Pillow block assembly

Abstract

A pillow block assembly (10) for supporting a shaft for rotation about an axis of rotation, the pillow block assembly (10) comprising a bearing block (20) having an interior (26) housing a bearing for the shaft, the bearing block (20) being divided into a first bearing block half (22) and a second bearing block half (24) along a first plane housing the axis of rotation, the seal assembly (30) comprises at least one radial shaft seal (32) having at least one sealing lip (34), preferably comprising a spring member (36) adapted to bias the sealing lip (34), and a spacer (40) adapted to fit about and to rotate with a shaft, the spacer (40) having a first sealing surface (42) pointing radially outwardly, the seal assembly (30) further includes a cover (50) at least partially surrounding the first sealing surface (42) of the spacer (40), where the cover (50) is reversibly secured to the seat (20), and where the radial shaft seal (32) is configured to seal between the cover (50) and the first sealing surface (42) of the spacer (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow block assembly for supporting a shaft to rotate about a rotation axis. The pillow block assembly includes a bearing housing and a sealing assembly. The bearing housing has an interior that accommodates a shaft bearing. Background Art

[0002] Pillow block assemblies are known in the field of rolling bearing assemblies and are often used in conjunction with heavy machinery, for example for the manufacturing industry. One example is the pulp and paper industry, where for example the drums of pulp and paper machines are supported by pillow block assemblies. Due to the high speeds and high temperatures of the drums, these pillow block assemblies operate under harsh conditions, which is particularly true for pillow block assemblies that support the drums of the dryer section of the pulp and paper machines. These pillow block assemblies used in pulp and paper machines are usually lubricated with oil to withstand the harsh conditions mentioned, and the sealing assemblies of these pillow block assemblies include labyrinth seals.

[0003] However, over time, the sealing system or sealing assembly of the pillow block assembly will degrade and oil leaks will occur. These oil leaks will cause different problems and are therefore undesirable. First, the leaking oil may contaminate or damage products, such as those manufactured by pulp and paper machinery. This is unacceptable in any case, but especially when producing sterile paper for packaging medical devices, it may have serious consequences. The damaged paper needs to be destroyed, which is a loss of production. And if the damaged paper is not discovered after production, the damaged paper must be recalled, resulting in bad reputation and associated costs. Secondly, external contaminants such as dust, cleaning fluids, etc. may enter the seat and contaminate the oil. In the long run, this will reduce the lubricating properties of the oil and damage the bearings. Production needs to be stopped to clean the machinery and repair or replace damaged parts. Therefore, in order to avoid the above problems, the sealing system or sealing assembly of the pillow block assembly is replaced regularly as corrective maintenance. But even planned maintenance will result in production stops. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved pillow block assembly. More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pillow block assembly that allows for easy and less time-consuming replacement of the respective seals of the seal assembly of the bearing housing.

[0005] These and other objects are met by the subject matter as specified in independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and in the accompanying description and drawings.

[0006] According to the present invention, a pillow block assembly is used to support a shaft for rotation around a rotation axis, the pillow block assembly includes a bearing housing and a seal assembly, the bearing housing having an interior, the interior accommodating a shaft bearing, the bearing housing being divided into a first bearing housing half and a second bearing housing half along a first plane accommodating the rotation axis, wherein the seal assembly includes at least one radial shaft seal and a spacer, the at least one radial shaft seal having at least one sealing lip, preferably including a spring member adapted to bias the sealing lip, the spacer being adapted to be assembled around the shaft and adapted to rotate with the shaft, the spacer having a first sealing surface directed radially outward, wherein the seal assembly further includes a cover at least partially surrounding the first sealing surface of the spacer, wherein the cover is reversibly fixed to the housing, and wherein the radial shaft seal is configured to seal between the cover and the first sealing surface of the spacer.

[0007] With this improved pillow block assembly according to the invention, in particular with the arrangement of a cover and a spacer having a first sealing surface directed radially outwards, wherein the radial shaft seal is arranged to seal between the cover and the first sealing surface of the spacer, an easy and less time-consuming replacement of seals in a sealing assembly of a bearing housing is achieved. This is true both for the cylinder side of the bearing housing (i.e. the side where no shaft enters the bearing housing and the opening of the bearing housing is covered by a cover or lid) and for the wheel side of the bearing housing (i.e. the side where the shaft enters the bearing housing).

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radial shaft seal is arranged on the cover, and the seal is biased toward the spacer to seal between the cover and the first sealing surface of the spacer. This configuration further improves the maintenance and sealing performance of the sealing assembly. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a pillow block assembly, wherein the sealing assembly also includes a gap seal, which is arranged between the cover and the spacer on the side of the radial shaft seal facing the interior of the seat. By such an additional seal, the sealing performance is further improved, and different technical and design requirements can also be adapted according to the overall specifications of the pillow block assembly.

[0009] According to a further preferred embodiment of the pillow block assembly of the present invention, an axial labyrinth seal is provided, which is arranged between the cover and the spacer on a side of the radial shaft seal facing away from the interior of the seat.

[0010] Advantageously, by configuring different types of seals in a predetermined sequence within the seal assembly, the sealing performance as well as the maintenance performance of the pillow block assembly can be adapted to specific and different technical and design requirements depending on the intended use of the pillow block assembly.

[0011] In addition, depending on the required sealing performance and maintenance performance of the pillow block assembly, the sealing assembly can be configured inside the bearing seat, the sealing assembly can be configured in the opening in one side of the bearing seat where the shaft of the bearing seat enters the bearing seat, or the sealing assembly can be configured at the outside of the bearing seat around the opening in one side of the bearing seat where the shaft of the bearing seat enters the bearing seat. Depending on the requirements for a specific pillow block assembly, the sealing assembly can be configured inside the bearing seat and inside the opening in one side of the bearing seat where the shaft of the bearing seat enters the bearing seat, or the sealing assembly can be configured at the opening in one side of the bearing seat where the shaft of the bearing seat enters the bearing seat, and at the outside of the bearing seat around the opening in one side of the bearing seat where the shaft of the bearing seat enters the bearing seat. However, the sealing assembly can be configured inside the bearing seat, inside the opening in one side of the bearing seat where the shaft of the bearing seat enters the bearing seat, and at the outside of the bearing seat around the opening in this side of the bearing seat, covering all three areas. Since this will affect the sealing performance and maintenance performance of the pillow block assembly, it depends on the intended use of the specific pillow block assembly.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the pillow block assembly, a contact lip seal is arranged between the cover and the spacer, and between the radial shaft seal and the axial labyrinth seal. With such an additional seal, the sealing performance is further improved, and different technical and design requirements can also be adapted according to the overall specifications of the pillow block assembly.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the pillow block assembly, the contact lip seal is arranged on the cover, wherein the contact lip seal is adapted to seal between the cover and the first sealing surface of the spacer. This arrangement allows for further improvement of the sealing performance and, in addition, can accommodate different technical and design requirements according to the overall specifications of the pillow block assembly.

[0014] A further preferred embodiment of the pillow block assembly provides surface formations which are arranged on the spacer towards the interior of the seat and are suitable for acting as flingers, preferably in the form of machined grooves.

[0015] Advantageously, by configuring different types of seals in a predetermined sequence within the seal assembly, the sealing performance and maintenance performance of the pillow block assembly can be adapted to specific and varying technical and design requirements depending on the intended use of the pillow block assembly.

[0016] With this improved pillow block assembly according to the invention, an easy and less time-consuming replacement of the seals in the seal assembly of the bearing housing is achieved. This is true both for the drum side of the bearing housing (i.e. the side where no shaft enters the bearing housing and the opening of the bearing housing is covered by a cover or lid) and for the wheel side of the bearing housing (i.e. the side where the shaft enters the bearing housing).

[0017] As will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it follows that removal or replacement of a seal in a seal assembly will be easy to achieve and may be performed, for example, as follows.

[0018] With regard to the cylinder side of the bearing housing, the cover or cap covering the interior of the bearing housing of the pillow block assembly will be removed, and the corresponding seal of the sealing assembly, which is arranged on the cover or drip-proof part and is accessible from the outside, will be removed with an appropriate tool (e.g. a hook). The accessible parts of the opening of the bearing housing as well as the shaft will be thoroughly cleaned, and the surface condition of the visible surfaces will be checked. If the corresponding seals of the sealing assembly are still in good condition, they will be reassembled. If the corresponding seals of the sealing assembly need to be replaced, the corresponding new seals of the new sealing assembly will be installed after the cleaning process. In the case of installing a new seal or sealing assembly, the cover or cap will be reassembled to cover the opening in one side of the bearing housing.

[0019] On the wheel side of the bearing seat, where the shaft enters the bearing seat, and where, according to the present invention, the spacer is arranged on the shaft, the fastening component that fixes the spacer to the shaft to allow the spacer to rotate with the shaft will be removed or unlocked, and the spacer will be pulled away from the bearing seat to allow access to the opening in the bearing seat. The access mentioned can be between the shaft and the cover or anti-drip component, on which the corresponding seal of the sealing assembly is arranged. According to the present invention, the cover is fixedly connected to the bearing seat, and the cover surrounds the opening in one side of the bearing seat. In the next step, the corresponding seal of the sealing assembly will be removed with a suitable tool (such as a hook). The accessible part of the opening of the bearing seat and the shaft will be thoroughly cleaned, and the surface condition of the visible surface will be checked. If the corresponding seal of the sealing assembly is still in good condition, they will be reassembled. If the corresponding seal of the sealing assembly needs to be replaced, the corresponding new seal of the new sealing assembly will be installed after the cleaning process. In the case where the new seal or sealing assembly is installed on the cover or anti-drip component, the spacer will be put back in place with the help of a support frame or an adjustment tool, as described below. When the spacer is returned to the proper position, the spacer will be fixedly connected to the shaft by a fastening device to allow the spacer to rotate with the shaft, the support frame or adjustment tool will be removed, and the corresponding bearing seat of the pillow block assembly is ready for operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Various aspects of the present invention, including particular features and advantages of the present invention, will be readily understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a pillow block assembly according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 The line AA shown in Figure 1 A partial cutaway view of a pillow block assembly;

[0023] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 An enlarged portion of the cutaway view marked by circle B of , depicting a portion of a first example embodiment of a seal assembly including a radial shaft seal;

[0024] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 An enlarged portion of the cutaway view, marked by circle B, depicts a portion of a second example embodiment of a seal assembly including a radial shaft seal and a contact lip seal.

[0025] The accompanying drawings show illustrative embodiments of the present invention and are therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. It should be understood that the embodiments shown and described are illustrative and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It should also be noted that some details in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated to better describe and illustrate the present invention. Throughout the detailed description, unless otherwise expressly stated, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to the skilled person.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 , a pillow block assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in schematic and stereoscopic views. The pillow block assembly 10 has a bearing seat 20, which has a first bearing seat half 22 and a second bearing seat half 24. The bearing seat half 22 and the bearing seat half 24 are fixed to each other by a fastening member 28 (here in the form of a bolt 28). The second bearing seat half 24 is also suitable for being fixed to a foundation by means of another fastening member 28 (also in the form of a bolt 28). At the top of the pillow block assembly 10, a lifting member 29 in the form of an annular bolt 29 is provided, which allows the pillow block assembly 10 to be simply and reliably lifted and lowered by means of a known lifting configuration (not shown) that is usually provided in the location where the machinery and the pillow block assembly are mounted.

[0028] The bearing housing 20 has a bearing housing interior 26 that accommodates a shaft bearing (not shown) and a seal assembly (also not shown here, but will be referred to later below). Figures 2 to 4 Provide explanation.

[0029] The pillow block assembly 10 is designed to support a shaft (not shown) for rotation about an axis of rotation. To achieve this, the shaft (not shown) is inserted into the pillow block assembly 10 and supported in the bearing seat interior 26 by a shaft bearing (not shown). The shaft bearing (not shown) is lubricated with oil, and in order to avoid leakage of the oil, a sealing assembly 30 is provided, preferably on both sides of the pillow block assembly 10. However, depending on the environment and design requirements, and especially when the shaft does not completely pass through the pillow block assembly 10, one side of the pillow block assembly 10 may be covered by a suitably adapted cover or lid and include a sealing assembly 30 or a different sealing assembly.

[0030] A portion of the seal assembly 30 visible in this view is described herein and will be referred to later. Figures 2 to 4The rest of the seal assembly 30 is described. The spacer 40 is configured to be assembled on a shaft (not shown), and in order to seal between the shaft and the spacer 40 to avoid leakage of oil, a seal 44 in the form of an O-ring is provided at each end of the spacer 40, on the inner side of the spacer. As will be explained later, it is intended that the spacer 40, once assembled on the shaft, will rotate with the shaft. To achieve this, the spacer 40 will be reversibly fixed to the shaft using known fixing means that are not explained or shown here.

[0031] The spacer 40 cooperates with a cover 50 which is reversibly fixed to the bearing housing 20 by means of fastening means 28 (here in the form of bolts 28). A support frame 90 is arranged outside the spacer 40, the support frame 90 at least partially surrounds the spacer 40 and is reversibly fixed to the bearing housing 20 by means of fastening means 28 (here in the form of bolts 28). The support frame 90 is an adjustment tool for placing the spacer 40 in the correct position on the shaft (not shown) relative to the bearing housing 20. Therefore, when the spacer 40 is mounted on the shaft (not shown), the support frame 90 is only temporarily used and is not a permanent part of the pillow block assembly according to the present invention. However, it is important to ensure the correct positioning of the spacer 40 on the shaft (not shown) relative to the bearing housing 20.

[0032] In other words, the bearing seat 20 of the pillow block assembly 10 with the support frame (or adjustment tool) 90 is shown in a state in the correct position relative to the shaft (not shown) and the bearing seat 20, just after the spacer 40 is installed on the shaft (not shown).

[0033] Now refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 An enlarged view of a seal assembly 30 according to the present invention is depicted. The view is cut through along line AA Figure 1Result of looking in the direction of the arrow of the pillow block assembly 10. The sealing assembly 30 is suitable for (adapted to) sealing the interior 26 of the pillow block assembly 10 from the exterior. The sealing assembly 30 includes a spacer 40, which is configured to be assembled on a shaft (not shown) and has a seal 44 in the form of an O-ring on the inside at each end. This will avoid oil leakage between the shaft (not shown) and the spacer 40 when the spacer 40 is assembled on the shaft (not shown). The sealing assembly 30 also includes a cover 50, which is reversibly fixed to the bearing seat 20, in this figure fixed to the first bearing seat half 22 of the bearing seat 20. In order to avoid oil leakage between the first bearing seat half 22 and the cover 50, a seal 44 in the form of an O-ring is configured between the first bearing seat half 22 and the cover 50. The seal assembly 30 also includes a support frame 90 that is disposed outside of the pillow block assembly 10 and is reversibly secured to the bearing housing 20 , in this figure to the first bearing housing half 22 of the bearing housing 20 .

[0034] The support frame (or adjustment tool) 90 at least partially surrounds the spacer 40 and supports the spacer 40 to ensure the correct positioning of the spacer 40 on the shaft (not shown) relative to the bearing housing 20 and the cover 50 when the spacer 40 is installed on the shaft (not shown) in the correct position relative to the bearing housing 20. Therefore, the support frame 90 is only temporarily used when installing the spacer 40 on the shaft (not shown) and is not a permanent part of the pillow block assembly according to the present invention. However, it is important to ensure the correct positioning of the spacer 40 on the shaft (not shown) relative to the bearing housing 20.

[0035] To control the seal configuration B (seal configuration B will be referred to below Figure 3 and Figure 4 Description) and if necessary, replace the sealing arrangement B, the fastening member (not shown) that fixedly connects the spacer 40 to the shaft (not shown) to allow the spacer 40 to rotate with the shaft (not shown) will be removed or unlocked, and the spacer 40 will be pulled away from the bearing seat 20 to allow access to the opening in the bearing seat 20. The access mentioned can be between the shaft (not shown) and the cover or drip stop 50, and the sealing arrangement B is configured on the cover or drip stop 50. According to the present invention, the cover 50 is fixedly connected to the bearing seat 20 (here shown as the first bearing seat half 22), and the cover 50 surrounds the opening in one side of the bearing seat 20.

[0036] In the next step, the sealing arrangement B will be removed with a suitable tool (e.g. a hook). The accessible parts of the opening of the bearing housing 20 and the shaft (not shown) will be thoroughly cleaned, and the surface condition of the visible surfaces will be checked. If the sealing arrangement B is still in good condition, it will be reassembled. If the sealing arrangement B needs to be replaced, the new sealing arrangement B will be installed after the cleaning process. With the new sealing arrangement B installed on the cover or drip-proof part 50, the spacer 40 will be put back into the proper position with the help of the support frame or adjustment tool 90, as described. When the spacer 40 is back in the proper position, the spacer 40 will be fixedly connected to the shaft (not shown) by a fastening part (not shown) to allow the spacer 40 to rotate with the shaft (not shown), the support frame or adjustment tool 90 will be removed, and the corresponding pillow block assembly 10 of the bearing housing 20 is ready for operation ( / work).

[0037] The seal assembly 30 comprises several sealing arrangements, which will be explained below. Starting from the inside, there is a gap seal 60 in the bearing housing interior 26, which seals between the spacer 40 and the cover 50 towards the interior 26 of the bearing housing 20. Behind the gap seal 60, from the interior 26, there are surface formations 80 (here in the form of machined grooves) which are suitable for acting as oil slingers 80. Since the spacer 40 will rotate with the shaft (not shown) when assembled on the shaft, any oil on the oil slingers 80 will be thrown off due to the rotation of the spacer 40 and collected for reuse. These oil slingers 80 and their function are well known and therefore will not be explained further here.

[0038] After the oil slinger 80, starting from the interior 26, a sealing arrangement (marked with a circle B) is provided. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Describe the sealing configuration B.

[0039] After the sealing arrangement B, starting from the interior 26, an axial labyrinth seal 70 is provided. Axial labyrinth seals are known per se and therefore will not be explained in any further detail here.

[0040] Now go to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , and from Figure 3 To begin with, here is an enlarged view showing Figure 250. The preferred embodiment of the sealing arrangement B is marked with a circle B in FIG. The preferred embodiment includes a radial shaft seal 32, which is fixedly arranged in a recess provided in the cover 50. The radial shaft seal 32 includes a sealing lip 34 and a spring member 36 (here in the form of a garter spring). The spring 36 biases the sealing lip 34 against a first sealing surface 42 arranged on the spacer 40. With this arrangement, the radial shaft seal 32 prevents oil leakage between the cover 50 and the spacer 40.

[0041] Figure 4 The enlarged image shows Figure 2 50. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is another preferred embodiment of the sealing arrangement B marked with a circle B in FIG. This preferred embodiment comprises a radial shaft seal 32 and a contact lip seal 38, which are fixedly arranged beside each other in a recess provided in the cover 50. The radial shaft seal 32 comprises a sealing lip 34 and a spring member 36 (here in the form of a garter spring). The spring 36 biases the sealing lip 34 against a first sealing surface 42 arranged on the spacer 40. The contact lip seal 38 comprises a sealing lip 39 biased against the first sealing surface 42. By means of this arrangement, the radial shaft seal 32 and the contact lip seal 38 provide a further improved seal and prevent oil leakage between the cover 50 and the spacer 40.

Claims

1. A pillow block assembly (10) for supporting a shaft for rotation about a rotation axis, the pillow block assembly (10) comprising a bearing seat (20) and a sealing assembly (30), the bearing seat (20) having an interior (26) for accommodating a shaft bearing, the bearing seat (20) being divided into a first bearing seat half (22) and a second bearing seat half (24) along a first plane accommodating the rotation axis, wherein: The seal assembly (30) comprises at least one radial shaft seal (32) having at least one sealing lip (34), preferably comprising a spring member (36) adapted to bias the sealing lip (34), and a spacer (40) adapted to be assembled around the shaft and adapted to rotate with the shaft, the spacer (40) having a first sealing surface (42) directed radially outward, wherein the seal assembly (30) further comprises a cover (50) at least partially surrounding the first sealing surface (42) of the spacer (40), wherein the cover (50) is reversibly fixed to the seat (20), and wherein the radial shaft seal (32) is configured to seal between the cover (50) and the first sealing surface (42) of the spacer (40).

2. The pillow block assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radial shaft seal (32) is disposed on the cover (50), and wherein the sealing lip (34) is biased toward the spacer (40) to seal between the cover (50) and a first sealing surface (42) of the spacer (40).

3. The pillow block assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The seal assembly (30) further includes a gap seal (60) disposed between the cover (50) and the spacer (40) on a side of the radial shaft seal (32) facing the interior (26) of the seat (20).

4. The pillow block assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An axial labyrinth seal (70) is arranged between the cover (50) and the spacer (40) on the side of the radial shaft seal (32) facing away from the interior (26) of the seat (20).

5. The pillow block assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A contact lip seal (38) is arranged between the cover (50) and the spacer (40), and between the radial shaft seal (32) and the axial labyrinth seal (70).

6. The pillow block assembly (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The contact lip seal (38) is arranged on the cover (50), wherein the contact lip seal (38) is adapted to seal between the cover (50) and a first sealing surface (42) of the spacer (40).

7. The pillow block assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A surface shape (80) is arranged on the spacer (40) towards the interior (26) of the seat (20) and is suitable for acting as an oil slinger (80), the surface shape (80) preferably being in the form of a machined groove (80).

8. The pillow block assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The number of the at least one radial shaft seal (32) is at least two, and each radial shaft seal includes at least one sealing lip (34).

9. The pillow block assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: Each of the at least one radial shaft seal (32) includes two or more sealing lips (34).

10. The pillow block assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bearing housing (20) has an interior (26) for accommodating a shaft bearing and two sealing assemblies (30), one sealing assembly being arranged on each side of the interior (26).

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