Patent ID: 8985590
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A seal assembly adapted for use in sealing a joint having a first member pivotable about a rotational axis relative to a second member thereof, the first member including a load ring engagement surface defining, at least in part, an axially-extending seal cavity about the rotational axis, the seal assembly comprising: a seal ring, the seal ring having an axial flange, extending along the rotational axis, and a radial flange, extending along a radial axis perpendicular to the rotational axis; and a load ring, the load ring including a seal ring engagement surface, a first member engagement surface, an inner relief surface, and an outer relief surface, the seal ring engagement surface including a radial segment in proximate relationship with the radial flange of the seal ring and an axial segment in proximate relationship with the axial flange of the seal ring, the first member engagement surface including a radial segment and an axial segment, the radial segment of the first member engagement surface being in distal relationship with the radial segment of the seal ring engagement surface, the inner relief surface extending between the radial segment of the first member engagement surface and the axial segment of the seal ring engagement surface, and the outer relief surface extending between the axial segment of the first member engagement surface and the radial segment of the seal ring engagement surface; wherein the inner relief surface includes an inclined segment which is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the rotational axis, and the outer relief surface includes an inclined segment which is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the rotational axis; wherein the radial segment of the first member engagement surface is radially offset, measured along the radial axis, from the radial segment of the seal ring engagement surface.