Spring Energized Rotary Seals

Flanged seals are a special class of radial seals with an added feature to help retain the seal under rotary forces. The flange is an extension of the heel of the seal, which locates in a counterbore of the housing. At assembly, the seal flange gets pinched in the housing providing a positive mechanical lock that keeps the seal stationary. Flanged seals are an excellent choice for equipment that can be designed with end plates. In these cases, assembly of a flanged seal is simple and provides a robust design as well as a level of redundant sealing on the static side of the gland. Process machinery that require a product to be contained (mixers, augers, spool valves) are good applications of this design.

When considering a rotary service seal and additional gland length is available, an O-Ring Heel Seal provides a level of anti-rotation and redundant sealing. The addition of an O-Ring on the heel of a radial seal creates a high friction interface
at the bore to counteract rotary forces. With proper hardware design, a high level of sealing can be realized, making an O-Ring Heel Seal a good choice where gaseous or low viscosity fluids need to be sealed.

When considering a rotary service seal and additional gland diameter is available, an O-Ring OD Seal provides a level of anti-rotation and redundant sealing. The addition of an O-Ring on the OD of a radial seal creates a high friction interface at the bore to counteract rotary forces. Because the O-Ring is a lower durometer than the jacket material, it is more compliant and offers tight sealing on the bore. This feature is utilized in equipment such as vapor recovery and vacuum pumps where running friction needs to be low and sealing efficiency high.