Patent ID: 7090178

Claim:
A rotatable payload support turret for operation in a potentially hazardous environment, the support turret comprising a fixed element and a rotatable element, supported by the fixed element, for rotation with respect thereto, comprising: an annular rotary seal attached to the fixed element in an annular clearance gap formed between said fixed element and said rotatable element, said annular rotary seal comprising a magnetic circuit formed to capture a magnetic fluid in the annular clearance gap thereby sealing the clearance gap with a gas tight seal; and, an annular wiper seal assembly positioned in said annular clearance gap between said potentially hazardous environment and said annular rotary seal for sealing the clearance gap to prevent elements of said potentially hazardous environment from contaminating said magnetic fluid, the annular wiper seal comprising; an annular flexible member attached to the rotatable element for rotation therewith, and an annular sealing surface attached to said fixed element, said annular flexible member being forced into contact with said annular sealing surface during rotation of said rotatable element.