Patent ID: 7827786

Claim:
A seal assembly for a transmission pump; wherein the transmission pump has a pump body member partially defining a pump cavity, is operatively connected for rotation with a torque converter hub to pressurize fluid within the pump cavity, and has a bushing defining a gap between the pump body member and the torque converter hub to allow lubrication of the bushing with the pressurized fluid, the seal assembly comprising: a rigid carrier positionable between the pump body member and the torque converter hub; an elastomeric lip extending from the rigid carrier; a contact layer connected to the elastomeric lip and configured to sealingly contact the torque converter hub when the rigid carrier is positioned between the pump body member and the torque converter hub; wherein the contact layer is harder than the elastomeric lip to minimize friction at the torque converter hub; wherein the rigid carrier has an orifice positioned in fluid connection with the gap when the rigid carrier is positioned between the pump body member and the torque converter hub; and wherein the orifice is sized to control flow of fluid from the pump cavity through the gap to minimize pump pressure loss.