End face seal assemblies

Claim 1

An end face seal assembly for use in severe environments, said assembly comprising at least one generally annular, primary sealing ring having an axially facing, radially directed end face portion, at least a part of which is adapted to engage an oppositely directed mating part along a primary seal band area, an at least partially radially outwardly directed seat on said ring for receiving a portion of a secondary sealing member in driving engagement with said seat, an axially extending, radially inwardly directed annular inner ring surface, and a secondary sealing and driving member made entirely from an elastomeric material, said secondary member having at least a portion thereof adapted for snug secondary sealing engagement with said seat portion said beveled surface including a plurality of vanes disposed thereon said vanes being adapted to create turbulent flow of said lubricant whereby the distribution of said lubricant about the periphery of said seal ring will be facilitated, of said primary seal ring when an axial force is applied to said secondary sealing and driving member and when said member is at least partially confined against radially outward expansion, said secondary sealing and driving member being readily removable axially of said seat upon release of said axial forces and said radial confinement, said primary sealing ring further including at least one beveled surface defining a reservoir for receiving and retaining seal face lubricant, said surface lying between and joining an edge of said annular inner ring surface and an inner margin of said end face portion, said beveled surface being inclined at a substantial angle with respect to said end face portion, whereby, in the use of said seal, sufficient lubricant will be retained in said reservoir adjacent said end face portion to insure lubrication of said seal band upon initial movement of said machine parts.