TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to improvements in pillow block assemblies and more

specifically to a novel seal arrangement for such assemblies.

BACKGROUND ART Pillow blocks are not new per se and the prior art discloses a variety of sealing

arrangements for pillow blocks. For example, the KOELSCH Patent Number 4.881.829.

shows a pillow block assembly including a seal chamber located outside the pillow block housing. More specifically, the open end ofthe housing (10) mounts a triple labyrinth seal

(29) and a cartridge seal ring (35) is mounted in a chamber assembly (34) adjacent to the labyrinth seal. Lubricating fluid may be pumped into and out ofthe sealing chamber (34). The

roller bearing assembly (25) is lubricated by grease supplied through a port (32) which connects to a passage (33) leading to the interior of the housing. The grease fills the housing

cavity up to the labyrinth seal (29).

Thus the KOELSCH sealing arrangement is rather complex and comprised of mam

components. A drawback in the KOELSCH arrangement is the complexity and expense of

the KOELSCH seal. Further, the KOELSCH seal is non-purgeable, which may cause a

problem if the housing is overfilled with grease. Additionally, in some applications which

produce thermal shaft expansion in the axial direction, it has been found that the contacting

surfaces in the KOELSCH seal tend to separate and consequently there is a loss of sealing

function. Moreover, by reason ofthe additional seal housing, the combined pillow block and

seal housing require a considerable axial width which limits use of a pillow block and sealing

arrangement of this type in applications where space requirements are tight.

TESKE United States Patent Number 3,128,104 shows a labyrinth seal for shafts

comprising a ring magnet (16) bonded to a flexible corrugated membrane (17) adhesively

bonded to a flexible corrugated membrane ( 17) formed with a solid foot portion (18). The

assembly further includes a supplementary labyrinth seal comprising disks (31 ) and (32).

Accordingly, the TESKE seal assembly relies on metal to metal contact and by reason

of its construction and configuration cannot be used in applications where there is some

amount of axial shaft expansion since shaft expansion would effectively create forces

disassembling the seal. Note that in Fig. 5 of TESKE, the two rings have to be moved axially

relative to one another to assemble the seal. The TESKE seal assembly requires press fits and

ground surfaces to properly mount the seal to the shaft housing assembly. Further. TESKE

'104 patent may be broadly described as a magnetic seal and therefore there is no pumping

action associated with the seal. TESKE does not incorporate a directional aspect whereb> .

lubricant can flow in one direction to purge it and the seal has lubricant retention capabilities in

its normal operating position. Furthermore, the TESKE seal is not purgeable.

TOOLY. United States Patent Number 4.348.067. shows a pillo block housing and

a seal comprising an axial face riding v-ring seal (56) which utilizes axial contact lip pressure to provide a seal at both ends ofthe housing. This lip seal is located externally of the housing

and is therefore exposed and in this condition can be easily damaged, for example, by

ultraviolet degradation or contaminants. Furthermore, the TOOLY design is not readily reversible without additional rnachining ofthe pillow block housing and requires the inclusion

of additional elements, such as a washer or use of special tools to prevent the seal lip from

folding under the labyrinth during assembly ofthe housing cap.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With foregoing in mind, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide a pillow

block - seal assembly characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement, providing certain functional advantages over the prior art discussed above. To this end. the seal ofthe present invention is completely contained within the pillow block housing and

includes a triple ring seal incorporating an O-ring seal between the triple ring seal and shaft

and a radial lip contact seal located in a circumferentially extending chamber between the triple ring seal and pillow block housing wall which is shaped to form a labyrinth with the triple ring

seal.

This construction provides a number of functional advantages. For example, existing pillow block assemblies can easily be retrofitted to incorporate the novel sealing arrangement ofthe present invention. Further, in an assembly utilizing a seal in accordance with the present

invention, the O-ring not only prevents passage of contaminants or lubricant under the ring

seal, it additionally forces the ring seal to rotate at the shaft speed and consequenth- eliminates shaft wear and seal rubbing. The base ring seal acts as an inner and outer flinger.

The seal assembly ofthe present invention is relatively inexpensive comprised of onh

few parts and the width ofthe overall assembly is not extended beyond the dimensions of the pillow block by auxiliary sealing housings or the like. Thus it can be used in applications where space considerations dictate compactness.

Further, it is relatively easy and quick to assemble the seal assembly and no adjustment

is required due to the feet that the shaft expansion takes place past the O-ring. The seal chamber protects the seal elements from relatively large sharp objects which have the

capability of shredding the seal or ultraviolet degradation ofthe rubber characteristic of some

prior seals discussed above, such as, the seal shown in the TOOLY '067 patent. The

configuration ofthe seal provides good misalignment capabilities. The seal ofthe present

SUBSTTI UTE SHEET (RULE 26)

invention offers interchangeability between grease and other lubricants. In one configuration, the grease is purgeable and in another the seal can easily be reversed for lubricant retention when the application so requires.

With the foregoing in mind, an object ofthe present invention is to provide a labyrinth seal arrangement particularly adapted for pillow blocks characterized by novel features of

construction and arrangement which can be readily adapted to retrofit existing conventional

standard pillow block assemblies.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel seal arrangement which minimizes shaft wear.

Still another object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel seal arrangement

particularly adapted for use in pillow block applications wherein the overall width ofthe assembly is maintained at a minimum thereby facilitating use of a pillow block in applications

where conventional extended seal assemblies cannot be used because of their bulk.

Still a further object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel seal arrangement for

pillow blocks which is comprised of relatively few parts and is so that the manufacture and assembly thereof is relatively simple and inexpensive.

A still further object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel seal assembly which

is completely housed within the pillow block housing so that the sealing elements are

protected from external elements that can cause damage, such as relatively large sharp objects and particles and ultra violet rays.

Still another object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel seal arrangement for

pillow blocks which allows for slight misalignment ofthe various elements comprising the

pillow block and mounting assembly.

A still further object ofthe present invention is to provide a novel seal assembly for

pillow block assemblies wherein the parts are interchangeable so they can be used in grease

5 lubricant applications and provides a means for purging and by a simple reversal of one ofthe elements can be adapted for lubricant retention where a lubricant fluid is the lubricant choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects ofthe present invention ofthe various details ofthe operation

and construction thereof or hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the

accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 A front elevational view of a pillow block assembly incoφorating a novel seal

arrangement in accordance with the present invention:

Fig. 2. A sectional elevational view taken on lines 2-2 of fig. 1 :

Fig. 3a. An enlarged fragmentary sectional view ofthe detail and designated

Fig. 3a. encircled by the broken line circle in Fig. 2:

Fig. 3b. Similar to Fig. 3a. with the lip ofthe sealing ring reversed:

Fig. 4. A sectional vie similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified pillow block and

seal assembly in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a pillow block housing incoφorating novel seal means in accordance with the present

invention. The assembly comprises a housing base ( 10) having a laterally extending mounting

flange (12) for mounting the pillow block housing on a machine component or the like. The

assembly further includes a housing cap portion (14) which seats on the base ( 10). The cap portion ( 14) and base (10) are secured in the assembled relationship by elongated bolts ( 16)

which engage through bosses (18) on opposite sides ofthe cap portion ( 14) which align with

tapped openings in bosses (20) formed integrally with the base ( 10).

The housing cap portion (14) and base (10) as illustrated in Fig. 2 are hollow and ha\e semi-circular openings defined in opposing end walls through which a shaft (36) extends.

More specifically, the cap portion has a semi-circular cutout (24) in one end wall (28) and the

base portion (10) has a semi-circular opening (26) in a complementary end wall (32). The

semi-circular openings (24) and (26) are aligned to define a generally circular opening at this end ofthe pillow block housing. The opposing end walls (30) and (34) ofthe cap portion ( 14)

and base (10) respectively are likewise provided with a central opening designated by the

reference numerals (24 ^a ) and (26 ^a ).

There is shown in Figs. 2 and 4 a double row spherical bearing generally designated the numeral (40). which rotatably supports the shaft (36) in the housing. The bearing (40)

comprises the usual inner and outer rings (42) and (44) respectively and a complement of

barrel shaped rollers (45) arranged in two rows in the annular space between the rings. The outer ring (44) seats in semi-circular recesses (48) and (50) in the cap portion ( 14) and base

( 10) respectively which are radially aligned to form a continuous circumferentially extending

seat (51 ) for the outer ring (44) ofthe bearing. The width W ofthe seat (51 ) is preferably

greater than the axial width W ofthe bearing to accommodate bearings of different sizes and

allow for thermal expansion of shaft (36).

In the assembled relation, a stabilizing ring (56) engages in the seat (51 ) to locate the

outer ring ofthe bearing in a fixed stable position in the bearing seat. The inner ring (42) of

the bearing is mounted to the shaft by a wedge tapered sleeve (54) having an outer tapered surface (54 ^a ). The tapered sleeve (54) is threaded at one axial end to accommodate a nut and

lock washer (55) which presses the tapered bore (42 ^a ) of inner ring (42) ofthe bearing against

the taper to (54 ^a ) clamp the inner bearing ring relative to the shaft.

The inner ring (42) may be mounted directly to the shaft if desired. Lubricant ports

(60) and (62) are provided in the cap portion (14) which are tapped to facilitate application of

a grease fitting nozzle to supply a charge of grease to the interior pillow block housing and the

bearing mounted therein. In circulating oil applications, the fittings (60) and (62) receive

threaded oil inlet fittings to conduct oil lubricant to the bearing.

In accordance with the present invention, seal means is provided at opposite axial ends ofthe pillow block housing, the details of which are best shown in Fig. 3a. The seal

arrangement in accordance with the present invention consists broadly of a labyrinth seal S _| . a

O-ring seal S ₀ and a lip seal characterized by a novel arrangement providing the functional

advantages discussed above.

Thus the labyrinth seal S _| comprises a triple ring member generally designated by the

numeral (62) which is mounted on the shaft (36) and has circumferentially extending radialh

outwardly directed flanges (64) and (66) at opposing axial ends and an intermediate flange

(68) of a shorter radial height H _a than the radial height H ofthe terminal end flanges (62)

and (66). The flanges are axially spaced as illustrated to define circumferentially extending

channels (70) and (72) between the end flanges and intermediate flange (68).

The inner end wall ofthe cap portion ( 14) is of a predetermined configuration

complementing the flange and channel arrangement ofthe labyrinth seal member (62 ) to form

a seφentine generally "W" shaped labyrinth path P between the members as shown in Fig. 3a.

Thus, the end wall (28) has a pair of depending circumferentially extending ribs (74). (76)

defining therebetween a circumferential channel (77) and are spaced apart a predetermined distance to engage in the grooves (70) and (72) formed in the labyrinth seal member (62). The

ribs (74) and (76) are spaced axially inwardly from the inner and outer side surfaces (28 ^a ) and

(28b) ofthe end wall (28) to define land areas (81 ) and (83) overlying the flanges (64) and

(66). The circumferentially extending space (77) between the ribs (74) and (76) straddles the

intermediate flange (68) ofthe labyrinth seal member (62) and is of a radial depth D _r to define

with the intermediate flange (68) a rather substantial chamber (77) for a contact type sealing

element (84) which has a body portion (86) filling the width ofthe chamber and a radially

inwardly directed lip (88) projecting from one axial end ofthe body portion which engages the outer peripheral surface ofthe intermediate flange (68).

A circumferentially extending groove (91 ) is formed in the inner bore surface (93) of

the sleeve member (62) defining an annular chamber for an O-ring seal (90). The groove is

aligned radially with the intermediate flange member (68) as shown in Fig. 3a.

The inner peripheral surface defining the semi-circular opening (26) in the base ( 10) is

of a similar configuration to form with the labyrinth seal member (62) the same type of

seφentine generally "W" shaped path P described above. Accordingly, the elements

comprising the ribs and channels are given the same reference numerals with the subscript "b".

The lip seal (84) as shown in fig. 2 faces outwardly and is adapted for grease lubricated

bearings to facilitate purging. More specifically when it is desired to recharge the housing cavity with new grease, the fitting is si ply applied to the housing part (60) and the pressure

causes the sealing lip (88) to deflect outwardly and permit escape ofthe old grease when

charging with the new and expel contaminants which have entered the labyrinth. The lip seal

(88) may be reversed for retaining lubricant in the bearing housing when using oil type lubrication systems. Fig. 3b. shows reversal of the lip seal for applications where oil lubricant

is used and the various referenced numerals applied previously are the same.

Further, the O-ring seal (90) prevents passage of contaminants or lubricant under the ring seal

and frictionally drives the ring seal to rotate at shaft speed.

Summarizing the above briefly and with reference to Figs. 3 a and 3 b. the configuration

in 3a is particularly adapted for grease lubrication applications and in this instance, the radially

inwardly directed lip (88) presses against the seat (68 ^a ) so that internal pressures deflect the lip

(88) outwardly away from the seat (68 ^a ) and create an opening for purging the grease when

desired. More specifically, new grease entering the port (62) under pressure displaces the old

grease causing an increased axial pressure on the outer peripheral face (88 ^a ) ofthe lip (88) to

produce the deflection action described. By contrast in Fig. 3b, the lip (88) is directed

inwardly toward the interior ofthe bearing and therefore any lubricant pressure against the inner peripheral face (88J2) ofthe lip, tends to seat the lip more firmly against the seat (68 ^a )

and is used primarily in oil lubrication applications. In some instances where the shaft is

vertically oriented, the Fig. 3b configuration is used in grease applications to prevent purging

which may occur by gravitational forces on the grease lubricant.

The arrangement ofthe present invention provides advantages over press fit

applications such as in the TESKE and TOOLY arrangements. Press fits typically require

special or more precise rnachining and therefore add to the expense of manufacturing and

assembling the components. The present invention also has an advantage over the prior art

discussed above allowing for any needed axial movement ofthe shaft for example, due to thermal expansion and other forces in the system.

The O-ring seal S ₀ has a sliding fit on the shaft. This eliminates wear ofthe parts and

extends the life.

Fig. 4. shows a modified embodiment ofthe present invention which is useful in applications where the bearing is free to float to a limited degree in the bearing housing. This

allows for a controlled axial play in the system. Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In this instance, however, the shaft does not extend entirely through the

housing and an end plate (97) in the nature of a disk with an O-ring seal (99) engages in a

groove (101) between the flanges (74) and (76).

Even though particular embodiments ofthe present invention have been illustrated and

described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention and changes and modifications maybe made therein within the scope ofthe following claims.