US Patent 7314219 Shaft seal assembly

A seal assembly provides a seal between a housing member and a shaft member extending through a bore formed in the housing member. The seal assembly comprises a seal member mounted to the housing member within the bore and about the shaft member and extending radially inward therefrom, an axially extending seal sleeve member provided to fit over the shaft in a fluid-tight manner for cooperating with the seal sleeve member, and a guide member extending radially outward from the seal sleeve member. The guide member has geometry provided for centrally locating the shaft within the bore in the tubular housing. The guide member is provided to protect the sealing integrity of the seal member when the seal assembly and the shaft member are assembled to one another. A method for installing the seal assembly with the guide member is also provided.