TH100740A - Sealed assembly and self-aligning bearings - Google Patents

Abstract

The DC60 is a self-aligning sealed bearing assembly consisting of a bearing housing that is mounted to the surface, a bearing unit housed within the bearing housing, and outer and inner raceways, with at least one ball positioned between the outer and inner raceways. The self-aligning sealed bearing assembly also includes a pivot assembly with an axial sleeve that supports and maintains the rotating shaft and is enclosed in the bearing housing and in contact with the inner raceways of the bearing unit during operation. The pivot assembly allows for angular misalignment between the surface and the axis of more than three degrees. The self-aligning sealed bearing assembly consists of a bearing housing that is mounted to the surface, a bearing unit housed within the bearing housing, and outer and inner raceways, with at least one ball positioned between the outer and inner raceways. The self-aligning sealed bearing assembly also includes a pivot assembly with an axial sleeve that supports and maintains the rotating shaft and is enclosed in the bearing housing and in contact with the inner raceways of the bearing unit during operation. The pivot assembly allows for angular deviation between the surface and the axis of more than three degrees.

Claims (29)

Revised 30/4/2015 1. Self-aligning sealed bearing assembly consisting of: a bearing housing which defines the internal cavity and serves as a fastener to the surface; a pivot assembly with a bearing holder which receives and maintains the rotating shaft, with the pivot assembly housed in the bearing housing; a bearing unit which is housed within the pivot assembly and in contact with the pivot assembly during operation; and a bearing and housing seal which surrounds the bearing unit, whereby the pivot assembly maintains the alignment and integrity of the bearing unit, the bearing and housing seal, and the shaft up to 20 degrees of deviation between the surface and the rotating shaft, and whereby the pivot assembly can be locked to the bearing housing to prevent relative movement during operation. 2. Self-aligning sealed bearing assembly of claim 1 whereby the pivot assembly consists of an outer raceway, an inner raceway and at least one ball. 3. The self-aligning bearing assembly of Preposition 1, whereby the pivot assembly is further comprised of a shaft retainer which holds the rotating shaft in position. 4. The self-aligning bearing assembly of Preposition 3, whereby the shaft retainer allows the assembled shaft to have a smooth surface and no machining of the shaft is required. 5. The self-aligning bearing assembly of Preposition 1, which is further comprised of: a lubricant outlet opening into the pivot assembly; and a lubricant outlet opening into the pivot assembly, where lubricant is injected through the lubricant inlet and where lubricant is drained through the lubricant outlet. 6. The self-aligning bearing assembly of Preposition 1, whereby the bearing housing creates an inner surface on which the base of the pivot assembly is arranged to rotate in order to 7. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 6, where the inner surface is curved; 8. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, where the self-aligning bearing assembly is mounted to a horizontally or vertically rotating axis; 9. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, where the self-aligning bearing assembly is redesigned to allow thrust loads in any direction; 10. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, where the bearing unit is selected from a group consisting of angular contact bearings, deep groove ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, ball bearings, and ball bearings. Self-aligning ball bearings, spherical roller bearings, ring roller bearings, thrust bearings, cylindrical roller thrust bearings, spherical roller thrust bearings, needle bearings, sleeve bearings, slide groove bearings, contact bearings. 11. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assemblies of Requisition 1, which include a port for an accelerometer provided within the housing. 12. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assemblies of Requisition 1, which include a port for a thermocouple provided within the housing. 13. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assemblies of Requisition 1, which include at least one wave-shaped washer provided within the pivot assembly and around the bearing unit to maintain the bearing unit in position and to reposition the bearing unit when required. 14. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assemblies consisting of: a bearing housing which defines the internal cavity; A pivot assembly which is a fixed and enclosed bearing housing that receives and maintains the rotating shaft with the bearing unit; the pivot assembly is housed in the bearing housing; and several bearing and housing seals surround the bearing unit, where the pivot assembly maintains the alignment and integrity of the bearing unit, bearing and housing seals, and shaft up to 20 degrees of deviation between the surface and the rotating shaft, and where the pivot assembly can be locked to the bearing housing to prevent relative movement during operation. 15. Self-aligning bearing and seal assembly of claim 14, where the bearing unit is housed within the pivot assembly and consists of an outer raceway, an inner raceway, and at least one ball between the outer and inner raceways, where the inner raceway is in contact during operation with the shaft housing of the pivot assembly. 16. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 15, which is further assembled with... 17. A bearing holder located adjacent to the outer raceway of the bearing unit. 18. A self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 14, which is further assembled with: a lubricant outlet opening into the pivot assembly; and a lubricant outlet opening into the pivot assembly, where lubricant is injected through the lubricant inlet and where lubricant is drained from the lubricant outlet. 19. A self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 14, where the bearing housing creates an inner surface on which the base of the pivot assembly is rotated to accommodate deviations between the surface and the axis. 20. A self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 19, where the inner surface is curved. 21. A self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 14, where the bearing assembly... 22. Self-aligning bearing assemblies of Relativity 14, whereby the bearing unit is selected from a group consisting of angular contact bearings, deep groove ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, ball bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, spherical roller bearings, ring roller bearings, thrust bearings, cylindrical roller thrust bearings, spherical roller thrust bearings, needle bearings, sleeve bearings, slide groove bearings, and joint bearings. 23. Leakage and self-aligning bearing assemblies of Relativity 14, which are further compliant with at least one wave-shaped washer which is provided within the pivot assembly and around the bearing unit to maintain the bearing unit in position and to align the unit. 24. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim 23, where at least one wave-shaped washer allows axial movement of the bearing unit due to thermal expansion or contraction of the axis. 25. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim 23, where at least one wave-shaped washer prevents overloading of the assembly. 26. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim 16, which further comprises: a lubricant inlet opening into the pivot assembly for lubricant injection into the pivot assembly; a lubricant outlet opening into the pivot assembly for lubricant drainage from the pivot assembly; at least one wave-shaped washer positioned within the pivot assembly and around the bearing unit to maintain the bearing unit in position and to reposition the bearing unit if required; where at least one wave-shaped washer allows movement of the bearing unit. 27. Axial bearings travel along the sliding surface between the bearing unit and the bearing housing, and the sliding surface is completely enclosed within the lubricated section of the pivot assembly for protection from environmental contamination. A self-aligning sealing and bearing system consisting of: a radial bearing assembly attached to the first side of the surface; a radial pivot assembly housed within the radial bearing assembly and comprising the first seal and the first bearing unit, where the first seal and the first bearing unit are oriented toward the first sleeve receiving the rotating shaft; a thrust bearing assembly attached to the second side of the surface; and a thrust pivot assembly housed within the thrust bearing assembly and comprising the second seal and the second bearing unit, where the second seal and the second bearing unit are oriented toward the second sleeve receiving the rotating shaft; where the radial bearing assembly and the thrust bearing assembly work together to allow for a misalignment between the various surfaces of the assembly and the rotating shaft of up to 20 degrees; And where the radial pivot assembly is lockable to the radial bearing assembly to prevent relative movement during operation. 28. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assemblies of claim 27 where the misalignment is caused by the bearing housing not being aligned. 29. Self-aligning sealing and bearing assemblies of claim 27 where the misalignment is caused by the bearing housing mounting surfaces not being parallel. ------------------------------------------------------- 1. The self-aligning bearing and sealing assembly consists of: a bearing housing which defines the internal cavity and serves as a fastener to the surface; a pivot assembly with a bearing holder that receives and maintains the rotating shaft, with the pivot assembly housed within the bearing housing; a bearing unit housed within the pivot assembly, in contact with the pivot assembly during operation; and a bearing and housing seal surrounding the bearing unit. The pivot assembly maintains the alignment and integrity of the bearing unit, the bearing and housing seal, and the shaft up to 20 degrees of deviation between the surface and the rotating shaft, and the pivot assembly can be locked to the bearing housing to prevent relative movement during operation. 2. The self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, whereby the pivot assembly consists of an outer raceway, an inner raceway and at least one ball located between the outer and inner raceways. 3. The self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim number 1, whereby the pivot assembly is further comprised of a shaft retaining sleeve which holds the rotating shaft in position. 4. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 3, whereby the shaft retainer allows the assembled shaft to have a smooth surface and no machining of the shaft is required. 5. The self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, which is further comprised of: a lubricant inlet opening into the pivot assembly; and a lubricant outlet opening into the pivot assembly, where lubricant is injected through the lubricant inlet and where lubricant is discharged through the lubricant outlet. 6. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, whereby the bearing housing creates an inner surface on which the base of the pivot assembly is positioned to rotate in order to accommodate the deviation between the surface and the axis. 7. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim number 6, where the inner surface is curved. 8. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, whereby the self-aligning bearing assembly is mounted on a horizontal or vertical rotating shaft. 9. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 1, where the self-aligning bearing assembly is redesigned to allow thrust loads in any direction. 10. Self-aligning bearing assemblies of claim 1, whereby the bearing unit is selected from a group comprising angular contact bearings, deep groove ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, ball bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, spherical roller bearings, ring roller bearings, thrust bearings, cylindrical roller thrust bearings, spherical roller thrust bearings, needle bearings, sleeve bearings, slide groove bearings, and joint bearings. 11. The self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim number 1, which includes a receptacle housing provided within the housing; 12. The self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim 1, which includes a receptacle for a thermocouple housed within the housing. 13. The self-aligning bearing assembly of Requisition 1, which includes at least one wave-shaped washer, is positioned within the pivot assembly and around the bearing unit to maintain the bearing unit in position and to reposition the bearing unit when required. 14. Self-aligning bearing and seal assembly consisting of: a bearing housing which defines the internal cavity; a pivot assembly which defines the mounting and has a shaft sleeve that receives and maintains the rotating shaft with the bearing unit, and the pivot assembly is housed within the bearing housing; and multiple bearing and housing seals surrounding the bearing unit. The pivot assembly maintains the alignment and integrity of the bearing unit, bearing and housing seals, and shaft up to 20 degrees of deviation between the surfaces and the rotating bearing, and the pivot assembly can be locked to the bearing housing to prevent relative movement during operation. 15. The self-aligning, leak-proof bearing assembly of claim 14, whereby the bearing unit is arranged within the pivot assembly and consists of an outer raceway, an inner raceway and at least one ball between the outer and inner raceways, with the inner raceway in contact during operation with the shaft sleeve of the pivot assembly. 16. The self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 15, which is further assembled with a bearing holder located adjacent to the outer raceway of the bearing unit. 17. The self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim 14, whereby the pivot assembly is further comprised of a shaft retaining sleeve which holds the rotating shaft in position. 18. The self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 14 shall consist of: a lubricant inlet which opens into the pivot assembly; and a lubricant outlet which opens into the pivot assembly, where lubricant is injected through the lubricant inlet and where lubricant is discharged through the lubricant outlet. 19. A self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 14 where the bearing housing creates an inner surface on which the base of the pivot assembly is positioned to rotate in order to accommodate the bypass between the surface and the axis. 20. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 19, where the inner surface is curved. 21. Self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 14, whereby the self-aligning bearing assembly is mounted on a horizontal or vertical rotating shaft. 22. Self-aligning bearing assemblies of claim 14, whereby the bearing unit is selected from a group comprising angular contact bearings, deep groove ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, ball bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, spherical roller bearings, ring roller bearings, thrust bearings, cylindrical roller thrust bearings, spherical roller thrust bearings, needle bearings, sleeve bearings, slide groove bearings, and joint bearings. 23. The self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 14 shall consist of at least one wave-shaped washer which is placed within the pivot assembly and around the bearing unit to maintain the bearing unit in position and to reposition the bearing unit if required. 24. The self-aligning sealing and bearing assembly of claim 23, where at least one wave-shaped washer allows axial movement of the bearing unit due to axial thermal expansion or contraction. 25. The leak-proof and self-aligning bearing assembly of claim 23, where at least one wave-shaped washer prevents overloading of the assembly. 26. The self-aligning bearing assembly of Appeal 16 shall consist of: a lubricant inlet opening into the pivot assembly for the injection of lubricant into the pivot assembly; a lubricant outlet opening into the pivot assembly for the drainage of lubricant from the pivot assembly; at least one wave-shaped washer provided within the pivot assembly and around the bearing unit to maintain the bearing unit in position and to reposition the bearing unit if necessary; whereby at least one wave-shaped washer allows axial movement of the bearing unit along the flow surface between the bearing unit and the bearing holder; and whereby the sliding surface is completely enclosed within the lubricated part of the pivot assembly to provide protection from environmental contamination. 27. A self-aligning sealing and bearing system comprising: a radial bearing assembly attached to the first side of the surface; a radial pivot assembly housed within the radial bearing assembly, consisting of the first seal and the first bearing unit, with the first seal and bearing unit facing the first sleeve receiving the rotating shaft; a thrust bearing assembly attached to the second side of the surface; and a thrust pivot assembly housed within the thrust bearing assembly, consisting of the second seal and the second bearing unit, with the second seal and bearing unit facing the second sleeve receiving the rotating shaft; where the radial bearing assembly and the thrust bearing assembly work together to allow for a misalignment between the assembly surfaces and the rotating shaft of up to 20 degrees; and where the radial pivot assembly is lockable to the radial bearing assembly to prevent relative movement during operation. 28. Self-aligning bearing and sealing system of claim 27 where the misalignment is caused by a misaligned bearing housing. 29. Self-aligning bearing and sealing system of claim 27 where the misalignment is caused by non-parallel bearing housing mounting surfaces.