FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rulel3)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
"SEALING DEVICE FOR INTEGRAL SHAFT BEARINGS"
2. APPLICANT:
(1) (a) NAME: RING PLUS AQUA LTD
(b) NATIONALITY: Indian Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956
(c) ADDRESS: A-16/17, STICE, At post. Musalgaon, Tal. Sinnar,
Dist. Nashik - 422112, State -Maharashtra, India.
(2) (a) NAME: PERFECT POLYMERS
(b) NATIONALITY: Indian Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956
(c) ADDRESS: Plot No G-1302, Road H, Kishan Gate Main Road,
Metoda G. I. D. C, Rajkot-360021, Gujrat, India.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of Invention:
This invention relates to a unique design seal for integral shaft bearings used in water pumps and alike to protect inner rolling elements of the bearing from outside water and contaminations to prevent the damages to bearing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sea! member to prevent the water entry or entry of any other foreign matter into the bearing in extreme adverse conditions.
Background and prior art:
Integral shaft bearing are bearing units which are widely used in water pumps, lawn movers, electric motors, fans, washing machines, vane pumps etc. The integral shaft bearings are the ball bearings with a shaft that is an integral part of the bearing. The integral shaft bearing is generally two sets of rolling elements with outer raceway and inner raceway. The rolling elements bear mechanical load as well as provide smooth rolling, thereby preventing mechanical parts from wearing out. Thus, it is important to protect these rolling elements so that integral shaft bearing can function properly. This can be achieved through use of seals. The seals in integral shaft bearings are used to prevent contamination of rolling elements due to foreign particles/fluids.
JP4004119 discloses a water pump shaft carrier which contains a seal member by which a sealing device is provided respectively between an outer peripheral surface of pumping axes, and axial direction both ends of an outer ring. Referring to the Figure in JP4004119, the seal member 51 consists of a slinger 52 by which externally fitting and fixing is carried out to an outer peripheral surface of pumping axes 41; an axial lip 51b equipped with an inner cylinder, the inner cylinder part 52b extending from inner circumference of an annular part to the impeller side; and radial lips 5 lc,5 Id contacting an outer peripheral surface of pumping axes. The purpose of the invention in the stated patent document is to prevent the intrusion of rust at a fitting part between slinger of a sealing device on the impeller side and a pump shaft as well as to stabilise sealing ability of the sealing device on the impeller side for a long period.
US7066467 suggests an improvement to the sealing device disclosed in Patent No. JP4004119. A sealing device 8 is.disclosed which consists of an annular slinger 82 and an

annular seal member 81. The seal member 81 has a section shape bent into an approximately U shaped in a region corresponding radially along a disk portion of the slinger 82. A closed end of U shape extending axially from remainder of the annual seal member in a direction towards the disk portion such that a labyrinth seal portion 83 is formed between seal member 81. The annular seal member 81 is without a lip projection as opposed to the seal member in Patent No. JP4004119, resulting into the cost effective production.
US6962344 discloses a bearing seal. Referring to Fig. 2 of the stated patent, the bearing seal 100 contains a seal member 115 affixed to an outer ring on a side closer to a water pump impeller. The seal member 115 consists of a metal core member 115a and a seal body 115b, where the metal core member 115a is disposed on a side of the seal member 115 closer to the side of drive portion end portion and the seal body 115b is disposed on a side of the seal member 115 closer to the side of impeller end portion. The seal body 115b has plurality of lip portions 115c,l 15d,l 15e. The lip portions 115c,l 15d,115e are arranged in slidable contact with an outer peripheral portion of a rotating member of a finger. The seal body 115b is made of hydrogenated nitrile rubber which offers chemical resistance over a long period of time.
However, the sealing device disclosed in the present invention is different from the seals mentioned in the prior arts. The uniquely designed slinger lip of sealing device of the present invention ensures perfect sealing & prevents the intrusion of outside water & all other possible contaminations.
Summary of invention:
The present invention discloses a bearing seal for preventing intrusion of water as well as other foreign material inside a bearing to protect rolling elements contained in the . bearing. The bearing seal being K-type seal comprises a slinger lip with inclined axial portion & spiral serrations having a slinger, a slinger body and a lip portion; and a sealing member having plurality of lip portions.

In an embodiment, the lip portion is a radial outer lip, the lip portion is an inner lip, together forming legs of the sealing member resting on a shaft, the lip portion extending & touching inner side of the slinger lip. The slinger lip portion is fitted in a groove present on the shaft. The plurality lip portions together forming "K" type seal. The slinger body is made of an elastomer, preferably a hydrogenated nitrile rubber. The slinger lip is rested in the shaft groove circumferentially, avoiding conventional metal to metal contacts to increase sealing efficiency. A metal strip portion is attached to the sealing member to provide strength to the bearing seal. The inclined axial portion of slinger lip is provided with spiral serrations.
The sealing member, with specific arrangement of the lip portions forming "K" type seal, along with the slinger lip with inclined portion form four stages of prevention of water as well as other foreign materials from entering into the bearing.
Brief description of drawings:
Fig A illustrates a cross sectional of water pump assembly known in the art.
Fig B illustrates a cross sectional view of integrated shaft bearing and essential
components of current invention i.e "K" type seal.
Detailed description of drawings:
The present invention protects inner rolling elements of the bearing from outside water and contaminations to avoid the damages to bearing.
Accordingly, a bearing seal for preventing intrusion of water as well as other foreign material inside a bearing to protect rolling elements contained in the bearing, the bearing seal being K-type seal comprising a slinger lip with inclined axial portion & spiral serrations having a slinger, a slinger body and a lip portion, the slinger lip deflecting water as well as other foreign material by means of the inclined axial portion & spiral serrations, and a sealing member having plurality of lip portions, the lip portion being a radial outer lip, the lip portion being an inner lip, together forming legs of the sealing member resting on a shaft, the lip portion extending & touching inner side of the slinger lip, the plurality lip portions together forming "K" type seal; wherein the lip portion being

fitted in a groove present on the shaft, the lip portion, together with the slinger lip, forming first stage of water as well as foreign material prevention; the lip portion touching inner side of the slinger thereby protecting the rolling elements forming second stage of water as well as foreign material prevention; the lip portion resting on the shaft towards inner side of the slinger preventing a possible entry of water through the lip portion; and the lip portion resting on the shaft towards the rolling elements forming fourth stage water prevention as well as prevention against grease.
In a preferred embodiment, the slinger body is made of an elastomer. The elastomer can be a hydrogenated nitrile rubber. A metal core is attached to the sealing member from inner side / embedded in the sealing member to provide strength to the bearing seal. The arrangement so done avoids conventional metal to metal contact and increases sealing efficiency.
The invention may be understood by referring to accompanying figures. The seal member hereinafter is referred as "K" type sealing member. Although the preferred embodiment is illustrated in Fig. B, while understanding the preferred embodiment, the reference may be made to Fig. A as well as Fig. B.
The present invention discloses a bearing seal for preventing intrusion of water as well as other foreign material inside a bearing to protect rolling elements contained in the bearing, the bearing seal being K-type seal comprising a slinger lip (21) with inclined axial portion & spiral serrations having a slinger (21a) ,a slinger body (21b) and a lip portion (19d), the slinger lip (21) deflecting water as well as other foreign material by means of the inclined axial portion & spiral serrations, and a sealing member (19) having plurality of lip portions (19a),(19b),(19c), the lip portion (19a) being a radial outer lip, the lip portion (19b) being an inner lip, together forming legs of the sealing member (19) resting on a shaft (14), the lip portion (19c) extending & touching inner side of the slinger lip (21), the plurality lip portions together forming "K" type seal; wherein the lip portion (19d) being fitted in a groove (22) present on the shaft (14), the lip portion (19d), together with the slinger lip (21), forming first stage of water as well as foreign material prevention; the lip portion (19c) touching inner side of the slinger (21a) thereby

protecting the rolling elements (8 & 10) forming second stage of water as well as foreign material prevention; the lip portion (19a) resting on the shaft (14) towards inner side of the slinger (21a) preventing a possible entry of water through the lip portion (19d); and the lip portion (19b) resting on the shaft (14) towards the rolling elements (8 & 10) forming fourth stage water prevention as well as prevention against grease.
Fig. A illustrates a cross sectional view of water pump assembly known in the art which contains a housing (1), a hub/pulley (2), a bearing (3), a mechanical seal (4), an impeller (5). The bearing (3) is fitted into water pump. This bearing contains rows of rolling elements (8) & (10) which are axially separated. These rolling elements are fitted in raceways provided on a bearing shaft (6) and an outer ring (12). Two sealing elements (7) & (11) are provided at both ends of bearings to protect inner rolling elements (8) & (10) of the bearing. The bearing shaft (6) has one bigger diameter portion and one smaller diameter portion. On small diameter portion, the impeller (5) is mounted. The mechanical seal (4) is mounted in between an outer ring (9) and the impeller (5). On the other end of shaft i.e. on bigger diameter, the hub/ pulley (2) is mounted. This belt mounted pulley is driven by crank shaft. Hence the shaft, supported by bearing rolling elements, rotates along with the impeller (5) & circulates the water in engine cavity. A mechanical seal (4) is mounted between bearing outer ring (9) and impeller (5). However if the mechanical seal (4) fails, water leaks from it and likely to enter into bearing and damages rolling elements. Hence to prevent this entry of water, an axial sealing member is provided on impeller side of bearing. This sealing member also does not allow inner grease to come out of bearing in the extreme adverse conditions.
Fig. B, which is a preferred embodiment, illustrates a cross sectional view of the integral shaft bearing along with an invention of a "K" type sealing member (19) and a slinger lip (21). The bearing is mounted inside the water pump and consists of number of subcomponents. An outer ring (12) is mounted in the water pump housing and represents the outer body of the bearing and remains stationary. The shaft (14) is a rotating member, on whom the "K" type sealing member (19) and the slinger lip (21), which is an invention mentioned herein, rests circumferentially. The shaft (14) is provided with a race (15) for resting of rolling elements (16). The rolling elements (16) are held in a position by a ball

cage (17) and rolls in between race (13) and (15). A groove (18) is provided circumferentially at inner side of the outer ring (12) at its extreme end to affix "K" type sealing member (19). The "K" type sealing member (19) is formed of hydrogenated nitrile rubber or a suitable elastomer and a metal strip portion (20). The "K" type sealing member (19) consists of four lip portions, which are namely (19a), (19b), (19c) and (19d). The slinger lip (21), having an inclined portion, consists of a slinger (21a) and a slinger body (21b). The inclined portion of the slinger lip (21) is provided with spiral serrations. The "K" type seal (19) along with its slinger lip (21) and lip portions (19a), (19b), (19c) and (19d) is extended circumferentially around the shaft (14) and touches the outer ring at the groove (18) provided on the inner side. The metal strip portion (20) is attached to the sealing member (19) from the inner side. The metal strip portion (20) starts from the core of the seal body and is embedded inside the lip portion (19a) of the sealing member (19). It is extended vertically upwards, then bent suddenly at 90° towards hub side, continuing some length horizontally parallel to the shaft (14) and then again follows some inclination, moving vertically upwards in the direction of the outer ring (12) towards the groove (18). The metal strip (20), as described above, renders strength to the sealing member (19). In the "K" type sealing member (19), the lip portion (19a) represents radial outer lip, whereas the lip portion (19b) forms inner lip. These two lips are firmly rested on the outer surface of the shaft (14) circumferentially. The lip portion (19c) starts from the sealing member (19) at some angle and is extended axially towards the impeller side touching the inside face of the slinger (21a). The lip portion (19b) of "K" type sealing member (19) starts at the core of the bearing and is extended towards the hub side and is finally rested on the shaft (14) firmly. The forth lip portion (19d) is located in a shaft groove (22). A suitable elastomer, which forms the slinger body (21b), is provided on outer surface of the slinger (21a). The slinger lip (21) of "K" type sealing member (19) is fitted in the groove (22) provided on the shaft (14) through the forth lip (19d). The slinger lip (21) starts from the lip portion (19d) & is extended vertically upwards in the radial direction and then follows inclination towards hub side till the face of outer ring (12). The lip (19c) of sealing member is rested on inside portion of the slinger lip (21). The slinger lip (21) with the lip portion (19d) and the other lip portions, namely (19a), (19b) and (19c), are put together forming the "K" type seal of the present invention. This invention, when fits in between the shaft (14) and the outer ring (12) of the bearing, strictly prevents

entry of water and other contaminants into the bearing. This mechanism is explained below.
The slinger lip (21) with the lip portion (19d) forms the first stage of prevention for entry of water or any other foreign matter. The lip portion (19d) is fitted in the shaft groove (22) rests firmly around its circumference, avoids conventional metal to metal contacts and increases sealing effectiveness. The water is deflected through inclined spiral serrated surface of slinger lip (21) which helps to protect water intrusion in the bearing. The lip portion (19c) of the "K" type sealing member (19) touches the slinger lip portion (21a) from inner side and protects the bearing from entry of water from impeller side. Thus, the lip portion (19c) serves as the second stage for the prevention of water intrusion. The lip portion (19a), which is the outer lip, is rested on the shaft circumferentially and it ensures the prevention of water entry from the lip (19d).
The lip portion (19b) of "K" type sealing member forms the fourth stage of sealing to protect the bearing from water or any foreign matter intrusion. This lip portion also serves as the boundary for the grease and prevents its leakage.
The lip portions (19a), (19b), (19c) and (19d) form four stages of prevention against water entry. On the other side, lips (19a) & (19b) form two stages of prevention against grease leakage in extreme adverse conditions.
The aforementioned description is for the illustrative purpose only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the embodiments. The variations and modifications of the present invention are obvious to the person skilled in the art in light of the above teachings.

WE CLAIM,
1. A bearing seal for preventing intrusion of water as well as other foreign material
inside a bearing to protect rolling elements contained in the bearing, said bearing
seal being K-type seal comprising:
(i) a slinger lip (21) with inclined axial portion & spiral serrations having a
slinger (21a) ,a slinger body (21b) and a lip portion (19d), said slinger lip (21)
deflecting water as well as other foreign material by means of said inclined
axial portion & spiral serrations, and
(ii) a sealing member (19) having plurality of lip portions (19a),(19b),(19c), said
lip portion (19a) being a radial outer lip, said lip portion (19b) being an inner
lip, together forming legs of said sealing member (19) resting on a shaft (14),
said lip portion (19c) extending & touching inner side of said slinger lip (21),
said plurality lip portions together forming "K" type seal; wherein
said lip portion (19d) being fitted in a groove (22) present on said shaft (14); said
lip portion (19d), together with said slinger lip (21), forming first stage of water as
well as foreign material prevention; said lip portion (19c) touching inner side of
said slinger (21a) thereby protecting said rolling elements (8 & 10) forming
second stage of water as well as foreign material prevention; said lip portion (19a)
resting on said shaft (14) towards inner side of said slinger (21a) preventing a
possible entry of water through said lip portion (19d); and said lip portion (19b)
resting on said shaft (14) towards said rolling elements (8 & 10) forming fourth
stage water prevention as well as prevention against grease.
2. The bearing seal according to claim 1, wherein said slinger body (21b) is made of an elastomer, preferably a hydrogenated nitrile rubber.
3. The bearing seal according to claim 1, wherein said slinger lip (21) is rested in said shaft groove (14) circumferentially, thereby avoiding conventional metal to metal contacts to increase sealing efficiency.