Self-Aligning Bearing Seal for Angular Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bearing protectors, both contacting and non-contacting, are ineffective in sealing fluids in applications with angular misalignment between the shaft and housing, leading to premature bearing failure due to uneven circumferential forces and wear, particularly in Pillow Blocks with spherical roller bearings.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning joint mechanism with two stator members, one connected to the equipment housing and the other to the rotor, featuring an elastomeric member that slides between parallel surfaces, allowing for uniform sealing pressure and accommodating angular misalignment without conflicting with the natural rotation of the bearing, and using a radial support member for low friction and axial leverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bearing protectors (contacting or non-contacting) are used in Pillow Blocks with spherical roller bearings, then the bearing chamber can be sealed, but the seal effectiveness deteriorates when angular misalignment occurs between the shaft and housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the stator member rotatable relative to the housing about an arc that coincides with the bearing's rotation arc. This dynamic capability allows the seal to automatically adapt to angular misalignment between the shaft and housing while maintaining effective sealing, resolving the contradiction between seal effectiveness and misalignment accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotational degree of freedom in the stator member that moves along an arc rather than remaining fixed. This dimensional change from a static to a dynamically positioned seal allows it to accommodate angular misalignment in the radial dimension while maintaining sealing effectiveness, effectively adding a movement dimension to resolve the contradiction.
2Device complexity
If the stator member is fixed relative to the housing, then the seal structure is simple, but uneven circumferential forces and wear occur during angular rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the stator member dynamically rotatable relative to the housing, allowing it to follow the natural rotation arc of the bearing. This dynamic adjustment ensures uniform circumferential forces and wear distribution during operation, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and wear resistance by introducing controlled movement rather than complex active control mechanisms.
3Stress or pressure
If the seal mechanism restricts the natural angular rotation of the bearing, then sealing pressure can be maintained, but premature bearing failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows the stator member to rotate dynamically along an arc that coincides with the bearing's natural rotation arc. This ensures that the seal maintains effective contact and sealing pressure throughout the bearing's angular rotation without restricting its natural movement, thereby preserving bearing life while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning where the stator member's rotation arc is specifically aligned to coincide with the bearing's rotation arc rather than being symmetric or fixed. This asymmetric design allows the seal to adapt to the specific kinematics of the bearing, maintaining sealing pressure without interfering with the bearing's natural rotation and preventing premature failure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively seals the bearing lubricant fluid in Pillow Blocks with angular misalignment, preventing premature bearing failure and reducing wear, while maintaining consistent sealing pressure and avoiding contamination of the lubricant.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric member which slides between parallel surfaces of the two stator members
Implementation Method 2
the said second stator member is rotatable relative to the said first stator member about an arc which coincides with an arc of rotation of the bearing
Implementation Method 3
using a radial support member for low friction and axial leverage
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment apparatus includes a first stator, located in a stator of a piece of rotating equipment, and a second stator couplingly connected to the first stator and able to be angularly rotated relative to the first stator. The second stator can seal an interface between a shaft and housing in the piece of rotating equipment. The alignment apparatus permits angular misalignment between a stator, a housing and a rotor shaft, and may be used, for example, in a bearing protector or an isolator installed on a Pillow Box.