Slewing Bearing Cap Seal Structure for Marine Contaminant Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slewing bearings used in marine applications face inadequate sealing, leading to premature seal damage and increased maintenance costs due to the inability to replace seals underwater, which results in reduced service life and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A slewing bearing design featuring a cap with an annular heel and sealing lip in sliding frictional contact with the second ring, along with guiding rings and multiple seals, provides enhanced sealing by blocking contaminants and extending service life, allowing for easier maintenance and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple seals are provided on the bearing front side, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the total weight and cost of the slewing bearing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a nested sealing structure where the cap seal is positioned within the cap, and the main seals are arranged in sequence within the circumferential groove. The cap itself acts as a protective enclosure for the cap seal, creating a nested arrangement that provides multiple sealing functions without requiring separate, additional external components. This nesting approach achieves enhanced sealing while controlling overall weight by integrating multiple sealing functions into a compact, space-efficient configuration.
2Reliability
If multiple seals are provided on the bearing front side, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the cost of the slewing bearing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cap structure with the sealing function by integrating the cap seal directly into the cap. The cap serves dual purposes: as a protective cover and as a mounting structure for an additional seal. The circumferential groove is integrated into the first ring, combining the mounting function for multiple seals with the structural ring itself. This merging of structural and sealing functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby controlling cost while achieving improved sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If seals are fixed to one ring with sealing lips sliding on the other ring, then sealing function is achieved, but seal replacement under water is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sealing system into modular components: the cap seal mounted in the cap, and the main seals mounted in the circumferential groove on the first ring. The cap itself is a separate, removable component that can be detached from the first ring. This segmentation allows the cap and its associated seal to be accessed and replaced independently, facilitating maintenance operations. The modular design enables seal replacement without requiring complete disassembly of the bearing assembly, improving ease of repair while maintaining effective sealing function.
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 improved sealing mechanism effectively prevents the intrusion of contaminants, extends the service life of seals, and simplifies maintenance by enabling easier replacement of components, while maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of the bearing.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing lip projecting from the heel and towards the second ring. The sealing lip has a free end in sliding frictional contact with part of the second ring
Implementation Method 2
The cap sealing member has an annular heel mounted in a circumferential slot formed on a frontal surface of cap
Implementation Method 3
the cap being fixed to the first ring by fixing means
Data Source
AI summary
A slewing bearing including a first ring, a second ring, the first and second rings being in relative rotation around a rotation axis, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings, and at least one seal mounted in a circumferential groove of first ring. A cap is fixed to the first ring and provides a cap sealing member having an annular heel mounted in an circumferential slot formed on a frontal surface of cap, and a sealing lip projecting from the heel and towards the second ring. The sealing lip has a free end in sliding frictional contact with part of the second ring.