Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to a positive bearing housing seal which eliminates packing and O-rings between the seal and the machine housing and relates to a method for installing such a positive bearing housing seal.
Summary of the Invention
The object of the invention is to provide a positive bearing housing seal which eliminates the necessity for packing O-rings between the seal and the machine housing and which also provides a method for installing such a bearing housing seal for squareness with respect to the rotary shaft of the machine.
The above object is achieved by providing a positive bearing housing seal which comprises six basic parts and, in one embodiment, a seventh basic part as a reducer, for sealing a bearing and providing squareness with respect to the machine and the shaft.
A major portion of the seal is employed in the method of assembling the seal for squareness with respect to the machine and the shaft as will be set forth hereinbelow.
Brief Description of the Drawing
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing on which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a positive bearing housing seal constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the upper end of the sectional view of FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 3-7 are sectional views similar to FIG. 2, but including an adapter and illustrating the method of installation of the bearing housing or shaft seal of the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shaft seal, constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally illustrated at 10 for sealing the space between a bearing or other machine housing 12 for a rotating shaft 20. The seal assembly 10 includes a seal housing ring 14, which may be made of aluminum 6061, and has an internal groove 17 which houses an O-ring 16 which may be composed of "Viton.RTM.". A stationary ring element 18 in the housing 14 is sealingly engaged by the O-ring 16. This stationary ring element 18 may be constructed of Carbon P 659 RC material.
The stationary ring element 18 is urged by a wave spring 22 against a rotary ring element 24 mounted on the shaft 20. This rotary ring element 24 has an internal groove 25 which mounts a gasket 26 bottomed on the shaft 20. The gasket 26 may also be composed of a "Viton.RTM." material.
The housing 14 has an axially extending flexible ring portion 28 with an external peripheral bead 30 therearound for engaging the interior surface of the shaft housing 12. The seal housing ring 14 has an external peripheral flange 36 which abuts the outer face of the housing 12.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-7, the seal of this invention may also be provided with a reducer ring 32 which includes a flange 36' for abutting the housing 12. This reducer ring 32 has the same peripheral design as the housing 14 and includes the flexible portion with a similar bead 34.
Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, and bearing in mind that the structure is essentially the same with or without the reducer, the method and installation will be set forth.
Referring to FIG. 3, and assuming a reducer 32 is employed with the flange 36' abutting the element 12 and with the bead 34 engaging the inner surface, the rotary ring 24, with the gasket 26, is placed on the shaft 20. The elements 14, 16, 18 and 22 are also placed on the shaft, but in the direction opposite to that illustrated in FIG. 2. These elements are then moved to the left in FIG. 3 until there is an alignment along the line 38 as shown in FIG. 4. The shaft is then rotated to obtain squareness, for example two revolutions.
The elements 14, 16, 18 and 22 are then removed so that the structure of FIG. 5 is generated with the elements 32 and 24 being aligned along the line 38.
Referring now to FIG. 6, the elements 14, 16, 18 and 22 are reversed in direction and moved onto the shaft towards the elements 32 and 24 which, without the adapter 32, could be the elements 12 and 24.
The elements 14, 16, 18 and 22 are then pressed against the elements 32 and 24 (or 12 and 24 as the case may be) so that the structure of FIG. 7 arises.
Although I have described my invention by reference to particular embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. I therefore intend to include within the patent warranted hereon all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of my contribution to the art.