Self-sealing grommet assembly

A self-sealing grommet assembly (10) comprises a flexible body (20) having a radially inward-facing first sealing surface (22) defining a central aperture (18) sized to receive an elongated member. The flexible body has a radially outward-facing second sealing surface (28). It has an annular cavity formed concentric with the central aperture and between the first and second sealing surfaces. A self-sealing grommet assembly comprises a flexible body having a radially inward-facing first sealing surface defining a central aperture sized to receive an elongated member. The flexible body has a radially outward-facing second sealing surface. It has an annular cavity formed concentric with the central aperture and between the first and second sealing surfaces. The assembly also comprises an annular or flat metal spring (44, 46) contained in the annular cavity and is configured to exert a radially inward sealing force and partially contract the body to press the body into sealable engagement with an elongated member. Independent claims are also included for: an installation assembly comprising a structure having an aperture (12), and elongated member extending radially through the aperture, and a grommet assembly positioned in the aperture around the elongated aperture, and a method of making a grommet assembly comprising providing an annular-shaped spring, encasing the spring in a soluble core material to form annular core, molding a flexible material around the annular core to form a grommet, directing a flow of solvent into the annular cavity, dissolving the core material within the annular cavity with the solvent flowing into the cavity, and removing the solvent and the dissolved core material from the cavity with the annular-shaped spring remaining in the annular cavity. The spring is configured to exert a radially inward sealing force and partially contact the body about the central aperture.