Seals with particle exclusion means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Via the novel design of the present invention, many of the prior problems have been alleviated, seal life has been improved and overall cost of seal assemblies has often been reduced.
The new design includes an outer baffle element, an open-celled element of controlled porosity and an inner baffle member which provides a restricted passageway into the assembly.
As some particulate material enters the assembly via the restricted passageway, its further movement is restricted and directed by the outer baffle and the open-celled element in combination so that excessive particulate material is directed back into the equipment which is being sealed.
The particle exclusion assembly may be an integral part of a complete sealing assembly or it may be a separate assembly to be used in conjunction with a separate sealing assembly.
A primary object of the invention is to provide means for improving the service life of sealing assemblies operating in an inclined position and handling solid particles.
Another object of the invention is to provide such means which are adaptable to use with a wide variety of sealing assemblies.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such means which produce lower overall costs for composite seal assemblies.