Interlocking Labyrinth Seal for Axial Rotor Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bearing seals, particularly contact seals, experience friction-related wear and maintenance issues due to direct contact between moving parts, which can lead to contamination and lubricant loss, especially in the absence of locking features in roller bearing assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A noncontact labyrinth seal design that interlocks a rotor with an insert to limit axial motion, forming a tortuous path without direct physical contact, thereby preventing contaminants and lubricant loss, and can be implemented in roller bearing assemblies lacking external locking features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contact seal is used to form a physical barrier, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical barrier (elastomer gasket) from the sealing system, transitioning from a contact seal to a noncontact labyrinth seal. This extraction eliminates the direct contact between stationary and rotating parts, thereby removing the source of friction and wear while maintaining sealing functionality through the tortuous path geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based sealing system with a geometrically-based noncontact system. Instead of relying on physical contact and elastic deformation of gaskets, the sealing function is achieved through the labyrinthine geometry that creates a tortuous path, substituting mechanical contact with geometric constraint.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a noncontact labyrinth seal is used, then friction is reduced, but axial motion of the rotor may open the labyrinth path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary locking mechanism consisting of protrusions on the rotor that engage with corresponding features in the seal case. This intermediary structure prevents axial motion of the rotor without requiring direct contact between the seal surfaces, thereby maintaining the tortuous path geometry while allowing the noncontact sealing principle to function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is segmented into distinct functional components: the labyrinthine sealing path for preventing radial leakage, and the separate axial locking mechanism with protrusions and engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the locking features preventing axial motion while the labyrinth path maintains the tortuous sealing geometry.
3Reliability
If a locking feature is added to prevent axial motion, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the axial locking function with the existing rotor and seal case structures by incorporating protrusions directly onto the rotor surface and corresponding engagement features into the seal case. This integration combines multiple functions (sealing and axial positioning) into unified structures rather than adding separate, complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor serves multiple functions: it rotates to transmit power, maintains the tortuous path geometry through its cylindrical shape, and prevents axial motion through integrated protrusions. The seal case similarly provides both the labyrinthine sealing path and the axial locking engagement features, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Data Source
AI summary
A labyrinth seal includes a seal case with an inner-diameter leg encircling a rotation axis, and an insert fixed in the seal case and encircling the rotation axis. The labyrinth seal also includes a slinger encircling the rotation axis and wrapping around the inner-diameter leg to cooperate with the seal case to form a first part of a labyrinth path. The slinger rotates relative to the seal case. The labyrinth seal also includes a rotor that encircles the rotation axis, cooperates with the insert to form a second part of the labyrinth path, and interlocks with the insert to limit axial movement of the rotor when the rotor rotates relative to the insert. The labyrinth seal may be combined with a bearing cone, a bearing cup, and a plurality of rollers to form a roller bearing assembly.