Patent ID: 6357757
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
A seal assembly for providing a seal between a housing and a shaft extending through a bore formed in the housing, the seal assembly comprising:a case adapted to be mounted to the housing within the bore and about the shaft; an annular seal member having a seal lip, the seal member coupled to the case and extending radially inward therefrom, the seal member adapted to provide a seal between the housing and the shaft; and an annular guide member coupled to one of the case and the seal member and extending radially inward therefrom, the annular guide including a flexible inner tip that extends radially inward beyond the seal lip when the seal assembly is in a free state disengaged from the shaft; the tip being configured to deflect in response to contact with the shaft and extend axially toward the seal lip; and wherein the inner tip of the annular guide is adapted to protect the sealing integrity of the seal lip when the seal assembly and the shaft are assembled to one another.