seal

Abstract

To provide a seal assembly adapted to restrict relative movement between a housing and a seal.SOLUTION: A seal assembly comprises: a housing defining a groove; a seal disposed in the groove of the housing; and a coupling element adapted to restrict relative movement between the housing and the seal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to seals. [Background technology]

[0002] Seals may be utilized to form interfaces between similar or dissimilar fluid components having the same or varying properties. Industries utilizing seals continually seek improvements in seal design and operation. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The figures are presented by way of example and are not intended to be limiting. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] 1 includes an axial view of a seal assembly according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 includes a perspective view of a portion of a seal assembly, according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 includes a perspective view of a circumferential end of a portion of a seal assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 includes a cross-sectional perspective view of a seal assembly according to one embodiment taken along line AA of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0005] The following description in combination with the drawings is provided to aid in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the present teachings. This focus is provided to aid in explaining the present teachings and should not be construed as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the present teachings. However, other embodiments can be used based on the teachings disclosed in this application.

[0006] The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variations thereof, are intended to include non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a method, article, or apparatus comprising a list of features is not necessarily limited to only those features, but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent in such method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, "or" refers to an inclusive "or," not an exclusive "or." For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exists).

[0007] Additionally, the use of "a" or "an" is used to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include the singular form including one, at least one, or more than one, or vice versa, unless it is clear that something else is meant. For example, where a single item is described herein, a plurality of items can be used in place of the single item. Similarly, where a plurality of items is described herein, a single item can be used in place of the plurality of items.

[0008] The use of "approximately," "generally," and the like is employed to describe relative acceptable deviations from a given value. Such terms should be read to include deviations from the given value within a range of 1%-10% of the value, a range of 1%-9% of the value, a range of 1%-8% of the value, or a range of 1%-5% of the value.

[0009] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. Materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. To the extent not described herein, many details regarding specific materials and processing operations are conventional and can be found in textbooks and other sources within the sealing art.

[0010] A seal assembly according to one or more embodiments described herein may generally include a housing and a seal coupled to the housing. In one embodiment, the seal may be held in place relative to the housing by a coupling element adapted to be disposed in a groove in the housing and limit relative movement of the housing and the seal. The coupling element may include, for example, a threaded fastener, a non-threaded fastener, an adhesive, a clamp, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the coupling element may include a fastener extending through the housing and the seal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the seal assembly may include a split ring seal assembly (split seal assembly) that defines one or more circumferential gaps. In certain embodiments, the seal assembly may include multiple circumferential portions, such as two halves (e.g., a first half and a second half) that are joined at their circumferential ends. To enhance sealing properties, the circumferential ends of the two halves may be adapted to be mated without creating a circumferential gap between them.

[0012] 1 includes an axial view of a seal assembly 100, according to one embodiment. The seal assembly 100 includes a housing 102 and a seal 104. The seal 104 may be disposed on an inner surface 106 of the housing 102. The seal 104 may define an inner diameter of the seal assembly 100 that is adapted to seal against an internal component (not shown), such as a shaft. In one embodiment, the housing 102 may be part of a larger system, such as a shaft or crankshaft housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the seal assembly 100 may have a multi-piece structure. For example, the housing 102 may include a first portion 108 and a second portion 110. In certain embodiments, the first portion 108 may define a first half of the housing 102, and the second portion 110 may define a second half of the housing 102. The first portion 108 and the second portion 110 may be separate (e.g., not fixedly joined). In this manner, the first portion 108 and the second portion 110 may be moved to an internal component and easily installed thereon without bending or deforming the seal assembly 100 or requiring axial displacement.

[0014] The first and second portions 108, 110 of the housing 102 may be joined at one or more interfaces 112. In one embodiment, the interfaces 112 may be adapted to receive one or more fasteners, clamps, ties, or other engagement assemblies. When engaged, the first and second portions 108, 110 may form an annular ring having a central axis 114.

[0015] 2, in one embodiment, the first portion 108 of the housing 102 can be coupled with a first seal element 116, and the second portion 110 of the housing 102 can be coupled with a second seal element 118. The first portion 108 of the housing 102 and the first seal element 116 can be engaged with the second portion 110 of the housing 102 and the second seal element 118 at an engagement interface 120. In one embodiment, the engagement interface 120 can be generally flat. The engagement interface 120 can lie along a plane that extends radially from the central axis 114. In one embodiment, the first seal element 116 and the second seal element 118 can contact each other along the engagement interface 120. In another embodiment, the first portion 108 and the second portion 110 of the housing 102 can contact each other along the engagement interface 120.

[0016] In one embodiment, the housing 102 may include a hard material adapted to remain nearly completely unchanged during normal operating conditions of the seal assembly 100. For example, the housing 102 may include one or more metals or alloys, hard polymers, or a combination thereof.

[0017] The seal 104 may include a polymeric material. Exemplary polymers include tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), vinylidene fluoride (THV), polyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or any combination thereof. The scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the exemplary polymers listed above. One or more fillers may be included in the seal 104. Exemplary fillers include glass fiber, carbon fiber, silicon, PEEK, aromatic polyester, carbon particles, bronze, fluoropolymer, thermoplastic filler, aluminum oxide, polyamideimide (PAI), PPS, polyphenylene sulfone (PPSO2), LCP, aromatic polyester, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, graphite, graphene, expanded graphite, boron nitride, talc, calcium fluoride, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the filler can include alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, calcium fluoride, boron nitride, mica, wollastonite, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, zirconia, carbon black, pigment, or any combination thereof.

[0018] Seal assembly 100 may further include one or more coupling elements adapted to limit relative movement between housing 102 and seal 104. In some cases, the one or more coupling elements may include separate coupling elements. In a more specific embodiment, at least one of the coupling elements may include a fastener 122 extending through at least a portion of housing 102 and at least a portion of seal 104. Fastener 122 may include, for example, a threaded fastener, a non-threaded fastener, an adhesive fastener, or any combination thereof.

[0019] 3 and 4 show the circumferential end 128 of the second portion 110 of the housing 102 and the second seal element 118. The first portion 108 of the housing 102 and the first seal element 116 may be considered a first subassembly of the seal assembly 100. The second portion 110 of the housing 102 and the second seal element 118 may be considered a second subassembly of the seal assembly 100. References made herein to either the first subassembly or the second subassembly, parts shared by the subassemblies, or components thereof may be considered to apply only to that subassembly, or to one or both of the subassemblies, or to the entire assembly. In some cases, the first subassembly and the second subassembly may be symmetrical to one another. For example, the first subassembly and the second subassembly may be rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 114 of the seal assembly 100, reflectively symmetrical (e.g., reflectively symmetrical about the engagement interface 120), or both.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second seal element 118 can define a relaxed circumferential length LSR, measured by the circumferential length of the second seal element 118 in a relaxed state, which is different from the circumferential length LG of the groove 124 of the second portion 110 of the housing 102 in which the second seal element 118 is disposed. In one embodiment, the LSR can be greater than the LG. For example, the LSR can be at least 1.001 LG, at least 1.005 LG, at least 1.01 LG, at least 1.02 LG, at least 1.03 LG, or at least 1.05 LG.

[0021] In one embodiment, the circumferential end 128 of the second sealing element 118 can extend a distance beyond the circumferential end 128 of the second portion 110 of the housing 102. In one embodiment, the circumferential end 128 of the second sealing element 118 can overhang the circumferential end 128 of the second portion 110 of the housing 102 by at least 0.1 mm, at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.3 mm, at least 0.4 mm, or at least 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, the second sealing element 118 can overhang the second portion 110 of the housing 102 at only one of its circumferential ends. In another embodiment, the second sealing element 118 can overhang both circumferential ends of the second portion 110 of the housing 102. In a more specific embodiment, the second sealing element 118 can be circumferentially centered with respect to the second portion 110 of the housing 102. In this manner, the circumferential overhang may be approximately equal at both circumferential ends 128 of the subassembly.

[0022] In one embodiment, the groove 124 may extend from a radially inner surface 128 of the housing 102. In one embodiment, the groove 124 may have a uniform profile measured around the circumference of the housing 102. In another embodiment, the groove 124 may have a variable profile. The seal 104 may include a tail 126 that is at least partially disposed within the groove 124.

[0023] The sealing edge 130 of the seal 104 may include a cross-sectional profile adapted to provide effective sealing characteristics against an internal component (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 104 defines dual lips 132A and 132B connected to a hub 134. In certain embodiments, the lips 132A and 132B may be reflectively symmetrical or generally reflectively symmetrical about a centerline of the seal 104. The sealing edge 130 is not intended to be limited to the illustrated or above-described embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the sealing edge may be non-reflectively symmetrical, include one or more additional features, or include only one lip, or no hub.

[0024] 4 includes a cross-sectional view of the seal assembly 100 taken along line AA of FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the housing 102 may define a bore 136 extending from a surface of a first axial end 138 of the housing 102 in a direction toward a second axial end 140 thereof. In one embodiment, the bore 136 may define a depth that is less than an axial length of the housing 102. That is, the bore 136 may terminate within the housing 102. In certain embodiments, the housing 102 may define an axial length LHA, and the bore 136 may define a depth DB that is less than 0.99 LHA, less than 0.95 LHA, less than 0.9 LHA, less than 0.8 LHA, less than 0.7 LHA, less than 0.6 LHA, or less than 0.5 LHA. In another particular embodiment, DB may be 0.2 LHA or greater, 0.3 LHA or greater, or 0.4 LHA or greater.

[0025] As shown, the bore 136 may be in fluid communication with the groove 124 of the housing 102. In this manner, the coupling element 122 may pass through the bore 136 and extend through at least a portion of the volume defined by the groove 124 in which the seal 104 is disposed. In another embodiment, the bore 136 may define a central axis oriented generally perpendicular to the depth DG of the groove 124 as measured from the radially inner surface 128. In a further embodiment, the bore 136 may be angularly offset from the depth DG of the groove 124. For example, the central axis of the bore 136 may define a relative angle with the depth DG in the range of 1° to 89°, in the range of 5° to 80°, or in the range of 10° to 70°.

[0026] In one embodiment, the bore 136 may be coaxially aligned with the bore 142 in the seal 104. In one embodiment, the bore 142 may pass through the tail 126 portion of the seal 104. The bore 142 may define a diameter adapted to receive the coupling element 122. In certain embodiments, the bore 142 may define the same or similar diameter as the bore 136 in the housing 102. The coupling element 122 may be mounted within the bore 136 of the housing 102 and threaded into the bore 142 of the seal 104. In one embodiment, the coupling element 122 may be further threaded into the bore 136 of the housing 102 opposite the seal 104. The coupling element 122 may terminate within the housing 102 to prevent fluid from exiting the bores 136 and 142 during operational use. In one embodiment, the coupling element 122 may be disposed entirely within the area defined between the first axial end 138 and the second axial end 140 of the housing 102. In another embodiment, a portion of the coupling element 122 may be exposed from the first axial end 138 of the housing 102.

[0027] In one embodiment, coupling element 122 may include multiple coupling elements. For example, coupling element 122 may include at least two coupling elements, at least three coupling elements, or at least four coupling elements. In one embodiment, coupling elements 122 may each be disposed within a bore that extends at least partially through housing 102 and seal 104 (e.g., each coupling element 122 may extend through bore 136 in housing 102 and bore 142 in seal 104). In some cases, coupling element 122 is disposed adjacent a circumferential end 128 of the subassembly.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a seal assembly utilizing a plurality of coupling elements 122. The coupling elements 122 are disposed adjacent the circumferential ends of the subassembly. In one embodiment, the coupling elements 122 may be disposed closer to the circumferential ends 128 of the second portion 110 of the housing 102 and the second seal element 118 than to their intermediate portions. For example, in a particular embodiment, the second portion 110 of the housing 102 and the second seal element 118 may define a circumferential length LH measured by the average circumferential length in the installed state. The first coupling element 122 may be disposed at a first position between 0.0LH and 0.2LH, and the second coupling element 122 may be disposed at a second position between 0.8LH and 1.0LH. In a more particular embodiment, the first position may be disposed between 0.01LH and 0.2LH, and the second position may be disposed between 0.8LH and 0.99LH. In this manner, the coupling element 122 can be spaced apart from, but may be disposed adjacent to, the circumferential edge 128 of the subassembly. In embodiments not shown, the coupling element 122 can include other engaging elements configured to engage the housing 102 and seal 104 portions of the subassembly.

[0029] The seal assembly 100 described according to the embodiments herein may be formed in a variety of ways. One exemplary method includes mounting a sealing element within a groove defined by a housing and coupling the sealing element to the housing to limit relative movement between the housing and the sealing element. The method may further include sizing the sealing element after coupling the sealing element to the housing. Sizing may include, for example, cutting, trimming, skiving, or otherwise removing excess material from the sealing element. Sizing the sealing element after coupling it to the housing allows the dimensions of the sealing element to be precisely determined for a particular housing. In this manner, the overhang of the seal element may be precisely controlled without the use of costly and time-consuming tools and machining.

[0030] In one embodiment, the seal assembly 100 may include a split seal having two portions (e.g., two halves) that are engaged in use to provide effective sealing properties. Each portion may include a subassembly defined by a portion of the seal and a portion of the housing. In certain embodiments, the first subassembly and the second subassembly may have the same or generally the same characteristics (e.g., the same circumferential length) compared to one another. In one embodiment, the first subassembly and the second subassembly may be formed to be similar to one another. In another embodiment, the first assembly and the second assembly may be formed using different methods.

[0031] In some cases, the sealing element may be attached into the groove with a press fit. In other cases, the sealing element may be slid into the groove. The seal may have a circumferential length greater than the circumferential length of the housing. In one embodiment, the circumferential length of the sealing element is at least 10 mm greater than the circumferential length of the housing, at least 15 mm greater than the circumferential length of the housing, at least 20 mm greater than the circumferential length of the housing, at least 30 mm greater than the circumferential length of the housing, at least 40 mm greater than the circumferential length of the housing, or at least 50 mm greater than the circumferential length of the housing. In another embodiment, the circumferential length of the sealing element is no more than 100 cm greater than the circumferential length of the housing.

[0032] In one embodiment, the bore is formed in the housing prior to mounting the sealing element. After mounting the sealing element in the groove, the bore may be threaded through the sealing element. That is, for example, the bore in the sealing element may be formed in situ. In another embodiment, the bore in the housing and the bore in the sealing element may be formed simultaneously with one another.

[0033] A coupling element may be installed within the bore to couple the sealing element and the housing. The coupling element may include, for example, a fastener. The fastener may be inserted into the bore and threaded through the seal assembly to secure the sealing element to the housing. In one embodiment, a threaded fastener such as a pinole screw may be used. The housing or seal may include threads or other complementary engaging features adapted to interface with the fastener to secure the fastener. In one embodiment, the fastener may further be glued to the housing or seal to prevent it from being extruded therefrom.

[0034] The sealing element may be sized after it is coupled to the housing. Sizing may involve removing the exposed edge of the sealing element in successive passes (e.g., with a blade, laser, or other material removal device) or in a single pass. In some cases, the circumferential length of the sealing element may remain greater than the circumferential length of the housing after sizing is completed. In this manner, the sealing elements of the subassembly may be forced against each other in an interference condition to enhance fluid sealing.

[0035] Seal assembly 100 according to embodiments described herein may avoid problems from shrinkage caused by temperature gradients experienced in certain operating environments, such as within a crankshaft housing. More specifically, seal assembly 100 according to embodiments described herein may enable split ring sealing without the leakage typically experienced with split seal designs.

[0036] Over time, seals may deteriorate (especially seals in harsh environments exposed to abrasive or corrosive fluids) and require replacement. In some cases, replacement utilizing the original seal may be difficult because the geometry of the nearby environment may prevent certain installation techniques. For example, during initial assembly, the seal may have been installed by actions or steps that are no longer possible with further assembly of the nearby environment. As a non-limiting example, the initial assembly environment of the crankshaft housing may have allowed axial displacement of the seal into position along the shaft. However, because the axial end of the shaft is no longer accessible, replacement of the seal may require lateral translation. The seal assembly 100 according to one or more embodiments described herein may be adapted to be installed relative to an internal component without requiring axial displacement of the seal along the internal component. In certain embodiments, the seal assembly 100 according to embodiments described herein may be installed laterally using a two-piece housing and seal that are bonded in place.

[0037] Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of these aspects and embodiments are described below. After reading this specification, a person skilled in the art will understand that these aspects and embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. An embodiment can follow any one or more of the embodiments listed below.

[0038] Embodiment 1. A seal assembly comprising: a housing defining a groove; a seal disposed in a groove in the housing; and a coupling element adapted to limit relative movement between the housing and the seal.

[0039] Embodiment 2. The seal assembly of embodiment 1, wherein the seal assembly includes a split seal assembly, and the housing and the seal constitute a portion of the split seal assembly.

[0040] Embodiment 3. The seal assembly of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the seal assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions defining the same circumferential length relative to one another.

[0041] Embodiment 4. A seal assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the seal defines a relaxed circumferential length LSR, the groove defines a circumferential length LG, and LS is greater than LG.

[0042] Embodiment 5. The seal assembly of embodiment 4, wherein the LSR is at least 0.1 mm greater than the LG, at least 0.2 mm greater than the LG, at least 0.5 mm greater than the LG, or at least 1 mm greater than the LG.

[0043] Embodiment 6. A seal assembly according to any one of embodiments 2 to 5, wherein the seal is circumferentially centered relative to the housing.

[0044] Embodiment 7. A seal assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the groove is disposed on a radially inner surface of the housing and the inner diameter of the seal assembly is defined by the seal.

[0045] Embodiment 8. A seal assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the coupling element is disposed within a bore of the housing, the bore defining a depth less than an axial length of the housing.

[0046] Embodiment 9. A seal assembly as described in embodiment 8, wherein the bore extends in a direction from the first axial end of the housing toward the second axial end of the housing.

[0047] Embodiment 10. A seal assembly according to any one of embodiments 8 and 9, wherein the bore is in fluid communication with the groove of the housing.

[0048] Embodiment 11. A seal assembly described in any one of embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the bore defines a central axis oriented generally perpendicular to the depth of the groove.

[0049] Embodiment 12. A seal assembly described in any one of embodiments 8 to 11, wherein a coupling element is further disposed within the bore of the seal.

[0050] Embodiment 13. A seal assembly described in any one of embodiments 8 to 12, wherein the housing includes a first portion defining circumferential ends spaced apart a circumferential length of the first portion, and the bore is disposed closer to the circumferential ends of the first portion than to an intermediate portion thereof.

[0051] Embodiment 14. A seal assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the coupling element comprises a plurality of coupling elements including a first coupling element and a second coupling element.

[0052] Embodiment 15. A seal assembly as described in embodiment 14, wherein the first coupling element is disposed adjacent to a first circumferential end of the housing and the second coupling element is disposed adjacent to a second circumferential end of the housing.

[0053] Embodiment 16. A seal assembly as described in any one of embodiments 14 and 15, wherein the housing defines a circumferential length LH, the first coupling element is disposed at a first position between 0.0LH and 0.2LH, and the second coupling element is disposed at a second position between 0.8LH and 1.0LH.

[0054] Embodiment 17. A seal assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the coupling element includes a threaded fastener.

[0055] Embodiment 18. A seal assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the seal comprises a polymeric material.

[0056] Embodiment 19. A seal assembly according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the housing comprises a hard material such as a metal or alloy.

[0057] Embodiment 20. A seal assembly, comprising: A split housing, A first portion, and a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions each defining a groove; A split seal, a first sealing element disposed in a groove in the first portion of the split housing; and a second seal element disposed in a groove in the second portion of the split housing; and a first coupling element adapted to limit relative movement between the first portion of the split housing and the first seal element of the split seal; and a second coupling element adapted to limit relative movement between the second portion of the split housing and the second seal element of the split seal.

[0058] Embodiment 21. A seal assembly as described in embodiment 20, wherein the first and second portions of the split housing define the same circumferential length relative to one another.

[0059] Embodiment 22. A seal assembly according to any one of embodiments 20 and 21, wherein the first seal element defines a relaxed circumferential length LSR and an effective circumferential length LSE, measured during use of the seal assembly, and the LSR is greater than the LSE.

[0060] Embodiment 23. A seal assembly according to any one of embodiments 20 to 22, wherein the groove is disposed on the radially inner surfaces of the first and second halves of the split housing.

[0061] Embodiment 24. A seal assembly described in any one of embodiments 20 to 23, wherein the first and second seal elements have the same dimensions compared to each other.

[0062] Embodiment 25. A seal assembly described in any one of embodiments 20 to 24, wherein the first and second portions of the split housing are joined by one or more fasteners.

[0063] Embodiment 26. A method of forming a seal, comprising: Mounting a sealing element within a groove defined by the housing; coupling a sealing element to the housing to limit relative movement between the housing and the sealing element; sizing the sealing element after coupling the sealing element to the housing; A method comprising:

[0064] Embodiment 27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein mounting the sealing element in the groove is performed by press fitting.

[0065] Embodiment 28. The method according to any one of embodiments 26 and 27, wherein the coupling of the sealing element to the housing is performed by a coupling element such as a screw fastener.

[0066] Embodiment 29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein coupling the sealing element to the housing is performed by positioning the entire coupling element within a volume defined by the outer diameter of the housing.

[0067] Embodiment 30. Coupling the sealing element to the housing comprises: forming a bore in a housing; 30. The method of any one of embodiments 26-29, further comprising forming a bore in the sealing element.

[0068] Embodiment 31. The method of embodiment 30, wherein forming the bore in the housing and the sealing element occurs at the same time or at different times.

[0069] Embodiment 32. The method of any one of embodiments 30 and 31, wherein forming the bore in the housing is performed before installing the sealing element in the groove.

[0070] Embodiment 33. A method according to any one of embodiments 30 to 32, wherein forming a bore in the sealing element is performed after mounting the sealing element in the groove.

[0071] Embodiment 34. The method of any one of embodiments 30 to 33, wherein the bore in the housing is approximately the same diameter as the bore in the sealing element.

[0072] Embodiment 35. A method according to any one of embodiments 30 to 34, wherein forming a bore in the housing is performed such that the depth of the bore is less than the axial length of the housing.

[0073] Embodiment 36. The method of any one of embodiments 30 to 35, wherein forming a bore in the housing includes forming a plurality of bores in the housing.

[0074] Embodiment 37. The plurality of bores define approximately the same depth relative to one another. The method according to

[0075] Embodiment 38. The method of any one of embodiments 36 and 37, wherein the seal includes a split seal including a first half and a second half, and the plurality of bores includes a first bore disposed adjacent to a first circumferential end of the first half and a second bore disposed adjacent to a second circumferential end of the first half.

[0076] Embodiment 39. The method of any one of embodiments 26 to 38, wherein sizing the sealing element includes cutting an exposed end of the sealing element.

[0077] Embodiment 40. The method of any one of embodiments 26 to 39, wherein the seal includes a split seal including a first half and a second half, and the sealing element of the first half defines a circumferential length that is greater than the circumferential length of the housing of the first half, measured after sizing the sealing element.

[0078] Embodiment 41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein the sealing element defines at least one exposed portion extending circumferentially beyond the housing, the exposed portion having a circumferential length of at least 0.1 mm, at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.3 mm, at least 0.4 mm, or at least 0.5 mm.

[0079] Embodiment 42. The method of any one of embodiments 26 to 41, further comprising engaging a first circumferential half of the seal with a second circumferential half of the seal after sizing the sealing element.

[0080] Certain features that are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, references to values ​​stated in ranges include any and all values ​​within that range.

[0081] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with respect to particular embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature or features by which any benefit, advantage, or solution may occur or become more pronounced should not be construed as critical, essential, or essential features of any or all of the claims.

[0082] The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The specification and illustrations are not intended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of all elements and features of the apparatus and systems that use the structures or methods described herein. Separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment, and conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Furthermore, references to values ​​stated in ranges include any and all values ​​within that range. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art upon merely reading this specification. Other embodiments may be used and derived from the present disclosure, such that structural substitutions, logical substitutions, or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure should be considered illustrative, not limiting.

Claims

1. 1. A seal assembly comprising: a housing defining a groove; a seal disposed in the groove of the housing; a coupling element adapted to limit relative movement between the housing and the seal; The coupling element is disposed within the bore of the housing and within the bore of the seal, the bore of the housing extends in a direction from a first axial end of the housing toward a second axial end of the housing and is exposed at the first axial end, and a portion of the seal corresponding to the groove has a relaxed circumferential length L ＳＲ and said groove defines a circumferential length L Ｇ Define L ＳＲ L Ｇ Larger than the seal assembly.

2. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seal assembly comprises a split seal assembly, the housing and the seal forming a portion of the split seal assembly.

3. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seal assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion defining the same circumferential length relative to one another.

4. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the groove is disposed on a radially inner surface of the housing, and an inner diameter of the seal assembly is defined by the seal.

5. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bore of the housing defines a depth that is less than an axial length of the housing.

6. The seal assembly of claim 5 , wherein the bore is in fluid communication with the groove in the housing.

7. 6. The seal assembly of claim 5, wherein the housing includes a first portion defining circumferential ends spaced apart a circumferential length of the first portion, and the bore is disposed closer to the circumferential ends of the first portion than to an intermediate portion thereof.

8. The seal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mating element comprises a plurality of mating elements including a first mating element and a second mating element.

9. 1. A seal assembly comprising: A split housing, A first portion, and a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion each defining a groove; A split seal, a first sealing element disposed in the groove of the first portion of the split housing; and a second seal element disposed in the groove of the second portion of the split housing; and a first coupling element adapted to limit relative movement between the first portion of the split housing and the first seal element of the split seal; a second coupling element adapted to limit relative movement between the second portion of the split housing and the second seal element of the split seal; The first coupling element is disposed within the bore of the first portion of the split housing and within the bore of the first seal element, the bore of the first portion of the split housing extends in a direction from a first axial end of the first portion of the split housing toward a second axial end of the first portion of the split housing and is exposed at the first axial end, and a portion of the split seal corresponding to the groove has a relaxed circumferential length L ＳＲ and said groove defines a circumferential length L Ｇ Define L ＳＲ L Ｇ Larger than the seal assembly.

10. 1. A method of forming a seal, comprising: Mounting a sealing element within a groove defined by the housing; coupling the sealing element to the housing to limit relative movement between the housing and the sealing element; and sizing the sealing element after coupling the sealing element to the housing; The coupling is performed by a coupling element disposed in a bore of the housing and in a bore of the sealing element, the bore of the housing extending in a direction from a first axial end of the housing toward a second axial end of the housing and exposed at the first axial end, and a portion of the seal corresponding to the groove has a relaxed circumferential length L ＳＲ and said groove defines a circumferential length L Ｇ Define L ＳＲ L Ｇ Way bigger than that.

11. Coupling the sealing element to the housing includes: forming a bore in the housing; The method of claim 10 , further comprising forming a bore in the sealing element.

12. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the seal comprises a split seal including a first half and a second half, and the bore of the housing includes a first bore disposed adjacent a first circumferential end of the first housing portion and a second bore disposed adjacent a second circumferential end of the first housing half portion.

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