GB2157373A

GB2157373A - A closure end cap labyrinth type seal assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2157373A
Application number: GB08508179A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alois Czeschka
Original assignee: EXACTOCRAFT
Current assignee: EXACTOCRAFT
Priority date: 1984-03-29
Filing date: 1985-03-28
Publication date: 1985-10-23
Also published as: DE3511670C2; GB8508179D0; GB2157373B; DE3511670A1; AU586817B2; AU4045085A

Abstract

A closure end cap assembly (10) for a conveyor roller has a hollow inner cylindrical member (14) adapted to fit onto a roller shaft; a hollow outer cylindrical member (12) adapted to be fitted into a conveyor roller shell or cylinder; a number of outer annular projections (26) provided spaced apart axially on the outside of the inner cylindrical member (14); and a number of inner annular projections (18) provided spaced apart axially on the inside of the outer cylindrical member (12) and interleaved with the outer annular projections (26) of the inner cylindrical member so as to define a labyrinth path for inhibiting ingress of dirt and moisture from outside into a conveyor roller. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Closure end cap assembly The present invention relates to closure end cap assemblies.

More particularly, the invention relates to so-called rotary labyrinth closure end cap assemblies for rotatable support members, such as conveyor rollers, eg. idler conveyor rollers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Various types of closure end cap units or assemblies for conveyor rollers are known.

The known assemblies suffer from different disadvantages and are not always effective.

It is an object of the invention to provide a closure end cap assembly which is relatively simple to manufacture and to assemble, but will assist in inhibiting the ingress of dirt and moisture from the outside to the inside of a conveyor roller to which it is fitted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the invention, a closure end cap assembly for a conveyor roller includes a hollow inner cylindrical member adapted to fit onto a roller shaft; a hollow outer cylindrical member adapted to be fitted into a conveyor roller shell or cylinder; an outer annular projection provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical member; and an inner annular projection provided on the inside of the outer cylindrical member and being adapted to be located adjacent the outer annular projection so as to define a labyrinth path for inhibiting ingress of dirt and moisture from outside into a conveyor roller.

Also according to the invention, a closure end cap assembly for a conveyor roller, includes a hollow inner cylindrical member adapted to fit onto a roller shaft; a hollow outer cylindrical member adapted to be fitting into a conveyor roller shell or cylinder; a number of outer annular projections provided spaced apart axially on the outside of the inner cylindrical member; and a number of inner annular projections provided spaced apart axially on the inside of the outer cylindrical member and being interleaved with the outer annular projections of the inner cylindrical member so as to define a labyrinth seal for inhibiting ingress of dirt and moisture from outside into a conveyor roller.

The outer annular projections may be substantially parallel to each other, and the inner annular projections may be substantially parailel to each other.

The outer annular projections may be adapted to be subtantially at right angles to the rotational axis of a roller shaft to which the device is to be fitted.

The inner annular projections may be adapted to be substantially at right angles to the rotational axis of a conveyer shell to which the outer cylindrical member is to be fitted.

The or each annular projection may be tapered shape having a base which is thicker than its tip.

The or each annular projection may be in the form of a disc or flat ring.

The assembly may include a casing into which the outer cylindrical member is fitted.

The casing and the outer cylindrical member may have associated locking formations for locking the outer cylindrical member to the casing.

At the least four outer annular projections and at least three interleaved inner annular projections may be provided.

The outer cylindrical member may be provided in two substantially semi-circular identical halves seen in end view, the halves being adapted to be joined together to fit over the inner member. The outer cylindrical member may be split axially and may be hinged at one axial side so as to define two halves adapted to be moved together to constitute the outer cylindrical member. The outer cylindrical member halves may be adopted to be clipped together or may be glued or otherwise held together.

The invention also extends to a conveyor roller provided with at least one closure end cap assembly as set out herein.

Further the invention extends to an inner cylindrical member and an outer cylindrical member adapted for use in a closure end cap assembly as set out herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings there is shown in Figure 1 an end view of a first embodiment of a closure end cap assembly for a conveyor roller in accordance with the invention: Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the assembly seen along arrow ll-ll in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the assembly seen along arrow III in Fig. 1; Figure 4 an outside view of the inner cylindrical member of the assembly illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3; Figure 5 a side view of the one outer member half of the assembly iilustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and seen along arrows V-V in Fig.

1; and Figure 6 a sectional side view of a second embodiment of a closure end cap assembly for a conveyor roller in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the closure end cap assembly 10 includes a hollow outer cylindrical member 1 2 and a hollow inner cylindrical member 14 when assembled together.

The outer cmember 1 2 consists of two identical halves 12.1, 12.2, which meet along the faces 13.1, 13.2. The two halves 12.1, 12.2 together define an outer cylinder 1 6 and a number of axially spaced apart inwardly extending annular projections or discs (or flat rings) 18.1, 18.2, 18.3. The inner tips 19 of these discs 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 define a central hole 20.

The inner cylindrical member 14 includes an inner hollow cylinder 22 having an inner passage 24. On its outside surface any number (as required) of axially spaced apart outwardly extending annular projections or discs (or flat rings) 26.1,26.2, 26.3, 26.4'are provided. As is shown the discs 26.1 ...26.4 of the inner member 14 and the discs 18.1 .. .18.3 of the outer member 12 are interleaved so as to define a labyrinth path 28, which has a purpose to inhibit the ingress of moisture or dirt from the outside of a conveyor roller to its inside, in particular to bearings provided on a conveyor shaft.

The inner member 14 is adapted to be fitted in conventional manner to a shaft or the like of a conveyor roller or idler roller (not shown). The outer member 1 2 is adapted to fit in conventional manner into the outer housing or shell or other part of such a roller. As has been mentioned, by providing the end cap assembly 10 at both ends of a conveyor roller, eg. idler conveyor roller, such a roller can be closed or sealed off to the outside.

This is of great importance where the rollers are used in contaminated atmosphere, eg. in mining or quarry operations.

As mentioned above the outer member 1 2 preferably is produced by having two half sections 1 2.1, 1 2.2 separable along a plane passing through it in axial direction and thus, in end view, it comprises two identical semicircular parts. After manufacture the two semi circuiar parts are moved together over the inner member 4 to interleave the discs 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 with the discs 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 and thereby to define a labyrinth path 28. The meeting faces 13.1, 13.2 of the outer half members 12.1 and 1 2.2 then are suitably joined or clamped together, eg. by way of a diaphragm hinge and clasp or an outer casing or the like. They also may be suitably glued or welded together.

Grease is provided in the labyrinth path 28 between the discs 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 and 26.1, 26.2, 26.3 to act as a dust collector.

Due to the radially extending discs and labyrinth path, grease and other particles are thrown outwardly and act as a collector for foreign bodies, dust, etc. on the outer ends of the labyrinth path.

Any number of projections or discs can be provided, eg. only one or any other suitable number depending on requirements.

In Fig. 6 a further embodiment of a closure end cap assembly 30 for conveyor rollers in accordance with the invention is shown. The same reference numerals therefore are used in Fig. 6 to indicate parts similar to those shown in Fig. 1 to 5.

The assembly 30 shown is similar to the assembly 10 of Figs. 1 to 5 but includes an outer casing 32. This casing 32 is adapted to be fitted in conventional manner into a shell or sleeve or cylinder of a conveyor roller (eg.

idler roller). It has, at one end, an inwardly projecting ridge 34 adapted to abut against the radial edge 36 of an annular recess 38 provided on the outer member 1 2. Thus, once the assembled inner member 14 and outer member 1 2 have been pushed into the casing 32, the outer member 1 2 hooks into position and cannot be removed.

The outer member 1 2 is preferably produced in two identical halves 12.1, 12.2 as described above, which halves are fitted over the inner member 1 4 and are held together by the casing 32.

The discs 18.1 ... 18.3 are tapered in- wardly so that the root or base sections 40 are wider than the tip sections 42. Similarly the discs 26.1 . .. 26.4 are tapered outwardly so that the root or base sections 44 are wider than the tip sections 46.

The parts 1 2, 14, 32 preferably are made of a suitable plastics material, such as nylon (polyamide) or nylon mixture or a reinforced nylon.

Claims

1. A closure end cap assembly for a conveyor roller, which includes a hollow inner cylindrical member adapted to fit onto a roller shaft; a hollow outer cylindrical member adapted to be fitted into a conveyor roller shell or cylinder; an outer annular projection provided on the outside of the inner cylindrical member; and an inner annular projection provided on the inside of the outer cylindrical member and being adapted to be located adjacent the outer annular projection so as to define a labyrinth path for inhibiting ingress of dirt and moisture from outside into a conveyor roller.

2. A closure end cap assembly for a conveyor roller, which includes a hollow inner cylindrical member adapted to fit onto a roller shaft; a hollow outer cylindrical member adapted to be fitted into a conveyor roller shell or cylinder; a number of outer annular projections provided spaced apart axially on the outside of the inner cylindrical member; and a number of inner annular projections provided spaced apart axially on the inside of the outer cylindrical member and being interleaved with the outer annular projections of the inner cylindrical member so as to define a labyrinth path for inhibiting ingress of dirt and moisture from outside into a conveyor roller.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 2, which the outer annular projections are sub stantially parallel to each other.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the inner annular projections are substantially parallel to each other.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each outer annular projection is adapted to be substantially at right angles to the rotational axis of a roller shaft to which the inner cylindrical member is to be fitted.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, in which the or each inner annular projection is adapted to be substantially at right angles to the rotational axis of a conveyor shell to which the outer cylindrical member is to be fitted.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each annular projection is in the form of a disc or flat ring.

8. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each annular projection is of tapered shape having a base which is thicker than its tip.

9. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which at least four outer annular projections and at least three interleaved inner annular projections are provided.

10. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer cylindrical member is provided as two substantially semi-circular identical halves seen in end view, the halves being adapted to be held together suitably.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, in which the outer cylindrical member is split axially and is hinged at one axial side so as to define two halves adapted to be moved together to constitute the outer cylindrical member.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, in which the outer cylindrical member halves are adapted to be clipped together.

1 3. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a casing into which the outer cylindrical member is fitted.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, in which the casing and the outer cylindrical member have associated locking formations for locking the outer cylindrical member to the casing.

1 5. A closure end cap assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 or Fig. 6 of the accompanying schematic drawings.

1 6. A conveyor roller provided with at least one closure end cap assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

1 7. A conveyor roller substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

1 8. An inner cylindrical member for use in a closure end cap assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

1 9. An outer cylindrical member for use in a closure end cap assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

20. An inner cylindrical member for use in a closure end cap assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. An outer cylindrical member for use in a closure end cap assembly substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.