Sealed Bearing Assembly With Oxygen-Controlled Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The constant supply of fresh oxygen to bearing assemblies under varying operational conditions leads to continuous oxidation of the lubricant, resulting in reduced service life and increased maintenance costs due to frequent lubricant degradation.
Innovation Solution
A sealed bearing arrangement with an oxygen removing element, such as a honeycomb structure made from materials like zeolite or activated carbon, and a gas tank providing an oxygen-free environment, which reduces oxygen exposure by utilizing temperature and pressure changes to control oxygen absorption and desorption, thereby minimizing lubricant oxidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bearing is sealed to prevent air exchange, then oxidation of lubricant is reduced, but pressure equalization and temperature compensation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A valve member is introduced as an intermediary between the sealed bearing chamber and the external environment. This valve selectively controls gas exchange, allowing pressure equalization and temperature compensation while preventing oxygen ingress that causes lubricant oxidation. The valve acts as a smart mediator that permits beneficial exchanges (pressure/temperature) while blocking harmful ones (oxygen supply).
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing chamber is filled with an inert or oxygen-poor atmosphere (such as nitrogen or dried air) to create a protective environment for the lubricant. This inert atmosphere prevents oxidation reactions while the valve member controls exchanges with the external environment, maintaining both the protective atmosphere and pressure equalization capabilities.
2Stability of the object's composition
If openings are provided for pressure equalization, then pressure compensation is improved, but oxygen supply increases leading to lubricant degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member serves as a selective intermediary that mediates between the need for pressure equalization and the need to prevent oxygen supply. It opens to allow neutral gas exchange for pressure compensation but restricts or filters oxygen ingress, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure stability and preventing harmful oxygen supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member or sealing elements may incorporate porous materials with specific permeability characteristics that allow passage of neutral gases for pressure equalization while blocking oxygen molecules. This selective permeability enables pressure compensation while preventing oxygen-related lubricant degradation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bearing operates under transient conditions, then adaptability to varying loads is improved, but continuous oxygen supply increases oxidation rate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member acts as a dynamic intermediary that responds to transient operational conditions while controlling oxygen supply. During transient phases with varying loads and temperatures, the valve automatically regulates gas exchange, allowing pressure compensation but preventing continuous oxygen ingress that would accelerate lubricant oxidation during these variable operating phases.
Solution Approach 2:
By maintaining an inert or oxygen-poor atmosphere in the bearing chamber, the system becomes adaptable to transient operating conditions without the harmful effect of continuous oxygen supply. The inert environment protects the lubricant during startup, shutdown, and variable load conditions when oxidation risk is highest.
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 significantly extends the service life of the lubricant and the bearing assembly by reducing oxidation, leading to less frequent maintenance and lower operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the oxygen removing element comprises a material which is adapted to absorb oxygen and release absorbed oxygen based on a change of at least one physical parameter which impacts on the oxygen removing element
Implementation Method 2
release absorbed oxygen based on a change of at least one physical parameter
Implementation Method 3
the oxygen removing element comprises a honeycomb structure or similar structure or structure, which generates a large surface area
Implementation Method 4
the oxygen removing element comprises zeolite and/or activated carbon and/or activated graphite. These materials are known to absorb oxygen based on temperature
Implementation Method 5
the gas tank comprises nitrogen. Nitrogen is known to be inert to react with any lubricant used in bearing applications
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sealed bearing arrangement that provides at least a bearing with an outer ring and an inner ring, which are rotatable to each other and form a rolling chamber between each other, in which a set of rolling elements. A lubricant is encompassed in the rolling chamber and the rolling chamber is sealed off from an environment by at least one sealing element. The inner ring, the outer ring and/or the sealing element includes at least one opening for providing a fluid passage through the sealing element. The bearing is arranged in a housing that is adapted to seal off the bearing from an outside environment. A lubricant is encompassed inside the housing. The housing including the at least one opening for providing a fluid passage from the inside of the housing to the outside. The opening is fluid tightly connected to an oxygen removing element and/or to a gas tank, which provides an oxygen poor to free fluid flow to the rolling chamber.