Replaceable Seal for Rolling Element Bearing Maintenance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing concepts for rolling-element bearings, particularly large ones, are inflexible, costly, and difficult to maintain, often requiring disassembly for seal replacement, which increases the risk of contamination and damage during transport and maintenance, especially in applications with restricted access like wind turbines.

Innovation Solution

A detachable sealing element with a seal support and sealing profile that can be interference-fit attached to the bearing rings, allowing for removal and replacement without disassembling the bearing, and can be integrated into various bearing designs, reducing the need for additional moving parts and enabling lubricant exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sealing concepts (labyrinths, ground sealing rings, or integrated elastomer seals) are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but seal replacement requires complex disassembly or full bearing disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is segmented into a seal support and a sealing profile that can be separated from each other. The seal support remains attached to the bearing ring while the sealing profile can be independently removed and replaced, enabling easy seal maintenance without disassembling the bearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing profile is extracted as a separate, removable component from the seal support. This allows the sealing profile to be taken out for replacement while the seal support remains in place, simplifying the seal replacement process significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If integrated elastomer seals are used, then sealing functionality is improved, but exchange of the seal without disassembling the bearing is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated seal design is segmented into a permanent seal support and a removable sealing profile. This segmentation maintains the integrated sealing functionality while enabling easy replacement of the sealing profile without bearing disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing system transitions from a static, permanently integrated elastomer seal to a dynamic system where the sealing profile can be easily attached and detached from the seal support, providing both integrated sealing and easy replaceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If ground sealing rings with support pieces are used, then sealing stability is improved, but the support parts require large mass and high weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seal support is designed as a lightweight, simple component that can be easily replaced if needed, eliminating the need for heavy, permanent support structures. The focus shifts to a simple, replaceable seal support rather than heavy, permanent mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If seals are separated from the bearing, then sealing independence is improved, but the risk of damage or contamination during transport increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal support is merged with the bearing ring assembly, remaining attached during transport and installation. Only the sealing profile is separated, combining the benefits of independent sealing with protection during handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides a flexible, cost-effective sealing solution that reduces maintenance costs and prevents contamination, allowing for efficient operation and maintenance of rolling-element bearings in applications with limited access, such as wind turbines, by enabling seal replacement and lubricant analysis without disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

The attachment of the seal support itself to the end surface of the bearing ring is an interference-fit and is therefore detachable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference-fit: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8979386B2Rolling element bearing having replaceable seal

Publication Date: 2015.03.17

AI summary

A rolling-element bearing includes a first bearing ring (2) and a second bearing ring (4) opposing the first bearing (2) in a radial direction (3). A sealing element (6) of the rolling-element bearing includes a radially-encircling seal support (8) extending in the radial direction (3) by a predetermined distance towards the second bearing ring (4). The seal support (8) is interference-fit and removably attached to an axial end side (9) of the first bearing ring (2). A sealing lip (10) is attached to the seal support (8) and extends from an end of the seal support (8) opposite the first bearing ring (2) in the radial direction (3) up to a mating surface (12), which is part of the second bearing ring (2).