Conductive sealing element

Abstract

The assembly configuration prevents eddy currents or other currents from flowing through a bearing supporting the relative motion of two components by incorporating a sealing element that includes a conductive additive material, thereby providing a conductive path that diverts currents away from or around the bearing. The sealing element thus has the dual function of sealing the system component and additionally diverting currents away from or around the bearing to prevent current flow through the bearing. The contacting sealing element material is electrically conductive, making the sealing element sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between the two components that diverts eddy currents around the bearing. The sealing element includes a non-conductive matrix material and a conductive additive material incorporated within the non-conductive matrix material.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 383,745, filed November 15, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technical field of the invention The present application relates to a sealing element particularly used for sealing components in applications requiring a seal between components that move relative to one another with the support of a bearing structure, the sealing element including a configuration that addresses the handling of undesirable eddy currents or other electrical discharges that may occur and flow through the bearing structure. [Background technology]

[0003] There are many applications in which there are two components that move relative to one another. Relative motion or movement as contemplated in this disclosure includes two components that both move relative to one another, or one movable component that moves relative to one stationary component. The relative motion of the components is often supported by a bearing structure between the two components. Furthermore, the gap between the two components often needs to be sealed by a sealing element to prevent the ingress of moisture, dust, or other contaminants into the overall system.

[0004] In many applications, the relative motion of components can be driven by electric or inverter drives. One side effect of electric or inverter drives is that such drives result in eddy currents passing through the components. These eddy currents flow between two components in relative motion, particularly by passing through the bearing structure that supports such relative motion. The eddy currents result in electrostatic discharges occurring within the bearing structure. In other applications, the relative motion of components can lead to the accumulation of static charge, which may be discharged as current through the bearing structure. The flow of eddy currents or other discharge currents through the bearing structure can cause fluting or other forms of damage to the bearing structure. Such damage can ultimately lead to bearing failure.

[0005] For example, an electric motor includes a rotating component (rotor) that rotates relative to a stationary component (stator), and the rotating component's speed is controlled by an electric drive, e.g., an inverter drive. As discussed above, one side effect of electric or inverter drives in conventional electric motors is that such drives introduce eddy currents through the motor components. These eddy currents in the motor system flow between the rotor and stator, particularly by passing through the motor bearings that support the rotor's rotation relative to the stator. The eddy currents create electrostatic discharges that occur within the motor bearings, which can cause fluting or other types of damage to the bearings. Such damage can ultimately lead to motor bearing failure.

[0006] As another example, an electric brake system, such as an electric brake system for an aircraft, operates by relative motion of a drive shaft driven through a brake housing, the relative motion of the drive shaft relative to the housing being supported by one or more bearings. As a result of the relative motion, static charge may build up between the drive shaft and the brake housing, which may be discharged through the bearings. As another example, a rotating system, such as a helicopter rotor or a wind turbine blade, operates by rotation supported by a bearing structure, the bearing structure including an outer race and an inner race, which rotate relative to one another around a series of supporting ball bearings. As a result of the relative motion, static charge may build up between the bearing races, which may be discharged through the bearing structure. Similarly, in these examples, discharge currents through the bearing structure may cause bearing damage, which may ultimately lead to bearing failure. These are non-limiting examples, and other applications utilizing relative motion of components supported by one or more bearings may be subject to similar damage or bearing failure.

[0007] To prevent damage caused by eddy currents or other discharge currents flowing through the bearing structure, conventional designs use additional components to electrically insulate the bearing or to divert eddy or discharge currents around the bearing, preventing current flow through the bearing. In insulating solutions, the bearing is covered or insulated with a non-conductive layer or component that blocks current from flowing through the bearing. As an alternative to electrically insulating the bearing, other conventional designs use additional conductive components to divert current around the bearing, preventing current from flowing through the bearing. Current-diverting components include, for example, carbon brushes and fiber brushes made of conductive materials, causing current to flow through the brushes rather than through the bearing.

[0008] Conventional solutions using conductive brushes or insulated bearings are expensive and complicated to implement. The additional components require additional insertion space that may not be available in other relative motion systems for electric motors or other applications, and such additional components must be bolted, glued, or otherwise fixed in place. Furthermore, contamination of the conductive brushes can result in ineffective current diversion paths, resulting in ineffective current transfer, in which case at least a portion of the damaging current still flows through the bearing. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved configuration of a system having at least two components that move relative to one another and are supported by one or more bearing structures, and that prevents eddy currents or other currents from flowing through the bearing structures. This problem is addressed in the present application by using a sealing element that includes an electrically conductive additive material, thereby providing a conductive path that diverts currents away from or around the bearing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present application use a sealing element that has two functions: (1) conventionally seals the system components, and (2) additionally, diverts currents away from or around the bearing to prevent current flow through the bearing. Thus, the contacting sealing element material is electrically conductive, and thus embodiments of the present application modify conventional sealing elements to be sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between the components in relative motion that diverts currents around the bearing structure.

[0010] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is a sealing element for sealing two components that operate by relative motion, the sealing element being arranged to divert electrical current. In an exemplary embodiment, the sealing element includes a non-conductive matrix material and a conductive additive material incorporated within the non-conductive matrix material. The conductive additive material is incorporated within the non-conductive matrix material in an amount that makes the sealing element sufficiently conductive to divert electrical current between the two components that operate by relative motion.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention is an assembly including a first component and a second component operating by relative movement with respect to one another, a drive system driving the relative movement of the first and second components, and at least one bearing structure supporting the relative movement of the first and second components, the assembly including a seal element according to any one of the embodiments, the seal element being positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert electrical current between the first and second components away from or around the at least one bearing structure.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention is an assembly including a first component and a second component operating by relative movement with respect to one another, a drive system driving the relative movement of the first component and the second component, and at least one bearing structure supporting the relative movement of the first component and the second component, the assembly including a seal assembly according to any one of the embodiments including a sealing element and a biasing element, the sealing element of the seal assembly being positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert electrical current between the first component and the second component away from or around the at least one bearing structure.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, an improved motor assembly configuration prevents eddy currents from flowing through the motor bearings. To achieve this improvement, the sealing elements include a conductive additive material, thereby providing a conductive path that diverts eddy currents away from or around the motor bearings. Accordingly, embodiments of the present application utilize sealing elements that have two functions: (1) they conventionally seal the motor components, and (2) they additionally divert eddy currents away from or around the motor bearings to prevent current flow through the motor bearings. Accordingly, the contacting sealing element material is conductive, thereby modifying embodiments of the present application to modify conventional sealing elements to be sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between the motor rotor and stator that diverts eddy currents around the motor bearings.

[0014] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is a seal element for sealing a rotor and a stator in an electric motor, the seal element being arranged to divert eddy currents. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal element includes a non-conductive matrix material and a conductive additive material incorporated within the non-conductive matrix material. The conductive additive material is incorporated within the non-conductive matrix material in an amount that makes the seal element sufficiently conductive to divert eddy currents between the rotor and the stator.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the sealing element, the conductive additive material is incorporated into the non-conductive matrix material as at least one of particles, fibers, or powder.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment of the sealing element, the percentage composition of the conductive additive material relative to the overall material composition of the sealing element is between 10 and 65%.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment of the sealing element, the non-conductive matrix material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a thermoplastic material, or polyurethane.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment of the sealing element, the non-conductive matrix material comprises an elastomeric material.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment of the sealing element, the conductive additive material includes carbon particles or carbon fibers.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment of the sealing element, the conductive additive material includes a metallic filler formed as a powder or fibers of a metallic material.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the sealing element, the metallic material includes one or more of bronze, stainless steel, copper, silver, or gold.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention is a seal assembly having a seal element according to any one of the embodiments and a biasing member embedded in a portion of the seal element to assist in biasing the seal element. The biasing member may be a spring, such as a cantilever spring, a coil spring, a canted coil spring, a helical spring, a garter spring, or an elastomeric spring.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention is a motor assembly comprising: a stator; a rotor that rotates relative to the stator; an electric motor system including an electric motor and a drive system driven by the electric motor to drive rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; a motor bearing that supports rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; and a seal assembly including a seal element according to any one of the embodiments, the seal element being positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert eddy currents between the rotor and the stator away from or around the motor bearing.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention is a motor assembly including: a stator; a rotor that rotates relative to the stator; an electric motor system including an electric motor and a drive system driven by the electric motor to drive rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; a motor bearing that supports rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; and a seal assembly according to any one of the embodiments, the seal assembly including a seal element and a biasing element, the seal element of the seal assembly being positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert eddy currents between the rotor and the stator away from or around the motor bearing.

[0025] These and further features of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. While certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed in detail in the description and drawings as illustrative of some of the ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed, it will be understood that the invention is not correspondingly limited in scope. Rather, the invention includes all changes, modifications, and equivalents encompassed within the spirit and terms of the appended claims. Features described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments and / or in combination with or in place of features of other embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B illustrate a first exemplary configuration of a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 2] 10A-10C illustrate a second exemplary configuration of a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 3] 10A-10C illustrate a third exemplary configuration of a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary motor assembly having a seal assembly including a seal element made of a conductive material. [Figure 5] 1A-1C illustrate a first exemplary assembly configuration having a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 illustrates a second exemplary assembly configuration having a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 illustrates a third exemplary assembly configuration having a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth exemplary assembly configuration having a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 illustrates a fifth exemplary assembly configuration having a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth exemplary assembly configuration having a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 illustrates a seventh exemplary assembly configuration having a seal assembly including a seal element made of an electrically conductive material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Embodiments of the present application will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

[0028] As described above, an improved configuration of a system having at least two components that move relative to one another and are supported by one or more bearing structures prevents eddy currents or other currents from flowing through the one or more bearing structures. The flow of current through the bearings is prevented by a sealing element that includes a conductive additive material, thereby providing a conductive path that diverts current away from or around the bearing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present application utilize a sealing element that has two functions: (1) conventionally seals the system components, and (2) additionally diverts current away from or around the bearing structure to prevent current flow through the bearing. Accordingly, the contacting sealing element material is electrically conductive, thereby modifying embodiments of the present application to modify conventional sealing elements to be sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between the components in relative motion that diverts current around the motor bearing.

[0029] As described above, an improved motor assembly configuration prevents eddy currents from flowing through the motor bearings. The flow of eddy currents through the motor bearings is prevented by the use of sealing elements that include a conductive additive material, thereby providing a conductive path that diverts eddy currents away from or around the motor bearings. Accordingly, embodiments of the present application use sealing elements that have two functions: (1) conventionally seal motor components, including the rotor and stator, and (2) additionally divert eddy currents away from or around the motor bearings to prevent current flow through the motor bearings. Accordingly, the contacting sealing element material is conductive, thereby modifying embodiments of the present application to modify conventional sealing elements to be sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between the motor rotor and stator that diverts eddy currents away from or around the motor bearings.

[0030] It will be appreciated that seal elements including conductive materials may be used in a variety of seal assembly configurations, including a wide variety of shapes and applications. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary configuration of a seal assembly 10, including a seal element 12 and a biasing member 14 embedded in a portion of the seal element 12 to assist in biasing the seal element 12. In this example, the biasing member is configured as a spring, specifically a cantilever spring. Other examples of suitable biasing members may include a coil spring, a canted coil spring, a helical spring, a garter spring, or an elastomeric spring. As discussed above, the seal element 12 includes a conductive material that renders the seal element 12 sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between two components in relative motion that diverts eddy currents or other discharge currents away from or around the bearing structure.

[0031] As noted above, the configuration of the conductive seal element is not limited to a particular shape or application and, therefore, can be used in a variety of system configurations. Accordingly, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate two additional, non-limiting examples of exemplary configurations of seal assemblies including conductive seal elements. FIG. 2 illustrates a seal assembly 20 having a seal element 22 with an alternative shape and a biasing member (e.g., a cantilever spring) 24 embedded in a portion of the seal element 22 to assist in biasing the seal element. As with the previous embodiment, the seal element 22 includes a conductive material that renders the seal element 22 sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between components in relative motion that diverts eddy currents or other discharge currents away from or around the bearing structure. In this particular configuration, the seal assembly 20 further includes a pair of retaining bands 26 and 28 embedded in a second portion of the seal element to assist in retaining the seal element.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a seal assembly 30 having a seal element 32 with an alternative shape and a biasing member (e.g., a coil spring, in this example) 34 embedded in a first portion of the seal element to assist in biasing the seal element. Similar to the previous embodiment, the seal element 32 includes a conductive material that renders the seal element 32 sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between relatively moving components that diverts eddy currents or other discharge currents away from or around the bearing structure. In this particular configuration of FIG. 3 , the seal assembly 30 further includes an outer case 36 located at least partially on a radially outer portion of the seal element and an inner washer 38 located at least partially on a radially inner portion of the seal element. The seal assembly 30 also includes an additional gasket 39 located between the seal element 32 and the inner washer 38.

[0033] As described above, the sealing elements 12 / 22 / 32 are electrically conductive sealing elements that include an electrically conductive material that renders each sealing element sufficiently conductive to provide a conductive path between at least two components operating in relative motion to divert eddy currents or other discharge currents away from or around the bearing structure supporting the relative motion between the components. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrically conductive additive material is incorporated into a non-conductive matrix material. The electrically conductive additive material can be added to the non-conductive matrix material during formation of the sealing element as particles, fibers, powder, or similar filler structures. The percentage composition of the electrically conductive additive material relative to the overall material composition of the sealing element can be approximately 10-65%. The percentage composition of the electrically conductive additive material relative to the non-conductive matrix material can be varied as appropriate for any particular application and can depend on environmental or use conditions such as temperature, pressure, moisture content, and other parameters associated with a particular end use. Electrical conductivity can be optimized by uniformly dispersing the electrically conductive additive material within the non-conductive matrix material. The electrically conductive sealing elements can be used in wet or dry applications, where a lubricant, such as oil or grease, is provided to lubricate the relative movement of the system components. Electrical conductivity can be further improved by using the electrically conductive sealing elements in combination with an electrically conductive lubricating material (oil or grease) that further includes an electrically conductive additive.

[0034] The following are non-limiting examples of material compositions for conductive sealing elements. Other suitable combinations of non-conductive matrix materials and conductive additive materials may be used as may be appropriate for any particular application. One common material used in sealing elements for electric motors or other systems containing moving components is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE is inherently non-conductive. Another common type of material used in sealing elements for electric motors or other systems containing moving components is an elastomeric material, which may include any of a variety of natural or synthetic rubbers. Elastomeric materials are also inherently non-conductive. Another common type of material used in sealing elements for electric motors or other systems containing moving components is a thermoplastic material or a polyurethane material. Thermoplastic and polyurethane materials are also inherently non-conductive. In exemplary embodiments of the present application, PTFE, an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polyurethane may be used as the non-conductive matrix material of the sealing element. For use with a non-conductive matrix material that is PTFE, an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polyurethane, the conductive additive material may include one or more of carbon particles or fibers, or a metal filler formed as a powder or fiber of a metallic material, such as bronze, stainless steel, copper, silver, or gold. The particle size, fiber size, and / or fiber orientation of a given conductive additive material can be optimized for incorporation into a given non-conductive matrix material and / or for sufficient conductivity for the end use application.

[0035] A seal assembly including a conductive seal element, such as that configured according to any of the above-described embodiments, can be used in a motor assembly to provide the necessary diversion of eddy currents away from or around the motor bearing. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary motor assembly 40 having a seal assembly 42 including a seal element made of a conductive material. The seal assembly 42 may be configured, for example, like any of the seal assemblies 10, 20, or 30 of the above-described embodiments. The motor assembly further includes a rotating member 44, such as a rotor, that rotates relative to a stator member, e.g., a stator 46. Rotation of the rotating member (rotor) 44 is supported by at least one motor bearing 48. The seal assembly 42 seals the gap between the rotor 44 and the stator 46 adjacent the motor bearing 48. The seal assembly 42 may be positioned between the rotor and the stator at a location selected to divert eddy currents away from or around the motor bearing. By disposing a seal assembly 42 including an electrically conductive sealing element between the rotor and the stator, for example adjacent to the motor bearing 48, eddy currents are diverted away from or around the motor bearing 48. The motor assembly further includes an electric motor assembly including an electric motor 50 and a drive system 52, such as a series of gears or equivalent mechanical drive system, driven by the electric motor to drive rotation of the rotor relative to the stator.

[0036] Exemplary applications for using the seal assembly of the present application, including electrically conductive seal elements, are not limited to electric motors, but may be used in any suitable application utilizing relative component motion. FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly configuration 60 including a first component 62 and a second component 64 that operate by relative movement with respect to one another. Again, the relative movement includes both the first and second components being movable components that rotate or otherwise move relative to one another, with one of the first or second components being a stationary component and the other of the first or second components being a movable component that rotates or otherwise moves relative to the stationary component. The relative movement is supported by one or more bearing structures, including, in the illustrated example, two bearing structures 66 and 68. Any suitable bearing structure may be used. In the illustrated example, each of the bearing structures 66 and 68 includes an inner race 70 and an outer race 72 that rotate or otherwise move relative to one another about one or more bearing balls 74.

[0037] The gap separating first component 62 and second component 64 is sealed by a seal assembly 76, which may be configured according to any of the embodiments. In the example of Figure 5, seal assembly 76 includes a PTFE-based conductive seal element 78 and a biasing element 80. In this example, biasing element 80 is configured as a cantilever spring.

[0038] 6-11 show additional non-limiting examples of assembly configurations using seal assemblies according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In these examples, the relative motion components and bearing structures are comparable to those in FIG. 5 , and therefore, like components are represented by like reference numerals in these figures. In the exemplary configuration 60a of FIG. 6 , the gap separating the first component 62 and the second component 64 is sealed by a seal assembly 82. In this example, the seal assembly 82 includes a PTFE-based conductive seal element 84 and a biasing element 86, also configured as a cantilever spring. The seal element 84 configuration is a flanged seal element, similar in shape to that shown in FIG. 1, including a flange 90 that extends over the surface of the first component.

[0039] In the exemplary configuration 60b of Figure 7, the gap separating the first component 62 and the second component 64 is sealed by a seal assembly 92. In this example, the seal assembly 92 includes a PTFE-based conductive seal element 94 and a biasing element 96, also configured as a cantilever spring. The seal assembly 92 configuration, similar to that shown in Figure 2, includes a pair of retaining bands 96 embedded in a portion of the seal element 94 to help retain the seal element.

[0040] 8, the gap separating the first component 62 and the second component 64 is sealed by a seal assembly 98. In this example, the seal assembly 98 includes an elastomeric-based, electrically conductive seal element 100 and a biasing element 102 configured as a garter spring. The seal assembly 98 configuration further includes a metal case 104 that houses a portion of the seal element 100 and helps retain the seal element.

[0041] 9, the gap separating the first component 62 and the second component 64 is sealed by a seal assembly 106. In this example, the seal assembly 106 includes a PTFE-based conductive seal element 108 and a biasing element 110 that is also configured as a cantilever spring. The seal assembly 106 configuration further includes a metal case 112 that houses a portion of the seal element 108 and helps retain the seal element.

[0042] In the exemplary configuration 60e of Figure 10, the gap separating the first component 62 and the second component 64 is sealed by a seal assembly 114. In this example, the seal assembly 114 includes a PTFE-based conductive seal element 116 that includes a biasing element 118 configured as a spring portion of the seal element itself, eliminating the need for a separate biasing element. The seal assembly 114 configuration includes one or more metal bands 120 embedded in a portion of the seal element 116 to help retain the seal element.

[0043] In the exemplary configuration 60f of FIG. 11 , the gap separating the first component 62 and the second component 64 is sealed by a seal assembly 122. In this example, the seal assembly 122 includes a PTFE-based conductive seal element 124 that includes a biasing element 126 configured as a spring portion of the seal element itself, eliminating the need for a separate biasing element. This configuration of the seal assembly 122 further includes an outer metal case 128 located at least partially on a radially outer portion of the seal element 124 and an inner elastomeric washer 130 located at least partially on a radially inner portion of the seal element 124. The seal assembly 122 further includes an additional gasket 132 located between the seal element 124 and the metal case 128.

[0044] In each of the above examples, the sealing elements of the seal assembly are positioned to divert electrical current or discharge between the first component 62 and the second component 64 and are sufficiently conductive so that any electrical current or discharge flows away from or around the bearing structures 66 and 68. In this way, damage to the bearing structures due to electrical current flow or discharge through the bearing structures is avoided.

[0045] While the present invention has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the accompanying drawings. In particular, with respect to the various functions performed by the above-described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms used to describe such elements (including references to "means") are intended, unless otherwise indicated, to correspond to any element that performs the designated function of the described element, even if it is not structurally equivalent (i.e., functionally equivalent) to the disclosed structure that performs that function in the exemplary embodiments of the invention shown herein. Furthermore, while particular features of the present invention may be described above only with respect to one or more of the illustrated embodiments, such features can be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

1. 1. A sealing element for sealing a first component and a second component that operate by relative movement with respect to each other, said sealing element comprising: a non-conductive matrix material; and a conductive additive material incorporated within said non-conductive matrix material; It has The conductive additive material is incorporated into the non-conductive matrix material in an amount that renders the sealing element sufficiently conductive to divert electrical current between the first component and the second component.

2. The sealing element of claim 1 , wherein the conductive additive material is incorporated into the non-conductive matrix material as at least one of particles, fibers, or a powder.

3. The sealing element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the percentage composition of the conductive additive material relative to the overall material composition of the sealing element is between 10 and 65%.

4. The sealing element of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive matrix material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

5. The sealing element of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive matrix material comprises an elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polyurethane material.

6. The sealing element according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive additive material comprises carbon particles or carbon fibers.

7. The sealing element according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive additive material comprises a metal filler formed as a powder or fibers of a metal material.

8. The sealing element of claim 7 , wherein the metallic material comprises one or more of bronze, stainless steel, copper, silver, or gold.

9. 1. A seal assembly comprising: A sealing element according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and A biasing member embedded in a portion of the seal element to assist in biasing the seal element. The seal assembly comprises:

10. The seal assembly of claim 9 , wherein the biasing member is a spring.

11. The seal assembly of claim 10 , wherein the spring is a cantilever spring, a coil spring, a canted coil spring, a helical spring, a garter spring, or an elastomeric spring.

12. 1. A seal assembly comprising: A sealing element according to any one of claims 1 to 8; 1. A seal assembly comprising: The seal element includes a biasing member that assists in biasing the seal element.

13. The seal assembly of any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising a pair of retaining bands embedded in the second portion of the seal element to assist in retaining the seal element.

14. 1. A seal assembly comprising: A sealing element according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a biasing member embedded in a first portion of the sealing element to assist in biasing the sealing element; an outer case at least partially located at a radially outer portion of the sealing element; an inner washer located at least partially on a radially inner portion of the sealing element; and A gasket positioned between the sealing element and the inner washer The seal assembly comprises:

15. 1. An assembly comprising: a first component and a second component that operate by relative movement with respect to one another; a drive system that drives the relative motion between the first component and the second component; at least one bearing structure supporting the relative motion between the first component and the second component; and 9. A seal assembly including a seal element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seal element is positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert electrical current between the first component and the second component away from or around the at least one bearing structure. The assembly has:

16. 1. An assembly comprising: a first component and a second component that operate by relative movement with respect to one another; a drive system that drives the relative motion between the first component and the second component; at least one bearing structure supporting the relative motion between the first component and the second component; and 15. The seal assembly of claim 9, wherein a seal element of the seal assembly is positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert electrical current between the first component and the second component away from or around the at least one bearing structure. The assembly has:

17. 17. An assembly according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first component is a fixed component and the second component is a movable component that moves relative to the fixed component.

18. 27. An assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the first component and the second component are both movable components that move relative to each other.

19. 19. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising an electric motor system including an electric motor and the drive system, the drive system being driven by the electric motor to drive the relative movement between the first component and the second component.

20. 1. A motor assembly comprising: stator; a rotor that rotates relative to the stator; an electric motor system including an electric motor and a drive system driven by the electric motor to drive rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; at least one motor bearing supporting rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; and 9. A seal assembly including a seal element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the seal element is positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert eddy currents between the rotor and the stator away from or around the motor bearing. The motor assembly includes:

21. 1. A motor assembly comprising: stator; a rotor that rotates relative to the stator; an electric motor system including an electric motor and a drive system driven by the electric motor to drive rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; a motor bearing that supports rotation of the rotor relative to the stator; and 15. The seal assembly of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the seal element of the seal assembly is positioned and sufficiently conductive to divert eddy currents between the rotor and the stator away from or around the motor bearing. The motor assembly includes:

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