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Self relieving seal

  • US 6,976,548 B2
  • Filed: 04/02/2003
  • Issued: 12/20/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An annular seal for use in a rotary cone drill bit having a body, a leg extending from the body, and a cutting cone rotatably mounted on the leg, the annular seal comprising:

  • an elastomeric seal body having a first sealing surface that is positioned against an adjacent sealing surface of the leg, and a second sealing surface that is positioned against an adjacent sealing surface of the cone, wherein one of the first and second sealing surfaces forms a dynamic rotary seal against its respective leg or cone sealing surfaces, the seal including a pair of external surfaces each extending along the seal body between the first and second sealing surfaces; and

    one or more relief ports disposed axially through the seal body and having openings through each of the seal body external surfaces;

    wherein the seal is disposed within a gland in the drill bit formed by opposed wall surfaces of the cone, and wherein the seal is positioned within the gland with its external surfaces adjacent a respective wall surface.

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