Patent ID: 8840115

Claim:
A buffer seal for sealing a reciprocating rod, comprising: an annular seal body having a dynamic seal lip extending radially inward and axially from said seal body and a static seal lip extending radially outward and axially from said seal body, said static seal lip having a hinge portion for attachment to said seal body that is axially spaced relative to a sealing edge of said static seal lip, said sealing edge of said static seal lip being disposed radially outward from said dynamic seal lip, wherein said dynamic seal lip extends axially to a greater extent than said static seal lip, said dynamic seal lip having an axial face portion that includes a flat planar face having a plurality of radial notches therein, said hinge portion of said static seal lip including a bend about which an entire length of said static seal lip flexes to allow fluid flow around an outer side of the buffer seal to provide pressure relief when the reciprocating rod is retracted; and an annular back-up ring disposed radially inward from said seal body and axially adjacent to said dynamic seal lip.