Sealed bearing

Claim 1

A bearing apparatus comprising: a first annular bearing member defining a first seal bearing surface, said first surface being substantially cylindrical and axially-extending, a second annular bearing member defining a second seal bearing surface, said second surface being substantially cylindrical and coaxial with said first surface, said second surface being spaced radially from said first surface, an annular seal element disposed between said first and second seal bearing surfaces, said element having an outwardly projecting lip and an inwardly projecting lip, said lips defining an annular channel between said lips allowing radial movement of said lips relative to each other, said lips each having an outer, axially extending surface in engagement with one of said seal bearing surfaces, said seal element being resiliently flexible and said outer surfaces being normally spaced apart a greater radiaL distance than said first and second surfaces to provide a radially biased sealing engagement between said outer surfaces and said first and second surfaces, said annular bearing members defining raceway surfaces substantially facing each other; a plurality of friction reducing rolling elements being disposed between said members in contact with said raceway surfaces; annular cage means connected to said seal element for separating said roller elements from each other and for retaining said seal element at a predetermined axial position relative to said bearing surfaces said cage means being arranged in a manner imparting rotation to said seal element in response to relative rotation between said bearing members; and fluid means establishing a gas pressure differential across the lips of said seal element, the pressure in said channel being greater than the pressure on the outer surface of said lips to urge said lips radially toward said seal bearing surfaces, whereby said seal prevents flow of gas axially along the space between said bearing member.