Patent ID: 6561519
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
A dual seal for a shaft, said dual seal comprising:a first support member; a second support member adjacent to said first support member, said first and second support members having portions forming an inner cavity; at least one channel member between said first and second support members, said at least one channel member in flow communication with said inner cavity; a first shaft seal member adjacent to said first support member opposite said inner cavity, with the first shaft seal member having at least one partial hole; a second shaft seal member adjacent to said second support member opposite said inner cavity and having at least one partial hole such that said one partial hole of said first shaft seal member and said one partial hole of said second shaft seal member form a portion of said channel member, said first and second shaft seal members forming an annulus between said first shaft seal member and said secnd shaft seal member and the shaft, said annulus is in flow communication with said at least one channel member so that said at least one channel member permits any accumulated fluid in said annulus to drain into said inner cavity thereby preventing the formation of vacuum in said annulus and preventing said first shaft seal member from abutting the second shaft seal member to block flow in said at least one channel member.