INTEGRATED SEAL PROFILE WITH FILTER ELEMENT

Abstract

An integrated sealing member (300) includes a at least partially annular body (326) defining a longitudinal axis (328), a radial direction (330), and a circumferential direction (332). The at least partially annular body (326) may include a mounting portion (324a), a sealing portion (302) including at least one upper sealing feature (334) and at least one lower sealing feature (336), and an open connection portion (318) extending radially outward from the mounting portion (324a) to the sealing portion (302).

Description

INTEGRATED SEAL PROFILE WITH FILTER ELEMENT FIELD OF INVENTION This description generally refers to canister-style filter systems that employ a replaceable filter element having a radially external and axially intermediate sealing member (e.g., an O-ring) interposed between the filter system base and canister. More specifically, this description refers to a filter element for use with filter systems that replaces the separate seal with a sealing member integrated with the filter element. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Liquid filter systems are known for filtering various fluids such as gas, oil, diesel fuel, etc., to remove contaminants. In diesel engines, for example, a fuel line filter is used to separate water and debris from the fuel. Various seals are provided to prevent leakage. For example, in canister-style filter systems, there is often an upper seal between the filter element and the base, a lower seal between the filter element and the canister (also called a cover), and a radially external, axially intermediate seal such as an ocnr Ln / zznz / E / YiAi. Ref. 339370 O-ring that is interposed between the base and the tank. It has been determined that sometimes a small amount of leakage can occur when the O-ring is used. U.S. Patent No. 9,970,394 B2 describes a locating structure for radially positioning an axial sealing gasket with respect to a mounting flange and a cover and base sealing flange. The gasket can be axially secured to the mounting flange or the cover and base sealing flange. Wing nuts are used to secure the cover to the base and provide the necessary sealing force. However, this sealing gasket may have leakage similar to that of an O-ring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A filter element according to one embodiment of the present description includes at least one partially annular configuration defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The filter element may comprise an annular filter medium defining a central passage, a central tube disposed within the central passage of the annular filter medium defining a central reservoir, and the annular filter medium surrounding the central tube and the central reservoir. An upper open end may be attached to the central tube disposed along the longitudinal axis, the upper open end including a QCnr ίη / 77Π7 / E / YΙΛΙ opening that allows fluid to flow from the central reservoir to the outside of the filter element. A lower end (which may be open or closed) may be attached to the central tube opposite the upper open end arranged along the longitudinal axis. An integrated sealing member may be coupled to the filter element and may include a sealing portion that is arranged radially outside the annular filter medium and axially between the upper open end and the lower open end. An integrated sealing member according to one embodiment of the present description may comprise a at least partially annular body defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The at least partially annular body may include a mounting portion, a sealing portion including at least one upper sealing feature and at least one lower sealing feature, and a connecting portion extending radially outward from the mounting portion to the sealing portion. A reservoir filter system according to one embodiment of the present description may comprise a filter element that includes at least partially a cylindrical configuration and defines a longitudinal axis and a radial direction. The filter element may comprise an annular filter medium defining a central passage, a central tube disposed within the central passage of the annular filter medium defining a central reservoir, and the annular filter medium surrounding the central tube and the central reservoir. An upper open end may be attached to the central tube disposed along the longitudinal axis, the upper open end including an opening that allows fluid to flow from the central reservoir to the outside of the filter element, and a lower open end attached to the central tube opposite the upper open end disposed along the longitudinal axis.In addition, a reservoir may be provided that includes an open upper end and an open lower end or a closed lower end arranged along the longitudinal axis and a sealing flange arranged near the open upper end. Furthermore, a base may be provided that defines an open upper end, an open lower end, and a sealing groove at least partially oriented downwards arranged near the open lower end. An integrated sealing member may be attached to the filter element and include a sealing portion that is arranged in the sealing groove of the base and in contact with the sealing flange of the reservoir. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a front section view of a filter assembly including a filter base, a reservoir, and a filter element including an integrated sealing member according to one embodiment of the present description. Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view of the sealing portion of the integrated seal of Figure 2 taken from rectangle 2-2 thereof, showing that the sealing portion forms an upper sealing interface with the base and a lower sealing interface with the tank. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the filter element of Figure 1 including its integrated seal member removed from the filter assembly of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a front section view of the filter element with its integrated sealing member from Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the integrated seal member removed from the filter element in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a front section view of the integrated seal member of Figure 5. Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed view of the peripheral sealing portion of the integrated seal member of Figure 6 taken from rectangle 7-7 of the same. Figure 8 is a flowchart containing an assembly method associated with Figures 1 and 3. ocnr Ln / zznz / E / YiAi DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made in detail to the features described, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used in all figures to refer to identical or similar parts. In some cases, a reference number will be given in this description, and the figures will show the reference number followed by a letter, for example, 100a, 100b, or a prime indicator such as 100', 100'', etc. It should be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately following a reference number indicates that these features have a similar form and function, as is often the case when geometry is mirrored around a plane of symmetry.For the sake of ease of explanation in this description, letters or primes will often not be included herein, but may be shown in the figures to indicate duplicates of features described within this written description. First, a filter system will now be described to provide the reader with the appropriate context for understanding how various modalities of the present description are used. It should be understood that the present description is provided as an example and not in any limiting sense. Any modality of an apparatus or method described herein may be used in conjunction with any filter system. A filter element that may include an integrated sealing member will then be described in several embodiments. In some embodiments, the integrated sealing member can facilitate the assembly of a filter system while providing sealing redundancy to help prevent leakage. It also allows dirty fluid to flow through openings in the connecting portion of the integrated sealing member so that the dirty fluid can reach the annular filter media for filtration. Furthermore, an integrated sealing member that can be supplied as a replacement part or as a component for manufacturing a filter element will now be described. Figure 1 illustrates a tank filter system 100 that can use a filter element 200 and an integrated sealing member 300 according to various embodiments of the present description. The 100 tank filter system may include a base 102, a tank 104, and a filter element 200 with an integrated sealing member 300. The 100 tank filter system can be used to filter fluids such as diesel or gasoline or other liquid fuels, lubricating oil, hydraulic fluid for hydraulic power systems, transmission fluid, or even possibly intake air for an engine. The 100 can also be used as a fuel / water separator filter. The 100 tank filter system with the characteristics described herein could be adapted by a person skilled in the art for many different purposes and suited to many other applications. The base 102 includes an inlet channel 106 for fluid to enter the reservoir filter system 100 and an outlet channel 108 for fluid to exit the reservoir filter system 100. A clip (not shown) is provided for attaching the reservoir 104 to the base 102. Other joining structures such as threads, various fasteners, etc., may be used. Tank 104 includes an open upper end 112 and an open lower end 114 as shown in Figure 1 or a closed lower end in other embodiments of the present description. The filter element 200 can take different forms to suit a particular application. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter element 200 is well-suited for filtering fuel or lubricating oil. The filter element 200 may include an annular filter medium 202 circumferentially surrounding a central reservoir 204 defined by a central tube 206. The axial ends of the annular filter medium 202 are shown sealed by the upper end cap 208 and the lower end cap 212. A top end cap 208 can define an axial open end of the filter element 200. The top end cap 208 is called open because it includes an opening 210 to allow fluid passage. On the other hand, the lower end cap 212 defines an axial open end of the filter element 200. The lower end cap 212 is called open because it allows the insertion of a pedestal 110 into the center tube 206, etc. The upper end cap 208 and the lower end cap 212 can each be attached to the center tube 206 by welding, adhesives, molding into the center tube, etc. Alternatively, several or all of the center tubes 206, the upper end cap 208, and the lower end cap 212 can be constructed as single components. Conversely, the lower end cap 212 and / or the upper end cap 208 can be separate components from the center tube 206, etc. Further details of the closed configuration of the lower part of the filter system of the tank 100 and the filter element 200 will be described later. During operation, the fluid to be filtered enters from the inlet channel 106 and flows into the annular cavity 118 between the reservoir 104 and the annular filter medium 202. The fluid then passes into and through the filter medium 202, then into the central tube 206 through perforations 214 ocnr Ln / zznz / E / YiAi shown therein in Figure 1. The fluid then exits the central tube 206 through the upper end cap 208 and the opening 210 into the outlet channel 108. The sealed construction at the top and bottom of the filter element 200 helps define the fluid channels to and from the annular filter medium 202, preventing any fluid from flowing directly into the outlet channel 108 and passing through the annular filter medium 202. To this end, sealing features (such as round, pointed, flat, etc.) may be provided, which will be described in detail later herein. Furthermore, it may be desirable to create a chamber (e.g., a water bowl in fuel-water separators, a drain tank, etc.) between the bottom of the filter element and the bottom of the tank. The pedestal can then provide a positioning feature. Other configurations of the filter element 200 are possible in other embodiments of this description. Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a tank filter system 100 will now be described in accordance with various embodiments of the present description, including an integrated sealing member 300. Starting with Figure 1, the reservoir filter system 100 may comprise a filter element 200 that includes at least partially a cylindrical configuration (or annular configuration, such that various surfaces of the filter element and the integrated sealing member may be surfaces of revolution that are consistent in the circumferential direction) and that defines a longitudinal axis 216, a circumferential direction 217, and a radial direction 218. The filter element 200 may comprise an annular filter medium 202 that defines a central passage 219, and a central tube 206 that is disposed in the central passage 219 of the annular filter medium 220 that defines a central reservoir 204. The annular filter medium 202 surrounds the central tube 206 and the central reservoir 204. As best seen in Figure 1, the filter element 200 may further include an upper open end 220 attached to the central tube 206 arranged along the longitudinal axis 216. The upper open end 220 includes an opening 210 that allows fluid to flow from the central reservoir 204 to the outside of the filter element 200 (it may also allow the insertion of an upper pedestal 110a). Similarly, the filter element 200 may include a lower open end 222 attached to the central tube 206 opposite the upper open end 220, which is also arranged along the longitudinal axis 216. Therefore, the lower open end 222 allows the insertion of the QCnr ίη / 77Π7 / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ lower pedestal 110. The tank filter system 100 may also include a tank 104 comprising an upper open end 112 and a lower open end 114 with respect to the longitudinal axis 216, and a lower pedestal 110 resting on the lower open end 114 of the tank 104. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present description, such as in Figure 1, where the pedestal 110 is integrally molded with the tank 104. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the tank 104 includes a sealing flange 120 that is arranged close to the upper open end 112 of the tank 104 (also referred to as a cover), while the base 102 includes a downward-facing sealing groove 122 (also referred to as a seal receiving groove) that is arranged close to the lower open end 114 of the base 102. The integrated sealing member 300 can be coupled to the filter element 200 and can include a sealing portion 302 that is arranged in the sealing groove 122 of the base 102 and is in contact with the sealing flange 120 of the tank 104. As best seen in Figure 2, the sealing groove 122 of the base 102 includes at least partially a rectangular profile 124 or at least partially a trapezoidal profile 126 in a plane containing the radial direction 218 and the longitudinal axis 216 (i.e., the sectioned plane of Figure 2). More specifically, the at least partially rectangular profile 124 can be defined by an upper annular surface 128 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 216 and a radially external cylindrical surface 130 extending from the upper annular surface 120. On the other hand, the at least partially trapezoidal profile 126 can be defined by the upper annular surface 128 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 216, and a radially internal angular surface 132 (angular with respect to the longitudinal axis 216 in the plane of approximately 5° to provide guidance during assembly, it may be called conical) extending from the upper annular surface 128. In Figure 2, it can also be seen that the sealing flange 120 of the tank 104 can extend axially upwards and radially outwards from the cylindrical wall 134 of the tank 104 (for example, at approximately an angle of 20° with respect to the radial direction in the plane of Figure 2). This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present description. That is, the tank may be configured differently. As observed in Figure 1, it can be understood that the sealing portion 302 can be arranged radially outwards from the filter medium QCnr ίη / 77Π7 / E / YΙΛΙ annular 202 and axially below the upper open end 220 of the filter element 200. This may not be the case for other modalities. For example, the sealing portion may be positioned axially even with the upper open end, etc. As best seen in Figure 2, the sealing portion 302 may include a single upper sealing lobe 304 that is in contact with the upper annular surface 128 of the sealing groove 122 of the base 102, and a pair of lower sealing lobes 306 that are in contact with the sealing flange 120 of the tank 104 (providing sealing redundancy). As observed in the sealing portion 302 in greater detail, the sealing portion 302 of the integrated sealing member 300 may include a radially internal angular surface 308 (also referred to as a tapered surface) extending downwards from the upper sealing lobe 304, a radially external tapered surface 310 extending downwards from the upper sealing lobe 304 (both surfaces 308 and 310 may provide a guide for assembly), a radially internal cylindrical surface 312 extending from the radially internal angular surface 308 (also referred to as a tapered surface), and a radially external cylindrical surface 314 extending downwards from the radially external tapered surface 310.The radially external cylindrical surface 314 and the radially internal cylindrical surface 312 are configured to contact the radially external cylindrical surface 130 of the sealing groove 122 and the radially internal angular surface 132 of the sealing groove 122, respectively (e.g., by bulging in opposite radial directions) when the sealing lobe 304 is compressed (see arrow 136 for the amount of compression). This arrangement can provide sealing redundancy. Continuing with reference to Figure 2, the base 102 includes a radially internal wall 138 that at least partially defines the sealing groove 122 and includes a free end 140 that defines a lower convex arcuate joint 142 oriented radially inward and axially downward. Similarly, the integrated seal member 300 includes a bridging portion 316 (bridging from the connecting portion 318 of the integrated seal member 300 to the sealing portion 302) that defines a concave bridging arcuate joint 329 that at least partially matches the lower convex arcuate joint 142 of the base 102. The tank 104 may further comprise an external locating wall 144 extending axially upward from the sealing flange 120, and the base 102 further comprises a radially external wall 146 that partially defines the sealing groove 122 and is configured to contact the external locating wall 144 and the sealing flange 120 of the tank 104 simultaneously. This arrangement may prevent the sealing portion 302 of the integrated sealing member 300 from being over-compressed. The filter element 200, which can be supplied as a replacement part, will now be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The filter element 200 may be constructed as previously described herein and may comprise an integrated sealing member 300 that is coupled to the filter element 200 and includes a sealing portion 302 that is arranged radially outside the annular filter medium 202 and axially between the upper open end 220 and the lower open end 222 of the filter element. The joining can be achieved in several ways. For example, the upper end cap 208 can be overmolded onto the center tube 206 and the integrated sealing member 300, or the center tube 206, the upper end cap 208, and the integrated sealing member 300 can be formed as a single piece of material, or the integrated sealing member 300 can be bonded or welded to the upper end cap 208, which can then be bonded or welded to the center tube 206, and so on. To facilitate this joining, the integrated seal member 300 may include an upper mounting ring ocnr Ln / zznz / E / YiAi 324 (see also Figure 5) that is trapped or otherwise held by the upper end cap 208 extending over the top and sides of the upper mounting ring 324. This structure 324 may also act as separator tabs to deflect the media during overmolding of an end cap, whereupon the media are encapsulated. As mentioned earlier herein, the integrated seal member 300 may comprise a connecting portion 318 extending radially outward and axially downward from the upper open end 220 of the filter element 200. Furthermore, the connecting portion 318 of the integrated seal member 300 may be open (see openings 322) to allow dirty fluid flow through the integrated seal member 300 to the annular filter medium 202 for filtration. To that end, the connecting portion 318 includes a series of downward-extending angle members 326 (so named because they form an angle of approximately 15° with the longitudinal axis 216 in the sectioned plane of Figure 4) and a plurality of transverse members 330 connecting each of the series of downward-extending angle members 326 to one another circumferentially (forming a net-like structure).Other configurations of the network-like structure are possible in other modalities of the. QCnr ίη / 77Π7 / E / YΙΛΙ present description. In some modalities, the cross members 330 may be omitted. As best seen in Figure 4, the sealing portion 302 of the integrated sealing member 300 may include an upward-facing arrow portion 332 and a downward-facing, at least partially, wavy portion 334 (also referred to as a lower wavy portion). Other configurations of the sealing portion 302 are possible in other embodiments of this description. An integrated seal member 300 that can be supplied as a replacement part or as a component used to manufacture the newly described filter element 200 will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the integrated sealing member 300 may comprise at least a partially annular body 335 defining a longitudinal axis 337, a radial direction 339, and a circumferential direction 341. The at least partially annular body 335 may include a mounting portion 324a, a sealing portion 302 including at least one upper sealing feature 343 (which may have any suitable shape, including arched, flat, pointed, etc.) and at least one lower sealing feature 336 (which may have any suitable shape, including arched, flat, pointed, etc.). In addition, a connecting portion 318 may extend radially outward (e.g., purely radially outward, basically radially outward, radially outward and axially downward, etc.) from the mounting portion 324a to the sealing portion 302. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 318 also extends axially downward from the mounting portion 324a and defines a grid pattern. The mounting portion 324a may also include a ring (for example, a top mounting ring 324 that is perpendicular to or defines the longitudinal axis 328). The grid pattern may be formed at least partially by a plurality of members 338 extending radially outward and axially downward from the ring 324 to the sealing portion 302. Each of the plurality of members 338 may include a radially outward-oriented surface 340 and a groove 342 may be disposed on the radially outward-oriented surface 340, but not necessarily. As best seen in Figure 7, the upper sealing feature(s) 334 of the sealing portion 302 may include an upper convex arcuate sealing surface 344, and the lower sealing feature(s) 336 of the sealing portion 302 may include a lower convex arcuate sealing surface 346 and a QCnr ίη / 77Π7 / E / YΙΛΙ radially convex external arched sealing surface 348. This surface 348 can be arranged radially outwards close to the lower convex arched sealing surface 346 with a concave arched transition surface 350 interposed between them. The upper convex arched sealing surface 344 may be at least partially interposed radially between the radially external convex arched sealing surface 348 and the lower convex arched sealing surface 346. The radially external convex arched sealing surface 348 may be at least partially arranged axially between the upper convex arched sealing surface 344 and the lower convex arched sealing surface 346. This arrangement may define a tangent line 352 that is tangent to both the lower convex arched sealing surface 346 and the radially external convex arched sealing surface 348, forming an acute angle 354 (which may coincide with the angle of the tank sealing flange) with the radial direction 330 in a plane containing the radial direction 330 and the longitudinal axis 328 (i.e., the sectioned plane of Figure 7). This may not be the case in other embodiments of the present description. The integrated seal member can be constructed using any suitable material and manufacturing process. ocnr Ln / zznz / E / YiAi For example, a urethane material with a durometer of 20 to 95 Shore A (e.g., 60 Shore A) can be used, which is molded into its shape by injection. Any of the aforementioned features, components, or assemblies may vary in their configuration to be different in other modalities of this description from what has been specifically shown and described herein. Industrial application In practice, a filter element, an integrated sealing member, or a tank filter system according to any of the embodiments described herein can be obtained or supplied in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or aftermarket context. The various features described above can be used to provide sealing redundancy while simplifying assembly. In view of the above, a method of assembling a tank filter system in accordance with an embodiment of the present application, as depicted in Figure 8, may be employed, which allows assembly in three or fewer steps while providing sealing redundancy. Method 400 may comprise inserting a filter element into one of a base and a tank, until the seal makes contact with one of a radially internal portion of the base and tank, and until another seal makes contact with one of a radially external portion of the base and tank (step 402). For example, the seal contact on the radially internal portion of the base is shown in Figure 1 in 402a, while the seal contact on the radially internal portion of the tank is shown in Figure 1 in 402b. Similarly, the seal contact on the radially external portion of the base is shown in Figure 1 in 402c, while the seal contact on the radially external portion of the tank is shown in Figure 1 in 402d. The method may then further comprise inserting the filter element into the other of the base and the tank, until one seal makes contact with the other of a radially internal portion of the base and the tank and until another seal makes contact with the other of a radially external portion of the base and the tank (step 404). For example, step 402 may involve inserting the filter element into the reservoir, creating sealing contacts 402b and 402d simultaneously or virtually simultaneously, as shown in Figure 1, while step 404 may involve inserting the filter element into the base, creating sealing contacts at 402a and 402c, or vice versa. Steps 402 and 404 may be accomplished at the same time or at different times. The base and the tank can be coupled together (step 406) by means of threads, a clip, other fasteners, etc. Step 406 can be achieved after steps 402 and 404 or during steps 402 and 404, etc. It is also contemplated that the integrated sealing member may be attached to the bottom of the filter element (e.g., on the bottom end cap) and extend along a portion of the bottom wall and / or side wall of the tank, terminating in a sealing portion near the tank sealing flange, etc. It will be appreciated that the preceding description provides examples of the assembly and technique described. However, it is understood that other implementations of the description may differ in detail from the examples above. All references to the description or examples thereof are intended to refer to the particular example described at that time and are not intended to imply any limitation on the scope of the description in general. Any language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude them from the scope of the description entirely unless otherwise stated. The mention of the value ranges ocnr Ln / zznz / E / YiAi herein is intended merely as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value within the range, unless otherwise stated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the description as if it were mentioned individually herein. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications and variations to the embodiments of the apparatus and the assembly methods as described herein may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other embodiments of the present description will become evident to those skilled in the art from consideration of the description and the implementation of the various embodiments described herein. For example, some parts of the apparatus may be constructed and operated differently from how described herein, and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in a different order than specifically mentioned, or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps.Furthermore, variations or modifications can be made to certain aspects or features of various modalities to create more modalities and features, and aspects of various modalities can be added or replaced by other features or aspects of other modalities to provide even more additional modalities. Therefore, this description includes all modifications and equivalents of the object stated in the appended claims as permitted by applicable law. Furthermore, the description covers all combinations of the elements described above in all possible variations thereof, unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradicted by the context. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A filter element characterized in that it includes at least one partially annular configuration and defines a longitudinal axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, in that it includes: an annular filter medium defining a central passage; a central tube disposed in the central passage of the annular filter medium defining a central reservoir, the annular filter medium surrounding the central tube and the central reservoir; an upper open end attached to the central tube disposed along the longitudinal axis, the upper open end including an opening that allows fluid to flow from the central reservoir to the outside of the filter element; a lower end attached to the central tube opposite the upper open end disposed along the longitudinal axis;and an integrated sealing member that is coupled to the filter element and includes a sealing portion that is arranged radially outside the annular filter medium and axially between the upper open end and the lower end.

2. The filter element according to claim 1, characterized in that the integrated sealing member further comprises a connecting portion extending radially outwards and axially downwards from the upper open end of the filter element and the connecting portion is open.

3. The filter element according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting portion includes a series of downward-extending angle members and a plurality of transverse members connecting each of the downward-extending angle members circumferentially.

4. The filter element according to claim 3, characterized in that the integrated sealing member includes an upper mounting ring.

5. The filter element according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing portion of the integrated sealing member includes an upward-facing arrow portion and a wavy portion at least partially downward-facing.

6. An integrated sealing member characterized in that it comprises: a at least partially annular body defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction and a circumferential direction, the at least partially annular body including a mounting portion; a sealing portion including at least one upper sealing feature and at least one lower sealing feature; and a connecting portion extending radially outward from the mounting portion to the sealing portion.

7. The integrated sealing member according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting portion also extends axially downwards from the mounting portion and defines a grid pattern, and the mounting portion includes a ring that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

8. The integrated sealing member according to claim 7, characterized in that the connecting portion includes a plurality of members extending radially outward and axially downward from the ring to the sealing portion, each of the plurality of members including a radially outward-oriented surface and a groove arranged in the radially outward-oriented surface.

9. The integrated sealing member according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper sealing feature(s) of the sealing portion include an upper convex arcuate sealing surface, and the lower sealing feature(s) of the sealing portion include a lower convex arcuate sealing surface, and an external radially convex arcuate sealing surface that is radially outwardly disposed close to the lower convex arcuate sealing surface with a concave arcuate transition surface interposed between them.

10. The integrated sealing member according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper convex arcuate sealing surface is at least partially radially interposed between the external convex arcuate sealing surface and the lower convex arcuate sealing surface, and the radially external convex arcuate sealing surface is at least partially axially disposed between the upper convex arcuate sealing surface and the lower convex arcuate sealing surface, defining a tangent line that is tangent to the lower convex arcuate sealing surface and the radially external convex arcuate sealing surface, forming an acute angle with the radial direction in a plane containing the radial direction and the longitudinal axis.

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