Patent ID: 6712366
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
In a seal assembly for sealing with a component extending within the seal assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, the seal assembly comprising a seal element retained by a seal housing, wherein one of the seal element and the seal housing is comprised of a compressible material, wherein the seal element is comprised of a seal engagement surface, and wherein the seal housing is comprised of a housing engagement surface for ending the seal engagement surface, the improvement comprising one of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface being comprised of the compressible material and the other of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface being oriented in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the component extending within the seal assembly and defining a depression pattern comprised of a plurality of depressions for providing an isolated gap between the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface for receiving the compressible material to restrain movement of the seal element relative to the seal housing, wherein the depression pattern is comprised of a plurality of dimples.