Abstract: A labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A seal body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein a labyrinth passage extends between the seal body and the sleeve, from an air side of the assembly to an oil side of the assembly, during normal use of the assembly.

Abstract: A labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A seal body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein a labyrinth passage extends between the seal body and the sleeve, from an air side of the assembly to an oil side of the assembly, during normal use of the assembly.

Abstract: A non-contact labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein the body provides, at least in part, a purely non-contact labyrinth passage extending between the carrier and the sleeve.

Abstract: A non-contact labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein the body provides, at least in part, a purely non-contact labyrinth passage extending between the carrier and the sleeve.

Abstract: A non-contact labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein the body provides, at least in part, a purely non-contact labyrinth passage extending between the carrier and the sleeve.

Abstract: A non-contact labyrinth seal assembly, bearing assembly therewith, and method of construction thereof, has an outer rigid carrier and an inner sleeve. The carrier has an outer cylindrical flange and a radially inwardly extending leg and the sleeve has a cylindrical wall and a radially outwardly extending flange. A body is attached to at least one of the leg and the flange, wherein the body provides, at least in part, a purely non-contact labyrinth passage extending between the carrier and the sleeve.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (A1C) for installation over the journal (6,100) at the end of a railcar axle (4) has a backing ring (16,104) that seats against a fillet (10) at the end of the journal, an antifriction bearing (B1D) that fits around the journal, and an end cap (18,106) that extends over the end of the journal to retain the bearing and backing ring around the journal. In one form, the bearing (B) has two cones (32) that fit over the journal with an interference fit, with the inboard cone abutting the backing ring (16). A bore clip (22) holds the backing ring and inboard cone together in alignment before installation on the journal. In another form, a wear ring (108) is interposed between the backing ring (104) and the inner race (102) of the bearing (D), and the bore clip (22) extends between the backing ring and the wear ring.

Abstract: A backing ring that serves to position an antifriction bearing on the journal of an axle for a railcar or locomotive carries a ring containing a corrosion inhibitor. During installation of the bearing on the journal, the backing ring is advanced over the journal followed by the bearing. When the axially directed force that advances the bearing over the journal is transmitted through the bearing to the backing and is resisted at the fillet, the corrosion inhibitor exudes from the backing ring and forms a coating on the fillet to inhibit fretting and other corrosion between the backing ring and the journal.

Abstract: A backing ring that serves to back an antifriction bearing on the journal of a rail car axle includes an annular body that seats against a fillet that is located at the end of the journal and also a lip that projects over a larger dust guard diameter that is located on the axle immediately beyond the fillet. In addition, the backing ring includes a stabilizing element which cooperates with the lip and with the dust guard diameter to lessen the tendency of the annular body to work against the fillet and create a fretting wear when the journal undergoes cyclic flexures. The stabilizing element accommodates dust guard diameters of varying size. The stabilizing element may also establish a seal between the lip and the dust guard diameter.

Abstract: To enable a single row tapered roller bearing to receive adequate lubrication at critical surface areas while operating at moderate to high speeds, the thrust rib on the cone of the bearing is fitted with a lubricating ring that in combination with the rib forms an inwardly opening trough and a plurality of channels that lead from the trough and over the thrust rib so that the ends of the channels open toward the large diameter ends of the tapered rollers. Alternatively, the lubricating ring may be the thrust rib, with the channels extending beneath it and opening toward the large diameter ends of the rollers. A lubricating oil is introduced into the trough, and the centrifugal forces that are exerted on this oil through rotation of the cone causes the oil to flow through the channels and discharge against the large end faces of the rollers.

Abstract: An externally self-aligning tapered roller bearing, which is particularly useful in pillow blocks, utilizes a conventional double row cone assembly, the rollers of which are in the direct orientation. The cup, however, is derived from a tubular slug which is roll-formed into an intermediate shape having inwardly presented raceways opening out of each end and an outwardly presented spherical surface leading up to each end. The intermediate shape is severed intermediate its ends into two single cups, each having a tapered raceway, a spherical surface, and a front face at the large diameter end of its raceway. The two single cups are thereafter reversed in position such that the front faces are opposed, and installed over the double row cone assembly, with each cup surrounding a different row of rollers on the cone assembly. The two cups are then confined within the pillow block housing with their front faces in abutment or in close proximity.