Patent ID: 6722657
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: F16C,F16J

Abstract:
A labyrinth seal assembly for sealing an annular gap defined between a bore of a housing and an outer surface of a cylindrical shaft, wherein the housing and shaft are relatively movable, the seal assembly comprising:a) a radially inner shield ring having an inner surface adapted and configured for support by the shaft, the inner shield ring defining a sealing channel which includes at least one sealing surface; and b) a radially outer shield ring partially disposed within the sealing channel of the inner shield ring, the outer shield ring including a casing member, first and second foam seal elements, and means for retaining the first foam seal element within the sealing channel, the casing member including opposed first and second axially extending portions, the first axially extending portion adapted and configured for engagement with the housing, the seal element retaining means engaged with the second axially extending portion of the casing member and having the first foam seal element depending radially inward into the sealing channel so as to form a circuitous sealing labyrinth therein, and wherein the first and second foam seal elements comprise differing material densities.