Patent ID: 6866271

Claim:
A shaft seal device for use with a drive shaft extending through an opening in the hull of a vessel to preclude the flow of fluid into the vessel and out of the confines of said device, said shah being rotatable about a generally linear axis, said shaft having a passageway having a central, longitudinal axis for receiving said shaft for rotation therein, comprising: a rigid seal housing, including part of said passageway, said seal housing having an aft end portion, said seal housing comprising: a seal for providing a seal around said shaft; a securing apparatus for securing said seal to said housing; and a bearing situated at said aft end of said housing for tangentially contacting a shaft extending through the passageway; a flexible diaphragm for moving in response to axial and/or radial movement of the shaft, said diaphragm operatively connected to said seal housing, thereby allowing said seal housing to move axially and/or radially in response to the axial and/or radial movement of the shaft while maintaining a constant seal around the shaft, said diaphragm comprising: a substantially annular shaped, flat base having at least one securing hole therethrough; a body extending from said base, said body comprising a substantially annular neck portion and a substantially annular foot portion operatively connected to the neck portion, said foot portion further comprising a substantially annular lip, contacting a longitudinal surface of said seal housing, thereon for supporting said seal housing, and an extendible convolution disposed between said neck portion and said foot portion, said diaphragm being capable of radial, axial and circular-linear rotational movement; a connecting apparatus for connecting said diaphragm to said seal housing; a compression ring being operatively connected to said base of said diaphragm and around said body of said diaphragm, wherein said ring comprises at least one securing hole therethrough and secures said diaphragm in place; and a lip seal flange attachment, including part of said passageway, said lip seal flange attachment being operatively connected to said base of said diaphragm on the opposite side of said base from said compression ring, comprising an annular end tube portion, an annular fore end wall portion and at least one securing hole through said wall portion, wherein said lip seal flange attachment secures said diaphragm in place and serves as a guide for the shaft extending through the passageway.