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Rotary Shaft Lip Seals

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Synonyms

Lip seal; Radial shaft seal; Shaft seal

Definition

Rotary shaft lip seals are widely used for the retention or exclusion of fluids on rotating shafts across many applications. The dynamic sealing is achieved by a narrow edge, or lip, of elastomer or plastic in contact with a rotating shaft. The lip is supported by a flexible element that is held in place by a rigid casing that also forms the static seal.

Scientific Fundamentals

Development was largely empirical for some 50 years or more until mathematical analysis of the seals gave a more established basis for understanding the detail of how these seals operate. The current theory of rotary shaft lip seals is discussed in Salant (2010).

The types of seals in common use can be divided into three broad categories:

  • Elastomer lip seals, which are used for sealing of shafts against exit or ingress of liquids.

  • Plastic, primarily filled PTFE, which are used as an alternative to elastomer seals where fluid resistance or lack of...

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References

  • Anon, Radial shaft seal technical manual (Freudenberg, Simrit, 2005)

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  • F. Bauer, W. Haas PTFE lip seals with spiral groove – the penetration behaviour, hydrodynamic flow and back pumping mechanisms. 18 International Conference Fluid Sealing, BHR Group, Antwerp, 2005

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  • E. Bock, R. Vogt, P. Schreiner, New radial shaft seal concepts for sealing hydraulic pumps and motors. Seal. Technol. 2003(11), 6–10 (2003)

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  • B. Duhring, G. Iverson, The application of plastics in dynamic seals. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part J: J Eng. Tribol. 213(3), 227–237 (1999)

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  • R.K. Flitney, Seals and Sealing Handbook, 5th edn. (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2007)

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  • A. Gorrino, Hydrodynamic aids for radial shaft seals with elastomeric lip, in 18th international conference on fluid sealing, BHR Group, 2005

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  • D.E. Johnston, Design aspects of modern rotary shaft seals. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part J: J Eng. Tribol. 213, 203–213 (1999)

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  • T. Kunstfeld, W. Haas, Shaft surface manufacturing methods for rotary shaft lip seals. Sealing Technology 2005, 5–9 (2005)

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  • R.F. Salant, Soft Elastohydrodynamic Analysis of Rotary Lip Seals, Proc Inst Mech Engs. J Mech. Eng. Sci. 224, 2637–2647 (2010)

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  • B.R. Sedlar, D.M. Toth, R.M. Noteboom, Dynamic shaft seal and method of installation thereof, World Patent: WO/2008/112610, 2008

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Correspondence to Robert K. Flitney .

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Flitney, R.K. (2013). Rotary Shaft Lip Seals. In: Wang, Q.J., Chung, YW. (eds) Encyclopedia of Tribology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-92897-5_127

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