Segmented Bearing Ring Sealing With Clamped Butt-Joint Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Segmented large-diameter rolling bearings face issues with leakage through joints, which affect service life and are difficult to seal effectively, especially in oil-lubricated bearings, and require non-destructive removal for assembly and disassembly during testing and transport.
Innovation Solution
A segmented rolling bearing ring with strip-shaped seals clamped by external clamping plates, allowing for flexible sealing across butt joints, compensating for deformation and easy installation/removal without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealants are applied to butt joints to seal them, then sealing effect is improved for low-maintenance operation, but noticeable leakage occurs in oil-lubricated rolling bearings and sealing effect deteriorates over time due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple strip-shaped seals, each covering a specific butt joint between ring segments. This allows independent sealing of each joint while maintaining flexibility for overall bearing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Strip-shaped seals are used instead of rigid sealants. These flexible seals can adapt to deformation of the rolling bearing ring during operation, maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the service life.
2Reliability
If sealants are used to seal butt joints, then sealing is achieved, but sealants cannot be removed non-destructively and completely, preventing disassembly for test runs and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into separate strip-shaped seals that can be individually removed. This segmentation allows complete disassembly of the sealing system without damaging components, enabling test runs and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system transitions from a permanent, fixed state (sealants) to a dynamic, removable state (strip-shaped seals with clamping plates). This allows the sealing to be installed for operation and removed for transport or testing.
3Reliability
If dowel pins are drawn into receptacles to preload seals, then seals are clamped in grooves, but seals can slip or become damaged, negatively affecting sealing effect and complicating assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
Strip-shaped seals with flexible material can be clamped by clamping plates without requiring precise fitting into grooves. The flexibility allows the seals to be secured firmly while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The preload mechanism is extracted from the seal itself (dowel pins drawing seals into grooves) and transferred to separate clamping plates. This separates the sealing function from the fastening function, reducing complexity and risk of damage.
4Ease of operation
If segmented rolling bearing rings are manufactured and transported in segments, then handling and assembly are easier, but joints create leaks through which dirt penetrates and lubricant leaks outward
Solution Approach 1:
Strip-shaped seals act as flexible barriers at the butt joints, preventing dirt from penetrating inward and lubricant from leaking outward. The flexible material maintains sealing effectiveness while accommodating joint deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing ring is segmented for easier handling and assembly, while separate strip-shaped seals are applied to each joint to prevent contamination. This segmentation allows both ease of operation and effective sealing.
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
Enhances sealing effectiveness and simplifies assembly/disassembly by providing a flexible seal that adapts to joint width changes and reduces damage risk during installation/removal.
Implementation Method 1
The strip-shaped seal (13) is clamped by means of a clamping plate (16) screwed to the first (7) and/or the second ring segment (8). This allows for flexible sealing across butt joints, compensating for deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3E
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a segmented rolling bearing ring (1) for a large rolling bearing (2) with an inner side (5) facing at least one raceway system (3) for rolling elements (4), on which at least one rolling bearing raceway (6) is provided, wherein the rolling bearing ring (1) is divided into ring segments which adjoin each other in the circumferential direction forming butt joints at butt faces (11) and which are sealed against each other in the area of the butt joints by means of strip-shaped seals (13), wherein the butt joint between a first (7) and a second of the ring segments is covered on an outer side (15) of the rolling bearing ring (1) facing away from the inner side (5) by one of the strip-shaped seals (13) and the seal (13) is clamped against the butt joint by means of at least one clamping plate (16) screwed to the first (7) and/or the second ring segment.