US4770424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact labyrinth-type seal
Assignee: MPB Corp
•
Filing: 1987-11-23
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Granted: 1988-09-13
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Expires: 2007-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A seal that is suited for use in the ends of a double row bearing for front wheel drive automobiles has a seal case which is pressed into the end of the outer race for the bearing. The case carries a seal element, which is formed from an elastomer or some other flexible material, and this element cooperates with a shield that is carried by the inner race of the bearing, all to establish a barrier that retains a grease-type lubricant in the bearing and excludes water and other contaminants. The seal element actually creates three barriers along the sealing surface which has both axially and radially directed portions. The first is as a primary labyrinth which encircles the axial portion of the sealing surface and contains pumping cavities which direct lubricant that enters then back toward the interior of the bearing. The second is along a dirt lip that extends toward and contacts the axial portion of the sealing surface at an oblique angle. The third is along a secondary labyrinth which is located along the radial portion of the sealing surface and has a groove that opens toward that surface. The groove is filled with the grease-type lubricant that further spans the space between the secondary labyrinth and the radial portion of the sealing surface to prevent contaminants from entering in that region. In addition, the seal may be provided with a flinger which is located radially outwardly from the secondary labyrinth and projects axially beyond the radial portion of the sealing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. Otto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/40; F16J15/43; F16J15/32; F16J15/3244; B; B60; B60B; B60B27/00; B61; B61F; B61F15/00; B61F15/20; B61F15/22; F16C; F16C19/00; F16C19/22; F16C19/34; F16C19/38; F16C19/383; F16C19/385; F16C19/386; F16C19/54; F16C19/541; F16C19/542; F16C33/00; F16C33/72; F16C33/726; F16C33/76; F16C33/78; F16C33/7803; F16C33/7813; F16C33/7816; F16C33/782; F16C33/7823; F16C33/7869; F16C33/7873; F16C33/7876; F16C33/7879; F16C33/7883; F16C33/80; F16C33/805; F16J15/3248; F16J15/3252; F16J15/3256; F16J15/406; B21; B21B; B21B31/00; B21B31/07; B21B31/074; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; F16C2326/02; F16C2326/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
In combination with a sealing surface of circular cross-sectional configuration and a component located generally around the surface and arranged such that relative rotation about an axis of rotation may occur between the sealing surface and the component, an improved seal for isolating within the component a region that contains a lubricant, said seal comprising: a generally rigid seal case attached to the component such that a static barrier exists between the component and the seal case and a sealing element attached to the case and encircling the sealing surface to form a barrier along the sealing surface, the sealing element including: a first labyrinth exposed to the isolated region and having a circumferentially extending face which is presented toward the sealing surface and an end face which is presented toward the isolated region; a second labyrinth spaced from the first labyrinth and being presented toward but not contacting the sealing surface, the second labyrinth being configured to resist the movement of contaminants along the sealing surface; and a flexible dirt lip located between the first and second labyrinths and contacting the sealing surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination with a sealing surface of circular cross-sectional configuration and a component located generally around the surface and arranged such that relative rotation about an axis of rotation may occur between the sealing surface and the component, an improved seal for isolating within the component a region that contains a lubricant, said seal comprising: a generally rigid seal case attached to the component such that a static barrier exists between the component and the seal case and a sealing element attached to the case and encircling the sealing surface to form a barrier along the sealing surface, the sealing element including: a first labyrinth exposed to the isolated region and having a circumferentially extending face which is presented toward the sealing surface and an end face which is presented toward the isolated region; a second labyrinth spaced from the first labyrinth and being presented toward but not contacting the sealing surface, the second labyrinth being configured to resist the movement of contaminants along the sealing surface; and a flexible dirt lip located between the first and second labyrinths and contacting the sealing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first labyrinth contains pumping cavities, with each cavity opening out of the circumferentially extending face and the end face and being configured such that the lubricant which is in it is impelled back to the isolated region when relative rotation occurs between the sealing surface and the seal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the sealing surface toward which the second labyrinth is presented is located at an angle with respect to the portion of the sealing surface toward which the circumferentially extending face of the first labyrinth is presented.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the sealing surface toward which the circumferentially extending face of the first labyrinth is presented extends generally axially and the portion of the sealing surface toward which the second labyrinth is presented extends generally radially.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein the sealing element further includes a flinger which is located raidally outwardly from the radial portion of the sealing surface and projects axially beyond that radial portion to deflect contaminants away from it.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the second labyrinth creates a groove which opens toward the sealing surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein the second labyrinth includes two spaced apart ribs which project toward the sealing surface, and the groove is between the two ribs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein the second labyrinth creates another groove with the dirt lip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein a grease-type lubricant fills the groove and spans the space between the second labyrinth and the sealing surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the sealing element is formed from a flexible material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
185 words
A seal for creating between two components, one of which rotates relative to the other about an axis of rotation, a barrier to the passage of a grease-type lubricant and contaminants, said seal having an axis that coincides with the axis of rotation when the seal is installed on one of the components, said seal comprising: a generally rigid seal case; a circular first labyrinth having a circumferentially extending face that is presented toward the axis of rotation and at least one end face that is located at an angle with respect to the circumferentially extending face; a circular second labyrinth carried by the seal case and being spaced from the first labyrinth, the second labyrinth having at least one groove that opens axially away from the first labyrinth; and a flexible dirt lip carried by the seal case and being located between first and second labyrinths, the dirt lip extending inwardly toward the axis of rotation, and having a contact face which, when the dirt lip is unrestrained, possesses a diameter less than the diameter of the circumferentially extending face of the first labyrinth.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
185 words
A seal for creating between two components, one of which rotates relative to the other about an axis of rotation, a barrier to the passage of a grease-type lubricant and contaminants, said seal having an axis that coincides with the axis of rotation when the seal is installed on one of the components, said seal comprising: a generally rigid seal case; a circular first labyrinth having a circumferentially extending face that is presented toward the axis of rotation and at least one end face that is located at an angle with respect to the circumferentially extending face; a circular second labyrinth carried by the seal case and being spaced from the first labyrinth, the second labyrinth having at least one groove that opens axially away from the first labyrinth; and a flexible dirt lip carried by the seal case and being located between first and second labyrinths, the dirt lip extending inwardly toward the axis of rotation, and having a contact face which, when the dirt lip is unrestrained, possesses a diameter less than the diameter of the circumferentially extending face of the first labyrinth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A seal according to claim 11 wherein the first labyrinth has pumping cavities which open out of the end face and the circumferentially extending face, the cavities being bounded on their sides by side faces which intersect the circumferentially extending face along lines that are oblique to the end face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A seal according to claim 11 wherein the second labyrinth includes a pair of ribs that are directed axially away from the first labyrinth, and the groove is between the ribs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A seal according to claim 11 wherein the second labyrinth and dirt lip are configured and positioned such that another groove exists between them; and wherein both grooves open generally axially away from the first labyrinth.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A seal according to claim 11 wherein the dirt lip is oblique to the axis of rotation such that it is directed generally away from the first labyrinth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A seal according to claim 11 wherein the first and second labyrinths and the dirt lip form part of a seal element which is bonded to the seal case, the seal element being formed from a flexible material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 16 wherein the dirt lip is oblique to and contacts the axial portion of the sealing surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 17 wherein the groove of the secondary labyrinth is filled with the grease-type lubricant and the lubricant occupies the space between the secondary labyrinth and the radial portion of the sealing surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 17 and further comprising a flinger attached to the seal case radially outwardly from the secondary labyrinth, the flinger projecting generally axially beyond the radial portion of the sealing surface so as to prevent contaminants from flowing along the sealing surface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A seal according to claim 11 and further comprising a flinger carried by the seal case beyond the second labyrinth and projecting generally axially away from the seal case.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
222 words
In combination with a pair of machine components which are arranged such that one will rotate relative to the other about an axis of rotation, the one component being hollow and the other component being received in the hollow component and carrying a sealing surface that has a generally axially directed portion and a generally radially directed portion, a seal for isolating within the hollow component a region that contains a grease-type lubricant, said seal comprising: a generally rigid seal case attached to the hollow component such that a static seal exists between the case and the hollow component; a primary labyrinth attached to the seal case and having a circumferentially extending face that is presented toward and surrounds the axial portion of the sealing surface, yet is spaced outwardly from the axial portion, and an end face that is presented toward and exposed to the isolated region; a secondary labyrinth attached to the seal case and presented toward, but being spaced from, the radial portion of the sealing surface, the secondary labyrinth having a groove which opens toward the radially directed portion of the sealing surface; and a flexible dirt lip attached to the seal case and being located between the primary and secondary labyrinths, the dirt lip being directed generally away from the primary labyrinth and contacting the sealing surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
222 words
In combination with a pair of machine components which are arranged such that one will rotate relative to the other about an axis of rotation, the one component being hollow and the other component being received in the hollow component and carrying a sealing surface that has a generally axially directed portion and a generally radially directed portion, a seal for isolating within the hollow component a region that contains a grease-type lubricant, said seal comprising: a generally rigid seal case attached to the hollow component such that a static seal exists between the case and the hollow component; a primary labyrinth attached to the seal case and having a circumferentially extending face that is presented toward and surrounds the axial portion of the sealing surface, yet is spaced outwardly from the axial portion, and an end face that is presented toward and exposed to the isolated region; a secondary labyrinth attached to the seal case and presented toward, but being spaced from, the radial portion of the sealing surface, the secondary labyrinth having a groove which opens toward the radially directed portion of the sealing surface; and a flexible dirt lip attached to the seal case and being located between the primary and secondary labyrinths, the dirt lip being directed generally away from the primary labyrinth and contacting the sealing surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination according to claim 18 wherein the primary labyrinth has pumping cavities, each of which opens out of both the circumferentially extending face and the end face, each cavity on its sides being bounded by side faces which are oblique to the direction of relative rotation between the first labyrinth and the sealing surface and diverge toward the isolated region so that lubricant upon entering the cavity will be directed generally axially toward the isolated region.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to claim 20 wherein the primary and secondary labyrinths and the dirt lip are part of a seal element which is formed from a flexible substance and is bonded as a unit to the seal case.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-13 | 1992-03-14 | 1992-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-13 | 1996-03-14 | 1996-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-13 | 2000-03-14 | 2000-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |