Labyrinth Patents (Class 384/480)
  • Patent number: 7435005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tension roller (1) for a fraction drive, comprising a washer (2) mounted on an antifriction bearing and a spacer (4a). A sealing cap (13a) is provided between the washer (2) and the spacer (4a) and allows for a captivated arrangement of all components of the tension roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Matthias Schmidl, Christian Riel, Hermann Stief
  • Publication number: 20080246224
    Abstract: A bearing sealing arrangement for rotating machines uses a radially-acting labyrinth seal (2) to minimize bearing lubricant leakage and an axially-acting screw-type gasket (3) to return what fluid escapes through the labyrinth seal to the bearing (10). In embodiments, the labyrinth seal uses rings (4) with plastic wear surfaces formed about internal metal bands, the plastic forming corresponding profiles on the ends (27,28) of the bands so that the profiles interlock when overlapped to form the rings. The screw-type gasket preferably includes rotor-mounted helical fillets (22) formed in a section (21) that is retained in a seat (20) on the rotor. The section in embodiments is retained by inserting a ring-shaped key (23) into the section, thereby forcing the section into undercuts of the seat. The arrangement is particularly useful in wind machines, such as wind-turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: HIGH TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS, B.V.
    Inventors: Otto Pabst, Michael Kleinlercher, Franco Gadrino
  • Publication number: 20080226212
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided having a roller bearing with an inner raceway fitted around the journal portion of an axle. An outer raceway combines with the inner raceway to receive roller elements. A backing ring is centered to the shaft fillet. An annular wear ring is positioned between the inner race and the backing ring. An improved lubricant seal arrangement is provided between the wear ring and the supporting outer raceway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Allan Mason, David Wayne Shannon, Paul Adams Hubbard, Andrew James Sklute, Kurt Winfield Fisher
  • Publication number: 20080205808
    Abstract: In a wheel bearing of the invention, a labyrinth clearance is formed between a flange for the mounting of a wheel thereon and an end face of an outer ring member. A peripheral groove is formed in an inner peripheral surface of that end portion of the outer ring member disposed close to the flange. A sealing device mounted at that end portion of an annular space disposed close to the flange is composed of a single seal ring having a seal member formed integrally on a metal core member. A press-fitting portion is formed at an outer peripheral portion of the seal member, and is press-fitted in the peripheral groove to be fixed thereto. An inner peripheral lip is formed at an inner peripheral portion of the seal member, and is held in sliding contact with a curved surface portion interconnecting an inner peripheral surface of the inner ring member and a side face of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Takimoto, Changxin Yu
  • Publication number: 20080199120
    Abstract: Sealing structures (7, 8) are installed to seal opposite open ends of an annular bearing space between an outer member (1) and an inner member (2). A wheel mounting flange (2a) of the inner member (2) is provided with a shielding plate (11). The shielding plate (11) has a tubular wall (11a) forming a labyrinth seal (10) in the vicinity of an outer peripheral surface (1b) of an outboard end of the outer member (1). The outer peripheral surface (1b) is provided with a guide structure (1c) for guiding downwardly water, flowing in between the shielding plate (11) and the outer member (1) along the flange (2a) and the shielding plate (11), and water flowing in between the shielding plate (11) and the outer member (1) along the outer peripheral surface of the outer member (1). The guide structure (1c) is constituted by an annular groove or projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Torii, Tomomi Ishikawa, Syougo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080153683
    Abstract: An idler roll bearing assembly, made by a method, includes a shaft having a non-grooved outer surface. A shell extends about the shaft and is rotatable relative to the shaft. A rolling bearing is secured to the shaft. A roll head is secured to the rolling bearing. The roll head includes a portion preventing axial displacement of the rolling bearing. The shell is supported for the relative rotation by the roll head. A retaining sleeve is located on the shaft to prevent axial displacement of the rolling bearing. The sleeve has an interior surface in engagement with the non-grooved outer surface of the shaft. An inner diameter of the sleeve and an outer diameter of the shaft are sized such that the sleeve is secured onto the shaft by frictional interference fit and the sleeve is maintained at a position on the shaft by the frictional interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Continental Conveyor & Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Todd W. Kirkpatrick, Robert H. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 7380797
    Abstract: To provide a wheel support bearing assembly in which the frictional resistance can be effectively reduced while effects of minimizing leakage of the filled lubricant and ingress of dust and muddy water from outside of the bearing assembly are secured, the wheel support bearing assembly includes an outer member 1, an inner member 2 positioned inside the outer member 1 with an annular working space defined between it and the outer member 1, and rows of rolling elements 3 accommodated within the annular working space and rollingly received in part within outer raceways 4 in the outer member 1 and in part within inner raceways 5 in the inner member 2. Opposite open ends of the annular working space are sealed by respective sealing members 7 and 8 which are secured to one of the outer and inner members 1 and 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Sadaji Katogi, Kazunari Yamamoto, Hiedeo Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 7334942
    Abstract: A dual seal assembly for a bearing, the assembly comprising a first seal frame (12) coupled to a tip end of an opening in a space formed between an inner ring and an outer ring of the bearing and press-fitted to the outer ring; a second seal frame (14) press-fitted to the inner ring and a main seal member (16); a third seal frame (18) interposed between the first seal frame and the second frame, and press-fitted to one of the first and second seal frames; and an auxiliary seal member (20) inserted into the third seal frame to seal a gap formed between the first and second seal frames, such that the capacity of the bearing can be increased, the bearing can be compactly designed, an operational torque can be reduced, and the sealing performance can be improved making it easy for a user to easily handle the seal assembly before the seal assembly is mounted onto the bearing and to an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler Korea Corp.
    Inventors: Cheol Hwan Cha, Dae Yong Lee, Kook Hwan Shin
  • Patent number: 7311448
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a harvesting machine, including a bearing configured to couple a rotatable shaft with a chassis of the harvesting machine, a first element coupled with the shaft so as to be rotatable therewith, and a second element coupled with the chassis of the harvesting machine. Additionally, at least a portion of the second element is substantially concentrically enclosed by the first element and the first and second elements cooperate to define a contactless seal configured to substantially prevent contamination of the bearing. The shaft is coupled with a product treating element, such as a crop feeding and/or processing element that is driven or idle rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Manfred Engel, Joseph A. Teijido, Claus-Josef Vogelgesang, Fritz K. Lauer, Wolfram Elsner, Rainer Schäfer, Joshua D. Bacon
  • Patent number: 7258491
    Abstract: A contaminant-resistant bearing assembly includes a multi-lip seal with an extended shroud supported from the outer ring and projecting adjacent a stepped inner ring shoulder. A steel slinger supported from the inner ring is offset outwardly adjacent the shroud and includes a radially outer edge terminating closely adjacent the connection of the seal shroud to the outer ring. The slinger includes an outer portion angled inwardly from the radial direction and supporting a lip seal which contacts an angled portion of the seal shroud at a central location between the rings. A primary step machined on the inner ring prevents the slinger from being pushed into the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Peer Bearing Company
    Inventors: Jordan Eric Gutowski, Philip David Cox, Jarrod Ray Ruckle, James Franklin Bierl
  • Patent number: 7031106
    Abstract: The sealing members (14a, 14b) comprise a film member produced by forming an aluminum or alumina deposition film on at least one side surface of a film-like core material. One side surface outer circumferential rim part of the sealing members is bonded and fixed on the outer end surface of outer rings (9, 9) constituting the rolling bearings (4, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Seizo Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6976790
    Abstract: A seal structure for an inner-shaft bearing of a front-wheel drive vehicle includes an inner-shaft interconnecting a differential gear to a drive shaft for achieving balance between a left wheel drive shaft and a right wheel drive shaft. An inner-shaft bearing is assembled to the inner shaft and sealed with an inner seal member. A bracket is connected to the vehicle body and fixed to the circumference of the inner-shaft bearing for supporting the inner-shaft. A first dust cover is inserted to the inner-shaft for enclosing one end of the bracket, and a second dust cover is inserted to the drive shaft for enclosing the other end of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyeng Min Min
  • Patent number: 6939051
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement supporting a sealing bellows around a shaft to permit axial and angular motion includes inner and outer bearing sleeves, and a rolling bearing having an inner race ring fitted around the inner sleeve with one end face engaging a shoulder in the inner sleeve. A sealing device is provided in a space between the inner and outer sleeves. A flexible elongated bellows for enclosing a portion of the shaft is sealingly connected at one end to the outer surface of the outer sleeve and is attachable at its opposite end to a fitting of a machine member from which the shaft projects. The outer sleeve is a sheet metal sleeve provided with an inwardly bent flange portion forming an engagement surface for the opposite side face of the rolling bearing. The bellows is fixedly attachable to the outer surface of the outer sleeve by bonding through vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: SKF Sverige AB
    Inventors: Stefan Elmgren, Folke Östling, Lars Andrén
  • Patent number: 6921211
    Abstract: An oil ring lubricated split bearing housing includes upper and lower bearing housing halves having mating seat surfaces for a bearing which is adapted to support a shaft, an oil reservoir space in the lower housing half, an oil pick up ring partly immersed in the oil reservoir space and rotatable to transfer oil from space to the bearing, an inner labyrinth sealing sleeve fixedly fitted around the shaft and having a circumferential axial groove facing away from the bearing, and an outer labyrinth sealing part with a portion projecting axially into the axial groove thereby forming a labyrinth seal. Both bearing housing halves have gable openings closely fitting around the sleeve. The outer labyrinth sealing part being in the form of a ring having an axially projecting portion entering in the axial groove and another portion retained in a radial, circumferential groove in the upper bearing housing half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Henrik Olsson, Jörgen Stendahl, Kjell Clasborn
  • Patent number: 6845986
    Abstract: A unitized seal assembly for use with roller or ball bearing assemblies is disclosed. The unitized seal assembly includes, among other things, a radially outer ring and a radially inner deflector ring. The outer ring includes a first shield element which defines a first sealing face. The radially inner deflector ring includes a second shield element which defines a second sealing face. The second sealing face is dimensioned and configured so as to correspond to the first sealing face such that when the first shield element is positioned in non-contacting proximity to the second shield element, a circuitous sealing labyrinth is formed between the first sealing face and the second sealing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Stemco LLC
    Inventors: Charles Robin Hood, Donald G. Wells, Mark N. Gold
  • Patent number: 6834859
    Abstract: The present invention provides a labyrinth sealing assembly for placement between a shaft and a bearing housing comprising an annular stator having a body portion, an axially inner engagement surface, an axially inner extending portion extending from a radially outer end of the stator, an axially inner extending member extending from a radially inner end of the stator, and a keeper lip extending radially outward from the axially inner extending surface of the radially inner end of the stator, and an annular rotor having an axially outer engagement surface having a plurality of wear ridges on a radially outer engagement surface, and a keeper notch arrangement on a radially inner surface comprising a recess. The keeper lip engages the keeper notch to provide a snap fit between the rotor and stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Christopher E. Tones
  • Patent number: 6814213
    Abstract: A molded plastics bearing housing for receiving a roller bearing which is press-fitted into and end of a conveyor roller tube is disclosed. The body portion of the housing extends radially inward as neck portion terminates in two rims, one rim sealing against the shaft supporting the conveyor roller and the other sealing against an inner race of the bearing. Both sealing rims are curved in section so as to make low angles with the roller shaft and bearing. The flexibility of this sealing arrangement absorbs axial movements between the conveyor shaft and the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: JLV Industries Pty LTD
    Inventors: Kingsley Bruce Dyson, Derek Alfred Sealey
  • Patent number: 6802468
    Abstract: Nut that screws together with pinion gear, and bearing that is arranged on the inner circumferential side of the nut, are provided on the front of a spinning-reel rotor. Pressing member is mounted on the front faces of the nut and bearing, such that it abuts on outer race of bearing. Pressing member is installed so as to be rotatable with respect to spool shaft, which is a rod element. Pressing member is water-repellency treated over all its surfaces, including the face that forms a clearance with spool shaft. The present invention prevents invasion of water droplets into rotatory-component clearances in a water-sealing component assembly composed of a relatively rotatable plurality of components, while sustaining rotational efficiency of the rotatory components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Takikura
  • Publication number: 20040175065
    Abstract: A self-contained labyrinth seal ball bearing assembly includes at least one labyrinth seal including an inner labyrinth seal ring, an outer labyrinth seal ring, a radially inner bearing shield, and a radially outer bearing shield. The labyrinth seal forms an effective barrier against solid contaminants and also non-solid contaminants such as fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tien Vinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6786645
    Abstract: A mounting for the road wheel of an automotive vehicle includes a spindle, a hub located around the spindle and inboard and outboard tapered roller bearings located between the hub and spindle where they are mounted in opposition. The cones (inner races) of the two bearings are separated by a spacer which at its ends is attached to the cones. The spacer holds the cones together within the hub so that the bearings and hub can be installed on and removed from the spindle as a unit. The spacer also establishes the setting for the bearings. In addition, the mounting has a seal located in the inboard end of the hub. The seal has lips which establish dynamic fluid barriers along the cone of the inboard bearing and along an adjacent sealing surface on the spindle without contacting the cone or spindle. The raceways and rollers for the two bearings have highly crowned profiles and the hub and the seal within contain an optimum amount of grease for lubricating the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Joki, James W. Skelly, Richard Borowski, Steven B. Boyd, Thomas J. Rybkoski
  • Patent number: 6728989
    Abstract: A wafer scrubbing unit includes a mounting assembly for a scrubber brush. The mounting assembly has a rotary flow through tube through which cleaning liquid is delivered to the brush. A stationary tube may be mounted in the bore of the rotary tube. Spinning shields mounted on the rotary tube form labyrinth seals to protect a bearing housing from the cleaning liquid. Bearings for rotatably mounting the rotary tube are mounted within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Lerner, John M. White, Shou-Sang Chang, Michael Sugarman
  • Publication number: 20040066996
    Abstract: An oil ring lubricated split bearing housing includes upper and lower bearing housing halves having mating seat surfaces for a bearing which is adapted to support a shaft, an oil reservoir space in the lower housing half, an oil pick up ring partly immersed in the oil reservoir space and rotatable to transfer oil from space to the bearing, an inner labyrinth sealing sleeve fixedly fitted around the shaft and having a circumferential axial groove facing away from the bearing, and an outer labyrinth sealing part with a portion projecting axially into the axial groove thereby forming a labyrinth seal. Both bearing housing halves have gable openings closely fitting around the sleeve. The outer labyrinth sealing part being in the form of a ring having an axially projecting portion entering in the axial groove and another portion retained in a radial, circumferential groove in the upper bearing housing half.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Henrik Olsson, Jorgen Stendahl, Kjell Clasborn
  • Publication number: 20030206672
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a compound bearing apparatus having arrangements for preventing the lubricant present around the rotating bodies from leaking out to the outside as well as the interior space between two rows of rotating bodies of the bearing apparatus. This is effected for the purpose of providing the compound bearing apparatus and a spindle motor and a swing arm assembly for a hard disk drive device including such bearing apparatus in which the sufficient amount of lubricant can be retained around the rotating bodies to obtain long life feature and having substantially no noise or vibration due to the loss of lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: MINEBEA KABUSHIKI-KAISHA.
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 6623166
    Abstract: A precision spindle unit for low friction performance includes a tubular housing surrounding a shaft, and first and second rolling bearings mounted on the shaft within the housing. The first bearing is axially arrested between the flange of a locking washer fixed to the shaft and a shoulder on the shaft. A second locking washer is fitted to the shaft, and a resilient member is provided between the second locking washer and a side of the inner race ring of the second bearing. The axially inwardly facing side of the outer race ring of the second bearing engages an inwardly projecting shoulder in the housing, with the second bearing being biased between the resilient member and the inwardly projecting shoulder. The locking washers define a slot seal at each axial end of the housing to provide a seal at the outwardly facing sides of the first and second bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Lars Andrén, Folke Östling, Maurice Richard
  • Patent number: 6599020
    Abstract: A double seal bearing includes a labyrinth seal mechanism. The double seal bearing is provided with a pair of annular inner and outer sealing plates having respective central openings with a remaining slight clearance between each respective sealing plate and one of the inner and outer races, respectively, so as to assure the labyrinth seal function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Minebea Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 6582129
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a compound bearing apparatus having arrangements for preventing the lubricant present around the rotating bodies from leaking out to the outside as well as the interior space between two rows of rotating bodies of the bearing apparatus. This is effected for the purpose of providing the compound bearing apparatus and a spindle motor and a swing arm assembly for a hard disk drive device including such bearing apparatus in which the sufficient amount of lubricant can be retained around the rotating bodies to obtain long life feature and having substantially no noise or vibration due to the loss of lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Minebea Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 6485185
    Abstract: A seal for use with a tapered roller bearing includes a seal affixed to a first seal support, and comprises an inner sealing member in contact with a second seal support, an outer sealing member extending toward and contacting the second seal support, and a central sealing member extending toward but not contacting the second seal support. A rain shield covering a gap between the first and second seal supports may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Conway, Jr., Paul G. Steets, Michael E. Paul, Paul R. Price, Timothy K. Chu
  • Patent number: 6402387
    Abstract: A double seal bearing includes a labyrinth seal mechanism. The double seal bearing is provided with a pair of annular inner and outer sealing plates having respective central openings with a remaining slight clearance between each respective sealing plate and one of the inner and outer races, respectively, so as to assure the labyrinth seal function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Minebea Kabushiki-Kaisha (Minebea Co., Ltd.)
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Publication number: 20020054720
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a compound bearing apparatus having arrangements for preventing the lubricant present around the rotating bodies from leaking out to the outside as well as the interior space between two rows of rotating bodies of the bearing apparatus. This is effected for the purpose of providing the compound bearing apparatus and a spindle motor and a swing arm assembly for a hard disk drive device including such bearing apparatus in which the sufficient amount of lubricant can be retained around the rotating bodies to obtain long life feature and having substantially no noise or vibration due to the loss of lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: MINEBEA KABUSHIKI-KAISHA
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Publication number: 20020041720
    Abstract: A double seal bearing includes a labyrinth seal mechanism. The double seal bearing is provided with a pair of annular inner and outer sealing plates having respective central openings with a remaining slight clearance between each respective sealing plate and one of the inner and outer races, respectively, so as to assure the labyrinth seal function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Publication number: 20010053255
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a double seal bearing including a labyrinth seal mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: RIKURO OBARA
  • Patent number: 6296396
    Abstract: A strut bearing includes two bearing races, a space formed between these two races, roll bodies arranged in the space between the two races, and a seal for sealing the space formed between the two races. At least a part of the seal is made of an elastic material, and the seal is molded to the bearing races or to parts of a casing accommodating the bearing races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 6283634
    Abstract: A transmission for automobiles comprising a casing, an input shaft and an output shaft, a power transmission member on the driving side, a power transmission member on the driven side, and a bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, a plurality of balls between the outer and inner rings, and seal rings provided on the opposite ends of the bearing and having an inner peripheral edge fixed to the inner ring and an outer peripheral edge to form a small gap for a labyrinth seal between the outer peripheral edge and the outer ring whereby particle matter can go out of the bearing through the small gap during rotation of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6280094
    Abstract: Improved shield designs for ball bearing based spindle motors that exhibit improved containment of grease and the base oil within the bearings at accelerated conditions of temperature and speed is disclosed. Improved shield designs are provided at the shield OD contact area, the use of an impervious shield material, the use of barrier films, shield/bearing designs that use tortuous paths and labyrinth schemes for reducing the oil and grease loss from the shield ID gap of DASD spindle ball bearings, and improved stainless steel shield designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Joe Gilliland, Holavanahally Seshachar Nagaraj, Daniel Stacer
  • Patent number: 6179472
    Abstract: Shield designs for ball bearing based spindle motors that exhibit containment of grease and the base oil within the bearings at accelerated conditions of temperature and speed are provided at the shield OD contact area, the use of an impervious shield material, the use of barrier films, shield/bearing designs that use tortuous paths and labyrinth schemes for reducing the oil and grease loss from the shield ID gap of DASD spindle ball bearings, and stainless steel shield designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Joe Gilliland, Holavanahally Seshachar Nagaraj, Daniel Stacer
  • Patent number: 6102575
    Abstract: A compound bearing apparatus of the present invention comprising a shaft, a sleeve outer ring surrounding the shaft, two rows of rotating bodies disposed between the shaft and the sleeve including a first row of the rotating bodies interposed between an outer rolling contact recess formed directly on the outer periphery of the shaft and a first inner rolling contact recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve outer ring, and a second row of the rotating bodies interposed between an outer rolling contact recess formed on the outer periphery of an inner ring fitted onto the shaft and a second inner rolling contact recess formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, and a pair of inner and outer sealing plates having a through hole at the central portion thereof; wherein at the one side of the apparatus where the first row of the rotating bodies is provided, the sealing plates are mounted between the sleeve outer ring and the shaft with leaving between the plates and the sleeve outer rin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 6053637
    Abstract: In a goods wagon axle bearing assembly of the type provided with a sealing device (20) at its axially outer end, the sealing device comprises a rigid, non-rotating shield (21). Integrated with the sealing device (20) is a current generator, consisting of a magnetised impulse generating ring (25) rotatably fast with one of the rotating parts (12) of the bearing, and a coil (24) operatively facing the magnetised impulse ring and secured to the non-rotating shield (21). The current induced in the coil (24) is supplied to a current drain point on the same goods wagon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.P.A.
    Inventors: Rolando Cacciatore, Matteo Genero, Roberto Moretti
  • Patent number: 5925955
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal system of the present invention is found in a motor having a ball bearing ring, a shaft, and a labyrinth seal washer. The ball bearing ring has an inner bearing ring with an inner ring surface. In one embodiment the labyrinth seal system includes a shaft having a first shaft portion with a first shaft diameter and a second shaft portion with a second shaft diameter. The first shaft portion has a first outer shaft surface and the second shaft portion has a second outer shaft surface. A shaft shoulder may be formed between the first and second outer shaft surfaces. The second outer shaft surface is at least partially annularly adjacent the inner ring surface. Also included is a labyrinth seal washer having an annular leg that is positioned at least partially between the first outer shaft surface and the inner ring surface. The labyrinth seal system includes turbulence zones interspersed with narrow flow zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Russell Hughes Norris
  • Patent number: 5890812
    Abstract: A rolling bearing sealing device comprises a first, truncated-cone surface (21) integral with the non-rotating race (11) of the bearing and diverging axially towards the outside of the bearing, and a second truncated-cone surface (23) parallel to the first surface (21). The second surface is integral with the rotating race (16) of the bearing. The first and second surfaces (21, 23) are spaced apart and facing each other so as to determine therebetween a gap (25) of truncated-cone shape having a length (L) and a width (w) such to resist water entering in a chamber (26) communicating with the outside when the bearing is at rest, and expel water centrifuging it out of said chamber as the bearing rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pinto Marcello, Visconti Alberto
  • Patent number: 5876126
    Abstract: A motor incorporating a bearing guided labyrinth system of the present invention includes a shaft, a hub, a bearing assembly, and a bearing guided labyrinth. The bearing assembly includes an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring separated by a plurality of ball bearings. The inner bearing ring has an inner annular ring surface and the outer bearing ring has an outer annular ring surface. The bearing guided labyrinth has an inner prong and an outer prong. The inner prong is at least partially positionable between the inner ring surface and the shaft. The outer prong is at least partially positionable between the outer ring surface and the hub. The outer prong grips the bearing assembly and specifically the outer annular ring surface of the outer bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd., A Hong Kong Corp.
    Inventors: George Marshall, Richard Harrison
  • Patent number: 5836700
    Abstract: A seal ring having first and second semicircular metal ring segments, each segment having first and second ends, the first end of the first segment having an interference interfit with the first end of the second segment, and the second end of the first segment having an interference fit with the second end of the second segment, to form the seal ring; the segments being separable or interconnectable by temporary deformation thereof, the first and second ends of the first segment having a radially convex surface and the first and second ends of the second segment having a radially concave surface of matching configuration to the convex surface, to form the interference interfit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignees: Cooper Split Roller Bearing Corporation, Advex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Wilkie, Jr., Robert M. Galewski, George E. Slemp
  • Patent number: 5833372
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 5722779
    Abstract: A bearing unit includes two pairs of bearings, a housing for housing the bearings and a flange through which the shaft is inserted. In order to prevent the invasion of cutting chips or cutting oil into the bearings, the flange is provided with a circumferential groove on the inner surface of the flange, and an air supply port which opens in the circumferential groove for introducing compressed air to the groove. The axial direction of the supply port is parallel to a tangent of the shaft, so that the compressed air is effectively introduced in the circumferential direction of the shaft. Therefore, the air blow created by the compressed air in the clearance becomes uniform along the circumference of the shaft, which enables to effectively prevent the invasion of cutting chips and cutting oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumio Kameyama
  • Patent number: 5714817
    Abstract: A labyrinth seal system of the present invention is found in a motor having a ball bearing ring, a shaft, and a labyrinth seal washer. The ball bearing ring has an inner bearing ring with an inner ring surface. In one embodiment the labyrinth seal system includes a shaft having a first shaft portion with a first shaft diameter and a second shaft portion with a second shaft diameter. The first shaft portion has a first outer shaft surface and the second shaft portion has a second outer shaft surface. A shaft shoulder may be formed between the first and second outer shaft surfaces. The second outer shaft surface is at least partially annularly adjacent the inner ring surface. Also included is a labyrinth seal washer having an annular leg that is positioned at least partially between the first outer shaft surface and the inner ring surface. The labyrinth seal system includes turbulence zones interspersed with narrow flow zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Synektron Corporation
    Inventor: Russell Hughes Norris
  • Patent number: 5676472
    Abstract: A rotary seal is located in a gap between an inner surface and an outer surface. A radial bearing allows the inner and outer surfaces to rotate relative to each other. A radial barrier includes a plurality of annular outward-pointing flanges attached to the inner surface interleaved with a plurality of annular inward-pointing flanges attached to the outer surface. The flanges may be angled and have an upturned lip located at an inner edge of each flange. The radial seal may include a magnet. A robotic arm has a first housing with a top surface and an aperture therein. A shaft extends up through the aperture, and there is a gap between the shaft and an inner edge of the aperture. A splash guard may extend over said gap, and an indentation in said top surface may at least partially surround the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Smart Machines
    Inventors: Todd Solomon, Donald J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5655845
    Abstract: A pillow block assembly comprising a hollow housing having axially spaced end walls, an opening in at least one end wall for a rotable shaft member, a bearing in the housing to rotatably support the shaft member in the housing and a seal in the wall of the housing defining said opening including a labyrinth seal member mounted on the shaft, and first and second resilient sealing members disposed between the labyrinth seal member and the housings and between the shaft and the labyrinth seal member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: SKF USA Inc.
    Inventor: Karl D. Lampart
  • Patent number: 5611292
    Abstract: A stationary, formed metal cap covers the bearing assembly of the rotatable firming wheel to protect the bearings against the ingress of mud, residue and moisture. A smooth, convex, exposed outer surface on the cap discourages the accumulation of residue and mud between the rotating wheel and its stationary support arm so as to keep the wheel freely rotating during its rolling movement in the seed trench. A flat, band-like, circular edge around the periphery of the convex surface is received within a circular groove on the face of the wheel to obstruct the ingress of moisture and materials at that location and disposes the marginal periphery of the convex surface in a substantially flush condition with the surface of the wheel to prevent wrapping and accumulation of trash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Great Plains Manufacturing, Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanley R. Clark, Michael J. Dresher
  • Patent number: 5607240
    Abstract: There is provided a bearing sealing device capable of substantially completely preventing a leak of grease. A taper end portion of an axial extension of the bearing sealing device has an opposite surface and a rake face that forms a specified rake angle with the opposite surface. The opposite surface forms a narrow passage between the opposite surface and an outer peripheral surface of an inner ring. The narrow passage allows air to pass easily, but it allows grease to hardly pass therethrough. Further, the axial extension includes part of a core metal that extends axially and has its foremost end located axially inside an axial outermost end of the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring. Grease moving axially outwardly on the outer peripheral surface is moved along the rake face of the taper end portion and then guided along a cover portion of the bearing sealing device to an outer ring. The part of the core metal prevents the axial extension from being bent radially outwardly by a centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Kajihara, Masatosi Taniyama, Kunio Yanai, Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: RE39948
    Abstract: A solid waste material comminuting system having a an electric motor for providing rotary motion, a pair of cutter stacks with cutter elements of one stack interleaved with cutter elements of the other, and gear means to transmit the rotary motion of the electric motor to counter-rotate cutter elements of one stack with cutter elements of the other. Each of the cutter stacks comprises a central shaft journaled for rotation and a seal-bearing assembly/module at each end of the central shafts. Each bearing assembly/module comprises an end housing, and a pair of insertable pre-assembled seal-bearing elements/assemblies mountable in each of said end housings. One seal-bearing element/assembly has a thru-hole for journaling a first shaft for rotation and a second seal-bearing element/assembly has a thru-hole for journaling a second shaft for rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: JWC Environmental
    Inventors: Joseph W. Chambers, Sr., Robert T. Sabol, Craig J. Fennessy
  • Patent number: RE36804
    Abstract: There is provided a bearing sealing device capable of substantially completely preventing a leak of grease. A taper end portion of an axial extension of the bearing sealing device has an opposite surface and a rake face that forms a specified rake angle with the opposite surface. The opposite surface forms a narrow passage between the opposite surface and an outer peripheral surface of an inner ring. The narrow passage allows air to pass easily, but it allows grease to hardly pass therethrough. Further, the axial extension includes part of a core metal that extends axially and has its foremost end located axially inside an axial outermost end of the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring. Grease moving axially outwardly on the outer peripheral surface is moved along the rake face of the taper end portion and then guided along a cover portion of the bearing sealing device to an outer ring. The part of the core metal prevents the axial extension from being bent radially outwardly by a centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Kajihara, Masatosi Taniyama, Kunio Yanai, Hiroshi Ueno