Storage, especially for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Bearing comprising an inner ring (11), an outer ring (12) and sealing means (17, 18), characterized in that the bearing comprises a complementary inflatable sealing device (22) mounted on one of the rings, and comprising: a fixed ring-shaped part (24) having at least one opening (43), and a deformable ring-shaped part (31) coupled to the fixed ring-shaped part, wherein the deformable annular part (31) is suitable to deform in one direction from a retracted position to an extended position under the action of a fluid introduced through the opening, and in the other direction to its retracted position, wherein at least one annular chamber (47) for receiving the fluid into which the opening opens is formed between the solid and deformable parts at least when the deformable annular part is axially extended.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bearings. More precisely, the invention relates to so-called large-diameter slewing roller bearings suitable for ensuring the rotation of a moving part relative to a fixed part, in particular those used especially in military vehicles.

[0002] Such bearings generally comprise an inner ring, an outer ring, at least one series of rolling elements arranged between the rings, and sealing rings arranged between the rings to define a closed annular space in which the rolling elements are arranged.

[0003] Under certain operating conditions, the sealing of the bearings achieved in this way may prove to be insufficient, especially for use in an underwater vehicle or a vehicle operating in an environment contaminated by gases or radiation, for example.

[0004] A shaft seal designed according to German patent application DE 22 26 796 A comprises two sealing rings, two opposing annular seating surfaces, wherein the sealing rings and the seating surfaces are rotatable relative to each other, and a device for pressing the sealing rings and the seating surfaces against each other to create a seal. When such a shaft seal is used on a ship, a hydraulically or mechanically actuated seal or an inflatable seal is preferably provided, which makes it possible to seal a propeller hub against the stern of the ship. German patent application DE 37 25 972 A1 discloses a rolling bearing rotary joint with a seal.Furthermore, German patent application DE 20 2014 003 963 U1 discloses a seal for the gap between two annular connecting elements of a rolling bearing or other rotary joint, wherein a cavity for receiving a filling medium is arranged within the seal, the cross-section of which, apart from one or more filling openings, is annularly surrounded by a shell. Further prior art is disclosed in patent applications US 4 400 042 A, US 2 720 011 A, US 5 209 498 A and US 7 178 810 B1.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to propose a rolling bearing, in particular for a vehicle, with improved sealing, which is suitable for adaptation to various usage and environmental conditions.

[0006] One design proposes a bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring and sealing material.

[0007] The bearing also includes an inflatable device mounted on one of the rings.

[0008] This sealing device comprises a fixed annular part having at least one opening and a deformable annular part coupled to the fixed annular part. This deformable annular part is capable of deforming axially in one direction from a retracted position to an extended position under the influence of a fluid introduced through the opening, and axially in the other direction back to its retracted position. At least one annular fluid receiving chamber, into which the opening leads, is formed between the fixed and deformable parts, at least when the deformable annular part is axially extended. In this way, the sealing device can be used as needed.

[0009] The deformable ring-shaped part can include a deformable ring membrane.

[0010] The deformable ring-shaped part can include a ring-shaped contact element that is connected to the deformable ring membrane.

[0011] In one embodiment, the fixed annular part can comprise spaced annular wings and an annular connecting leg that joins these wings to form an annular groove, excluding the opening in the annular connecting leg. Furthermore, the deformable annular membrane can comprise annular wings coupled to the wings of the fixed annular part and a deformable central annular section that connects these wings.

[0012] According to a special embodiment, the central annular section of the ring membrane can be suitable to engage in the annular groove of the fixed annular part in the retracted position, and to unfold axially outside this annular groove into its extended position.

[0013] The fixed ring-shaped part can advantageously be mounted in an annular groove of the ring that carries the sealing device.

[0014] The sealing device may include a conduit having an end connected to the fixed annular part and to the opening.

[0015] In a special design, the bearing can include a fluid source that is connected to the line and mounted on the ring that carries the sealing device.

[0016] According to a special arrangement, the deformable ring-shaped part in the extended position may be suitable to come into contact with a surface of the other ring.

[0017] It is also proposed to assemble two elements which are connected by means of a rolling bearing, as described above, wherein the deformable annular part of the sealing device which is connected to one of the elements is suitable to come into contact with an annular surface of the other element in the extended position.

[0018] A rolling bearing equipped with a sealing device is now described as a non-restrictive embodiment, illustrated by the drawing, wherein: - Fig. 1 shows a half sectional view of the rolling bearing, passing through the axis of a line of the sealing device, the latter being in the retracted position; - Fig. 2 a half sectional view of the rolling bearing accordingly Fig. 1 represents the sealing device in the extended position; - Fig. 3 shows an enlarged half-section view of the sealing device in the retracted position at a location other than where the pipe is located; - Fig. 4 an enlarged half-section view of the sealing device accordingly Fig. 1 represents; and - Fig. 5 an enlarged half-section view of the sealing device accordingly Fig. 2 represents.

[0019] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows that a large-diameter rolling bearing 10 is used, for example, as a pivot bearing in an underwater vehicle.

[0020] The rolling bearing 10 comprises an inner ring 11, an outer ring 12, and a row 13 of rolling elements 14 arranged between these rings 11 and 12. According to the illustrated example, the rings 11 and 12 are arranged in the form of concentric rims that can rotate relative to each other along a rotational axis (not shown) of the bearing, with the outer ring 12 surrounding the inner ring 11 at a distance. The rolling elements 14 are formed by balls that are partially engaged in annular rolling tracks 15 and 16 relative to the rings 11 and 12.

[0021] The annular space between the rings 11 and 12, in which the row 13 of rolling elements 14 is arranged, is axially closed on both sides by ring seals 17 and 18, which are supported, for example, by the inner ring 11 and are in contact with the outer ring 12.

[0022] The inner ring 11 is designed to be mounted on the vehicle's frame, part 19 of which is shown in the figures. The outer ring is designed to be mounted on the vehicle's turret, part 20 of which is shown in the figures. The inner ring 11 has internal teeth 21 designed to engage with pinions to align the vehicle's movable turret.

[0023] The rolling bearing 10 further comprises a complementary inflatable sealing device, which is generally designated by reference numeral 22, which is intended to provide a complementary seal at the periphery of the ring seal 17 between the outer ring 12 and a circumferential part 23 of the frame 19 on which the inner ring 11 is mounted.

[0024] The sealing device 22 is, for example, mounted on the outer ring 12 and comprises a fixed annular part 24 which is installed in an annular groove 25 of the outer ring 12, which is provided in a radial annular surface 26 of the latter, which is located at a distance from a radial annular surface 27 of the frame 22, wherein the annular groove 25 is arranged radially outside and at a distance from the ring seal 17.

[0025] As especially in the Fig. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the fixed annular part 24 is in the form of a profile with a U-shaped cross-section, which has a radial annular connecting leg 28 that abuts the radial annular bottom of the groove 25 ( Fig. 3) is arranged, and comprises lateral cylindrical inner and outer wings 29 and 30, which are radially spaced and extend in the direction of the radial surface 27 of section 23 of the frame 19 at a distance from the cylindrical sides of the groove 25.

[0026] The sealing device 22 further comprises a deformable annular part 31 which is coupled to the fixed annular part 24.

[0027] The deformable annular part 31 comprises a deformable ring membrane 31a, which is in the form of a profile, comprising inner and outer cylindrical lateral wings 32 and 33 respectively, which are located inside and outside the wings 29 and 30 of the fixed part 24 and are attached to them.

[0028] The lateral wings 32 and 33 extend between the lateral wings 29 and 30 of the fixed annular part 24 and the opposite sides of the groove 25 and have ends that engage in annular grooves 34 and 35 of the annular connecting leg 28 of the fixed annular part 24, these grooves 34 and 35 being arranged on both sides of the lateral wings 29 and 30.

[0029] The sealing device 22 is held in the groove 25 by the fact that the annular connecting leg 28 of the fixed annular part 24 is firmly inserted between the opposite sides of the annular groove 25, clamping the end sections of the lateral wings 32 and 33 of the deformable ring membrane 31, which engage in the grooves 34 and 35 of the fixed annular part 24. The deformable ring membrane 31a further comprises a central annular section 36 that connects its lateral wings 32 and 33.

[0030] As especially in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, this central part 36 is suitable to assume a retracted position in which it surrounds the ends of the lateral wings 29 and 30 of the fixed annular part 24 and is inserted into the annular groove 37 of the fixed annular part 24, which is formed between the lateral wings 29 and 30 of this fixed annular part 24 and is directed axially to the part 23 of the frame 19.

[0031] In this retracted position, the central annular section 36 of the deformable ring membrane 31a conforms to the shape of the annular groove 37 of the fixed annular part 24 and forms an annular groove 38 that is axially oriented towards the part 23 of the frame 19. According to a further embodiment, the central annular section 36 of the deformable ring membrane 31a could extend at a distance from the bottom and possibly from the sides of the annular groove 37 of the fixed annular part 24.

[0032] The deformable annular part 31 further comprises an annular contact element 39, which is connected to an outer annular central zone of the central annular section 36 of the deformable ring membrane 31a. In the retracted position, this annular contact element 39 is inserted with lateral clearance, at least partially, into the groove 38 formed by the central annular part of the deformable ring membrane 31a, which is inserted into the groove 37 of the fixed annular part 24.

[0033] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the sealing device 22 is in the retracted position completely in the groove 25 of the outer ring 12 in relation to the radial surface 26 of the outer ring 12. It is thus protected.

[0034] The sealing device 22 further comprises a means 40 for supplying a fluid, such as a gas, between the solid annular part and the deformable annular part.

[0035] This supply means 40 comprises an axial conduit 41 extending through an axial passage 42 of the outer ring 12, the end of which engages tightly in an axial opening 43 which is arranged at a point through the annular radial connecting leg 28 of the fixed annular part 24.

[0036] How more precisely in the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the annular radial connecting leg 28 can have a projecting section 44 through which the axial opening 43 is provided, wherein an end section of the axial conduit 41 has a circumferential rib 45 which engages in an inner annular groove 46 of the axial opening 43.

[0037] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the line 41 also extends through a section 20a of the frame 20, and its other end is connected to a pressure fluid source (not shown), for example, air, of the vehicle. According to one embodiment, this pressure source could be supported by the outer ring 12.

[0038] When a fluid is supplied under pressure through the axial line 41, this fluid enters an annular receiving chamber 47, which is formed between the fixed annular part 24 and the annular membrane 31a of the deformable annular part 31, and causes an axial inflation or axial expansion of the annular membrane 31a in the direction of the section 23 of the frame 19.

[0039] More precisely, the central annular section 36 of the ring membrane 31a extends axially from the groove 37 of the fixed annular part 24 and extends axially beyond the annular radial surface 26 of the outer ring 12, thereby carrying the annular contact element 39 into a limited extended position in which a radial annular contact surface 48 of the annular contact element 39 comes into contact with an annular zone of the radial surface 27 of the section 23 of the frame 19, this annular zone being arranged radially outside and at a distance from the ring seal 17.

[0040] In this in the Fig. 2 and Fig.In the extended position shown in Figure 5, the sealing device 22 extends around and at a distance from the ring seal 17. The central annular section 36 of the ring diaphragm 31a, for example, has a U-shaped cross-section. The pressure of the fluid in the annular chamber 47 determines the pressure of the annular contact element 39 on the radial surface 27 of section 23 of the frame 19. According to one embodiment, the annular contact element 39 has spaced-apart annular grooves 49 in its contact surface 48.

[0041] In this extended position, a seal is created between the outer ring 12 and the section 23 of the frame 19 thanks to the tight mounting of the fixed annular part 24 in the groove 25 of the outer ring 12 on the ring membrane 31a, on the annular contact element 39 and in contact with the latter on the radial surface 27 of the section 23 of the frame 19.

[0042] Furthermore, in this extended position, the outer ring 12 and the frame 19 connected to the inner ring 11 can rotate relative to each other. This rotation generates friction between the annular contact element 39 and the radial surface 27 of section 23 of the frame 19.

[0043] When the pressure of the fluid in the annular chamber 47 decreases and the fluid is discharged through the line 41, the diaphragm 31a deforms in the opposite direction into its retracted position, thereby moving the annular contact element 39 of the radial surface 27 away from the section 23 of the frame 19. The retracted position described above can be achieved by the action of a prior elastic deformation of the annular diaphragm 31a as it deforms into its extended position and / or by the action of a vacuum of the fluid in the annular chamber 47, which is generated by an external pump.

[0044] Since the sealing device 22 is at least partially integrated into the outer ring 12, it does not result in any adverse space requirements.

[0045] The sealing device 22 can only be moved into the retracted position when necessary, for example in the event of the vehicle being submerged, or if the latter is located in an environment contaminated by gases or radiation, for example.

[0046] When the sealing ring 22 is in its retracted position and therefore not in use, it does not deteriorate and thus does not generate any additional torque during the rotations of the frames 19 and 20 relative to each other by means of the rolling bearing 10.

[0047] According to another embodiment, the inner ring 11 could comprise an annular section that takes the place of the annular section 23 of the frame 19, so that the sealing ring 1 could be brought into contact with this annular section of this ring.

[0048] In one embodiment, the annular wings 32 and 33 of the membrane 31a of the deformable part 31 can be in contact with the annular wings 29 of the rigid part 24, which are bonded together, when retracted. The annular contact element 39 can be vulcanized onto the central annular section 38 of the membrane 31a. For example, the rigid part 24 can be made of linen-embossed silicone, the membrane 31a can be made of Kevlar fiber, and the annular contact element 29 can be made of linen-embossed silicone.

[0049] The present invention is illustrated above by the description of a particular rolling bearing. Naturally, the sealing device could be mounted in a bearing having several rows of rolling elements and means for sealing the space in which these various rolling elements move. The invention can be applied in particular to a bearing without rolling elements arranged between the rings, such as a plain bearing or spherical bearing. Furthermore, the inflatable sealing device could be arranged to move radially or obliquely.

Claims

[1] Bearing comprising an inner ring (11), an outer ring (12) and sealing means (17, 18), characterized by , that the bearing comprises a complementary inflatable sealing device (22) mounted on one of the rings, and comprising: a fixed ring-shaped part (24) having at least one opening (43), and a deformable ring-shaped part (31) coupled to the fixed ring-shaped part, wherein the deformable annular part (31) is suitable to deform in one direction from a retracted position to an extended position under the action of a fluid introduced through the opening, and in the other direction to its retracted position, wherein at least one annular chamber (47) for receiving the fluid into which the opening opens is formed between the solid and deformable parts at least when the deformable annular part is axially extended. [2] Bearing according to claim 1, wherein the deformable annular part comprises a deformable annular membrane (31a). [3] Bearing according to claim 2, wherein the deformable annular part comprises an annular contact element (39) which is connected to the deformable ring membrane (31a). [4] Bearing according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the fixed annular part (24) comprises spaced-apart annular wings (29, 30) and an annular connecting leg (28) connecting these wings to form an annular groove (37), the opening (43) being arranged in the annular connecting leg, and wherein the deformable annular membrane (31a) comprises annular wings (32, 33) coupled to the wings of the fixed annular part and a deformable central annular section (36) connecting these wings. [5] Bearing according to claim 4, wherein the central annular section (36) of the ring membrane (31a) is suitable to engage in the annular groove (37) of the fixed annular part (24) in the retracted position and is suitable to unfold axially outside this annular groove (37) into its extended position. [6] Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixed annular part (24) is mounted in an annular groove (25) of the ring which carries the sealing device. [7] Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device comprises a conduit (41) having an end connected to the fixed annular part (24) and to the opening (43). [8] Bearing according to claim 7, comprising a fluid source connected to the line (41) and mounted on the ring which carries the sealing device. [9] Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the extended position the deformable annular part (31a) is suitable to come into contact with a surface of the other ring. [10] Assembly of two elements (19, 20) which are connected by means of a rolling bearing, as a bearing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deformable annular part (31a) of the sealing device which is connected to one of the elements (20) is suitable to come into contact with an annular surface (27) of the other element (19) in the extended position.

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