AU2003211184A1 - Axle box sealing system - Google Patents
Axle box sealing system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2003211184A1 AU2003211184A1 AU2003211184A AU2003211184A AU2003211184A1 AU 2003211184 A1 AU2003211184 A1 AU 2003211184A1 AU 2003211184 A AU2003211184 A AU 2003211184A AU 2003211184 A AU2003211184 A AU 2003211184A AU 2003211184 A1 AU2003211184 A1 AU 2003211184A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- low friction
- back plate
- axle box
- sealing system
- friction annulus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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- Sealing Using Fluids, Sealing Without Contact, And Removal Of Oil (AREA)
- Sealing Of Bearings (AREA)
Description
AUSTRALIA
PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PATENT OF ADDITION (Original) APPLICATION NO:
LODGED:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
LODGED:
ACCEPTED:
PUBLISHED:
RELATED ART: NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTOR(S): ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: SKF Australia Pty Ltd LORD
COMPANY,
Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, of 4 Douro Place, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, AUSTRALIA.
Axle Box Sealing System ASSOCIATED PARENT APPLICATION DETAILS: Complete Patent Application Number 37980/99 (760432) filed July 6, 1999 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us:
TITLE
"AXLE BOX SEALING SYSTEM" The present invention relates to an axle box sealing system.
Bearing failures in railway systems regularly result in disruption of rail traffic. The cost of repair to rail track and wagons is high, as is the economic cost due to delays in rolling stock delivery. The major suspected cause of bearing failure is loss of grease from axle boxes which are fitted with labyrinth sealing systems. Labyrinth seals are designed to minimise leakage by offering resistance to fluid flow. Nevertheless, labyrinth seals do not completely seal the axle boxes, and axle grease leakages occur where the viscosity of the axle grease is decreased by high ambient temperatures.
The loss of axle grease from axle boxes which are fitted with labyrinth sealing systems has been a long recognised problem for which solutions have been sought.
Australian Patent Application Number 37980/99 describes an axle box sealing system including an labyrinth seal having an inner labyrinth ring and an outer back plate, and including a resilient annulus and a low friction annulus of similar cross sectional dimension disposed within a groove in the labyrinth ring. In some circumstances it is not possible to apply the invention of Australian Patent Application Number 37980/99, as the invention requires the cutting of a relatively deep groove within the labyrinth ring. This can result in the presence of stress concentrations about the groove and lead to failure of the sealing system.
The present invention seeks to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided an axle box sealing system, including a labyrinth seal having an inner labyrinth ring and an outer back plate interengaged with one another wherein there is provided a circumferential groove in a facing surface of the labyrinth ring, which groove is arranged, in use, to house an inner portion of a low friction annulus, an outer circumferential surface of the low friction annulus being in engagement with the outer back plate.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of an axle box sealing system in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to the Figure 1, there is shown an axle box sealing system 10 including an axle 12, an inner labyrinth ring 14, and an outer back plate 16. The axle 12 is supported by bearings (not shown), and is arranged to rotate relative to the outer back plate 16. The inner labyrinth ring 14 is rigidly connected to the axle 12, and is arranged to rotate together with axle 12 relative to the back plate 16.
The labyrinth ring 14 has a first portion 18 adjacent the bearings. The first portion 18 has an outer diameter which varies in a step wise manner along the length of the first portion 18. The back plate 16 has a first portion 20 corresponding with the first portion 18 of the labyrinth ring 14. The first portion 20 of the back plate 16 has an inner diameter which varies in a step wise manner along the length of the first portion The variations in the inner diameter of the first portion 20 of the back plate 16 are complementary to the variations in outer diameter of the first portion 18 of the labyrinth ring 14. The first portion 18 of the labyrinth ring 14 is adjacent, in use, the first portion 20 of the back plate 16. A labyrinth seal 22 is thus formed between the first portions 18, 20 of the labyrinth ring 14 and the back plate 16.
The back plate 16 has a second portion 21 which extends away from the first portion in an axial direction. The second portion 21 has a substantially constant inner diameter.
The labyrinth ring 14 has a second portion 19 which extends away from the first portion 18 in an axial direction. The second portion 19 has a substantially constant external diameter, and is disposed adjacent the second portion 21 of the back plate 16.
The labyrinth ring 14 has a third portion 23 which extends away from the second portion 19 in an axial direction. An inner diameter of the third portion 23 tapers outwardly from the second portion 19. A wedge shaped (in cross section) gap 25 is therefore evidenced between the third portion 23 of the labyrinth ring 14 and the second portion 21 of the back plate 16.
The labyrinth ring 14 includes a circumferential recessed groove 24. The circumferential recessed groove 24 is located in the second portion 19 of the labyrinth ring 14. The circumferential recessed groove 24 includes two substantially parallel vertical walls 26 interconnected by a floor 28 which extends laterally between the vertical walls 26.
The axle box sealing system 10 further includes a low friction annulus The low friction annulus 30 is manufactured from a friction reducing material, preferably Teflon, polytetrafluoroethylene, a graphite-filled material, or a glass-filled material. The low friction annulus 30 has an inner circumferential surface 32 and an outer circumferential surface 34. A distance between the inner circumferential surface 32 and the outer circumferential surface 34 of the low friction annulus 30 is substantially shorter than an inner diameter of the low friction annulus 30. In other words, the thickness of the low friction annulus 30 is narrow relative to the diametric size of the low friction annulus The low friction annulus 30 has a first side surface 36 and a second opposed side surface 38. The distance between the inner circumferential surface 32 and the outer circumferential surface 34 of the low friction annulus 30 is substantially of the same order as a distance between the first surface 36 and the second surface 38 of the low friction annulus 30. In other words, the width of the low friction annulus 30 is substantially the same as the thickness of the low friction annulus It is preferably that a cross-sectional area of the low friction annulus 30 defined by the inner circumferential surface 32, the outer circumferential surface 34, the first surface 36 and the second surface 38 is quadrangular.
It will be appreciated that the size of the low friction annulus 30 will be determined by axle diameter and class of axle box for which the axle box sealing system is arranged to be fitted.
The distance between the first and second side surfaces 36, 38 of the low friction annulus 30 is marginally smaller than the distance between the two walls 26 of the recessed groove 24. The distance between the inner circumferential surface 32 and the outer circumferential surface 34 is greater than the depth of the walls 26 of the recessed groove 24.
In use, an inner portion of the low friction annulus 30 is housed in the circumferential recessed groove 24 and an outer portion thereof projects outwardly from the circumferential recessed groove 24. The inner circumferential surface 32 of the low friction annulus 30 is contiguous and parallel with respect to the floor 28 of the circumferential recessed groove 24. An inner portion of the first surface 36 and an inner portion of the second surface 38 of the low friction annulus 30 are adjacent and parallel with the respective walls 26 of the circumferential recessed groove 24. The outer circumferential surface 34 of the low friction annulus 30 is contiguous to the second portion 21 of the back plate 16.
In use, the second portion 21 of the back plate 16 is located at a distance from the floor 28 of the circumferential recessed groove 24 which is marginally less than the thickness of the low friction annulus 30. Thus, the low friction annulus 30 fits firmly between the floor 28 of the circumferential recessed groove 24 and the second portion 21 of the back plate 16 and with a clearance fit between the floor 28 of the circumferential groove 24. A close fitting seal is thus effected between the back plate 16 and the labyrinth ring 14 when the inner portion of the low friction annulus 30 is housed within the circumferential recessed groove 24. The clearance fit allows for any wear and movement in the bearings and the axle box.
In use, the axle box sealing system is assembled by first fitting the low friction annulus 30 into the circumferential recessed groove 24. The labyrinth ring 14 is then shrunk or press fitted onto the axle 12. The back plate 16 is then engaged with the labyrinth ring 14 and locked with set screws, and finally the housing of the axle box assembly is slide fitted over the back plate 16 and locked into place with nuts and spring washers.
The low friction annulus 30 provides a seal between the back plate 16 and the labyrinth ring 14. The use of Teflon or graphite filled material or glass filled material on the low friction annulus 30 reduces the friction between the low friction annulus and the back plate 16 minimising metal wear on the back plate 16, thereby maintaining an acceptable iron content in the grease particularly after an initial polishing or running in stage. Secondly heat generation is minimised which in turn assists the maintenance of a desirable viscosity of the axle grease. The low friction annulus 30 also maintains minimum wear on the labyrinth ring 14, thereby decreasing costs for replacement and maintenance of axle box seals. The low friction annulus works to provide an effective barrier against flow of low viscosity axle grease through the labyrinth seal, thus preventing leakages, and ultimately bearing failures which result from inadequate lubrication.
Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, the circumferential recessed groove 24 could be located in the back plate 16.
Claims (6)
1. An axle box sealing system, including a labyrinth seal having an inner labyrinth ring and an outer back plate interengaged with one another wherein there is provided a circumferential groove in a facing surface of the labyrinth ring, which groove is arranged, in use, to house an inner portion of a low friction annulus, an outer circumferential surface of the low friction annulus being in engagement with the outer back plate.
2. The axle box sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the low friction annulus is made of polytetrafluorethylene, a graphite-filled material, or a glass-filled material or another material having low friction properties.
3. The axle box sealing system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a distance between the first and second side surfaces of the low friction annulus is marginally smaller than a distance between opposing walls of the circumferential groove.
4. The axle box sealing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between an inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the low friction annulus is greater than a depth of the circumferential groove.
5. The axle box sealing system according to claim 4, wherein the inner circumferential surface of the low friction annulus is contiguous and parallel with respect to a floor of the circumferential groove and the outer circumferential surface of the low friction annulus is contiguous to the back plate, such that the low friction annulus fits firmly between the floor of the circumferential groove and the back plate, and with a clearance fit between the floor of the circumferential groove, thereby affording a close fitting seal between the back plate and the labyrinth ring when the inner portion of the low friction annulus is housed within the circumferential groove.
6. An axle box sealing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to accompanying Figure 1. DATED THIS 8TH DAY OF JULY 2003. SKF Australia Pty Ltd By their Patent Attorneys LORD COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003211184A AU2003211184B2 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 2003-07-08 | Axle box sealing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPP4501A AUPP450198A0 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 1998-07-06 | Axle box sealing system |
| AU37980/99A AU760432B2 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 1999-07-06 | Axle box sealing system |
| AU2003211184A AU2003211184B2 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 2003-07-08 | Axle box sealing system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU37980/99A Addition AU760432B2 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 1999-07-06 | Axle box sealing system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2003211184A1 true AU2003211184A1 (en) | 2003-10-09 |
| AU2003211184B2 AU2003211184B2 (en) | 2007-09-13 |
Family
ID=34081077
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003211184A Ceased AU2003211184B2 (en) | 1998-07-06 | 2003-07-08 | Axle box sealing system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003211184B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019110045A1 (en) * | 2017-12-06 | 2019-06-13 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Rolling bearing having integrated pressure sealing |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2743825C2 (en) * | 1977-09-29 | 1986-01-30 | SKF GmbH, 8720 Schweinfurt | Roller chisel |
| NZ217942A (en) * | 1985-10-22 | 1989-02-24 | Warman Int Ltd | Labyrinth seal with central grease passage |
| US6419233B2 (en) * | 1998-08-25 | 2002-07-16 | Isotech Of Illinois, Inc. | Shaft seal assembly |
-
2003
- 2003-07-08 AU AU2003211184A patent/AU2003211184B2/en not_active Ceased
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019110045A1 (en) * | 2017-12-06 | 2019-06-13 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Rolling bearing having integrated pressure sealing |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2003211184B2 (en) | 2007-09-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK4 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(d) - no continuation fee paid for the application | ||
| TH | Corrigenda |
Free format text: IN VOL 19, NO 4, PAGE(S) 216 UNDER THE HEADING APPLICATIONS LAPSED, REFUSED OR WITHDRAWN, PATENTS CEASED OR EXPIRED - 2003 DELETE ALL REFERENCE TO 2003211184 |
|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) | ||
| MK14 | Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired |