GB2539951A - A seal assembly for a rotating shaft - Google Patents
A seal assembly for a rotating shaft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2539951A GB2539951A GB1511640.3A GB201511640A GB2539951A GB 2539951 A GB2539951 A GB 2539951A GB 201511640 A GB201511640 A GB 201511640A GB 2539951 A GB2539951 A GB 2539951A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- housing
- shaft
- opening
- seal assembly
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- F16J15/00—Sealings
- F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
- F16J15/32—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings
- F16J15/3204—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings with at least one lip
- F16J15/3232—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings with at least one lip having two or more lips
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- F16J15/00—Sealings
- F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- F16J15/00—Sealings
- F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
- F16J15/164—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces the sealing action depending on movements; pressure difference, temperature or presence of leaking fluid
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
- F16J15/00—Sealings
- F16J15/16—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces
- F16J15/32—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings
- F16J15/3248—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports
- F16J15/3252—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports with rigid casings or supports
- F16J15/3256—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports with rigid casings or supports comprising two casing or support elements, one attached to each surface, e.g. cartridge or cassette seals
- F16J15/3264—Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces with elastic sealings, e.g. O-rings provided with casings or supports with rigid casings or supports comprising two casing or support elements, one attached to each surface, e.g. cartridge or cassette seals the elements being separable from each other
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sealing Using Fluids, Sealing Without Contact, And Removal Of Oil (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a seal assembly 100 for a rotatable shaft. The seal assembly may be used to prevent contaminants from passing the seal towards for example a bearing. The assembly comprises a shaft 10 extending through an opening 25 in a housing 20, and a seal 30 extends from the housing towards the shaft. The seal is axially spaced from the opening in a first direction. A flinger 40 is mounted on the shaft, and has a cylindrical portion 48 mounted on the shaft and which extends through the opening 25. The flinger has an annular wall portion 43 which extends away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The annular wall portion is axially spaced from the housing opening in a second direction opposite the first direction; and the cylindrical portion includes an annular ridge 42 axially aligned with the housing opening.
Description
A seal assembly for a rotating shaft
The present invention relates to a seal assembly for use on a rotating shaft. The seal may be used to prevent contamination from passing the seal towards, for example, a bearing rotatably supporting a shaft. Preferably, the seal assembly may be used on a shaft to protect a bearing within an enclosed space in which the bearing is continually relubricated .
According to the invention there is provided a seal assembly according to claim 1.
In the following description, the phrase "extending radially" means extending away from the longitudinal axis, but not necessarily extending in a plane perpendicular thereto unless explicitly specified.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference is now made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the upper half of a seal assembly in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows a larger cross-sectional view of the seal assembly of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement of a cover, shaft, and flinger of the seal assembly of Figure 2 .
Figure 1 shows a seal assembly comprising a shaft 10, a seal 30, a flinger 40, and a housing 20. The flinger 40 may be made from metal, e.g. hardened steel.
As is known in the art, the shaft 10 may be supported within the housing 20 by a bearing 60 in such a way that the shaft 10 can rotate relative to the housing 20. The bearing may be lubricated with, for example, grease. In order to achieve the greatest possible lifespan of a bearing, it is preferable to prevent the ingress of contaminants into the bearing. This involves preventing the passage of contaminants through the seal 30.
The housing 20 has a portion 21 defining a first side 23 and a second side 24. The housing 20 preferably encloses one or more bearings, in which case the bearings are arranged inside of the housing 20, at an axially inner side of the seal 30. This corresponds to the first side 23, i.e. the environment to be kept contaminant free. The outside of the housing 20 would correspond with the second side 24, i.e. the external environment.
An opening 25 is formed in the portion 21 between the first side 23 and the second side 24.
Preferably, the housing 20 comprises a main housing body 26 and the portion 21 is formed as a flange that extends from the main housing body 26 towards the shaft 10. The flange portion 21 is thinner than the main body 26 and thereby defines a recess 75 in the housing 20 surrounding the shaft 10.
The seal 30 may be mounted on the first side 23 of the housing 20. When a recess 75 is provided, the seal 30 is preferably held within the recess 75. The seal 30 extends towards the shaft 10 from the housing 20.
In some cases, as shown in Figure 2, it may be desirable to continually or periodically re-lubricate the bearing 60 without disassembling the device. Accordingly, there may be a lubricant supply hole 28 formed in the housing 20 so that lubricant may be supplied to the bearing without passing between the seal 30 and the shaft 10.
The supply hole 28 could be through the bearing 60 or between one or more bearings 60.
In the example depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the seal 30 is designed to prevent the egress of grease and the housing 20 comprises a lubricant recovery hole 27 through which used grease can exit the housing, without passing between the seal 30 and the shaft 10, when fresh grease is pumped into the arrangement. The seal may also be designed to permit the egress of used grease, whilst substantially preventing ingress of any contaminant, in which case the lubricant recovery hole is an optional feature. This will be explained in more detail in subsequent passages of the description.
The shaft 10 extends through the opening 25 in the housing 20 .
The seal 30 extends from the housing 20 towards the shaft 10. Preferably, the seal 30 is mounted to the housing 20. As can be seen in Figure 1, the seal 30 is mounted on a surface of the housing 20 that faces radially inwardly.
The seal 30 is axially spaced from the opening 25 in a first direction parallel with the longitudinal direction of the shaft 10, such that it is on the bearing-side of the opening.
The flinger 40 is mounted on the shaft 10. The flinger 40 comprises a cylindrical portion 48 mounted on the shaft 10.
The cylindrical portion 48 extends through the opening 25.
The flinger 40 also comprises an annular wall portion 43, which extends away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10.
The annular wall portion 43 is axially spaced from the opening 25 in a second direction such that it does not contact the housing 20. The second direction is opposite the first direction so that the annular wall portion 43 is on the side of the housing 20 opposite to the bearing 60.
The cylindrical portion 48 includes an annular ridge 42 axially aligned with the opening 25. Thus, the ridge 42 effectively reduces the radial height of the opening 25 through which contamination may pass. An annular gap is thus defined between a radially inner surface of the flange portion 21 and a radially outer surface of the ridge 42. The annular gap may have a radial height of between 1.0 and 3.0 mm at an apex of the ridge. Preferably, the annular gap has an axial width of at least twice the radial height, such that a labyrinth sealing effect is obtained. The ridge 42 also defines a reservoir, guiding any captured contaminants vertically downwardly.
Optionally, at least a part 44 of the annular wall portion 43 is inclined in the first direction such that it extends towards the housing 20 as it extends radially outwardly away from the shaft 10. There is therefore defined an annular cavity around the shaft 10 between the housing 20 and the annular wall portion 43.
Preferably, the inclined part 44 of the annular wall portion 43 is between an inner planar part 46 and a radially outermost planar part 45 of the annular wall portion 43. The inner planar part 46 and the radially outermost planar part 45 lying in respective, axially offset planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10.
Preferably, the seal 30 surrounds the cylindrical portion 48 of the flinger 40. The cylindrical portion 48 of the flinger 40 may be machined with high accuracy and/or polished or stamped from a metal sheet to provide a good surface for the lip(s) of the seal 30 to seal against.
The seal 30 may comprise a cylindrical portion 36 mounted on the housing 20 (preferably, within recess 75), from which extends radially inwardly, an annular flange 38. The annular flange 38 and the cylindrical portion 35 may be reinforced by a stiffener 39.
The seal 30 is mounted on the housing 20 such that they collectively define an annular reservoir 70 that extends around the shaft 10. The opening 25 is in communication with the reservoir 70. The housing 20 may have a drainage hole 23 in communication with the reservoir 70.
The drainage hole 23 is preferably formed in the flange 21, which defines a boundary of the reservoir 70. Preferably, the hole 23 is at the lowest point of the reservoir 70. This can enable the reservoir 70 to be evacuated of contamination and/or grease.
The seal 30 preferably comprises two lips 32, 34. The two lips may be axially spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10.
Each lip extends towards the shaft 10. Preferably, each lip extends from the innermost perimeter of the annular flange 38 towards the shaft 10.
The axially outer lip 32 of the seal 30 closest to the opening 25 may be inclined in the second direction such that it extends towards the opening 25 as it extends radially inwardly. That is, the distal edge of the lip 32 may be closer to the opening 25 than the proximal perimeter of the lip 32 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10.
Preferably, in cross-section, the lip 32 has an angle in the range 50 to 80 degrees to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10.
Preferably, the distal edge of the lip 32 contacts the cylindrical portion 48 of the flinger 40.
The axially inner lip 34 of the seal 30 furthest from the opening 25 is inclined in the first direction such that it extends away from the opening 25 as it extends radially inwardly. That is, the distal edge of the lip 34 may be further from the opening 25 than the proximal perimeter of the lip 34 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10.
Preferably, in cross-section, the lip 34 has an angle in the range 45 to 85 degrees to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 10.
In the depicted embodiment, the distal edge of the axially inner lip 34 contacts the cylindrical portion 48 of the flinger 40. Owing to the inclination of the lip 34, grease 90 which presses on the lip 34, presses it towards the cylindrical portion 48 or shaft 10, preventing the passage of any grease. In this arrangement a recovery hole 27 can be provided in the housing 20 to allow the egress of grease 90 (but not via the seal 30 or reservoir 70). Any contamination that makes it into the reservoir 70 can egress via drainage hole 23 in flange 21.
In an alternative embodiment, the axially inner lip 34 does not contact the shaft 10 or the cylindrical portion 48 of the flinger 40, while the axially outer lip 32 furthest from the bearing contacts the shaft 10 or the cylindrical portion 48 of the flinger 40. In this embodiment, the recovery hole 27 may be omitted, since the grease can pass non-contacting lip 34. Owing to the inclination of lip 32, grease which is urged in an axially outward direction causes the lip 32 to lift from the cylindrical portion 48 or shaft 10, allowing its passage to reservoir 70 and its egress from the arrangement via drain hole 23. By contrast, contamination 92 in reservoir 70 cannot pass the seal, since this would press lip 32 into the cylindrical portion 48 or shaft 10.
In a still further embodiment, in which the seal is designed to permit the egress of grease, the axially inner lip is a contact lip that inclines towards the shaft 10 or cylindrical portion 48 of the flinger 40 in the same direction as the axially outer lip 32. The axially inner lip will then permit the egress of grease and prevent the ingress of contamination in the same manner as explained above for the axially outer lip 34.
As best seen in Figure 3, a cover 50 may be mounted on the housing 20. The cover 50 may extend around the outer edge of the annular wall portion 43 of the flinger 40. However, it is preferable that the cover 50 is arc-shaped and comprises a gap through which contaminants 92 may escape. The gap may be located below the shaft. The radially outermost surface of the cover 50 may define a channel or groove along which water may flow around the cover 50.
Preferably, the cover 50 extends away from the housing 20 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 10 to overlap at least partially an outer edge 47 of the annular wall portion 43. More preferably, the cover 50 completely overlaps the outer edge 47 of the annular wall portion 43. Also preferably, the cover 50 may not extend beyond the outer edge 47 of the annular wall portion 43 away from the housing in the second direction.
The seal assembly 100 described above is of particular use on a stepped shaft. That is, the shaft 10 may comprise a shoulder 11a defining a stepped transition between a first diameter portion 11 of the shaft and a second diameter portion 12 of the shaft. The diameter of the first diameter portion 11 is greater than the diameter of the second diameter portion 12.
When mounted on such a shaft 10, the seal 30 and flinger 40 surround the second diameter portion 12. Preferably, the flinger 40 abuts the shoulder 11a, although this is not essential. The shoulder 11a may also form part of a flanged bushing that is mounted to the shaft.
Claims (15)
1. A seal assembly (100) for a rotatable shaft, comprising: a shaft (10) extending through an opening (25) in a housing (20); a seal (30) extending from the housing towards the shaft, the seal being axially spaced from the opening in a first direction; a flinger (40) mounted on the shaft, wherein: the flinger comprises a cylindrical portion (48) mounted on the shaft and extending through the opening (25), and an annular wall portion (43) extending away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft; the annular wall portion is axially spaced from the opening in a second direction opposite the first direction; and the cylindrical portion includes an annular ridge (42) axially aligned with the opening.
2. The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein: the housing includes a main housing body (26) having a recess (75) formed therein, the recess defined in part by a housing wall (21) of the housing; the opening (25) is through the housing wall; the seal (30) is located within the recess (75)and a labyrinth gap seal is formed between a radially inner surface of the housing wall (21) and a radially outer surface of the annular ridge(42).
3. The seal assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing or housing wall includes a second hole for the drainage of grease and/or water from an axial space between the seal (30) and the opening (25).
4. The seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein at least a part (44) of the annular wall portion (43) is inclined in the first direction such that it extends towards the housing as it extends radially outwardly, thereby defining an annular cavity.
5. The seal assembly of claim 4, wherein a radially outermost part (45) of the annular wall portion extends in a plane perpendicular to the shaft.
6. The seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the seal extends towards the cylindrical portion (48) mounted on the shaft.
7. The seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein: the seal and housing together define an annular reservoir (70) extending around the shaft; the housing has a drainage hole (23) communicating with the annular reservoir.
8. The seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the seal comprises two lips (32, 34) spaced in the axial direction, each lip extending from the housing towards the shaft.
9. The seal assembly of claim 8, wherein the lip (32) of the seal closest to the opening (25) is inclined in the second direction such that it extends towards the opening (25) as it extends radially inwardly, wherein said lip (32) bears against the cylindrical portion (48)of the flinger
10. The seal assembly of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the lip (34) of the seal furthest from the opening (25) is inclined in the first direction such that it extends away from the opening as it extends radially inwardly.
11. The seal assembly of claim 10, wherein the lip (32) furthest from the opening bears against the the cylindrical portion.
12. The seal assembly of claim 10, wherein a radial gap exists between the cylindrical portion (48) and the lip (34) of the seal furthest from the opening (25).
13. The seal assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising a cover (50) mounted on the housing (20) at least overlapping an outer edge (47) of the annular wall portion and at least partially surrounding the outer edge of the annular wall portion.
14. The seal assembly of claim 13, wherein the cover is arcshaped and comprises a gap.
15. The seal assembly of any preceding claim, wherein: the shaft is supported by a bearing; and the housing comprises a lubricant recovery hole (27), arranged axially inward of the seal (30), through which used grease can escape when the bearing (60) is re-lubricated.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1511640.3A GB2539951A (en) | 2015-07-02 | 2015-07-02 | A seal assembly for a rotating shaft |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1511640.3A GB2539951A (en) | 2015-07-02 | 2015-07-02 | A seal assembly for a rotating shaft |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201511640D0 GB201511640D0 (en) | 2015-08-19 |
| GB2539951A true GB2539951A (en) | 2017-01-04 |
Family
ID=54013411
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1511640.3A Withdrawn GB2539951A (en) | 2015-07-02 | 2015-07-02 | A seal assembly for a rotating shaft |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2539951A (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0010011A1 (en) * | 1978-09-25 | 1980-04-16 | Societe Internationale De Mecanique Industrielle S.A. | Centrifugal pumps, seals and pre-assembled units for such pumps |
| EP1048261A2 (en) * | 1999-04-30 | 2000-11-02 | Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. | Floor cleaning apparatus |
| DE102005006445A1 (en) * | 2005-02-12 | 2006-08-24 | Gkn Driveline International Gmbh | Sealing unit, for connection between stationary rubber sleeve and rotating shaft, comprising contactless as well as sliding elements |
| CN203051748U (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2013-07-10 | 贵州永红航空机械有限责任公司 | Improved structure of sealing element for turbine cooler |
| WO2013106303A1 (en) * | 2012-01-13 | 2013-07-18 | Borgwarner Inc. | Sealing system and turbocharger incorporating the same |
-
2015
- 2015-07-02 GB GB1511640.3A patent/GB2539951A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0010011A1 (en) * | 1978-09-25 | 1980-04-16 | Societe Internationale De Mecanique Industrielle S.A. | Centrifugal pumps, seals and pre-assembled units for such pumps |
| EP1048261A2 (en) * | 1999-04-30 | 2000-11-02 | Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. | Floor cleaning apparatus |
| DE102005006445A1 (en) * | 2005-02-12 | 2006-08-24 | Gkn Driveline International Gmbh | Sealing unit, for connection between stationary rubber sleeve and rotating shaft, comprising contactless as well as sliding elements |
| WO2013106303A1 (en) * | 2012-01-13 | 2013-07-18 | Borgwarner Inc. | Sealing system and turbocharger incorporating the same |
| CN203051748U (en) * | 2012-12-17 | 2013-07-10 | 贵州永红航空机械有限责任公司 | Improved structure of sealing element for turbine cooler |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201511640D0 (en) | 2015-08-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |