Patent ID: 8056904

Claim:
A hydrodynamic rotary seal for location by a machine component for dynamic sealing engagement with a relatively rotatable surface and for serving as a partition between a first fluid of a lubricant supply and a second fluid, the hydrodynamic rotary seal comprising: a static sealing surface adapted to form a sealing interface with the machine component; a generally circumferential dynamic lip, at least a portion of said dynamic lip adapted to be maintained in contacting relation with the relatively rotatable surface to define an interfacial contact footprint between said dynamic lip and the relatively rotatable surface, wherein during relative rotation between said dynamic lip and the relatively rotatable surface while in use, said interfacial contact footprint is a dynamic sealing interface with sliding occurring between said dynamic lip and the relatively rotatable surface, and in the absence of relative rotation, said interfacial contact footprint is a static sealing interface; said dynamic lip comprising: a first lip side arranged to face the first fluid; a second lip side arranged to face the second fluid; a first wave having a first multi-function edge on said first lip side, at least a portion of said first multi-function edge being skewed with respect to a direction of relative rotation, and at least a portion of said first multi-function edge having a curve-like profile when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, an end of the first multi-function edge forming a first ramp section adapted to curve toward the relatively rotatable surface; a second wave having a second multi-function edge on said first lip side, at least a portion of said second multi-function edge being skewed with respect to the direction of relative rotation and skewed oppositely of said skewed portion of said first multi-function edge; and a recess having a sloping profile in a circumferential direction, said sloping profile adapted for providing gradual convergence with the relatively rotatable surface and defining at least part of a first hydrodynamic inlet for said first wave, wherein said first and second waves meet at said recess.