DESC:[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. For example, it should be noted that while some embodiments are explained with respect to a protective cover (100) which is used in combination with a seal to prevent entry of any foreign materials into the seal, it should be noted that the protective cover (100) as disclosed in the present invention could also be used for several other purposes by incorporating the subject matter of the invention with little or no modifications. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The embodiments discussed herein provides a protective cover (100) for cassette seal (102) to avoid or deflect direct exposure of mud, water, slurry and foreign mater into the seal disposed between a pair of rotatable members in a tractor. Further the embodiments herein provide openings in said protective cover (100) to avoid or deflect the accumulation of mud, water, slurry and foreign mater in the seal. In addition, the embodiments herein provide a protective cover (100) which rotates along with the seal and could be easily retro-fitted to said seal.
[0018] Fig. 1 depicts a prior art which discloses a seal protection guard for an annular seal assembly which picks up mud, rocks, and other debris disposed between a pair of relatively rotatable members to minimize the entry of extraneous material into the seal assembly, comprising a barrier means disposed in closely radially spaced relation to such a seal assembly and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced shielded openings formed therein to minimize tightly constrained packing of such material outwardly adjacent to the seal assembly by permitting the material to be squeezed substantially directly radially outwardly through the circumferentially spaced openings upon the imposition of an externally applied force tending to press such material into the seal assembly.
[0019] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a protective cover (100) which is disposed on a retainer seal (101). The protective cover (100) prevents the entry of foreign materials into a cassette seal (102). The cassette seal (102) is enclosed between a retainer seal (101) and axle shaft (103). The protective cover (100) of the present invention is removably secured to said retainer seal (101). In one embodiment the protective cover (100) is assembled with the retainer seal (101) by interference fit.
[0020] As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seal protection cover includes a radial outer rim (104). The protective cover (100) further includes an annular wall (105) and a radial inner rim (106). The annular wall (105) connects the radial outer rim (104) and radial inner rim (106). Further in an embodiment the protective cover (100) includes at least one opening provided at the radial outer rim (104) to remove the water getting accumulated in the seal. In one embodiment the protective cover (100) provides a radial sealing arrangement to the retainer seal (101). In one embodiment the protective cover (100) rotates along with the axle shaft. Further the protective cover (100) is made of C-type construction to removably secure the retainer seal (101). In another embodiment the protective cover (100) is made of material selected from a group consisting of low carbon steel.
[0021] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A protective cover for a seal, said protective cover comprising:
a radial outer rim;
a radial inner rim; and
an annular wall connecting said radial outer rim and said radial inner rim,
wherein
said radial outer rim includes at least one opening.

2. The protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seal is a cassette seal.

3. The protective cover as claimed in claim 1 is made from low carbon steel.

4. The protective cover as claimed in claim 1 has a C type construction.

5. A seal assembly for an axle shaft of a vehicle, said seal assembly comprising:
at least one retainer seal;
at least one cassette seal enclosed between said retainer seal and said axle shaft; and
at least one protective cover comprising:
a radial outer rim;
a radial inner rim; and
an annular wall connecting said radial outer rim and said radial inner rim, wherein said radial outer rim includes at least one opening,
wherein
said protective cover is removably secured with said retainer seal for sealing the cassette seal from foreign materials.
6. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said protective cover rotates along with said axle shaft.

7. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said protective cover is made from low carbon steel.
8. The seal assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said protective cover has a C type construction.

Date: 16 July 2014 Signature:
Kalyan Chakravarthy