Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus comprising: (a) a shaft having a first smaller diameter section to be sealed by the below-recited seal and a second larger diameter section over which said seal must pass before contacting said first section; and (b) an annular shaft seal comprising: (i) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (ii) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (iii) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance Diameter--greater than that of said second shaft section; (4) Lip Interference≧100% of X wherein X is the difference between the diameters of said first and second shaft sections; and (5) Lip Height≧150% of X.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
An apparatus comprising: (a) a shaft having a first smaller diameter section to be sealed by the below-recited seal and a second larger diameter section over which said seal must pass before contacting said first section; and (b) an annular shaft seal comprising: (i) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (ii) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (iii) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance Diameter--greater than that of said second shaft section; (4) Lip Interference≧100% of X wherein X is the difference between the diameters of said first and second shaft sections; and (5) Lip Height≧150% of X.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first section has a diameter of less than about 1 inch and X≦about 0.050 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first section has a diameter of about 0.500 inch, X has a value of about 0.025 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lip interference≧125% of X and said lip height≧175% of X.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first section has a diameter of about 0.875 inch and X has a value of about 0.075 inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first section has a diameter of about 2.000 and X has a value of about 0.100 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said liner has a thickness of about 0.015 inch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said included angle is about 15°.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
294 words
The method of mounting a shaft seal in a housing bore and between said bore and a shaft extending through said bore, and wherein said shaft has a first smaller diameter section to be sealed by said seal and a second larger diameter section over which said seal must pass before contacting said first section, and wherein said seal is of the type having polytetrafluoroethylene-lined elastomeric sealing lip, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing said seal with an annular shaft seal comprising: (i) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (ii) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (iii) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance Diameter--greater than that of said second shaft section; (4) Lip Interference≧100% of X wherein X is the difference between the diameters of said first and second shaft sections; and (5) Lip Height≧150% of X; (b) moving said seal axially relative to said shaft such that said seal passes over said second section before it reaches said first section; and (c) mounting said seal in said bore and in sealing contact with said first section of said shaft, whereby after stretching over said second section, said sealing lip retracts a sufficient amount to effect a positive seal with said first section.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
294 words
The method of mounting a shaft seal in a housing bore and between said bore and a shaft extending through said bore, and wherein said shaft has a first smaller diameter section to be sealed by said seal and a second larger diameter section over which said seal must pass before contacting said first section, and wherein said seal is of the type having polytetrafluoroethylene-lined elastomeric sealing lip, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing said seal with an annular shaft seal comprising: (i) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (ii) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (iii) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance Diameter--greater than that of said second shaft section; (4) Lip Interference≧100% of X wherein X is the difference between the diameters of said first and second shaft sections; and (5) Lip Height≧150% of X; (b) moving said seal axially relative to said shaft such that said seal passes over said second section before it reaches said first section; and (c) mounting said seal in said bore and in sealing contact with said first section of said shaft, whereby after stretching over said second section, said sealing lip retracts a sufficient amount to effect a positive seal with said first section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said moving step comprises moving said seal relative to said shaft in the direction such that said sealing lip is urged in a direction away from said mounting portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said moving step includes mounting said seal on a shaft having a first section diameter of about 0.500 inch and having a value X of about 0.025 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said lip interference≧125% of X and said lip height≧175% of X.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein said moving step includes mounting said seal on a shaft having a first section diameter of about 0.875 inch and having a value X of about 0.075 inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein said moving step includes mounting said seal on a shaft having a first section diameter of about 2.000 inch and having a value X of about 0.100 inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
An annular shaft seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance diameter--greater than 0.950 inch; (4) Lip Interference≧0.094 and (5) Lip Height≧0.131 inch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
An annular shaft seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance diameter--greater than 0.950 inch; (4) Lip Interference≧0.094 and (5) Lip Height≧0.131 inch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The seal according to claim 15 wherein said liner has a thickness of about 0.015 inch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
An annular shaft seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance diameter--greater than 2.100 inch; (4) Lip Interference≧0.125 inch; and (5) Lip Height≧0.175 inch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
128 words
An annular shaft seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance diameter--greater than 2.100 inch; (4) Lip Interference≧0.125 inch; and (5) Lip Height≧0.175 inch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
128 words
An annular shaft seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance diameter--greater than 0.525 inch; (4) Lip Interference≧0.025 inch; and (5) Lip Height≧0.038 inch.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
128 words
An annular shaft seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance diameter--greater than 0.525 inch; (4) Lip Interference≧0.025 inch; and (5) Lip Height≧0.038 inch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
183 words
An annular shaft seal for use on a shaft having a first smaller diameter section to be sealed by said seal and a second larger diameter section said seal must pass over before engaging said first section, said seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance Diameter--greater than that of said second section; (4) Lip Interference≧100% of X wherein X is the difference between the diameters of said first and second shaft sections; and (5) Lip Height≧150% of X.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
183 words
An annular shaft seal for use on a shaft having a first smaller diameter section to be sealed by said seal and a second larger diameter section said seal must pass over before engaging said first section, said seal comprising: (a) a mounting portion comprising a shell and an elastomeric body bonded thereto; (b) a flex portion of elastomeric material integral with said elastomeric body and extending axially therefrom and being of sufficiently narrow cross-section to permit radial movement of the below-recited sealing lip; and (c) a sealing lip including an elastomeric backing layer and a polytetrafluoroethylene liner on a radially inner surface of said sealing lip, said elastomeric backing layer being integral with said elastomeric material of said flex portion, said liner being attached to said backing layer, and said seal having the following parameters: (1) Lip Angle=15°-25°; (2) Included Angle--divergent axially away from said flex portion; (3) Clearance Diameter--greater than that of said second section; (4) Lip Interference≧100% of X wherein X is the difference between the diameters of said first and second shaft sections; and (5) Lip Height≧150% of X.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seal according to claim 19 wherein said lip interference≧125% of X and said lip height≧175% X.