Patent ID: 8052152

Claim:
A shaft seal for forming a dynamic seal along an axially extending annular running surface, comprising: a mounting portion configured to be connected to a stationary housing; a seal lip having an annular sealing surface extending between an oil side end and a free air side end, said sealing surface being configured to extend axially along the running surface, said oil side end having a greater diameter than said free air side end in an uninstalled state; an annular bridge portion connecting the seal lip to the mounting portion; a plurality of webs extending generally radially between said bridge portion and said mounting portion; wherein said bridge portion includes a hinge region extending radially outwardly from said oil side of said seal lip at an angle less than 90 degrees from said seal lip and in reverse folded orientation over said seal lip toward said free air side end of said seal lip; wherein an annular pocket is formed between said hinge region and said seal lip and an annular recess is formed between said hinge region and said mounting portion, said webs being equidistantly spaced circumferentially about said hinge region and extending from said hinge region to said mounting portion within said annular recess; and wherein said annular pocket is free from support.