seal assembly with two dynamic seals or two dynamic seal points.

[0130] The sealing element 126 includes an inner flange 128, an outer flange 130, and a central channel section 132, which together form a spring cavity 134. An energizer 136, which is a canted coil spring, is disposed within the spring cavity and biases the inner and outer flanges away from one another. The spring cavity 134 is formed without a locking ring, and the shape of the spring cavity is defined only by the inner flange, the outer flange, and the central channel section. An enlarged end section 129 of the outer flange 130 can be sized at an OD that presses and seals against the interior of a housing or cylinder.

[0131] The retaining lip 200 extends radially inward from the end of the outer flange toward the shaft axis or central axis of the seal assembly and can reduce the spring cavity opening 160. The retaining lip 200 can be formed separately from the seal element 126, and the length of the retaining lip 200 can be selected to minimize the spring cavity opening 160.

[0132] The exterior of the outer flange 130 includes a notch 202 for mechanically engaging a protrusion on the locking ring 146 that is sized OD to form an interference fit with the housing or cylinder. In the assembled configuration, both the enlarged end section 129 of the outer flange 130 and the locking ring 146 contact the interior of the housing or cylinder.

[0133] The locking ring 146 in this embodiment includes a first flange portion 206 attached to a second flange portion 208 at an intersection. In the illustrated example, the first flange portion 206 is generally planar and extends transversely to the shaft. The first flange portion 206 functions as a retaining disk for securing various sealing components within a housing or cylinder cavity, similar to the retaining disk of FIG. 1A.

[0134] The second flange portion 208 extends axially relative to the shaft. In the illustrated example, the flange portion 208 has an end protrusion 210 on an outer surface to define an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the remainder of the second flange portion. The outer protrusion 210 provides an interference with the inner surface of the cylinder or housing. In some examples, the protrusion 210 can be located closer to the intersection of the two flange portions 206, 208 than the opposite end of the second flange portion.

[0135] Internally, the inner surface of the second flange portion 208 of the locking ring 146 has a projection 212 for mechanically engaging the notch 202 in the outer flange 130 of the sealing element 126. A space or gap is provided between the vertical lip of the inner projection 212 and the wall of the first flange portion 206. The gap is sized and shaped to accommodate the width of the central channel section 132 and washer 172 to hold the two therebetween during assembly and service.

[0136] The washer 172 has a memory lip 176 that functions as a sealing lip, as previously described. In this embodiment, the memory lip 176 is oriented to face the exterior region 52, and the free end of the inner flange 128 of the sealing element 126 is oriented to face the exterior region 50. In one example, a second washer can be incorporated between the retaining wall 118 and the sealing element 126. The second washer can be a standard washer or a washer with a memory lip. The addition of the second washer allows for the use of service grease in the spring cavity.

[0137] Referring now to FIG. 6, a seal system 100 according to yet another aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system before being mounted in the gland of the housing. The seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a locking ring 146, a washer 172 (not shown), and an energizer 136 disposed within a spring cavity 134. The seal assembly 102 is similar to the first seal assembly 102 of FIG. 1A. The seal assembly 102 may be used as a single seal to prevent internal higher fluid pressure from leaking to the outside, or may be used to seal higher environmental pressure from leaking to an internal lower pressure spring cavity. In some examples, a washer or a second washer is disposed against the locking ring 146. A retaining disk may be disposed adjacent to the washer to hold the washer against the locking ring. The washer can be a standard washer or a washer with a memory lip. The addition of the washer allows for the use of service grease in the spring cavity 134 of the seal assembly 102.

[0138] 7, a sealed bearing system 240 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sealed bearing system 240 shares many aspects with the sealed system 100 described elsewhere herein. As shown, the sealed bearing system 240 includes a cylinder 106 with a retaining wall 118 and an open or insertion end 120 for mounting various sealed bearing components, similar to the cylinder of FIG. 1A. The exterior of the cylinder may be shaped with shoulders, flanges, etc. for mating with an equipment housing 110. The equipment housing 110 may be any number of devices, such as a pump, mixer, valve, blower, etc., with a shaft 108 movable within the housing 110.

[0139] Inside the cylinder 106, there is a stepped bore with a first bore section 116a and a second bore section 116b, similar to the cylinder of FIG. 2. Inside the bore 116, there are disposed a first seal assembly 102, a second seal assembly, and two washers 172a, 172b, similar to the seal system of FIG. 2. The first and second washers 172a, 172b can be of a standard type with a straight inner opening without a memory lip. The inner opening of the standard washers can be smaller than the shaft outer diameter to create an interference fit. In other examples, the two washers 172a, 172b can each have a memory lip, or only one of the two, i.e., the one between the two locking rings or the one adjacent to the retaining wall 118, can have a memory lip. Furthermore, the two seal elements 126 face each other, but can both be oriented to face the exterior area 50, both to face the exterior area 52, or oriented to face away from each other.

[0140] A retaining disk 190 is placed in abutment with the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly 104. The retaining disk is incorporated to provide an interference fit with the cylinder 106 and retain the various seal components within the bore 116. In another embodiment, a washer 172c is placed in abutment with the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly 104. The washer 172c is a standard washer with an inner opening that closely matches the size of the shaft OD. The washer 172c can be thicker than the first washer 172a and the second washer 172b to separate the second seal assembly 104 from the bearing assembly 244.

[0141] In one example, the bearing assembly 244 is comprised of an outer ring 246, an inner ring 248, and a cage 250 for retaining a number of rolling elements 252 (only one shown) in a retaining socket. The various components of the bearing assembly 244 are typically made of metallic materials and may all be the same material or more likely made of a variety of different metallic materials. The inner ring 248 is configured to fit snugly around the outside of the shaft 108 and rotate with the shaft along with the rolling elements 252. The rolling elements are retained by the cage 250 as they rotate with the shaft at spaced intervals. The inner ring 248 has an inner diameter configured for an interference fit around the shaft and an outer diameter relative to the inner diameter, defining a thickness therebetween. The inner ring 122 is also wide and sized and shaped to accommodate the selected rolling elements.

[0142] The outer ring 246 is fixedly attached to the inner surface of the cylinder 106 and remains fixed relative to the cylinder as the inner ring 248, cage 250, and rolling elements 252 rotate with the shaft 108. The outer ring 246 can have an inner diameter configured to contact the rolling elements 126 and an outer diameter configured to provide an interference fit within the interior of the cylinder 106. The inner and outer diameters of the outer ring 246 define a thickness therebetween. The outer ring 246 has a width and is sized and shaped to accommodate the type of rolling elements selected.

[0143] In one example, the bearing assembly 244 is a ball bearing assembly and the rolling elements 252 are metal or spherical balls. If the bearing assembly 244 is a ball bearing assembly, the outer ring 246 and the inner ring 248 can include inner and outer bearing races for the plurality of balls 252 to contact and roll upon. In other examples, the bearing assembly 244 can be a different bearing type, such as a roller bearing assembly, a tapered or angled roller bearing assembly, a thrust ball bearing assembly, or a roller bearing assembly. The rolling elements of the roller bearing assembly and the tapered roller bearing assembly can embody solid rotating cylinders or solid tapered cylinders.

[0144] As shown, the outer ring 246 includes two exterior grooves that define three raised protrusions. Other examples may incorporate one or more exterior grooves and two or more raised protrusions. Additionally, the exterior of each protrusion may include relatively small grooves, such as micro-grooves, to facilitate assembly of the outer ring 246 into the bore of the cylinder 106. Incorporating grooves may facilitate assembly by reducing interference and friction.

[0145] The bearing assembly 244, seal assemblies 102, 104, and washers 172a, 172b, 172c may be assembled to the cylinder in a prepackaged configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention to form the seal-bearing system 240. The prepackaged seal and bearing assembly is then ready to be installed as a unit onto the shaft 108. The assembly may then be installed into the housing 110.

[0146] As explained above, a service grease may be incorporated into the spring cavity 134 of one or both of the seal assemblies 102, 104. The same or a different service grease may also be used with the bearing assembly 244 to provide lubrication to the rolling elements 252.

[0147] Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown a prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 similar to the prepackaged system of Figure 7 with a few exceptions. The prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 of this embodiment has a split cylinder 106 to facilitate installation of the seal assembly, washer, and bearing assembly, similar to the split cylinder description of Figure 3. A first washer 172a with a memory lip 176 can also be incorporated into this seal and bearing system 240 in place of the standard washer between the two seal assemblies.

[0148] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 of Figure 8 mounted to a housing with an additional bearing assembly 244a. The seal and bearing system 240 is engaged or attached to the housing 110, which may have multiple housing sections 110a. For example, the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 may be first mounted to the shaft 108 and then assembled and mounted to the housing 100.

[0149] In the illustrated example, the second bearing assembly 244a is attached to the housing and shaft and spaced apart from the first bearing assembly 244 of the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240. This configuration illustrates how the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 can be used in a device where the gap between the first bearing assembly 244 and the second bearing assembly 244a, referred to as the device chamber 254, can house any number of device components such as a motor rotor, a motor stator, an oil sump, valve packing material, fan blades, etc. Placing the bearing assemblies 244, 244a at either end of the device chamber 254 provides support and stability as the shaft rotates. The prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 provides a single sealing solution with multiple components that can be adapted for multiple applications. For example, the seal assemblies 102, 104 can be arranged in different configurations, such as facing each other or both facing high pressure areas, for different applications. The prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 can also be modified to use different gaskets for additional sealing points, such as using one or more gaskets with a memory lip to act as a sealing lip. The cylinder 106 can also include straight bores, stepped bores, and split sections for ease of assembly.

[0150] Additionally, a service grease may be included in the spring cavity 134 to occupy the spring cavity and prevent outside fluids from entering the same space. The service grease may be selected to suit a particular application. For example, if the housing 110 is part of a medical implant device, the service grease should be biocompatible.

[0151] In yet another example, the prepackaged assembly is a prepackaged seal system 100, such as the seal systems of Figures 1A, 2, or 3, without the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly may instead be mounted outside or external to the cylinder 106.

[0152] 10, a seal system 100 according to yet another aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder, can, or cartridge 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder or cartridge as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting within the gland of the housing. The seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed within a spring cavity 134. The seal assembly 102 is similar to the second seal assembly 104 of FIG. 1A, with a few exceptions.

[0153] In this embodiment, the seal element 126 does not incorporate a displacement. Instead, the intersection 260 of the central channel section 132 and the inner flange 128 is spaced away from the OD of the shaft 108, reducing the length of the inner flange that contacts the shaft. Additionally, the central channel section 132 has a nominal thickness section 261, but a lower portion 262 of the central channel section that forms part of the cavity 134 is thickened, such as being thicker than the nominal thickness section 261, to push or move the coils of the canted coil spring away from the outer surface 264 of the central channel section. The thickened lower portion 262 pushes the contact points on the minor axis of each coil of the canted coil spring 136, or the shorter of the two axes of the elliptical coil shape, towards the inner flange 158 of the lock ring 146, positioning the minor axis to align with a specific point on the inner flange 128 of the seal element 126. This changes where the minor axis has its maximum range of motion along the force vs. deflection characteristics of the canted coil spring.

[0154] The seal assembly 102 may be used as a single seal. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges may face away from the retaining wall 118. In one example, a sealing washer (not shown) may be disposed between the retaining wall 118 and the outer surface 264 of the central channel section 132 to provide two dynamic sealing points or two dynamic seals with the shaft 108. As previously mentioned, the first sealing point is between the sealing lip of the inner flange and the shaft, and the second sealing point is between the memory lip of the sealing washer and the shaft. The sealing washer may be a standard washer as shown in FIG. 2 or a washer with a memory lip 176 as shown in FIG. 1A.

[0155] In some examples, a sealing washer (not shown) can instead be placed against the lock ring 146 and a retaining disk 190 (FIG. 1A) can be placed adjacent to the washer to hold it against the lock ring 146. The washer can be a standard washer or a washer with a memory lip. In yet another example, a first washer (not shown) can be placed between the retaining wall 118 and the seal element outer surface 264 and a second washer (not shown) can be placed against the lock ring 146 and a retaining disk 190 (FIG. 1A) can be included to hold the second washer against the lock ring and inside the cylinder or cartridge 106. The addition of the second washer against the lock ring 146 allows for the use of service grease in the spring cavity 134 of the seal assembly 102.

[0156] 11A-11C, which show a front view, a front perspective view, and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a sealing washer 172 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11D shows a centerline passing through a central opening 180 of the washer. JPEG2025511440000004.jpg910 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the upper half of sealing washer 172. Sealing washer 172 includes a planar body 174 with an outer periphery 266 defining an outer diameter, and an inner periphery 268 defining a central opening 180. The central opening can be sized with an appropriate interference with the shaft to be inserted therein, which can be on the order of 0.5 to 5 thousandths of a second.

[0157] The central opening 180 is provided in a memory lip 176, which is an arcuate portion of the body 174 that is formed during molding of the sealing washer. The arcuate projection is formed by bending an inner portion of the body toward a first side or surface 174a of the body 174 and away from a second side or surface 174b, as previously described, to create a pocket 182 (FIG. 11C) behind the projection. The projection can be varied in size, length, shape, such as the size of the central opening 180, to create different pocket sizes and shapes. Additionally, the thickness of the body 174, which is the dimension between the first surface 174a and the opposing second surface 174b, can be varied to control the stiffness and / or hardness of the sealing washer. In one example, the projection is formed without or with a minimal inner opening perimeter, and then the final central opening 180 is formed by cutting or punching the opening 180 using an appropriately sized puncher or tap to control the opening size.

[0158] In another example, the projections forming the memory lip are formed after molding the washer itself, for example by heating the washer against a die with a central projection and then cooling while the washer is pressed against the die. The central opening 180 is then formed by cutting or stamping the opening using an appropriately sized puncher or tap. The sealing washer 172 of the present invention can be used in any of the seal assemblies and seal systems described elsewhere herein.

[0159] 12A-12C, which show a front view, a front perspective view, and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a sealing washer 172 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12D shows a centerline passing through a central opening 180 of the washer. JPEG2025511440000005.jpg910 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the upper half of sealing washer 172. Sealing washer 172 includes a planar body 174 with an outer periphery 266 defining an outer diameter and an inner periphery 268 defining a central opening 180. The central opening can be sized for appropriate interference with an inserted shaft, which can be on the order of 0.5 to 5 thousandths of an inch. The sealing washer of the present invention is similar to the sealing washer of FIGS. 11A-11D, but has a less pronounced memory lip 176 compared to the memory lip of FIGS. 11A-11D. The sealing washer 172 of the present invention can be used in any of the seal assemblies and seal systems described elsewhere herein.

[0160] 13A and 13B, which show a front view and a front perspective view, respectively, of a sealing washer 172 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. JPEG2025511440000006.jpg910 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the upper half of sealing washer 172. Sealing washer 172 includes a planar body 174 with an outer periphery 266 defining an outer diameter and an inner periphery 268 defining a central opening 180. The central opening can be sized with an appropriate interference with the shaft to be inserted, which can be on the order of 0.5 to 5 thousandths of a second. This sealing washer is similar to the sealing washer of FIGS. 11A-11D, but is formed without a memory lip. The sealing washer 172 of the present invention can be used in any of the seal assemblies and seal systems described elsewhere herein.

[0161] 14, a seal system 100 according to yet another aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder, can, or cartridge 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system before being mounted in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to FIG. 10 and other seal assemblies 102.

[0162] 10, in this embodiment, the central channel section 132 has a generally constant thickness along its entire length or height. Thus, there is no significant thickening at the bottom of the central channel section to push the coils of the canted coil spring 136 away from the outer surface 264.

[0163] The sealing washer 172 is disposed between the retaining wall 118 and the seal element 126. In particular, the body of the sealing washer contacts both the retaining wall and the central channel section of the seal element. The sealing washer 172 can incorporate a memory lip 176. The memory lip faces the retaining wall 118. The memory lip 176 can be an extended memory lip as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D, or a shortened or short memory lip as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D. In some examples, a second sealing washer (not shown) can be disposed in contact with the lock ring 146, and a retaining disk 190 (FIG. 1A) can be disposed at the insertion end to hold the second sealing washer against the lock ring and various components within the housing or cylinder 106. It is understood that the retaining disk 190 (FIG. 1A) can be disposed at a distance or spaced apart from the retaining wall 118.

[0164] 15, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder or can 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, be it a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed within a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assembly 102 of FIG. 14 and seal elements 102 described elsewhere. However, in this embodiment, the sealing washer 172 has an extended or longer memory lip 176, similar to the memory lip shown in FIGS. 1A and 11A-11D, than the memory lip of FIG. 14. In some examples, a second sealing washer is positioned in contact with the locking ring 146 and a retaining disc 190 (FIG. 1A) is positioned at the insertion end to retain the sealing assembly and two washers within the cylinder or cartridge 106. It is understood that the retaining disc 190 is spaced or spaced apart from the retaining wall 118.

[0165] Referring now to FIG. 16, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system before being mounted in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. It is therefore inherent and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assembly 102 of FIG. 14. However, in this embodiment, the sealing washer 172 is a standard sealing washer without a memory lip. The sealing washer has a central opening 180 that seals against the shaft outer diameter. In the illustrated example, the body 174 of the sealing washer 172 has a first thickness at the outer diameter or periphery and a second thickness at the inner diameter or opening, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness. The thinner washer portion is preferably located at the inner diameter or opening to vary the stiffness of the inner diameter. In some examples, a second sealing washer can be placed in contact with the lock ring 146 and a retaining disk 190 (FIG. 1A) can be placed at the insertion end to retain the sealing assembly and two washers within the housing or cylinder. It is understood that the retaining disk 190 is spaced or spaced apart from the retaining wall 118.

[0166] Referring now to FIG. 17, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106 with a retaining wall and an open end for assembly, as previously described with reference to FIG. 1A and elsewhere, forming a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting within the gland of an equipment housing, such as a bearing box. It is therefore inherently and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The seal assembly 102 is comprised of a seal element 126, a locking ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed within a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assembly 102 of FIG. 14 and described elsewhere herein.

[0167] However, in this embodiment, the inner flange 128 is extended or lengthened such that a free end 128a of the inner flange is disposed on one side of the coils of the canted coil spring and the central channel section 132 is disposed on the opposite side of the coils. As shown, the free end 128a is disposed approximately at the inner end of the inner flange extension 158 of the lock ring 146. The extended inner flange 128 increases the surface contact between the sealing element and the shaft.

[0168] Although the one or more sealing washers are not shown in the seal assembly 102 of FIG. 17, one or more sealing washers may be used in conjunction with one or more retaining discs, similar to the seal assemblies of FIGS. 14-16.

[0169] Referring now to FIG. 18, a seal system 100 according to yet another aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of the housing 110. The seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which can be a canted coil spring disposed within a spring cavity 134. It is similar to the seal assemblies 102 of FIGS. 14-17 and others. In this embodiment, the inner flange 128 of the seal element 126 is provided with a seal lip projection 270 for sealing contact with the outer diameter of the shaft 108. The seal lip projection protrudes from a surface of the inner seal flange. The seal lip projection 270 spaces the remainder of the inner flange from the shaft. The seal lip projection 270 has a width, the width of the seal lip projection being approximately 10% to 30% of the width or length of the inner flange measured from the free end to where the inner flange intersects the central channel section 132. Preferably, the width is about 15% to 25% of the length of the inner flange. The selected width of the sealing lip projection 270 enhances the sealing force at the seal interface with the shaft by contacting a smaller surface area than would be achieved if the sealing lip were greater than 30% of the length of the inner flange.

[0170] In one example, an optional recess 272 is formed in the inner surface of the central channel section 132. When the recess is incorporated, the width or thickness of the central channel section is effectively reduced, creating a section of relatively reduced thickness. The reduced thickness increases flexibility at the bottom of the central channel, providing flexibility to the inner flange 128.

[0171] In FIG. 18, the instrument housing 110 is shown with the seal assembly 102, however, the seal assembly 102 may be initially packaged in a cylinder or cartridge 106 (FIG. 1A) to form a prepackaged seal assembly, as described elsewhere herein. In some examples, the prepackaged seal assembly may also incorporate one or more sealing washers. If used, a sealing washer may be placed against the sealing element and another sealing washer may be placed against the lock ring 146. Retaining disks may also be used to secure various components inside the cylinder. In some examples, an open cylinder is used with two retaining disks. It is understood that the retaining disk is spaced or spaced apart from the retaining wall if only one is used.

[0172] 19, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to a gland of a housing 110, or prepackaged in a cylinder or can 106 which is then installed in the housing 110, such as a bearing box. Thus, it is inherent and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 can be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which can be a canted coil spring disposed within a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assembly 102 of FIGS. 14-17 and 18 and described elsewhere herein. In this embodiment, similar to the seal element of FIG. 18, the inner flange 128 of the seal element 126 is provided with a seal lip projection 270 for sealing contact with the outer diameter of the shaft 108.

[0173] In this embodiment, the lock ring 146 has an extended rear portion 274 with an inner diameter having a plurality of spaced apart rings 276. The spaced apart rings 276 are formed separately and then attached to the extended rear portion of the lock ring. Alternatively, the spaced apart rings 276 are formed integrally with the lock ring. The spaced apart rings 276 have a close tolerance fit, such as a size-on-size fit or a small clearance (such as 0.5 to 2 thousandths of the total clearance), around the shaft 108. The spaced apart rings 276 provide a tortuous path that helps prevent leakage or seepage of fluid into the seal cavity 134. The spaced apart rings are sometimes referred to as labyrinth seals and may be utilized with any of the seal rings described elsewhere herein.

[0174] 20, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder or cartridge 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system before being mounted in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherently and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a locking ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102 of FIGS. 1A and 6. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges face away from the retaining wall 118 .

[0175] The first sealing washer 172a is disposed between the locking ring 146 and the retention disc 190. The retention disc 190 is understood to be spaced or spaced apart from the retention wall 118. The first sealing washer 172a has a memory lip 176 that faces towards the seal element 126. In other examples, the memory lip 176 of the first sealing washer can face in the opposite direction.

[0176] The second sealing washer 172b is disposed between the retaining wall 118 and the sealing element 126. In one example, the body of the second sealing washer 172b contacts both the retaining wall and the central channel section of the sealing element. The sealing washer 172 is shown as a standard sealing washer similar to the sealing washer of FIGS. 13A-13C. However, the second sealing washer 172b may optionally incorporate a memory lip 176. The memory lip may face toward the retaining wall 118 or toward the canted coil spring 136. The memory lip 176 of one or both sealing washers may be an extended memory lip as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D or a short memory lip as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D. If the first sealing washer 172a is used, service grease may be added to the cavity 134, and if both sealing washers 172a, 172b are used, service grease may be added to the cavity as an option.

[0177] 21, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherently and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, and is similar to seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, such as the seal assembly of FIG. 20. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102 of FIGS. 1A, 6, and 20. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges face away from the retaining wall 118 .

[0178] In this embodiment, two sealing washers 172a, 172b are used in a stacked arrangement or a back-to-back arrangement, which may include more than two sealing washers. The two sealing washers shown are disposed between the lock ring 146 and the retaining disc 190 and spaced apart from the retaining wall 118. The two sealing washers may both be standard sealing washers without a memory lip, may both have the same or different type of memory lip, or the two may be a mixed combination, one with a memory lip and one a standard sealing washer. As shown, the first sealing washer 172a has a memory lip facing the cavity 134, and the second sealing washer 172b is a standard sealing washer.

[0179] Optionally, a third sealing washer can be disposed between the retaining wall 118 and the sealing element 126. The third sealing washer can be a standard sealing washer or a sealing washer with a memory lip, either an extended memory lip as shown in Figures 11A-11D, or a shortened memory lip as shown in Figures 12A-12D. In another example, a stacked sealing washer arrangement can be incorporated between the retaining wall and the sealing element. Service grease can be contained within the cavity.

[0180] 22, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. It is therefore inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, such as the seal assemblies of FIGS. 1A, 6, 20, and 21. 1A, 6, 20 and 21. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102 of Figures 1A, 6, 20 and 21. The free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges face away from the retaining wall 118.

[0181] In this embodiment, two sealing washers 172a, 172b are used in a stacked arrangement or a back-to-back arrangement, which may include more than two sealing washers. The two sealing washers shown may be positioned between the retaining wall 118 and the seal element 126. The two sealing washers may both be standard sealing washers, both may have the same or different types of memory lips, or the two may be a mixed combination, one with a memory lip and one a standard sealing washer. As shown, the first sealing washer 172a has a memory lip facing away from the cavity 134, and the second sealing washer 172b, located between the first sealing washer and the seal element, may be a standard sealing washer.

[0182] Optionally, a third sealing washer may be disposed between the locking ring 146 and the retaining disc 190 (FIG. 1A) and spaced from the sealing element 126. The third sealing washer may be a standard sealing washer or a sealing washer with a memory lip. The memory lip may be an extended memory lip as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D or a shortened memory lip as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D. The cavity 134 may contain service grease.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 23, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherently and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, and is similar to seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, such as the seal assemblies of FIGS. 1A, 6, and 20-22. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102 of FIGS. 1A, 6, and 20-22. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges face away from the retaining wall 118 .

[0184] In this embodiment, two sealing washers 172a, 172b are used in a stacked arrangement or back-to-back arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 22. Two additional stacked sealing washers 172c, 172d can be included between the lock ring 146 and the retaining disk 190. The two additional sealing washers 172c, 172d can both be standard sealing washers with the same or different types of memory lips, or a mixed combination where two have a memory lip and one is a standard sealing washer. As shown, the third sealing washer 172c has a memory lip facing the cavity 134, and the fourth sealing washer 172d located between the third sealing washer and the retaining disk 190 can be a standard sealing washer. The cavity 134 can contain service grease.

[0185] Referring to FIG. 24, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder or can 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, such as the seal assemblies of FIGS. 1A, 6, and 20-22. Seal element 126 has a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of first seal assembly 102 of Figures 1A, 6 and 20-22. The free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges face toward retaining wall 118, opposite from the seal element of Figures 22 and 23.

[0186] In this embodiment, two sealing washers 172a, 172b are used in a stacked or back-to-back arrangement similar to that shown in Figures 22 and 23, but the two sealing washers are positioned between the retaining wall 118 and the locking ring 146, which is positioned closer to the retaining wall than the sealing ring is relative to the retaining wall. At least one additional sealing washer 172c is provided between the retaining disc 190 and the sealing element 126. The third sealing washer 172c may include a memory lip that faces away from the sealing element 126. However, the third sealing washer 172c may be a standard washer.

[0187] A fourth sealing washer 172d may be included if the third sealing washer 172c has a memory lip. In the embodiment shown, the third and fourth sealing washers are in a stacked arrangement and are both disposed between the seal element 126 and the retaining disc 190. Service grease may be included in the cavity 134. Optionally, where stacked washers are shown, only a single washer is used.

[0188] 25, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, such as the seal assemblies of FIGS. 1A, 6, and especially FIG. 24. However, in this embodiment, only one sealing washer 172a is disposed between the retaining wall 118 and the locking ring 146, and one sealing washer 172b is disposed between the seal element 126 and the retaining disc 190. Both sealing washers can have memory lips facing away from each other or facing away from the cavity. Optionally, the memory lips can face each other. The memory lips of both washers can be extended or shortened as described above. The cavity 134 can contain service grease.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 26, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherently and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102 of FIGS. 1A, 6, and 20. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges face away from the retaining wall 118 .

[0190] In this embodiment, a wedge sealing washer 278 is disposed between the retaining wall 118 and the seal element 126. The wedge sealing washer 172 includes a body 174 with an outer periphery 266 defining an outer diameter and an inner periphery 268 defining a central opening 180 with an inner diameter. The body 174 has a first face 280 in contact with the outer surface 264 of the central channel section of the seal element 126 and an opposing second face 282 spaced from the central channel section in contact with the retaining wall 118. In one example, the first face 280 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 108 and the second face 282 is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft to form a wedge-shaped body 174 that is thicker at the base or inner periphery than at the tip of the outer periphery 266. The taper angle of the second face 282 can be varied to vary the thickness of the wedge sealing washer 278 at the base or inner periphery 268.

[0191] To form a line contact between a surface of the retaining wall 118 and the second surface 282 of the wedge sealing washer 278, the retaining wall 118 has a support surface 288 that is angled relative to the cylindrical body portion a106a of the cylinder 106, e.g., angled relative to the longitudinal dimension of the outer surface. The support surface 288 preferably contacts the second surface 282 along a line contact when viewed along a longitudinal cross section. Thus, the support surface 288 can have approximately the same taper angle as the second surface 282 of the wedge sealing washer 278.

[0192] Optionally, a sealing washer 172 may be disposed between the locking ring 146 and the retaining disc 190. The sealing washer 172 may be a standard sealing washer or a sealing washer with a memory lip, either an extended memory lip as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D or a shortened memory lip as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D. Service grease may be contained within the cavity 134. The memory lip 176 may face toward the cavity 134 containing the service grease or may face away from the cavity. In another example, a stacked washer arrangement may be used with two or more washers disposed where the second sealing washer 172 is disposed, similar to that shown in FIGS. 21-24.

[0193] Referring to FIG. 27, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder or cartridge 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system before being mounted in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherently and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102 of FIGS. 1A, 6, and 20. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges face away from the retaining wall 118 .

[0194] The present seal assembly 102 is most similar to the seal assembly of FIG. 26 and includes a similar wedge sealing washer 278. However, in this embodiment, a notch 290 is provided between the first face 280 and the inner periphery 268. The notch 290 in the wedge sealing washer 278 incorporates a straight cut 292 between the two faces 268, 280, forming a triangular cut 290 in the lower portion of the wedge sealing washer 278. When a notch is incorporated, the contact length between the inner periphery 268 and the shaft 108 is reduced. The cavity 134 may contain service grease. The second washer 172 is disposed against the lock ring 146. In another example, a stacked washer arrangement of two or more washers similar to that shown in FIGS. 21-24 may be disposed where the second sealing washer 172 is shown.

[0195] Referring to FIG. 28, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherently and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168, similar to the seal element of the first seal assembly 102 of FIGS. 1A, 6, and 20. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges face away from the retaining wall 118 .

[0196] In this embodiment, the retaining wall 118 has a generally wedge-shaped body 296 along a side cross section. The retaining wall 118 has a support surface 288 that is generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 108 and configured to contact the central channel section outer surface 264, similar to other retaining walls described elsewhere herein. However, in this embodiment, the retaining wall outer or exposed surface 298 is angled relative to the axis of the shaft 108 to define a generally wedge-shaped body 300. The retaining wall 118 is provided at its lower end near its central opening with a stepped periphery 302 for receiving a correspondingly shaped stepped sealing washer 304, which in combination form a generally cylindrical through hole 306 in line contact with the shaft 108, preferably providing an interference fit therewith.

[0197] In one example, the stepped sealing washer 304 is generally L-shaped along a side cross section, with the longer portion of the L-shape oriented to contact the shaft and the shorter portion of the L-shape oriented to contact the sealing element 126. The stepped sealing washer 304 can be assembled to the retaining wall 118 prior to assembling the various components to the cylinder 106 via the assembly end of the cylinder.

[0198] The second sealing washer 172 may be disposed between the lock ring 146 and the retaining disc 190, similar to other seal assemblies described elsewhere herein. The second sealing washer 172 may be a standard sealing washer or a sealing washer with a memory lip, which may be an extended memory lip as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D, or a shortened memory lip as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D. Service grease may be contained within the cavity. The memory lip 176 may face the cavity 134 in which the service grease is contained. In another example, there may be a stacked washer arrangement with two or more washers disposed where the second sealing washer is shown, similar to that shown in FIGS. 21-24.

[0199] 29, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, such as the seal assembly of FIG. 26.

[0200] 1A, 6 and 20. The free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges face away from the retaining wall 118. In this embodiment, an inner retaining disk 294 is incorporated which secures the wedge sealing washer 278 to the support surface 288 of the retaining wall 118. The inner retaining disk 294 has an outer periphery which mounts with an interference fit inside the cylinder 106 and an inner periphery which is spaced from the outer diameter of the shaft by a clearance.

[0201] Now referring to FIG. 30, a seal system 100 according to yet another aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes at least one seal assembly 102 mounted in a cylinder 106 as a prepackaged seal system, and a seal system mounted in a gland of a housing 110, such as a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. It is therefore understood and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 can be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The seal system 100 includes two seal assemblies 102, 104 mounted with their respective free ends facing each other. The seal system 100 is similar to that of FIG. 1A with some exceptions. In this embodiment, the outer contour of the cylinder 106 is modified to accommodate a different housing 110 configuration. As shown, a protrusion 310 on the outside of the cylinder 106 is configured to fit into the gap of the housing 110. Two shoulders are formed adjacent to the protrusion 310. In other examples, the outside can be molded, such as by machining, with different exterior contour shapes to accommodate different housing configurations. Optionally, the cylinder 106 can also be provided with parting lines.

[0202] The cylinder 106 has a body with a retaining wall 118 and an insertion end 120 for mounting the seal assemblies and washers, similar to FIG. 1A. The seal system 100 also incorporates a plurality of sealing washers 172, including a first sealing washer 172a disposed between the retaining wall 118 and the seal element 126 of the first seal assembly 102, and a second sealing washer 172b disposed between the seal element 126 of the second seal assembly 104 and the retaining disk 190. As shown, the first seal element 126 is provided with a displacement portion 166. Either or both of the sealing washers 172a, 172b may include a memory lip, which may be extended or shortened as previously described, or a combination of each. In a less preferred embodiment, the sealing washers are of the standard type without a memory lip. Service grease may be included within the cavity 134. Optionally, where a single sealing washer is shown, a stacked washer arrangement may be incorporated.

[0203] Referring now to FIG. 31, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly mounted in a cylinder 106 as a prepackaged seal system and a seal system mounted in a gland of a housing 110, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. It is therefore inherently and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 can be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this seal system 100, two seal assemblies 102, 104 are mounted with their respective free ends facing each other, but the lock ring 146 is a combination lock ring 146a similar to that shown in FIG. 4. That is, the combination lock ring 146a has a single lock flange 152 for locking inside the cylinder or housing 106 or 110, but has two different decks 150, each deck including a notch for mechanically engaging the respective outer flange 130 of the respective seal element.

[0204] In this embodiment, a sealing washer 172 is attached to the single inner flange extension 158 of the combination lock ring 146a and separates the two spring cavities 134, 134. The sealing washer 172 has a similar overall shape to the sealing washer of FIGS. 12A-12D with a shortened memory lip 176. However, the perimeter defining the outer diameter of the sealing washer 172 is relatively small. In other words, the OD to ID ratio of the sealing washer is smaller than the OD to ID ratio of the sealing washer of FIGS. 12A-12D and the sealing washers shown elsewhere. In other examples, the sealing washer has an extended sealing lip or is a standard sealing washer.

[0205] In one example, a sealing washer 172 is disposed within the cavity 134 of the second seal assembly 104 and contacts the inner flange extension 158 of the lock ring. The sealing washer can have inner and outer diameters that provide an interference fit with the shaft and combination lock ring, respectively. In one example, the canted coil spring 136 of the second seal assembly 104 is positioned to hold the sealing washer 172 against the inner flange extension 158.

[0206] Referring now to FIG. 32, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. It is therefore inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed in a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies 102 such as those of FIGS. 10 and 14.

[0207] In this embodiment, a sealing washer 172 is disposed within the spring cavity 134. As shown, a standard sealing washer 172 having an outer periphery defining an outer diameter and an inner periphery defining an inner diameter is disposed within the spring cavity 134 and contacts the inner flange extension 158 of the lock ring 146, disposed between the inner flange extension and the energizer 136 (preferably a canted coil spring). In one example, the sealing washer 172 has an interference fit with the underside of the shaft and lock ring deck 150.

[0208] 33, a seal system 100 according to yet another aspect of the present invention is shown which is similar to the seal system of FIG 32. However, in this embodiment, the sealing washer 172 includes a memory lip 176. As shown, the memory lip is a shortened memory lip which extends away from the spring cavity 134.

[0209] To provide clearance for the memory lip 176, the inner circumference of the inner flange extension 158 is spaced from the outer shaft diameter by a gap 314. The gap 314 allows the memory lip 176 to extend therein, as shown.

[0210] 34, a seal system 100 according to a further aspect of the present invention is shown. The seal system 100 of this embodiment includes a seal assembly 102 mounted directly to the gland of a housing 110. Alternatively, the housing may be a cylinder 106, and the seal assembly 102 is mounted to the cylinder as a prepackaged seal system prior to mounting in the gland of the housing, which may be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, or the like. Thus, it is inherent and expressly contemplated that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 may be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The present seal assembly 102 includes a seal element 126, a lock ring 146, and an energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring disposed within a spring cavity 134, similar to the seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, including FIG. 28. The seal element 126 includes a displacement portion 166 and an annular recess 168 similar to the seal elements of FIGS. 1A, 6, 20, and 28. The free ends of the inner and outer sealing flanges face away from the retaining wall 118 .

[0211] In this embodiment, the retaining wall 118 has a generally wedge-shaped body 298 along a side cross-section. The retaining wall 118 has a support surface 288 generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 108 that supports a length of an L-shaped sealing washer 304 similar to the L-shaped stepped washer of FIG. 28. The length of the sealing washer 304 contacts the outer surface 264 of the central channel portion of the seal element 126.

[0212] The lower end of the retaining wall 118 near the central opening is provided with an inner periphery 302. In one example, a shorter length 312 of an L-shaped sealing washer 304 is disposed on the inner periphery 302 and contacts and seals the shaft. The stepped sealing washer 304 can be assembled to the retaining wall 118 prior to assembling the various components to the cylinder 106 via the assembly end of the cylinder.

[0213] Similar to other seal assemblies described elsewhere herein, a second sealing washer 172 may be disposed between the lock ring 146 and the retaining disk 190. The second sealing washer 172 may be a standard sealing washer or a sealing washer with a memory lip, either an extended memory lip as shown in FIGS. 11A-11D or a shortened memory lip as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D. Service grease may be included in the cavity. The memory lip 176 faces the cavity 134, where service grease may be included. In other examples, the second sealing washer may be a stacked washer arrangement, with two or more washers located where shown, similar to that shown in FIGS. 21-24.

[0214] 35, there is shown a seal system 100 in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. The seal system 100 in this embodiment includes at least one seal assembly 102 mounted within a cylinder 106 as a prepackaged seal system, and the seal system mounted in a gland of a housing 110, such as a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. Thus, it is inherent and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 can be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0215] The present seal system 100 includes two seal assemblies 102, 104 similar to FIG. 30, which are mounted with their respective free ends facing each other, the free ends being understood as the free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges. However, the seal elements 126 of both the first and second seal assemblies in this embodiment can include a displacement portion 166. The present seal system 100 is also similar to the seal system of FIG. 3 in that the cylinder 106 has an inner surface that defines a bore and has a split that defines a first cylinder section 106a and a second cylinder section 106b. The split cylinder has a stepped split line 192, and one of the two cylinder sections has an opening 194 with an inner diameter to receive a protrusion 196 of the other cylinder to assemble the two cylinder sections. In one example, the opening with the inner diameter and the protrusion with the outer diameter are sized for an interference fit to prevent unwanted separation. Although the second cylinder section 106b is shown with an opening and the first cylinder section 106a is shown with a protrusion, the two may be reversed.

[0216] In this embodiment, the outer profile of the cylinder 106 is modified to accommodate different housing 110 configurations. Additionally, while an exemplary outer profile of the present cylinder 106 is shown, this cylinder, as well as various other cylinders described herein, may have outer profiles that can be modified in size and shape to accommodate various operating environments requiring the seal assembly or combined seal and bearing assembly of the present disclosure. As shown, the outer shoulder 320 of the second cylinder section 106b is configured to receive a corresponding shoulder of the housing 110, which can be any number of equipment types, such as a pump, a valve, a bearing box, etc. Thus, the exterior can be molded (e.g., machined) with various outer profile features to accommodate various housing configurations. Alternatively, the cylinder 106 can be a single solid cylinder without a parting line, or can include a stepped bore with bores of different inner diameters.

[0217] The cylinder 106 includes a body with two retaining walls 118, one for each of the two cylinder sections. Various sealing components, such as washers, sealing elements, springs, etc., can be mounted within the bore by separating the two cylinder sections at a split line 192. The seal system 100 also incorporates a number of sealing washers 172, including a first sealing washer 172a disposed between the retaining wall 118 of the first cylinder section 106a and the sealing element 126 of the first seal assembly 102, and a second sealing washer 172b disposed between the sealing element 126 of the second seal assembly 104 and the retaining wall 118 of the second cylinder section 106b. The second retaining wall 118 of the second cylinder section 106b can be the same length as the first retaining wall of the first cylinder section, or it can be longer so that it does not contact the shaft 108, as shown.

[0218] Either or both of the sealing washers 172a, 172b may be straight sealing washers or may include a memory lip, which may be extended or shortened as previously described, or a combination thereof. As shown, the first sealing washer or gasket has a memory lip 176, while the second sealing washer may be standard without a memory lip. Service grease may be included in the cavity 134. Optionally, where a single sealing washer is shown, a stacked washer arrangement may be incorporated.

[0219] In one example, the first lock ring 146 of the first seal assembly 102 and the second lock ring 146 of the second seal assembly 104 are disposed along a split line 322. In some examples, the split line 322 is aligned with at least a portion of the cylinder split line 192. In one example, the two lock rings 146, 146 contact each other along the split line 322. However, a small gap may be provided at the split line to separate the two lock rings from each other. In yet another example, a gap filler, such as a non-sealing type gasket spaced from the shaft, may be disposed between the two lock rings at the split line 322. The cavity 134 common to both seal assemblies 102, 104 is disposed near the split line 322, but the cavity does not include a sealing washer as in other embodiments shown and described herein. In one example, service grease may be added to the cavity common to both seal assemblies. In yet another example, in the assembled configuration shown, one of the two locking rings can extend from the open end of the respective cylinder section and into the bore section of the other cylinder section.

[0220] 36, there is shown a seal system 100 in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. The seal system 100 in this embodiment includes at least one seal assembly 102 mounted within a cylinder 106 as a prepackaged seal system, and the seal system mounted in a gland of a housing 110, such as a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. Thus, it is inherent and expressly envisioned that the cylinder, can, or cartridge 106 can be expanded to include a bearing assembly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0221] The present seal system 100 includes two seal assemblies 102, 104 similar to FIG. 30, mounted with their free ends facing each other, the free ends being understood as the free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges. The outer contour of the cylinder 106 is modified to fit different housing 110 configurations. Additionally, while an exemplary outer contour of the present cylinder 106 is shown, this cylinder and various other cylinders described herein can have outer contours that can be sized and shaped to fit various operating environments requiring the seal assembly or combined seal and bearing assembly of the present disclosure. As shown, the outer shoulder 320 of the cylinder 106 is configured to receive a corresponding shoulder of the housing 110, which can be any number of equipment types, such as a pump, a valve, a bearing box, etc. Thus, the outside can be shaped, such as machined, with various outer contour features to fit various housing configurations. Alternatively, the cylinder 106 can include a split line.

[0222] The cylinder 106 of the present invention includes a body with a retaining wall 118 at one end and an insertion or open assembly end 120 for mounting various sealing components such as washers, sealing elements, springs, etc. A retaining disk 190 is used to secure the open end of the cylinder after installation.

[0223] In this embodiment, the cylinder 106 has a stepped bore of at least two different inner diameters, similar to the cylinder 106 of Figure 2. The stepped bore reduces the length that the locking flange 152 of the second locking ring 146 must travel from the open end to install the second seal element. Also, because of the stepped bore, the two decks of the two locking rings have different thicknesses, with the second deck of the second locking ring being thicker than the first deck of the first locking ring, forcing the outer seal flange of the second seal element against the larger bore diameter portion of the bore.

[0224] The seal system 100 also incorporates a plurality of sealing washers 172, including a first sealing washer 172a disposed between the retaining wall 118 of the first seal assembly 102 and the first seal element 126, a second sealing washer 172b in contact with the second seal element of the second seal assembly 104, and a third sealing washer 172c disposed between the second sealing washer 172b and a retaining disk 190. The retaining disk 190 is press fit with the bore and can be used to apply a compressive force to compress the two sealing washers 172b, 172c against the second seal element. Service grease can be included in the cavity 134. Optionally, where a single sealing washer is shown, a stacked washer arrangement can be incorporated.

[0225] One or more of the three sealing washers in this embodiment may include a memory lip, which may be an extended or shortened memory lip. For example, the first sealing washer 172a may have a memory lip that faces away from the second seal assembly. As shown, all three sealing washers 172a, 172b, 172c may be straight sealing washers without a sealing lip. Service grease may be included in the cavity 134. Optionally, where a single sealing washer is shown, a stacked washer arrangement may be incorporated.

[0226] In one example, the first locking ring 146 of the first seal assembly 102 and the second locking ring 146 of the second seal assembly 104 can be positioned along the split line 322 as described above with reference to the seal system of FIGURE 35. Service grease can be added to the cavity 134 common to both seal assemblies 102, 104.

[0227] 37, there is shown a seal bearing system 240 in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. The seal bearing system 240 shares many aspects with the seal and bearing system of FIG. 7. For example, the seal bearing system 240 includes a cylinder 106 with a retaining wall 118 and an open or insertion end 120 for mounting various seal bearing components, similar to the cylinder of FIG. 7. Externally, the cylinder is tailored and shaped with shoulders, flanges, etc. to mate with a particular equipment housing 110. The equipment housing 110 can be any number of devices, such as a pump, mixer, valve, blower, etc., with a shaft 108 movable within the housing 110. In an alternative embodiment, the cylinder 106 can be a split cylinder, similar to the cylinder of FIG. 8.

[0228] The interior of the cylinder 106 has an inner surface that defines a stepped bore with a first bore section 116a and a second bore section 116b. A first seal assembly 102, a second seal assembly, and two washers 172a, 172b are disposed at either end of the bore. The first and second washers 172a, 172b can be of a standard type with a straight inner opening without a memory lip. Optionally, the first sealing washer 172a can have a memory lip that faces away from the second seal assembly. The two seal assemblies 102, 104 share a cavity 134 common to both. The cavity 134 can contain service grease.

[0229] A retaining disk 190 may be positioned against the second sealing washer 172b. The retaining disk is installed to provide an interference fit with the cylinder 106 and retain the various sealing components and washers within the bore 116. In the illustrated example, no retaining disk is installed at the open end of the cylinder.

[0230] 7, the bearing assembly 244 is mounted adjacent the second sealing washer 172b. An interference fit between the outer race of the bearing assembly and the bore of the cylinder 106 retains the various sealing components, including the second sealing washer 172b, within the bore. The same or different service grease as used in the common cavity 134 can be used with the bearing assembly 244 to provide lubrication to the rolling elements 252.

[0231] In one example, the first locking ring 146 of the first seal assembly 102 and the second locking ring 146 of the second seal assembly 104 can be positioned along a split line 322, as described above with reference to the seal system of FIGURE 35 and elsewhere. If the cylinder 106 has a split line, the split line 322 can be aligned with at least a portion of the split line.

[0232] FIGURE 38 is a cross-sectional side view of the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 of FIGURE 37 mounted to the housing 110 with an additional bearing assembly 244a. The cylinder 106 of the seal and bearing system 240 is engaged or attached to the housing 110, which may have multiple housing sections 110a. For example, the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 may be first mounted to the shaft 108 and then the combination may be mounted to the housing 110.

[0233] In the illustrated example, the second bearing assembly 244a is mounted to the housing 110 and shaft 108 and spaced apart from the first bearing assembly 244 of the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240. This configuration illustrates how the prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 can be used in a device where the gap between the first bearing assembly 244 and the second bearing assembly 244a, referred to as the device chamber 254, can house any number of device components, such as a motor rotor, a motor stator, an oil sump, valve packing material, fan blades, etc. Placing the bearing assemblies 244, 244a at either end of the device chamber 254 provides support and stability as the shaft rotates. The prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 provides a single sealing solution with multiple components that can be adapted for multiple applications. For example, the seal assemblies 102, 104 can be arranged in different configurations, such as facing each other or both facing high pressure areas, for different applications. The prepackaged seal and bearing system 240 can also be modified to use different gaskets or washers for additional sealing points, such as using one or more gaskets with a memory lip to act as a sealing lip. The cylinder 106 can also include straight bores, stepped bores, and parting lines for ease of assembly.

[0234] Additionally, a service grease may be included in the cavity 134 common to both seal assemblies 102, 104 to occupy or displace space within the cavity to make it more difficult for outside fluids to enter the same space. The service grease may be selected to suit a particular application. For example, if the housing 110 is part of a medical implant device, the service grease should be biocompatible.

[0235] In yet another example, the prepackaged seal and bearing assembly is a prepackaged seal system 100, such as the seal system of Figures 1A, 2, 3, or 36, without the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly may instead be mounted outside or external to the cylinder 106.

[0236] Referring to FIG. 39, a seal system 100 is shown in which two seal assemblies 102, 104 similar to those of FIGS. 30 and 35 are mounted with their respective free ends facing each other, the free ends being understood as the free ends of the inner and outer seal flanges. As shown, the first seal element 126 of the first seal assembly 102 can incorporate an exclusion 166. Optionally, the second seal element of the second seal assembly can also include an exclusion. The seal system 100 of this embodiment has a cylinder 106 and can be configured as a prepackaged seal system and then installed in the gland of a housing 110, which can be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. Thus, the exterior of the cylinder 106 can be tailored to the environment in which the prepackaged seal system is configured to operate, including lengthening the bore to accommodate a bearing assembly.

[0237] In this embodiment, the inner surface of the cylinder housing defines a straight bore that receives the first and second seal assemblies 102 and 104, although the cylinder could alternatively have a stepped bore and / or parting lines as shown and described elsewhere. The cylinder 106 has a body with a retaining wall 118 at one end of the bore and a retaining disk 190 at the other end for closing the open assembly end after assembly of the various sealing components, including a first sealing washer 172a adjacent the retaining wall 118 and a second sealing washer 172b adjacent the retaining disk 190.

[0238] Either or both of the sealing washers 172a, 172b may be straight sealing washers or may include a memory lip, which may be extended or shortened as described above, or a combination thereof. As shown, the first and second sealing washers 172a, 172b both have a memory lip 176, which may face in opposite directions. In the illustrated example, the first sealing washer 172a may have an extended memory lip 176 and the second sealing washer may have a shortened memory lip. Optionally, the second sealing washer 172b may be a straight or standard sealing washer without a memory lip. Also optionally, where a single sealing washer is shown, a stacked washer arrangement may be incorporated, with two or more washers stacked on top of each other.

[0239] The first locking ring 146 of the first seal assembly 102 and the second locking ring 146 of the second seal assembly 104 are positioned along the split line 322 as previously described with reference to FIG. 35 and elsewhere. In comparison to the other locking rings described elsewhere herein, each locking ring 146 has a deck 150 that is longer from a first end 328, where the deck protrudes into the seal element, to a second end 330, where the deck terminates at the split line 322. The longer deck 150 increases the space of the spring cavity and increases the clearance between the inner flange extension 158 and the energizer 136, which may be a canted coil spring.

[0240] As shown, a third seal flange 172c is provided between the inner flange extension 158 of the first seal assembly 102 and the energizer 136. In this embodiment, the third sealing washer 172c is attached to the inner flange extension 158 of the first locking ring 146. Although the third washer 172c is shown spaced apart from the energizer 136 of the first seal assembly, the energizer can be positioned to contact the third sealing washer.

[0241] The third sealing washer 172c has an overall shape similar to the sealing washer of FIGS. 12A-12D, with a shortened memory lip 176. The memory lip 176 of the third sealing washer may face the same direction as the memory lip of the first sealing washer 172a, away from the second seal assembly 104. In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the third sealing washer 172c is relatively smaller than the sealing washer disposed adjacent the seal element. In other words, the OD to ID ratio of the third sealing washer 172c is smaller than the OD to ID ratios of the sealing washers of FIGS. 12A-12D and elsewhere. The third sealing washer 172c can abut both the deck and the inner flange extension 158 and seal against the shaft 108 to form a first spring cavity 134a separated from the second spring cavity 134b, as will be further described below. In other examples, the sealing washer has an extended sealing lip or is a standard sealing washer.

[0242] Similarly, the fourth sealing flange 172d is disposed against the inner flange extension 158 of the second locking ring 146, which has a deck that is lengthened to accommodate the fourth sealing flange. As shown, the fourth sealing flange 172d communicates with the deck, inner flange extension, and energizer 136 of the second seal assembly 104 and seals against the shaft to form a second spring cavity 134b separated from the first spring cavity 134a. The fourth sealing washer 172d can have an inner diameter and an outer diameter that provide an interference fit with the shaft and the locking ring, respectively. In one example, the canted coil spring 136 of the second seal assembly 104 is positioned to hold the sealing washer 172d against the inner flange extension 158. The fourth sealing washer can be a straight or standard sealing washer without a memory lip. Optionally, the fourth sealing washer can include a memory lip.

[0243] As shown, the third and fourth sealing washers 172c, 172d create a third cavity 134c located between the first spring cavity 134a and the second spring cavity 134b. In one example, service grease can be added to the first and second spring cavities 134a, 134b. Optionally, service grease can also be added to the third cavity 134c.

[0244] Referring to FIG. 40, the seal system 100 is comprised of two seal assemblies 102, 104 mounted with their free ends facing each other. As shown, the first seal element 126 of the first seal assembly 102 can incorporate an exclusion 166. Optionally, the second seal element of the second seal assembly can also include an exclusion. The seal system 100 of this embodiment is configured as a prepackaged seal system with a cylinder 106, which can then be mounted in the gland of a housing 110, such as a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. Thus, the exterior of the cylinder 106 can be tailored to the environment in which the prepackaged seal system is configured to operate, such as by lengthening the bore to accommodate a bearing assembly.

[0245] The present seal system 100 is similar to the seal systems of other embodiments shown and described herein, including the seal system of FIG. 30. For example, the present seal system has a third seal flange 172c and a fourth seal flange 172d disposed adjacent to the first and second canted coil springs, respectively, similar to that of FIG. 30. However, in this embodiment, the lock ring 146 is a combination lock ring 146a. That is, the combination lock ring 146a has a single lock flange 152 for locking against the interior of a cylinder or housing, but has two different decks 150, each including a notch for mechanically engaging with a respective outer flange 130 of a respective seal element. The two decks 150 are disposed on either side of the lock flange 152. The combination lock ring 146a also has a single inner flange extension 158. The lock flange 152 and the inner flange extension 158 are aligned along approximately the same axial position, and the two decks are disposed on either side of this aligned structure. The length of the single inner flange extension 158 can be selected to adjust the spring cavity openings 160 of both the first and second seal assemblies as needed to limit leakage of the two energizers 136 from their respective spring cavity openings during use.

[0246] Because the combination lock ring 146a has only one inner flange extension 158, both the third seal flange 172c and the fourth seal flange 172d contact the same inner flange extension 158. The third sealing washer 172c contacts both the deck and the inner flange extension 158 and can seal against the shaft 108 to create the first spring cavity 134a separated from the second spring cavity 134b as previously described with reference to FIG. 39. The third cavity 134c is between the first and second spring cavities. Service grease can be included in the first and second spring cavities, the third cavity, or all three cavities.

[0247] 41, there is shown a seal bearing system 240 in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention. The seal bearing system 240 shares many aspects with the seal and bearing systems of FIGS. 7, 37, and 39. For example, the seal bearing system 240 includes a cylinder 106 with a retaining wall 118 and an open or insertion end 120 for mounting various seal bearing components, similar to the cylinder of FIGS. 7 and 37. Externally, the cylinder can be tailored and shaped with shoulders, flanges, etc. to mate with a particular equipment housing 110, which can be any number of devices such as pumps, mixers, valves, blowers, etc., with a shaft 108 movable within the housing 110. In an alternative embodiment, the cylinder 106 can be a split cylinder, similar to the cylinder of FIGS. 8 and 35.

[0248] 39, the retaining disk 190 at the open assembly end of the cylinder 106 has been omitted, although a retaining disk 190 could also be included. Instead, a bearing assembly 244 is provided adjacent the second sealing washer 172b. An interference fit between the outer race of the bearing assembly and the bore of the cylinder 106 retains the various seal components, including the second sealing washer 172b, within the bore. The same or a different service grease as used for the common cavity 134 can be used with the bearing assembly 244 to provide lubrication to the rolling elements 252.

[0249] In one example, the first locking ring 146 of the first seal assembly 102 and the second locking ring 146 of the second seal assembly 104 can be positioned along a split line 322, as described above with reference to the seal system of FIGURE 35 and elsewhere. If the cylinder 106 has a split line, the split line 322 can be aligned with at least a portion of the split line.

[0250] Referring now to FIG. 42, a seal system 100 is shown, which includes two seal assemblies 102, 104 mounted with their free ends facing each other. As shown, the first seal element 126 of the first seal assembly 102 can incorporate an expulsion 166. Optionally, the second seal element of the second seal assembly can also include an expulsion. The seal system 100 of this embodiment has a cylinder 106 and can be configured as a prepackaged seal system and then installed in the gland of a housing 110, which can be a pump, valve, compressor, bearing box, etc. Thus, the exterior of the cylinder 106 can be tailored to the environment in which the prepackaged seal system is configured to operate, including lengthening the bore to accommodate a bearing assembly. When used with a bearing assembly, the retaining disk can be omitted.

[0251] The present seal system 100 is similar to the seal systems of other embodiments shown and described herein, including the seal systems of Figures 34 and 40. For example, the present seal system includes a second sealing washer 172b at the open assembly end, and third and fourth seal flanges 172c and 172d adjacent the first and second canted coil springs, respectively, similar to that of Figure 40.

[0252] Also, in this embodiment, the lock ring 146 is a combination lock ring 146a. That is, the combination lock ring 146a has a single lock flange 152 for locking inside a cylinder or housing, but has two different decks 150, each deck 150 including a notch for mechanically engaging a respective outer flange 130 of a respective seal element. The two decks 150 are disposed on either side of the lock flange 152. The combination lock ring 146a also has a single inner flange extension 158. The lock flange 152 and the inner flange extension 158 are aligned along generally the same axial position, and the two decks are disposed on either side of this aligned structure. The length of the single inner flange extension 158 can be selected to adjust the spring cavity opening 160 of both the first and second seal assemblies as needed, limiting leakage of the two energizers 136 from their respective spring cavity openings during use. A retaining disk 190 is disposed in the open assembly end of the bore and retains the second sealing flange 172b within the bore.

[0253] Because the combination lock ring 146a has only one inner flange extension 158, both the third seal flange 172c and the fourth seal flange 172d contact the same inner flange extension 158. The third sealing washer 172c contacts both the deck and the inner flange extension 158 and can seal against the shaft 108 to create the first spring cavity 134a separated from the second spring cavity 134b as previously described with reference to FIG. 39. The third cavity 134c is between the first and second spring cavities. Service grease can be included in the first and second spring cavities, the third cavity, or all three cavities.

[0254] In this embodiment of the retaining wall 118, the retaining wall 118 has a generally wedge-shaped body 298 along a side cross section, similar to the seal system of FIG. 34. The retaining wall 118 has a support surface 288 generally perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 108, which supports a length of an L-shaped sealing washer 304, which may be considered a first sealing washer, also similar to the L-shaped stepped washer of FIG. 28. The length of the sealing washer 304 then contacts the outer surface 264 of the central channel portion of the seal element 126.

[0255] The lower end of the retaining wall 118 near the central opening is provided with an inner periphery 302. In one example, a shorter length 312 of an L-shaped sealing washer 304 is disposed on the inner periphery 302 and contacts and seals the shaft. The stepped sealing washer 304 can be assembled to the retaining wall 118 prior to assembling the various components to the cylinder 106 via the assembly end of the cylinder.

[0256] Further aspects of the present invention are methods of using the seal assemblies, seal systems, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing assemblies shown and described.

[0257] A further aspect of the present invention is a method of manufacturing or making the seal assemblies, seal systems, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing assemblies shown and described.

[0258] The various seal assemblies, gaskets or washers, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing systems are interchangeable as long as the components are not mechanically or operationally incompatible. For example, the cylinder of FIG. 7 can be replaced with the split cylinder of FIG. 8, and the washer of FIG. 7 can be replaced with the washer with memory lip of FIG. 1A. As an additional example, the single sealing washer with memory lip of FIG. 28 can be changed to a stack washer that can use two washers back to back, as shown in FIG. 23. Or, where only a single sealing washer is shown, a stack washer assembly with two or more sealing washers can be used. In yet another example, where a sealing element is shown with an integrated displacement, another sealing element with a displacement can be used. Thus, the various embodiments described herein are intended to be interchangeable where possible.

[0259] As another example, various cylinders or cans have exterior contours that can vary in size and shape to accommodate various operating environments requiring the seal assembly or combined seal and bearing assembly of the present disclosure. Thus, various steps, shoulders, and parting lines can be incorporated to accommodate the environment in which a particular cylinder or can is to be used. For example, one application may use a single shoulder on the outside of a cylinder, while another application may use multiple shoulders or steps on the same cylinder.

[0260] Exemplary claims that are considered within the scope of the present invention are set forth below: Although some dependent claims refer to specific independent claims, it should be noted that this list is merely exemplary and that dependent claims may be claimed in different combinations, including with other dependent claims and other independent claims.

[0261] While limited embodiments of the seal assemblies, gaskets, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing systems, and components thereof, have been specifically described and illustrated herein, numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore understood that the seal assemblies, gaskets, prepackaged seal systems, and prepackaged seal and bearing systems, and components thereof, constructed in accordance with the principles of the disclosed devices, systems, and methods, can be embodied in ways other than as specifically described herein. The disclosure is also defined in the following exemplary claims.

[0262] Exemplary embodiments The following are numbered exemplary embodiments of apparatus, devices, systems, and methods related to a sealing system for sealing a shaft. Examples 1-238 or other examples disclosed herein may be combined in whole or in part. The elements of the examples disclosed herein are not limiting.

[0263] Example 1. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a first seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer, wherein the seal element includes a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, a portion of the spring cavity being formed by the locking ring; a second seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer, wherein the seal element includes a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, a portion of the spring cavity being formed by the locking ring; at least one washer including an outer periphery, an inner periphery defining an opening, and a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening; wherein the first seal assembly, the second seal assembly, and the at least one washer are disposed within the bore of the cylinder prior to attachment to the shaft, and the at least one washer is disposed between the first seal assembly and the second seal assembly.

[0264] Example 2. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bore has a first portion having a first inner diameter and a second portion having a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter.

[0265] Example 3. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the cylinder includes a first cylinder section connected to a second cylinder section along a splitline.

[0266] Example 4. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a bearing assembly including an outer ring, an inner ring, and a cage that holds a plurality of rolling elements, wherein the outer ring is engaged with a bore of the cylinder with an interference fit.

[0267] Example 5. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bore has a first portion having a first inner diameter and a second portion having a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter.

[0268] Example 6. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the cylinder has a first cylinder section attached to a second cylinder section along a splitline.

[0269] Example 7. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bearing assembly is a first bearing assembly and further comprises a second bearing assembly spaced apart from the first bearing assembly, the second bearing assembly secured to a housing, and the housing in contact with the cylinder.

[0270] Example 8. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a second washer, the second washer being disposed back-to-back with the at least one washer.

[0271] Example 9. A seal system comprising: a lock ring including a lock flange and an inner flange extension aligned with one another along an axial position, a first deck having a notch on a first side of the inner flange, and a second deck having a notch on a second side of the inner flange; a first seal element having inner and outer flanges that mechanically engage the notches on the first deck and a first energizer that biases the inner flange of the first seal element against an inner surface of the first deck; a second seal element having inner and outer flanges that mechanically engage the notches on the second deck and a second energizer that biases the inner flange of the second seal element against an inner surface of the second deck.

[0272] Example 10. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a washer in contact with the first sealing element or the second sealing element.

[0273] Example 11. A sealing system including a cylinder having a bore, a first seal assembly having a first energizer biasing a first inner flange of a first seal element, a second seal assembly having a second energizer biasing a second inner flange of a second seal element, and at least two washers made of a non-metallic material disposed within the bore, one of the two washers incorporating at least one memory lip.

[0274] Example 12. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a bearing disposed within the bore, the bearing including a plurality of rolling elements.

[0275] Example 13. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a service grease disposed in the first spring cavity of the first seal assembly, a service grease disposed in the second spring cavity of the second seal assembly, or a service grease disposed in both the first spring cavity and the second spring cavity.

[0276] Example 14. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the at least two washers include a first washer and a second washer, and the first washer is disposed between the first sealing element and the second sealing element.

[0277] Example 15. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a third washer.

[0278] Example 16. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second washer contacts the first sealing element and the third washer contacts the second sealing element.

[0279] Example 17. A method of assembling a seal system, comprising: disposing a first seal assembly within a bore of a cylinder, the first seal assembly including a first energizer biasing a first inner flange of a first seal element; disposing a second seal assembly within the bore of the cylinder having a second energizer biasing a second inner flange of a second seal element; and disposing at least two washers made of a non-metallic material within the bore of the cylinder, at least one memory lip being incorporated into one of the two washers.

[0280] Example 18. A method of assembling the sealing system, device, or apparatus of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising adding service grease to the first spring cavity of the first seal assembly, adding service grease to the second spring cavity of the second seal assembly, or adding service grease to both the first spring cavity and the second spring cavity.

[0281] Example 19. A method of assembling a sealing system, device, or apparatus of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein a first seal assembly includes a first seal element mechanically coupled to a first locking ring.

[0282] Example 20. A method of assembling the sealing system, device, or apparatus of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising positioning a first seal element of a first seal assembly and a second seal element of a second seal assembly opposite each other.

[0283] Example 21. A method of assembling a sealing system, device, or apparatus of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein at least one of two washers is disposed between a first sealing element and a second sealing element.

[0284] Example 22. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a washer contacting the seal element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter; the shaft protruding through the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element, the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element being smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft, respectively forming an interference fit with the shaft.

[0285] Example 23. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer is a first washer and further includes a second washer spaced apart from the first washer, the second washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening, and the shaft protrudes through the opening in the second washer.

[0286] Example 24. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a retaining disk having a surface that presses against the second washer.

[0287] Example 25. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the flange portion of the lock includes an end projection that presses against the inner surface of the housing cylinder.

[0288] Example 26. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disk and flange portion are integrally formed.

[0289] Example 27. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second washer includes a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening.

[0290] Example 28. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0291] Example 29. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including a plurality of interconnected coils that bias the inner flange away from the outer flange.

[0292] Example 30. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element and the locking ring are mechanically engaged at an outer flange.

[0293] Example 31. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first washer is made from an elastomeric material or a thermoplastic material.

[0294] Example 32. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the shaft is part of a motor or pump.

[0295] Example 33. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring having a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a washer in contact with the seal element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening and the inner diameter; and a retaining disk spaced from the washer to retain the washer and seal element within the bore of the housing cylinder.

[0296] Example 34. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the sealing element are smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft and form a respective interference fit with the shaft.

[0297] Example 35. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disc and the flange portion of the locking ring are integrally formed.

[0298] Example 36. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer is a first washer and further includes a second washer spaced apart from the first washer, the second washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening, and the shaft protrudes through the opening in the second washer.

[0299] Example 37. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disk includes a surface that presses against the second washer.

[0300] Example 38. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second washer includes a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening.

[0301] Example 39. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0302] Example 40. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including a plurality of interconnected coils that bias the inner flange away from the outer flange.

[0303] Example 41. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element and the locking ring are mechanically engaged at an outer flange.

[0304] Example 42. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first washer is made from an elastomeric material or a thermoplastic material.

[0305] Example 43. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the shaft is part of a motor or pump.

[0306] Example 44. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including an inner flange, an outer flange, and a spring cavity formed by a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a washer spaced from the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening and the inner diameter; a retaining disk for retaining the seal assembly and the washer within the bore of the housing cylinder; and grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0307] Example 45. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the sealing element are smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft and form a respective interference fit with the shaft.

[0308] Example 46. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element and the locking ring are mechanically engaged at an outer flange.

[0309] Example 47. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising an exclusion portion at an end of the central channel section, the exclusion portion being disposed adjacent to the annular recess.

[0310] Example 48. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the displacement portion has a fin-like cross-section having an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft.

[0311] Example 49. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer includes a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening.

[0312] Example 50. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including a plurality of interconnected coils that bias the inner flange away from the outer flange.

[0313] Example 51. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and a canted coil spring, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a washer spaced from the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening and the inner diameter; a retaining disk for retaining the seal assembly and washer within the bore of the housing cylinder; grease disposed within the spring cavity; and a displacement portion disposed adjacent to the annular recess at an end of the central channel section, the displacement portion having a fin-shaped cross-section with an inner diameter dimensioned to be smaller than an outer diameter of the shaft.

[0314] Example 52. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a washer in contact with the seal element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the washer opening and the seal element inner diameter protruding through the opening and the seal element inner diameter, the washer opening and the seal element inner diameter being smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft, respectively forming an interference fit with the shaft; the central channel section having a first thickness section and a second thickness section, the second thickness section displaces the energizer away from an outer surface of the central channel section.

[0315] Example 53. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring.

[0316] Example 54. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a second sealing washer in contact with the lock ring, and a retaining disk is attached to the cylinder and retains the second sealing washer within the bore of the cylinder.

[0317] Example 55. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element has a displacement portion and an annular recess at an end of the inner flange and an end of the central channel section.

[0318] Example 56. A sealing washer including an elastomeric body having an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining a central opening, the elastomeric body having a thickness defined by a first surface and an opposing second surface, a projection extending toward the first surface and away from the second surface to define a pocket.

[0319] Example 57. The sealing washer, device, apparatus, system, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the protrusion defines a memory lip.

[0320] Example 58. The sealing washer, device, apparatus, system, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the central opening is formed by cutting or punching the elastomeric body at a central location of the elastomeric body.

[0321] Example 59. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a washer in contact with the seal element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element; the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element being smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft, respectively forming an interference fit with the shaft; and a seal lip projection extending from the inner flange to space the inner flange from the shaft.

[0322] Example 60. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a recess formed in the inner surface of the central channel section.

[0323] Example 61. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter and protruding through an opening in the inner diameter of the seal element, the opening in the inner diameter of the seal element being smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft to form an interference fit with the shaft; and a plurality of spaced apart rings disposed in the opening in the locking ring.

[0324] Example 62. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the locking ring has a rear portion and the plurality of spaced apart rings are disposed on the rear portion.

[0325] Example 63. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a washer in contact with the sealing element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery that define an opening.

[0326] Example 64. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including an inner flange, an outer flange, and a spring cavity formed by a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a first sealing washer disposed between the retaining wall and the seal assembly, the first sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a second sealing washer disposed between the retaining disk and the seal assembly, the second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; and a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening in the first sealing washer, the opening in the second sealing washer, and the opening in the inner flange.

[0327] Example 65. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0328] Example 66. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has a memory lip extending away from the spring cavity.

[0329] Example 67. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer has a memory lip extending toward the spring cavity.

[0330] Example 68. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer contacts the retaining wall and the sealing element.

[0331] Example 69. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer is in contact with the lock ring and the retaining disc.

[0332] Example 70. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disk is attached to the bore of the cylinder with an interference fit.

[0333] Example 71. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element has a displacement portion and an annular recess.

[0334] Example 72. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a third washer in contact with the first washer or the second washer.

[0335] Example 73. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the inner flange has a free end and the outer flange has a free end, the two free ends facing the retaining wall.

[0336] Example 74. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the inner flange has a free end and the outer flange has a free end, the two free ends facing the retaining disk.

[0337] Example 75. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including an inner flange, an outer flange, and a spring cavity formed by a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a wedge sealing washer disposed between the retaining wall and the seal assembly, the wedge sealing washer having a surface perpendicular to an axis of the shaft and a tapered surface that is angled relative to the axis of the shaft when attached to the shaft, the wedge sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery that define an opening; and a sealing washer disposed between a retaining disk and the seal assembly, the second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery that define an opening.

[0338] Example 76. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening in the wedge sealing washer, the opening in the sealing washer, and the opening in the inner flange.

[0339] Example 77. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining wall includes a surface extending from the cylindrical portion of the cylinder and angled relative to the axis of the shaft when attached to the shaft.

[0340] Example 78. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a notch on the wedge sealing washer.

[0341] Example 79. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the wedge sealing washer is positioned adjacent to the inner retaining disc, and the inner retaining disc is in contact with the sealing element.

[0342] Example 80. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing washer has a memory lip, and the memory lip faces toward the energizer.

[0343] Example 81. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed in the bore adjacent the retaining wall, the seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the spring cavity being partially formed by the locking ring; a second seal assembly disposed in the bore adjacent the insertion end and spaced from the retaining wall, the second seal including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer, wherein the seal element includes a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, a portion of the spring cavity being formed by the locking ring; a first sealing washer including an outer periphery, an inner periphery defining an opening, and a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening located between the retaining wall and the first seal assembly; and a second sealing washer including an outer periphery, an inner periphery defining an opening, and a memory lip having a curved portion at an opening located between the retaining wall and the second seal assembly.

[0344] Example 82. The seal system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the locking ring of the first seal assembly contacts the locking ring of the second seal assembly.

[0345] Example 83. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer of the first seal assembly is a first canted coil spring and the energizer of the second seal assembly is a second canted coil spring.

[0346] Example 84. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip of the first sealing washer and the memory lip of the second sealing washer are different.

[0347] Example 85. A sealing system comprising: a combination lock ring including a body having a single locking flange, a first deck, and a second deck, the first deck and the second deck extending from the single locking flange, an inner flange extension extending from the body and defining a central opening located between opposite ends of the body; a first seal element coupled to the first deck and together defining a first spring cavity in which a first canted coil spring is disposed, a second seal element coupled to the second deck and together defining a second spring cavity in which a second canted coil spring is disposed; and a sealing washer in contact with the inner flange extension.

[0348] Example 86. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing washer is in the first spring cavity.

[0349] Example 87. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing washer is in the second spring cavity.

[0350] Example 88. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a first retaining end having a first retaining wall at a first end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a first seal assembly disposed within the bore adjacent the first retaining wall, the first seal assembly including a first seal element, a first locking ring, and a first energizer, the first seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the spring cavity being partially formed by the first locking ring; a first retaining wall disposed within the bore and having a first retaining wall greater than the first seal assembly; a second seal assembly located away from the wall, the second seal assembly including a second seal element, a second locking ring, and a second energizer, the second seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, a portion of the spring cavity being formed by the second locking ring; a first sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between the first retaining wall and the first seal assembly; and the first locking ring and the second locking ring are positioned adjacent to one another with no intervening structure therebetween.

[0351] Example 89. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a second retaining wall disposed at a second end of the bore.

[0352] Example 90. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein a cylinder having a body is provided with a split line dividing the cylinder into a first cylinder section and a second cylinder section.

[0353] Example 91. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the parting line between the first locking ring and the second locking ring is aligned with the parting line.

[0354] Example 92. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first cylinder section has a protrusion or an opening, and the second cylinder section has the other of the protrusion or the opening, and the protrusion protrudes into the opening.

[0355] Example 93. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between the second sealing element and the second retaining wall.

[0356] Example 94. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion at the opening on the inner periphery.

[0357] Example 95. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein both the outer periphery of the first sealing washer and the outer periphery of the second sealing washer contact the inner surface of the cylinder.

[0358] Example 96. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bore has a generally constant inner diameter from the first end to the second opposite end.

[0359] Example 97. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is disposed within a cavity defined in part by the locking ring and the inner flange, and the energizer biases against both the inner flange and the locking ring.

[0360] Example 98. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the cavity is defined only by the sealing element, and the energizer biases against both the inner and outer flanges of the sealing element, biasing the two away from each other.

[0361] Example 99. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including multiple interconnected coils canted in generally the same direction.

[0362] Example 98. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the lock ring comprises a deck and the canted coil spring biases against the deck and the inner flange.

[0363] Example 100. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing element has an exclusion portion and an annular recess at an end of the inner flange and an end of the central channel section, and the second sealing element has an exclusion portion and an annular recess at an end of the inner flange and an end of the central channel section.

[0364] Example 101. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing element has a free end and the second sealing element has a free end, the two free ends facing each other.

[0365] Example 102. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first locking ring and the second locking ring each have an inner flange extension, defining two inner flange extensions.

[0366] Example 103. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the lengths of the two inner flange extensions are substantially equal.

[0367] Example 104. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first locking ring compresses the outer flange of the first seal element against the inner surface of the bore.

[0368] Example 105. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the cylinder includes an exterior surface with at least one shoulder for abutting a gland housing of the device or assembly.

[0369] Example 106. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a bearing assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder.

[0370] Example 107. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion at the opening of the inner periphery.

[0371] Example 108. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second locking ring compresses the outer flange of the second seal element against the inner surface of the bore.

[0372] Example 109. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second locking ring compresses the outer flange of the second seal element against the inner surface of the bore.

[0373] Example 110. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the cylinder has an exterior surface with at least one shoulder disposed between opposite ends of the cylinder for abutting a gland housing of the apparatus or assembly.

[0374] Example 111. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion at the inner opening of the inner periphery, and the second sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion at the opening of the inner periphery.

[0375] Example 112. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip of the first sealing washer is an extended memory lip and the memory lip of the second sealing washer is a shortened memory lip.

[0376] Example 113. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bore has at least two different inner diameters, including a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter.

[0377] Example 114. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second locking ring presses the outer flange of the second seal element against the second inner diameter of the bore.

[0378] Example 115. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first locking ring presses an outer flange of the first seal element against a first inner diameter of the bore.

[0379] Example 116. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a second sealing washer in contact with the second sealing element, and a third sealing washer in contact with the second sealing washer.

[0380] Example 117. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing washer has an outer periphery and an opening having an inner periphery, the outer periphery contacting the bore and the inner periphery contacting the shaft.

[0381] Example 118. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein at least one of the first sealing washer, the second sealing washer, and the third sealing washer is a standard sealing washer type without a memory lip.

[0382] Example 119. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a retaining disk having an outer periphery that fits into the bore of the cylinder and an inner periphery that is spaced from the shaft.

[0383] Example 120. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disk contacts the third sealing washer.

[0384] Example 121. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a bearing assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder.

[0385] Example 122. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer and the third sealing washer both contact the second inner diameter of the bore.

[0386] Example 123. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer contacts the second sealing element and contacts the second inner diameter of the bore.

[0387] Example 124. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has a thickness defined between the first surface and the second surface, and the second sealing washer has a thickness defined between the first surface and the second surface, and the thickness of the second sealing washer is greater than the thickness of the first sealing washer.

[0388] Example 125. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a bearing assembly disposed within the bore.

[0389] Example 126. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bearing assembly contacts the second sealing washer.

[0390] Example 127. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bearing assembly is a ball bearing assembly.

[0391] Example 128. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer has a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

[0392] Example 129. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bearing assembly contacts the second thickness but does not contact the first thickness.

[0393] Example 130. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising an equipment housing attached to the cylinder.

[0394] Example 131. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bearing assembly is a first bearing assembly and further includes a second bearing assembly spaced apart from the first bearing assembly.

[0395] Example 132. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second bearing assembly is disposed within the equipment housing.

[0396] Example 133. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein a space between the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly defines an apparatus chamber.

[0397] Example 134. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the diameter of the outer ring of the first bearing assembly is greater than the diameter of the outer ring of the second bearing assembly.

[0398] Example 135. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the outer ring of the first bearing assembly has a diameter and the outer ring of the second bearing assembly has a diameter, and the two diameters are substantially equal.

[0399] Example 136. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the equipment housing is pressed against the shoulder of the cylinder.

[0400] Example 137. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening for contacting the second sealing element.

[0401] Example 138. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein a second sealing washer is disposed between the second sealing element and the retaining disc.

[0402] Example 139. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disc forms an interference fit with the bore of the cylinder.

[0403] Example 140. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first locking ring has a deck and a first inner flange extension, and a third sealing washer is disposed between the first inner flange extension and the first energizer, the third sealing washer having an opening and an inner periphery.

[0404] Example 141. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second locking ring has a deck and a second inner flange extension, and a fourth sealing washer is disposed between the second inner flange extension and the second energizer, the fourth sealing washer having an opening and an inner periphery.

[0405] Example 142. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has an outer diameter and the third sealing washer has an outer diameter, and the outer diameter of the first sealing washer is greater than the outer diameter of the third sealing washer.

[0406] Example 143. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer has an outer diameter and the fourth sealing washer has an outer diameter, and the outer diameter of the second sealing washer is greater than the outer diameter of the fourth sealing washer.

[0407] Example 144. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion at the opening.

[0408] Example 145. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein at least one of the third sealing washer and the fourth sealing washer has a memory lip having a curved portion.

[0409] Example 146. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion at the opening.

[0410] Example 147. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip of the first sealing washer and the memory lip of the second sealing washer face in opposite directions from each other.

[0411] Example 148. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the free end of the inner sealing flange of the first sealing washer and the free end of the inner sealing flange of the second sealing washer face each other.

[0412] Example 149. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the fourth sealing flange is a straight sealing flange without a memory lip.

[0413] Example 150. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing flange has a first thickness section and a second thickness section that is thinner than the first thickness section.

[0414] Example 151. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a bearing assembly disposed within the bore.

[0415] Example 152. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bearing assembly contacts the first thickness section.

[0416] Example 153. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bearing assembly is a ball bearing assembly.

[0417] Example 154. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first locking ring has a deck and a first inner flange extension, and a third sealing washer is disposed between the first inner flange extension and the first energizer, the third sealing washer having an opening and an inner periphery.

[0418] Example 155. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second locking ring has a deck and a second inner flange extension, and a fourth sealing washer is disposed between the second inner flange extension and the second energizer, the fourth sealing washer having an opening and an inner periphery.

[0419] Example 156. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has an outer diameter and the third sealing washer has an outer diameter, and the outer diameter of the first sealing washer is greater than the outer diameter of the third sealing washer.

[0420] Example 157. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer has an outer diameter and the fourth sealing washer has an outer diameter, and the outer diameter of the second sealing washer is greater than the outer diameter of the fourth sealing washer.

[0421] Example 158. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the third sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion at the opening.

[0422] Example 159. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the fourth sealing washer has a memory lip with a curved portion.

[0423] Example 160. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip of the third sealing washer and the memory of the fourth sealing washer face away from each other.

[0424] Example 161. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein at least one of the first sealing element and the second sealing element has an exclusion portion at an end of the central channel section, the exclusion portion being disposed adjacent to the annular recess.

[0425] Example 162. A sealing system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a first retaining wall at a first end of the bore, and a receiving end at a second end of the bore; a combination locking ring disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the combination locking ring including a body having a single locking flange in contact with the inner surface of the bore, a first deck, and a second deck, the first and second decks extending from the single locking flange, an inner flange extension extending from the body and defining a central opening located between the two ends of the body; an inner flange coupled to the first deck and an outer flange; a first seal element positioned between an inner flange and an outer flange coupled to the second deck and having a central channel section that together define a first spring cavity in which a first canted coil spring is disposed; a second seal element positioned between an inner flange and an outer flange coupled to the second deck and having a central channel section that together define a second spring cavity in which a second canted coil spring is disposed; a first sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery that define an opening positioned between the retaining wall and the first seal assembly; and a second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery that define an opening in contact with the second seal element.

[0426] Example 163. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a third sealing washer having an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between the inner flange extension and the first canted coil spring.

[0427] Example 164. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a fourth sealing washer having an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between the inner flange extension and the second canted coil spring.

[0428] Example 165. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a retaining disk having an outer periphery that fits against the inner surface of the cylinder.

[0429] Example 166. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein at least one of the first sealing washer, the second sealing washer, the third sealing washer, and the fourth sealing washer has a memory lip at the opening.

[0430] Example 167. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein each of the first sealing washer, the second sealing washer, and the third sealing washer is provided with a memory lip.

[0431] Example 168. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip of the first sealing washer and the memory lip of the second sealing washer face in opposite directions from each other.

[0432] Example 169. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip of the third sealing washer faces the first sealing element.

[0433] Example 170. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the fourth sealing washer is a standard sealing washer type without a memory lip.

[0434] Example 171. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining wall has a generally wedge-shaped body along a cross section.

[0435] Example 172. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer is L-shaped in cross section.

[0436] Example 173. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining wall has a support surface that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

[0437] Example 174. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer contacts the support surface.

[0438] Example 175. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining wall has an inner periphery and a portion of the first sealing washer contacts the inner periphery of the retaining wall.

[0439] Example 176. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a third sealing washer having an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between the inner flange extension and the first canted coil spring.

[0440] Example 177. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including a fourth sealing washer having an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between the inner flange extension and the second canted coil spring.

[0441] Example 178. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a retaining disk having an outer periphery that fits against the inner surface of the cylinder.

[0442] Example 179. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein at least one of the second sealing washer, the third sealing washer, and the fourth sealing washer has a memory lip at the opening.

[0443] Example 180. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer and the third sealing washer each have a memory lip.

[0444] Example 181. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip of the second sealing washer and the memory lip of the third sealing washer face in opposite directions from each other.

[0445] Example 182. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the fourth sealing washer is a standard sealing washer type without a memory lip.

[0446] Example 183. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further including an equipment housing in contact with a shoulder located on the exterior of the cylinder.

[0447] Example 184. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the canted coil spring is comprised of multiple interconnected coils canted in generally the same direction and contacts and biases against both the deck of the lock ring and the inner flange of the seal element.

[0448] Example 185. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the canted coil spring is comprised of a plurality of interconnected coils canted in generally the same direction and contacts and biases both the outer flange and the inner flange of the sealing element against both the inner flange and the outer flange.

[0449] Example 186. A method of implementing the sealing system, apparatus, and device of Examples 1-238, or any of the other embodiments described herein, comprising disposing the sealing system, apparatus, or device in a seal compartment of an equipment housing, such as a pump housing, to seal a shaft of the pump.

[0450] Example 187. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the bore of the cylinder is a stepped bore, and the two decks of the two locking rings have different thicknesses, the second deck of the second locking ring being thicker than the deck of the first locking ring, and forcing an outer seal flange of the second seal element against a larger bore diameter portion of the bore.

[0451] Example 188. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing washer can have an outer periphery with an outer diameter that presses against the bore of the cylinder, an outer diameter that simply contacts the bore, or an outer diameter that is spaced away from the bore.

[0452] Example 189. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein each sealing washer has an outer periphery with an outer diameter that presses against the bore of the cylinder, that simply contacts the bore, or that is spaced from the bore, and is sized and shaped to seal against the shaft on its inner periphery.

[0453] Example 190. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein two stacked seal assemblies share a common open cavity and the service grease is disposed in the common open cavity.

[0454] Example 191. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein a first seal assembly including a first seal element having a free end and a second seal assembly including a second seal element having a free end are mounted within a bore of a cylinder, and the free ends of the first seal element and the second seal element face toward each other, face away from each other, or face in the same direction.

[0455] Example 192. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein two locking rings are disposed adjacent to each other at a split line.

[0456] Example 193. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein there is no intervening structure between the two locking rings of the purling line.

[0457] Example 194. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein a gap washer is disposed between two locking rings of a pearling line, the gap washer being sized and shaped with a central opening that does not seal against the shaft.

[0458] Example 195. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer, the seal element including an inner flange, an outer flange, and a spring cavity formed by a central channel section in which the energizer is disposed, the inner flange defining an inner diameter, and the locking ring pressing against the bore and mechanically engaging the outer flange; a washer in contact with the seal element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element, the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element being smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft, respectively forming an interference fit with the shaft.

[0459] Example 196. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer contacts the retaining wall along a surface of the washer from the outer periphery of the washer to a location proximate a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening.

[0460] Example 197. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer contacts the central channel section of the sealing element near a radially outermost end of the central channel section.

[0461] Example 198. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer is spaced from the central section at a point proximate a displacement disposed on the central channel section, and the inner diameter of the displacement is sized smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft.

[0462] Example 199. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein an outer flange of the sealing element is pressed against a bore of the housing cylinder.

[0463] Example 200. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising an exclusion portion at an end of the central channel section having an inner diameter dimensioned smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft.

[0464] Example 201. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0465] Example 202. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including a plurality of interconnected coils that bias the inner flange away from the outer flange.

[0466] Example 203. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element and the locking ring are mechanically engaged at an outer flange.

[0467] Example 204. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer is made from an elastomeric material or a thermoplastic material.

[0468] Example 205. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the locking ring has a body having an inner surface, and a plurality of interconnected coils bias against the inner surface and the inner flange.

[0469] Example 206. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring pressed against the bore of the housing cylinder, and a canted coil spring, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter, and the canted coil spring disposed within the spring cavity; a washer disposed within the bore and in contact with the seal element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening in the washer and through the inner diameter of the seal element; a displacement portion disposed adjacent the annular recess at an end of the central channel section, the displacement portion having an inner diameter dimensioned to be smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft; the washer is formed separately from the seal element.

[0470] Example 207. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the outer flange is pressed against the housing cylinder bore by a lock ring.

[0471] Example 208. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein both the inner flange and the outer flange face away from the retaining wall.

[0472] Example 209. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein a retaining disk including a surface is disposed at the insertion end and spaced apart from the retaining wall.

[0473] Example 210. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer includes a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening of the washer.

[0474] Example 211. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0475] Example 212. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including a plurality of interconnected coils that bias against the inner flange and the lock ring.

[0476] Example 213. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element and the locking ring are mechanically engaged at an outer flange.

[0477] Example 214. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer is made from an elastomeric material or a thermoplastic material.

[0478] Example 215. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the shaft is part of a motor or pump.

[0479] Example 216. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element and a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the spring cavity having an energizer disposed therein, the inner flange defining an inner diameter, the inner flange and the outer flange facing the retaining wall; a washer in contact with the central channel section and spaced from the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft disposed within the opening of the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element; and a retaining disk biased against the bore of the housing cylinder and in contact with the washer to retain the seal assembly and washer within the bore of the housing cylinder.

[0480] Example 217. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disk is a first flange portion of the locking ring, the first flange portion extending from a second flange portion, and the second flange portion is mechanically engaged to an outer flange of the sealing element.

[0481] Example 218. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a service grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0482] Example 219. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element and the locking ring are mechanically engaged at an outer flange.

[0483] Example 220. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second flange portion includes an end projection that presses against the bore.

[0484] Example 221. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the washer includes a memory lip at the opening having a portion curved away from the retaining wall.

[0485] Example 222. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including a plurality of interconnected coils that bias the inner flange away from the outer flange.

[0486] Example 223. A seal system, comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring pressed against the bore of the housing cylinder, and a canted coil spring, the seal element including an inner flange, an outer flange, and a spring cavity formed by a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter, and the canted coil spring biased against the locking ring and the inner flange. a washer disposed in the bore between the sealing element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and a memory lip having an opening at an inner periphery; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft being disposed within the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the sealing element; and a displacement portion disposed adjacent the annular recess at an end of the central channel section, the displacement portion having an inner diameter dimensioned smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft; wherein the washer is formed separately from the sealing element, the memory lip faces away from the displacement portion, and the inner and outer flanges of the sealing element face away from the retaining wall.

[0487] Example 224. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the memory lip faces away from the displacement portion.

[0488] Example 225. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a washer in contact with the seal element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter; the shaft protruding through the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element, the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the seal element being smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft, respectively, forming an interference fit with the shaft; and a seal lip projection extending from the inner flange and spacing the inner flange from the shaft.

[0489] Example 226. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a recess formed in the inner surface of the central channel section.

[0490] Example 227. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an inner surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of the bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of the bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a lock ring including a flange portion, and an energizer, the seal element including a spring cavity formed by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the inner flange defining an inner diameter; a first sealing washer disposed between the retaining wall and the seal assembly, the first sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a second sealing washer disposed between the retaining wall and the seal assembly, the second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; and a shaft having a length and an outer diameter, the shaft protruding through the opening in the first sealing washer, the opening in the second sealing washer, and the opening in the inner flange.

[0491] Example 228. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising grease disposed within the spring cavity.

[0492] Example 229. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer has a memory lip extending away from the spring cavity.

[0493] Example 230. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer has a memory lip extending toward the spring cavity.

[0494] Example 231. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the first sealing washer contacts the retaining wall and the sealing element.

[0495] Example 232. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the second sealing washer contacts the lock ring and the retaining disc.

[0496] Example 233. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the retaining disk is attached to the bore of the cylinder with an interference fit.

[0497] Example 234. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the sealing element has a displacement portion and an annular recess.

[0498] Example 235. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, further comprising a third washer in contact with the first washer or the second washer.

[0499] Example 236. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the inner flange has a free end and the outer flange has a free end, the two free ends facing the retaining wall.

[0500] Example 237. The sealing system, device, apparatus, and method of any of Examples 1-238 or any other embodiment described herein, wherein the inner flange has a free end and the outer flange has a free end, the two free ends facing the retaining disk.

[0501] Example 238. A method of assembling a prepackaged seal system, the method comprising: disposing a first seal assembly within a bore of a cylinder, the first seal assembly including a first energizer biasing a first inner flange of a first seal element; disposing a second seal assembly within the bore of the cylinder having a second energizer biasing a second inner flange of a second seal element; and disposing at least two washers made of a non-metallic material within the bore of the cylinder, at least one memory lip being incorporated into one of the two washers.

Claims

1. 1. A seal system comprising: a cylinder having a body, an interior surface defining a bore, a first retaining end having a first retaining wall at a first end of the bore; a first seal assembly disposed in the bore adjacent to the first retaining wall, the first seal assembly including a first seal element, a first locking ring, and a first energizer; wherein the first seal element includes a spring cavity defined by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the spring cavity being partially defined by the first locking ring; a second seal assembly disposed within the bore and positioned further from the first retaining wall than the first seal assembly, the second seal assembly including a second seal element, a second locking ring, and a second energizer; wherein the second seal element includes a spring cavity defined by an inner flange, an outer flange, and a central channel section, the spring cavity being defined in part by the second locking ring; a first sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between the first retaining wall and the first seal assembly; Including, The first locking ring and the second locking ring are disposed adjacent to one another with no intervening structure therebetween.

2. The sealing system of claim 1 , further comprising a second retaining wall disposed at a second end of the bore.

3. The seal system of claim 2 , wherein the cylinder having the body has a parting line dividing the cylinder into a first cylinder section and a second cylinder section.

4. The sealing system of claim 2 , further comprising a second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening located between said second seal element and said second retaining wall.

5. The sealing system of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bore has a generally constant inner diameter from the first end to the opposite second end.

6. The sealing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first seal element has a displacement portion and an annular recess at an end of the inner flange and an end of the central channel section, and the second seal element has a displacement portion and an annular recess at an end of the inner flange and an end of the central channel section.

7. The sealing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first sealing element has a free end and the second sealing element has a free end, the two free ends facing each other.

8. The sealing system of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a bearing assembly disposed within the bore of the cylinder.

9. The sealing system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bore has at least two different inner diameters including a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter.

10. 10. The sealing system of claim 1, further comprising a second sealing washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening, the second sealing washer in contact with the second sealing element.

11. 1. A seal system comprising: a housing cylinder having a body, an interior surface defining a bore, a retaining end having a retaining wall at one end of said bore, and an insertion end at an opposite end of said bore; a seal assembly disposed within the bore of the housing cylinder, the seal assembly including a seal element, a locking ring, and an energizer; wherein the seal element includes an inner flange, an outer flange, and a spring cavity formed by a central channel section in which the energizer is disposed, the inner flange defining an inner diameter, and the locking ring is pressed against the bore and mechanically engaged to the outer flange; a washer in contact with the sealing element and the retaining wall, the washer including an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining an opening; a shaft having a length and an outer diameter; Including, the shaft protruding through the opening in the washer and through the inner diameter of the sealing element; the opening in the washer and the inner diameter of the sealing element are smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft and each form an interference fit with the shaft.

12. The sealing system of claim 11 , wherein the washer contacts the retaining wall along a surface of the washer from the outer periphery of the washer to a location proximate a memory lip having a curved portion at the opening.

13. The seal system of claim 12 , wherein the washer contacts the central channel section of the seal element near a radially outermost end of the central channel section.

14. The sealing system of claim 11 , further comprising a displacement portion at an end of the central channel section, the displacement portion having an inner diameter dimension less than the outer diameter of the shaft.

15. The seal system of claim 14 further comprising grease disposed within the spring cavity.

16. The seal system of claim 11 , wherein the energizer is a canted coil spring including a plurality of interconnected coils that bias the inner flange away from the outer flange.

17. 1. A method of assembling a prepackaged seal system, comprising: disposing a first seal assembly within the bore of the cylinder; wherein the first seal assembly includes a first energizer biasing a first inner flange of a first seal element and a first locking ring; disposing a second seal assembly in the bore of the cylinder, the second seal assembly having a second locking ring and a second energizer biasing a second inner flange of the second seal element; and disposing at least two washers made of a non-metallic material within said bore of said cylinder; wherein one of said two washers incorporates at least one memory lip; Including, The method wherein the first and second locking rings contact one another.

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