The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 19, 2017
Filed:
Jun. 08, 2012
Richard M. Larson, Des Plaines, IL (US);
David C. Rupp, Grayslake, IL (US);
Reynaldo Fernandez, Chicago, IL (US);
John Stark, Hanover Park, IL (US);
Gerald A. Greca, Carleton, MI (US);
Richard M. Larson, Des Plaines, IL (US);
David C. Rupp, Grayslake, IL (US);
Reynaldo Fernandez, Chicago, IL (US);
John Stark, Hanover Park, IL (US);
Gerald A. Greca, Carleton, MI (US);
Federal-Mogul LLC, Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
A shaft seal assembly for establishing a liquid-tight seal between a steering knuckle and an axle shaft is provided. The shaft seal assembly includes an outer case and a first elastomeric member attached to one another. The elastomeric member has a castellated feature including a plurality of projections extending in a radially outward direction and separated from one another by a plurality of grooves. When the shaft seal assembly is installed in the steering knuckle, a cavity is presented between the steering knuckle and the first elastomeric member. Together, the grooves and cavity allow air to flow from a hub on one side of the seal assembly to a vacuum port in the steering knuckle. The cavity extends circumferentially around the seal assembly, and thus, air flow from the hub to the vacuum port is not dependent upon the orientation of the seal assembly relative to the steering knuckle.