Patent ID: 7258346

Claim:
A sliding element that keeps a sealed fluid on a sliding face of said sliding element, said sliding element being slidable relative to another sliding element, said sealed fluid being located in either inner circumferential side or outer circumferential side of said sliding face, said sliding element comprising: a) a first dam section being configured in an annular form on said sliding face; b) a second dimple section having a form of a narrow second groove and making an inclination angle (β) measured from said dam section in a direction of rotation pointing toward said sealed fluid; c) suction means including an annularly arranged array of said second dimple sections; d) a first dimple section having a form of a narrow first groove and making an inclination angle (α) measured from said first dam section in a direction of rotation but pointing an opposite direction relative to said suction means; e) discharge means including an annularly arranged array of said first dimple sections; and f) seal face being disposed in a peripheral surface adjacent to said discharge means and in the opposite side relative to said dam section, wherein said first dimple section is located at a low pressure side, said second dimple section is located at a high pressure side, wherein a longitudinal length of said first groove of said first dimple section is greater than a longitudinal length of said second groove of said second dimple section, and wherein a second dam section in an annular form circumferentially traverses said second dimple section, and wherein a third dam section in an annular form circumferentially traverses an intermediate portion of said first dimple section.