Compact Restrictive Seal for Bearing Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compact restrictive seals for bearing housings are ineffective in preventing oil mist lubrication from escaping and contaminating the environment, as they allow air and oil mist to pass through, necessitating multiple seal models for different lubrication types, which complicates inventory management and usage in industrial facilities transitioning to oil mist lubrication.
Innovation Solution
The compact restrictive seal is enhanced with a modified centering ring and labyrinth configuration, featuring a 'U' shape with internal and external deflectors, a toothed design to condense and redirect oil mist, and a wedge-shaped centering ring to minimize radial gaps and prevent air and mist leakage, allowing a single seal model to be used for grease, oil, and oil mist lubrication scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compact restrictive seal with labyrinth configuration is used, then protection against oil leakage and contaminants is improved, but the seal allows oil mist to pass through and contaminate the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple labyrinthine sections with alternating fixed and rotating elements, creating a series of narrow gaps that segment the flow path. This segmentation increases the number of interfaces where oil mist can be disrupted and redirected, preventing direct passage through the seal while maintaining protection against liquid oil leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth configuration introduces a complex three-dimensional flow path with multiple directions and planes, transforming the simple radial flow into a multi-directional pattern. This dimensional complexity causes oil mist particles to collide with seal surfaces and be redirected back into the housing, effectively blocking contamination while preserving the seal's protective function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple seal models are used for different lubrication types, then adaptability to various lubrication methods is improved, but inventory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design integrates features that make it universally effective across all lubrication types - the labyrinth configuration handles grease and liquid oil through centrifugal action and surface tension, while the extended deflector geometry specifically addresses oil mist by redirecting it into the housing. This multi-functional design allows a single seal model to replace multiple specialized seals, simplifying inventory while maintaining adaptability.
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 enhanced seal effectively prevents oil mist leakage, maintains tightness, and adapts to various lubrication methods, improving efficiency and reducing inventory complexities by allowing a single seal model to handle multiple lubrication types, enhancing durability and applicability in diverse operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid which would maintain contact with the body of the seal acquires a sufficient centrifugal force to also promote tightness
Implementation Method 2
Two sectors of labyrinths, one operating with reference to the internal face of the bearing housing and the other to the outer face, also being designed, so that the fluid which would maintain contact with the body of the seal acquires a sufficient centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
This certificate of addition pertains to alternative constructive methods submitted for the components of the seal, resulting in increased efficiency and durability of the device, as well as the ease of assembly thereof.Compact restrictive seal (1) derived from these constructive alternatives can be applied indiscriminately to equipment lubricated by grease, fluid oil or oil mist.