Importance

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Abstract

A seal assembly for a rotary drill bit of the type comprising a bearing journal constituting a first bearing member, and roller cutter having a blind end bore therein, constituting a second bearing member, receiving the journal and an annular recess at the open end of the bore, the annular recess and journal defining an annular cavity in the bit. The seal assembly is positioned in the cavity for holding lubricant in the bit and comprises a ring of relatively rigid material movable with respect to the journal and the roller cutter in the longitudinal axial direction thereof and having a sealing face. An elastomeric seal member sealingly engages the movable ring and one of the bearing members and biases the ring to a position in which the sealing face of the ring is in sealing engagement. A projection and recess arrangement on the ring and the stated one bearing member enables the ring to move along this bearing member, while holding it in predetermined angular position thereon, whereby the ring and this bearing member rotates together relative to the other bearing member, with the movable ring biased to its sealing position.

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First Claim