Multiple element bearing seal

Claim 2

In a bearing assembly having an inner member and an outer member which are relatively rotatable and which are spaced apart for receiving anti-friction elements and lubricant therebetween, each member having an annular groove in a corresponding outboard axial end thereof which grooves are oppositely disposed from one another, the combination including sealing means for sealing the space between the members to prevent the introduction of foreign matter into the lubricant, said sealing means comprising first and second annular resilient sealing rings each having an outer peripheral edge and an inner annular edge defining a radial body portion, said first annular sealing ring being positioned in the bearing assembly with said outer peripheral edge fitting into the annular groove in the outer member and said inner annular edge fitting into the annular groove in the inner member, with said radial body portion extending across the space between the members, said second annular sealing ring being positioned in the bearing assembly with one of said outer peripheral and inner annular edges being fit into the annular groove in a selected one of the inner and outer members, and the other of said edges extends axially outwardly of the bearing assembly with said radial body portion extending across the space between the members and impinging against the nonselected member in a running contact seal therewith and said first sealing ring includes venting means whereby with increased internal pressure in the lubricant holding space between the inner and outer member during a relubricating operation said venting means permits the lubricant to bleed past said sealing ring, and said lubricant bleeding past said sealing ring forces said radial body portion of said second sealing ring impinging against the nonselected member away from contact with said nonselected member to permit the lubricant to escape from the bearing assembly thereby relieving the internal pressure in the lubricant holding space.

Claim 3

The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein said second annular sealing ring is positioned in the bearing assembly with said outer peripheral edge fitting into the annular groove in the outer member and said inner annular edge extending axially outwardly of the bearing assembly with said axial body portion thereof impinging against the inner member.

Claim 4

The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein said second annular sealing ring is positioned in the bearing assembly with said inner annular edge fitting into the annular groove in the inner member and said outer annular edge extending axially outwardly of the bearing assembly with said radial body portion thereof impinging against the outer member.

Claim 5

The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein said radial body portion of said first sealing ring has a radial dimension such that said outer peripheral edge and said inner annular edge fit in a close running fit with the bottom of the respective grooves in which they ride, and said radial body portion of said second sealing ring has a radial dimension greater than said first sealing ring so the same can extend axially outwardly of the bearing assembly and impinge on said nonselected member.

Claim 6

The bearing assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second sealing rings mounted in said selected one of said inner and outer members have an axial thickness substantially equal to the width of said groove so the Same fit tightly therein, and said axial thickness of said first sealing ring mounted to said nonselected member is less than the width of said groove so the same is free to move therein.

Claim 7

In a bearing assembly, the sealing structure for sealing the lubricant carrying portion of the bearing assembly against the introduction of foreign matter into the same, the bearing assembly including inner and outer racerings and first and second radially extending annular grooves oppositely disposed from one another in the inner and outer racerings respectively, and wherein the sealing structure comprised first and second annular resilient sealing rings each having an outer peripheral edge and an inner annular edge defining a radial body portion, said first sealing ring being positioned with said outer peripheral edge in the groove in the outer racering and the inner annular edge being positioned in the groove in the inner racering with the radial body portion extending between the grooves to form a labyrinth type seal for the lubricant carrying portion of the bearing assembly, said second sealing ring being positioned in the bearing assembly with one of said outer peripheral and inner annular edges being fit into the groove in a selected one of the inner and outer racerings, with said first sealing ring, and the other of said edges extends axially outwardly of the bearing assembly with said radial body portion thereof impinging on the corner face of the nonselected racering in a running fit therewith to provide a contact seal which cooperates with said labyrinth seal of said first sealing ring to seal the assembly against foreign matter entering the lubricant holding space, and said first sealing ring includes venting means whereby with increased internal pressure in the lubricant holding space during a relubricating operation said venting means permits the lubricant to bleed past said sealing ring, and said lubricant bleeding past said sealing ring forces said radial body portion of said second sealing ring from its seat on said corner face of said nonselected racering to permit the lubricant to escape from the bearing assembly thereby relieving the internal pressure in the lubricant holding space, said radial body portion of said second sealing ring with the same being seated on said corner face of said nonselected racering further acting as a dam to maintain lubricant between said first and second sealing rings to provide a lubricant labyrinth seal for the bearing assembly.

Claim 8

In a bearing assembly, the sealing structure for sealing the lubricant carrying portion of the bearing assembly against the introduction of foreign matter into the same, the bearing assembly including inner and outer racerings and first and second radially extending annular grooves oppositely disposed from one another in the inner and outer racerings respectively, and wherein the sealing structure comprised first and second annular resilient sealing rings each having an outer peripheral edge and an inner annular edge defining a radial body portion, said first sealing ring being positioned with said outer peripheral edge in the groove in the outer racering and the inner annular edge being positioned in the groove in the inner racering with the radial body portion extending between the grooves to form a labyrinth type seal for the lubricant carrying portion of the bearing assembly, said second sealing ring being positioned in the bearing assembly with one of said outer peripheral and inner annular edges being fit into the groove in a selected one of the inner and outer racerings, with said first sealing ring, and the other of said edges extends axially outwardly of the bearing assembly with said radial body portion thereof impinging on the corner face of the nonselected racering in a running fit therewith to provide a contact seal which cooperates with said labyrinth seal of said first sealing ring to seal the assembly against foreign matter entering the lubricant holding space, and said first sealing ring includes venting means whereby with increased internal pressure in the lubricant holding space during a relubricating operation said venting means permits the lubricant to bleed past said sealing ring, and said lubricant bleeding past said sealing ring forces said radial body portion of said second sealing ring from its seat on said corner face of said nonselected racering to permit the lubricant to escape from the bearing assembly thereby relieving the internal pressure in the lubricant holding space, said radial body portion of said second sealing ring with the same being seated on said corner face of said nonselected racering further acting as a dam to maintain lubricant between said first and second sealing rings to provide a lubricant labyrinth seal for the bearing assembly.