Abstract: A system and method is provided to accommodate positional variations in a bearing assembly, which has a clearance adjustment assembly for setting the roller clearance therein. The bearing assembly has multiple rows of tapered rollers disposed circumferentially between an inner sleeve and the clearance adjustment assembly, which is secured by an outer retaining sleeve. The clearance adjustment assembly has at least one clearance adjustment ring disposed adjacent multiple tapered support rings, which extend circumferentially about the multiple rows of tapered rollers. In the bearing assembly, the at least one clearance adjustment ring forces the multiple tapered support rings against the multiple rows of tapered rollers to set the desired roller clearance. The bearing assembly also may have seals disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer retaining sleeve at opposite sides of the multiple rows of tapered rollers.

Abstract: The invention features a bearing housing that employs fewer structural components than traditionally used. In one embodiment, endplates are integrated into the upper and lower housing structures such that essentially only two prefabricated pieces are required to form the bearing housing. Additionally, the integrated endplates house seal assemblies that prevent the ingress and egress of contaminants between the shaft and the bearing housing.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a bearing assembly. The sealing system comprising a removable cover and a rotatable member. The bearing assembly also comprising a bearing insert and a bearing housing. The removable cover is securable to the bearing housing. The rotatable member is secured to the removable cover. The rotatable member has an opening for a rotatable shaft to pass into the bearing assembly through the rotatable member. The opening through the rotatable member is adapted to receive the rotatable shaft and to form a seal against the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing a rotating member with respect to a non-rotating member. A hollow member, such as an inner ring of a bearing assembly, includes an extension having an annular outer groove. A tapered sleeve serves to lock the hollow member about a mechanical component, such as a shaft. A nut engageable on the sleeve includes an eccentric front aperture adjacent to a concentric groove, thereby forming a lip of varying depth. The system is engaged by rotation of the nut on the sleeve in one direction, and disassembled by counterrotation of the nut such that a portion of the varying depth lip co-acts with a lip formed by the groove of the hollow member.

Abstract: A motor brake apparatus includes an improved torque adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjusting nut having a outer ring groove aligned with an inner ring groove defined in a receiving bore of the brake housing structure. A snap ring is located in the aligned grooves to connect the housing structure and adjusting ring while allowing free rotation therebetween. Inner threads of the adjusting nut engage outer threads of a spring pushing element such that rotation of the adjusting nut causes axial movement of the pushing element. The pushing element engages one or more springs which are thereby compressed or released, depending on which axial direction the pushing element is moved. The spring force varied in this manner results in varying levels of braking torque.

Abstract: An elastomeric coupling system for securing axially aligned driving and driven shafts includes a pair of hubs coupled to one another by an annular flexible coupling element. The hubs are fixed to respective driving and driven shafts, and the coupling element is then secured between the hubs by anchoring assemblies. Each anchoring assembly includes anchoring members which are fixed to respective hubs by fasteners received in the hubs. The fasteners are oriented generally transverse to the aligned axes of the shafts, providing ready access for installation and servicing. As the anchoring members are secured about the hubs, axial and radial loads are exerted on peripheral beads of the coupling element to produce retaining forces sufficient to withstand considerable torsional loading during use.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner ring assembly defining a bore for receiving a shaft, and an outer ring assembly disposed radially outward from the inner ring assembly. A plurality of rotatable bearing elements are disposed between the inner and outer rings and permit the rotation of the shaft and inner ring relative to the outer ring. An annular member extends from the outer ring assembly radially inward toward the inner ring assembly. The annular member is secured to a housing surrounding the outer ring and axially bounds an area between the inner ring and the outer ring in which the plurality of rotatable bearing elements are disposed. A first seal is disposed outside the bearing area to seal a chamber between the annular member and the inner ring. The first seal permits egress of lubricant from the chamber but inhibits ingress of foreign matter therein.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner ring and outer ring defining opposed raceways having a plurality of bearing elements disposed therebetween. The bearing assembly includes an improved sealing arrangement having multiple primary seals for providing sealing with the rotating inner ring. In preferred embodiments, the multiple seals include a rolled riding seal and an oblique contact seal having a center lip therebetween. Unlike the other two primary sealing lips, the center lip preferably provides no more than light engagement with the bearing inner ring.

Abstract: A structure for mounting a rotating machine element, such as a drum pulley, idler, roller or the like includes first and second bearing sets secured to first and second end disks of the rotating member. The first bearing set is secured to a stationary shaft by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a wedge-shaped sleeve or adapter which is secured between the inner race of the first bearing set and the stationary shaft. During installation of the locking assembly, the second bearing set remains slidable along the shaft, thereby avoiding pre-loads or stresses in either bearing assembly or the components of the rotating member. Once the rotating member has been fixed in a desired position along the shaft by means of the locking assembly, a retaining element may be placed adjacent to the second bearing set. The structure may be easily disassembled by the reverse process.

Abstract: An auxiliary seal for a bearing includes a seal housing supported by the bearing housing, and a seal ring interference fitting around a mechanical element such as a shaft or sleeve supported for rotation by the bearing. The housing and sleeve include a series of rings that interface with one another to maintain the seal ring in place on the mechanical element. A face rubbing seal is supported on the seal ring and contacts a portion of the seal housing as the mechanical element rotates relative to the bearing housing. The seal ring has an integral backup portion which contacts the face rubbing seal to prevent the face rubbing seal from sliding axially away from the seal housing. A series of seal barriers are defined by the seal housing and seal ring, including contact seals, grease dams and labyrinth seals.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a bearing assembly suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment. The bearing assembly includes a bearing housing that is resistant to corrosion, oxidation, contamination and deterioration when exposed to water, bacteria and various chemicals. Specifically, the bearing housing in accordance with the present invention is made from sintered stainless steel. In one embodiment, the housing can also be impregnated with a polymeric sealant which prevents the housing from entrapping bacteria and chemicals to which it may be exposed.

Abstract: A bearing take-up apparatus is adapted to utilize a bearing assembly having a conventional flange bearing housing. The apparatus includes a bearing carrier mounted for slidable movement between a pair of parallel guide rails. The bearing carrier may be formed of a unitary piece of sheet metal according to known metal forming techniques. The bearing assembly is mounted to the bearing carrier to support a rotatable shaft. The bearing carrier is moved to a desired position along the guide rails utilizing an elongated transmission screw or the like. The arrangement facilitates replacement of the bearing assembly in the field.

Abstract: An improved bearing apparatus including a housing having a bearing assembly contained therein. A sensor device is mounted to the housing for detecting the rotational rate of the shaft. The sensor device may be configured as a magnetic-type sensor operative to sense variations in magnetic characteristics produced during rotation of an annular detection element. Alternatively, the sensor device may be an optical sensor for detecting variations in optical characteristics produced by shaft rotation. In some presently preferred embodiments, the detection element is a nut or collar also utilized to effect securement of the bearing assembly to the shaft. Preferably, the shaft terminates at an interior location of the housing. In this case, the housing may include an end wall or cap for covering an end of the shaft.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having an improved lubrication arrangement includes an inner ring and an outer ring assembly defining a bearing chamber within which bearing elements are disposed. The inner ring, outer ring assembly and bearing elements comprise a bearing group. A housing is disposed about and positionally secures the bearing group. A first lubrication path is defined by the outer ring assembly to conduct lubricant to the bearing chamber. A second lubrication path is defined by the housing to conduct lubricant to the first lubrication path. Preferably, a threaded fitting extends through the second lubrication path and is threadably secured to the first lubrication path so that lubricant may be conducted directly into the first lubrication path without leakage between the bearing group and the housing.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a bearing housing with an opening therein for receiving a shaft in which a sleeve having an axial bore for receiving the shaft is disposed within the housing opening. The sleeve has a plurality of outwardly extending annular ribs engaging annular grooves on the inner circumference of the housing opening to provide a labyrinth seal section. The sleeve also supports a V-ring seal disposed externally of the labyrinth section which has a sealing lip which extends outwardly at an angle from the sleeve of less than 90.degree. towards the side of one of the ribs on the housing. Disposed between the sealing lip and the rib of the housing opening is a disc washer which has an inner diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve but less than the outer diameter of the V-ring lip portion, which cooperates with the sealing lip portion of the V-ring seal to provide a sealing contact with the washer. This portion of the disc washer is composed of a metallic material such as steel.

Abstract: A method of making a bearing assembly is disclosed in which a bearing support housing having a spherical bore therethrough is spray-coated entirely with a polymer primer coating and then coated with a polymer top coating, after which a bearing sub-assembly is placed within the spherical bore in the housing. During application of the top coating, an insert is placed within the spherical bore in the housing to prevent the bore from being coated with the top coating. The primer coating is sufficiently pliable to enable bearing sub-assemblies within a range of tolerances to be properly seated within the spherical bore.

Abstract: A product for use in a power train such as a bearing assembly, a reducer, a coupling or the like and which is suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment including a housing, exterior surfaces of the housing having tough, durable coatings of fluorocarbon polymers to render same resistant to corrosion or chemical attack during usage in the food and chemical industry, and the method of making the same. A first polymer is present in a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 0.8 mill and exhibits theremoset characteristics for bonding to the housing. A second polymer is applied over the first polymer on all exterior surfaces to be protected in a thickness of up to about 4.0 mils and is bondable to said first polymer coating.

Abstract: A bearing assembly suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment including a support housing having a bore therein and a bearing insert received in said bore, exterior surfaces of said housing and interior surfaces defining said bore having tough, durable coatings of fluorocarbon polymer to render same resistant to corrosive chemical attack during usage in the good and chemical industry and the method of making the same, and to permit said bearing insert to self-seat in said bore.

Abstract: A product for use in a power train such as a bearing assembly, a reducer, a coupling or the like and which is suitable for use in a wet or harsh chemical environment including a housing, exterior surfaces of said housing having tough, durable coatings of fluorocarbon polymers to render same resistant to corrosion or chemical attack during usage in the food and chemical industry, and the method of making the same. A first polymer is present in a thickness of from about 0.5 to about 0.8 mill and exhibits thermoset characteristics for bonding to the housing. A second polymer is applied over the first polymer on all exterior surfaces to be protected in a thickness of up to about 4.0 mils and is bondable to said first polymer coating.

Abstract: A seal system for a bearing having a housing with a chamber therein for receiving a shaft supported by a bearing assembly therein. The sealing system includes three and preferably four seal devices integrally related by means of a seal ring detachably retained within an exterior chamber of the housing. One of the seal devices is in the form a V-ring which has its flexible lip held in sealing engagement with a surface of the housing by the positioning of the ring in its operating condition. Another seal device in the form of a quad-ring, O-ring or the like is mounted in a groove in the ring and is held tightly fixed upon the shaft. The rotation of the seal ring provides a third seal device by being adapted to fling moisture and contaminants which may run along the shaft during rotation thereof. The fourth seal device is in the form of a labyrinth seal between a wall of the seal ring and a cooperating wall of the bearing housing.