Patent ID: 7635034

Claim:
A top drive apparatus for a rotating control device, comprising: a seal carrying structure configured for being fixedly attached to an upper end portion of an inner barrel of a bearing assembly, wherein the seal carrying structure includes a seal-carrying portion having a groove therein and wherein the groove extends through a bottom surface of the seal carrying structure; a seal body having a mounting portion and a wiper portion extending from the mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is slideably disposed within the groove of the seal-carrying portion, wherein a stiffness characteristic of the seal body is such that application of force on the wiper portion thereof results in negligible deformation of the wiper portion and displacement of the entire seal body with respect to the groove; a plurality of resilient members within the groove between the mounting portion of the seal body and the seal carrying structure such that the entire seal body is resiliently displaceable with respect to the seal carrying structure with said resilient members biasing the seal body toward an at-rest position; a fastener extending through the mounting portion of the seal body and each one of the resilient members; and a sealing device provided between at least one side face of the groove and the mounting portion of the seal body for providing a sealing interface therebetween that is resistant to fluid, dirt, debris, contaminants, and the like, wherein a stiffness characteristic of the seal body is such that application of force on the wiper portion thereof results in negligible deformation of the wiper portion and displacement of the entire seal body with respect to the groove.