Preloading and sealing system for clutch bearings

Claim 2

A clutch release bearing assembly comprising, a firsT annular race member having means defining a first raceway thereon, said first raceway being generally semi-circular in crosssection, a second annular race member having means defining a second raceway thereon, said second raceway being generally semi-circular in crosssection, a plurality of generally spherical anti-friction bearing elements interposed between said first and second raceways, a first seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a first sealing force contact with a surface portion on said second race member, a second seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a second sealing force contact with another surface portion on said second race member, said first sealing force being greater in magnitude than said second sealing force contact thus causing relative axial movement between the first and second raceways to preload the assembly.

Claim 3

A clutch release bearing assembly comprising, a firsT annular race member having means defining a first raceway thereon, said first raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a second annular race member having means defining a second raceway thereon, said second raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a plurality of generally spherical anti-friction bearing elements interposed between said first and second raceways, a first seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a first sealing force contact with a surface portion on said second race member, a second seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a second sealing force contact with another surface portion on said second race member, said first sealing force being greater in magnitude than said second sealing force contact thus causing relative axial movement between the first and second raceways to preload the assembly.

Claim 4

A clutch release bearing assembly comprising, a firsT annular race member having means defining a first raceway thereon, said first raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a second annular race member having means defining a second raceway thereon, said second raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a plurality of generally spherical anti-friction bearing elements interposed between said first and second raceways, a first seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a first sealing force contact with a surface portion on said second race member, a second seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a second sealing force contact with another surface portion on said second race member, said first sealing force being greater in magnitude than said second sealing force contact thus causing relative axial movement between the first and second raceways to preload the assembly.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1 wherein, said first sealing force includes an axially directed force vector which is opposed to and greater than the axially directed force vector of said second sealing force.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1 wherein, said first seal means makes its sealing contact with the second race member within an annular channel formed in the second race member.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 wherein, the speed of rotation of the bearing assembly causes additional sealing action by said first and second seal means due to said seal means being speed sensitive from centrifugal force created in said seal means during rotation.

Claim 8

A bearing assembly comprising, a first annular race member having means defining a first raceway thereon, said first raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a second annular race member having means defining a second raceway thereon, said second raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a plurality of generally anti-friction bearing elements interposed between said first and second raceways, a first seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a first sealing force contact with a surface portion on said second race member, a second seal means of generally circular shape extending from one said race member and making a second sealing force contact with another surface portion on the other race member, said first sealing force being greater in magnitude than said second sealing force contact thus causing relative axial movement between the first and second raceways to preload the assembly.

Claim 9

A bearing assembly comprising, a first annular race member having means defining a first raceway thereon, said first raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a second annular race member having means defining a second raceway thereon, said second raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a plurality of generally anti-friction bearing elements interposed between said first and second raceways, a first seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a first sealing force contact with a surface portion on said second race member, a second seal means of generally circular shape extending from one said race member and making a second sealing force contact with another surface portion on the other race member, said first sealing force being greater in magnitude than said second sealing force contact thus causing relative axial movement between the first and second raceways to preload the assembly.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 5 wherein, said first sealing force includes an axially directed force vector which is opposed to and greater than the axially directed force vector of said second sealing force.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 5 wherein, said first seal means makes its sealing contact with the second race member within an annular channel formed in the second race member.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 5 wherein, the speed of rotation of the bearing assembly causes additional sealing action by said first and second seal means due to said seal means being speed sensitive from centrifugal force created in said seal means during rotation.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 1 wherein, said second seal means makes its sealing contact with the second race member within an annular channel formed in the second race member.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 5 wherein, said second seal means makes its sealing contact with the second race member within an annular channel formed in the second race member.

Claim 15

A clutch release bearing assembly comprising, a first annular race member having means defining a first raceway thereon, said first raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a second annular race member having means defining a second raceway thereon, said second raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a plurality of generally spherical anti-friction bearing elements interposed between said first and second raceways, a first seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a first sealing force contact with a surface portion on said second race member, a second seal means of generally circular shape extending from one of said race members and making a second sealing force contact with another surface portion on other of said race members said first sealing force being of significantly different magnitude than said second sealing force, thus causing relative axial movement between the first and second raceways to preload the assembly.

Claim 16

A clutch release bearing assembly comprising, a first annular race member having means defining a first raceway thereon, said first raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a second annular race member having means defining a second raceway thereon, said second raceway being generally semi-circular in cross-section, a plurality of generally spherical anti-friction bearing elements interposed between said first and second raceways, a first seal means of generally circular shape extending from said first race member and making a first sealing force contact with a surface portion on said second race member, a second seal means of generally circular shape extending from one of said race members and making a second sealing force contact with another surface portion on other of said race members said first sealing force being of significantly different magnitude than said second sealing force, thus causing relative axial movement between the first and second raceways to preload the assembly.

Claim 17

The invention of claim 11 wherein, the speed of rotation of the bearing assembly causes additional sealing action by said first and second seal means due to said seal means being speed sensitive from centrifugal force created in said seal means during rotation.

Claim 18

The invention of claim 11 wherein, said second seal means makes its sealing contact with the second race member within an annular channel formed in the second race member.

Claim 19

In an anti-friction bearing assembly adapted to accommodate radial and axial thrust loading and being of the type comprising an inner race means having an inner raceway, an outer race means having an outer raceway, and a plurality of anti-friction bearing elements constrained between said inner and outer race means and riding in the raceways thereof, the improvement for axially preloading said bearing elements with respect to said inner and outer race means which comprise: a resilient sealing means on one of said race means and disposed axially on one side of said plurality of bearing elements, said resilient sealing means extending from said one race means to the other of said race means, said bearing assembly being arranged and constructed such that said resilient sealing means is deflected from its free shape to exert an axial force between said inner and outer race means which causes an oppositely directed axial preloading force to be applied to said plurality of bearing elements.

Claim 20

In an anti-friction bearing assembly adapted to accommodate radial and axial thrust loading and being of the type comprising an inner race means having an inner raceway, an outer race means having an outer raceway, and a plurality of anti-friction bearing elements constrained between said inner and outer race means and riding in the raceways thereof, the improvement for axially preloading said bearing elements with respect to said inner and outer race means which comprise: a resilient sealing means on one of said race means and disposed axially on one side of said plurality of bearing elements, said resilient sealing means extending from said one race means to the other of said race means, said bearing assembly being arranged and constructed such that said resilient sealing means is deflected from its free shape to exert an axial force between said inner and outer race means which causes an oppositely directed axial preloading force to be applied to said plurality of bearing elements.

Claim 21

The improvement as claimed in claim 14, wherein said resilient sealing means is disposed on said outer race means.

Claim 22

The improvement as claimed in claim 15, wherein said outer race means includes a retainer member, said resilient sealing means being affixed to said retainer member.