Positive contact, self retaining bearing seals

Patent · Tue May 05 00:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:868269

Johnson, Bruce H ^[1]; Larsen, Lawrence E ^[1]; Welch, Edmund F ^[1]

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1. Kansas City, MO

An ultra-low friction bearing including an inner race, an outer race, bearing elements engaged between the inner and outer races and a seal between the inner and outer races is disclosed. The seal includes first and second sealing washers. The first washer has an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the outer race and an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the inner race. The second washer has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the inner race and an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the outer race. The first washer slidably engages the outer race, the second washer slidably engages the inner race and the washers overlap and slidably engage one another. One of the washers snap fits into its respective inner or outer race while the other washer engages a stepped surface of the other of the inner and outer races. The grooved and stepped surface are offset from one another in a longitudinal direction of the races such that the washers are conically loaded thus providing a seal between the inner and outer races sufficient to prevent lubricant and contaminating particles from passing therethrough. The washers are made from a non-metallic semi-flexible low-modulus material.

• Research Organization: Kansas City Plant (KCP), Kansas City, MO (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00613
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5110222
• Application Number: 07/473,800
• OSTI ID: 868269
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

positive
contact
retaining
bearing
seals
ultra-low
friction
including
inner
race
outer
elements
engaged
races
seal
disclosed
sealing
washers
washer
diameter
slidably
engages
overlap
engage
snap
fits
respective
stepped
surface
grooved
offset
longitudinal
direction
conically
loaded
providing
sufficient
prevent
lubricant
contaminating
particles
passing
therethrough
non-metallic
semi-flexible
low-modulus
material
bearing element
outer race
bearing elements
inner diameter
longitudinal direction
passing therethrough
outer diameter
slidably engage
bearing including
outer races
contaminating particles
inner race
/384/277/