Integrated Bearing Seal Assembly Radial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Separate bearings and seals in high-speed and high-temperature applications often experience radial misalignment and increased wear due to constant fretting motion, leading to reduced seal life and increased manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A combination bearing and seal assembly where the inner and outer races are integrated on a single tubular body, with a seal engagement surface on the inner body and a bearing outer race on the outer body, eliminating radial misalignment and allowing for simultaneous machining of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate bearing and seal assemblies are used, then each component can be independently manufactured and replaced, but radial misalignment and increased wear occur due to constant fretting motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bearing inner race and seal engagement surface onto a single integrated inner body, eliminating the interface between separate bearing and seal assemblies. This integration removes the source of radial misalignment and fretting motion while maintaining the ability to manufacture and replace the entire assembly as a unit.
2Reliability
If separate ring seal assembly is located adjacent to bearing assembly, then seal can prevent fluid flow into bearing, but manufacturing complexity increases and alignment difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The seal engagement surface is integrated directly onto the inner body that also provides the bearing inner race. This single integrated structure eliminates the need for separate alignment procedures between bearing and seal assemblies, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective fluid sealing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate bearing and seal assemblies are used, then components can be independently selected for specific applications, but radial displacement and misalignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the bearing inner race and seal engagement surface on a single inner body, the patent ensures precise radial alignment is built into the structure itself. The adaptability to select different bearing and seal configurations is maintained through design variations of the integrated inner body for specific applications.
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
This integration reduces radial displacement, improves alignment, enhances manufacturing precision, and simplifies assembly, while also allowing for shared tribological solutions for both bearing and seal components, improving performance and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The seal is configured to displace generally radially outwardly so as to be spaced from the engagement surface when the inner body rotates about the central axis
Data Source
AI summary
A combination bearing and seal assembly includes a tubular inner body disposable about a shaft so rotate about an axis and has a first outer circumferential surface section providing an inner bearing race and a second outer circumferential surface section spaced axially from the first surface section and providing a seal engagement surface. A tubular outer body is disposed about the inner body and has an inner circumferential surface section providing a bearing outer race and rolling elements are disposed between the two races to form a bearing. A seal member(s) form an annular seal between the inner and outer bodies and is spaced axially from the bearing. The seal member(s) have inner sealing surface(s) engageable with the inner body engagement surface when the inner body is generally stationary and the seal is configured to displace radially outwardly from the engagement surface when the inner body rotates about the axis.