DESC:FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical seals, particularly mechanical seals for bearings.

BACKGROUND

Seals are mechanical devices used for keeping out contaminants (impurities) and prevent lubricant leakage. The seals find use in various applications and are particularly useful in applications involving rotating parts. One such application is the sealing of bearings, wherein the seals prevent contaminants such as dust, dirt, metal particles from reaching the delicate elements of the bearings such as rolling elements and damaging the rolling elements of the bearings. The seal used in bearings also help in preventing lubricant leakage. Gaskets too belong to the family of mechanical seals and have wide industrial applications. Some of the common problems observed with the current mechanical seals are that conventional seals wear down quickly and require frequent replacement. Further, due to the presence of seals, the bearing is subjected to a high amount of bearing torque and the service life of the bearing is substantially reduced. Further, conventional seals are difficult to assemble, install and remove from the bearing and require more time for assembly, installation and removal.

Hence, there is felt a need for a seal which will overcome the above mentioned problems.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing device for that provides comparatively better sealing for protecting elements of a system, such as the rolling elements of bearings, from contaminants such as dust and dirt.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing device that provides comparatively better sealing for protecting elements, subjected to lubricants, from wear and tear.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing device which during rotation enables providing adequate sealing.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing device for that exhibits high wear resistance.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing device which enhances the service life of the system.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

A sealing device is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sealing device includes a first rigid element, a first flexible element, a second rigid element, a second flexible element, a third rigid element and a third flexible element. The first rigid element has at least one first portion configured with a plurality of first depressions. The first flexible element is disposed on the first rigid element. The second rigid element has at least one second portion configured with a plurality of second depressions. The second depressions are connected to the plurality of first depression to form a plurality of cavities between said plurality of first depression and said plurality of second depression. The second flexible element is disposed on the second rigid element. The second flexible element is connected with the first flexible element forming a seal connection. The third rigid element has at least one third portion configured with a plurality of projections. The projections are disposed within the cavities such that a gap is maintained there-between. The third flexible element is disposed on the third rigid element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The sealing device of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a illustrates a sectional front view of a sealing device, in an assembled configuration, disposed in a bearing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 1b illustrates a sectional front view of a sealing device, in an assembled configuration disposed in a bearing, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2a illustrates exploded sectional views of the different elements of the sealing device of Figure 1a;

Figure 2b illustrates exploded sectional views of the different elements of the sealing device of Figure 1b;

Figure 3a illustrates a sectional front view of a sealing device, in an assembled configuration disposed in a bearing, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3b illustrates a sectional front view of a sealing device, in an assembled configuration disposed in a bearing, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4a illustrates exploded sectional views of the different elements of the sealing device of Figure 3a; and

Figure 4b illustrates exploded sectional views of the different elements of the sealing device of Figure 3b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Various embodiment of a sealing device of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 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. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The following 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.

The present disclosure discloses a sealing device. The sealing device provides enhanced sealing for protecting various elements of a system against wear and tear from lubricants and contaminants, such as dirt or dust and thus enables enhancing service life of the system.
In accordance with one embodiment and as illustrated in Figure 1a, Figure 1b, Figure 3a and Figure 3b, the sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 are used in bearings 10, 20, 30 and 40 respectively. Although the sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 are used in bearings, the sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 are not limited to be used in bearing and can be used in various other applications.
Referring to the accompanying Figure 1a and Figure 1b, sectional front views of the sealing devices 100 and 200, in accordance with the different embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed. Further, Figure 2a and Figure 2b illustrates exploded sectional views of the different elements of the sealing devices 100 and 200 respectively.
Referring to Figure 1a and Figure 2a, the sealing device 100 is disposed in a bearing 10. The bearing 10 has a rotating element 10a an outer race 10b and an inner race 10c. The sealing device 100 is disposed in a sealing groove 10d which are configured besides the rotating element 10a, which is typically a ball, and between the outer race 10b and the inner race 10c.
The sealing device includes a first rigid element 110, a first flexible element 120, a second rigid element 130, a second flexible element 140, a third rigid element 150 and a third flexible element 160. The first rigid element 110 has at least a first portion 110a configured with a plurality of first depressions 110b.
The first flexible element 120 is disposed on the first rigid element 110.

The second rigid element 130 has at least a second portion 130a configured with a plurality of second depressions 130b. The second flexible element 140 is disposed on the second rigid element 130. The second flexible element 140 is adapted to be connected with the first flexible element 120 to form a seal connection there-between. Typically, the first flexible element 120 is configured with a frustum-shaped groove 120a for receiving a similar frustum-shaped projection 140a disposed on the second flexible element 140. The frustum-shaped groove of 120a and frustum-shaped projection of 140b are connected together to form a plurality of cavities 115 between the first rigid element 110 and the second rigid element 130.

The third rigid element 150 has at least a third portion 150a configured with a plurality of projections. The projections include a plurality of first projections 150b and a plurality of second projections 150c which are oppositely disposed on the third rigid element 150 such that each of the first projections 150b are in-line with each of the second projections 150c. The first projections 150b and the second projections 150c are adapted to be disposed within the cavities 115 such that a gap 116, in form of a maze or a labyrinth, is maintained there-between. The third flexible element 160 is disposed on the third rigid element 150.

Typically, the first rigid element 110, the second rigid element 130 and the third rigid element 150 are made up of polymeric material or stainless steel material. However, the first rigid element 110, the second rigid element 130 and the third rigid element 150 are not limited to be made up of polymeric material or stainless steel material. Typically, the first flexible element 120, the second flexible element 140 and the third flexible element 160 are made up of rubber such as nitrile rubber (NBR). However, the first flexible element 120, the second flexible element 140 and the third flexible element 160 are not limed to be made up of rubber such as nitrile rubber (NBR).

Referring to Figure 2a and Figure 2b, the sealing device 200 is disposed in a bearing 20. The bearing 20 has a rotating element 20a an outer race 20b and a inner race 20c. The sealing device 200 is disposed in a sealing groove 20d which are configured besides the rotating element 20a, which is typically a ball, and between the outer race 20b and the inner race 20c.
The sealing device includes a first rigid element 210, a first flexible element 220, a second rigid element 230, a second flexible element 240, a third rigid element 250 and a third flexible element 260. The first rigid element 210 has at least a first portion 210a configured with a plurality of first depressions 210b.
The first flexible element 220 is disposed on the first rigid element 210.

The second rigid element 230 has at least a second portion 230a configured with a plurality of second depressions 230b. The second flexible element 240 is disposed on the second rigid element 230. The second flexible element 240 is adapted to be connected with the first flexible element 220 to form a seal connection there-between. Typically, the first flexible element 220 has at least one frustum-shaped groove 220a for receiving a similar at least one frustum-shaped projection 240a disposed on the second flexible element 240. The frustum-shaped groove 220a of the first flexible element 220 and the frustum-shaped projection 240a of the second flexible element 240 are connected together to form a plurality of cavities 215 between the first rigid element 210 and the second rigid element 230.

The third rigid element 250 has at least a third portion 250a configured with a plurality of projections. The projections includes a plurality of first projections 250b and a plurality of second projections 250c which are oppositely disposed on the third rigid element 250 such that each of the first projections 250b are in-line with each of the second projections 250c. The first projections 250b and the second projections 250c are adapted to be disposed within the cavities 215 such that a gap 216, in form of a maze or a labyrinth, is maintained there-between. The third flexible element 260 is disposed on the third rigid element 250.
In accordance with yet another embodiment and as illustrated in Figure 3a and Figure 4a, the sealing device 300 is used in a bearing 30. The bearing 30 has a rotating element 30a an outer race 30b and an inner race 30c. The sealing device 300 is disposed in a sealing groove 30d which are configured besides the rotating element 30a, which is typically a ball, and between the outer race 30b and the inner race 30c.
The sealing device 300 includes a first rigid element 310, a first flexible element 320, a second rigid element 330, a second flexible element 340, a third rigid element 350 and a third flexible element 360. The first rigid element 310 has at least a first portion configured with a plurality of first depressions 310a. The first flexible element 320 is disposed on the first rigid element 310.

The second rigid element 330 has at least a second portion configured with a plurality of second depressions 330a. The second flexible element 340 is disposed on the second rigid element 330. The second flexible element 340 is adapted to be connected with the first flexible element 320 to form a seal connection there-between. Typically, the first flexible element 320 is configured with a frustum-shaped groove 320a for receiving a similar frustum-shaped projection 340a is disposed on the second flexible element 340. The frustum-shaped groove 320a and frustum-shaped projection 340a are connected together to form a plurality of cavities 315 between the first rigid element 310 and the second rigid element 330.

The third rigid element 350 is configured with projections such as a plurality of first projections 350a and a plurality of second projections 350b. The first projections 350a and the second projections 350b are disposed on either side of the third rigid element 350 and each of the first projection 350a is spaced at a distance from each of the second projection 350b. The first projections 350a and the second projections are adapted to be disposed within the cavity 315 such that such that a gap 316a, in form of a maze or a labyrinth, is maintained between the first projections 350a and the first depressions 310a and a gap 316b is maintained between the second projections 350b and the second depression 330a. The third flexible element 360 is disposed on the third rigid element 350.

In accordance with still another embodiment and as illustrated in Figure 3b and Figure 4b, the sealing device 400 is used in a bearing 40. The bearing 40 has a rotating element 40a an outer race 40b and an inner race 40c. The sealing device 400 is disposed in a sealing groove 40d which are configured besides the rotating element 40a, which is typically a ball, and between the outer race 40b and the inner race 40c.
The sealing device 400 includes a first rigid element 410, a first flexible element 420, a second rigid element 430, a second flexible element 440, a third rigid element 450 and a third flexible element 460. The first rigid element 410 has at least a first portion configured with a plurality of first depressions 410a. The first flexible element 420 is disposed on the first rigid element 410.

The second rigid element 430 has at least a second portion configured with a plurality of second depressions 430a. The second flexible element 440 is disposed on the second rigid element 430. The second flexible element 440 is adapted to be connected with the first flexible element 420 to form a seal there-between. Typically, the first flexible element 420 is configured with a frustum-shaped groove 420a for receiving a similar frustum-shaped projection 440a is disposed on the second flexible element 440. The frustum-shaped groove of 420 and frustum-shaped projection of 440 are connected together to form a plurality of cavities 415 between the first rigid element 410 and the second rigid element 430.

The third rigid element 450 is configured with a plurality of first projections 450a and a plurality of second projections 450b. The first projections 450a and the second projections 450b are disposed on either side of the third rigid element 450 and each of the first projection 450a is spaced at a distance from each of the second projection 450b. The first projections 450a and the second projections are adapted to be disposed within the cavity 415 such that such that a gap 416a, in form of a maze or a labyrinth, is maintained between the first projections 450a and the first depressions 410a and a gap 416b is maintained between the second projections 450b and the second depression 430a. The third flexible element 460 is disposed on the third rigid element 450.

The sealing grooves 10d, 20d, 30d and 40d configured on the respective outer races 10b, 20b, 30b and 40b and the respective inner races 10c, 20c, 30c and 40c of the respective bearings 10, 20, 30 and 40 maintain the geometry and the alignment of the respective first rigid elements 110 210, 310 and 410, the second rigid elements 130, 230, 330 and 430, the third rigid elements 150, 250, 350 and 450 , the first flexible elements 120,220, 320 and 420, the second flexible elements 140, 240, 340 and 440 and the third flexible elements 160,260, 360 and 460 of the respective sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 and thereby prevents distortion in the radial and axial direction thus, maintaining the gaps 115, 215, 315 and 415 in the labyrinth perfectly. This geometry allows very minimum of torque for the bearings 10, 20, 30 and 40 in starting as well as the running condition from the sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 as compared to the generally used contact seals. With such configuration of the sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400, the sealing action takes place in between the respective outer races 10b, 20b, 30b and 40b and the inner races 10c, 20c, 30c and 40c and not on the sealing grooves 10d, 20d, 30d and 40d. Further, with such configuration of the sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400, comparatively better sealing is achieved. As the sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 include three different rigid elements such as the first rigid elements 110, 210 310 and 410, the second rigid elements 130, 230, 330 and 430 and the third rigid elements 150, 250, 350 and 450 and three flexible elements such as the first flexible elements 120, 220, 320 and 420, the second flexible elements 140, 240, 340 and 440 and the third flexible elements 160, 260, 360 and 460 ensures proper sealing as compared to conventional single element used in conventional bearing seals.

The sealing devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 rotate along with the rotating members of the bearing. Despite the rotary motion, the gaps 116, 216, 316a, 316b, 416a and 416b are maintained between the respective projections 150b, 150c, 250b, 250c, 350a, 350b, 450a and 450b and the respective formed cavities 115, 215, 315 and 415 and thereby are refrained from getting in contact with each other. The rotary motion develops a centrifugal force which acts against any debris or contaminants trying to enter the enclosure. Also, with the gaps 116, 216, 316a, 316b, 416a and 416b in form of the maze or the labyrinth, any contaminant or lubricant will find it hard to move inside or outside of the bearings 10, 20, 30 and 40 respectively and thus, prevents the contaminants from entering the enclosure and lubricant from exiting the enclosure.

In the stationary condition, the sealing device 100, 200, 300 and 400 works on the principle of centrifugal pressure. The outside impurities fill up the gaps 116, 216, 316a, 316b, 416a and 416b to the extent until the pressure balance is reached between the lubricant filled space (not shown in Figures) of the bearings 10, 20, 30 and 40 and the filled up space of the gaps 116, 216, 316a, 316b, 416a and 416b. The impurities/ contaminants do not move further inwards and the lubricant does not move outwards. When the bearings 10, 20, 30 and 40 starts to rotate, air pressure builds up between the contaminants and the lubricant which pumps the lubricant back to the lubricant cavity and pumps contaminants back outside. This pressure differential prevents lubricant leakage from the bearings 10, 20, 30 and 40and prevents the contaminants to enter the bearing space.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the realization of:
• a sealing device for that provides comparatively better sealing for protecting elements of a system, such as the rolling elements of bearings, from contaminants such as dust and dirt;
• a sealing device that provides comparatively better sealing for protecting elements, subjected to lubricants, from wear and tear;
• a sealing device which during rotation enables providing adequate sealing;
• a sealing device for that exhibits high wear resistance;
• a sealing device which enhances the service life of the system; and
• a sealing device that exhibits near zero seal torque on the system.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

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:

1) A sealing device comprising:
• a first rigid element having at least one first portion configured with a plurality of first depressions;
• a first flexible element disposed on said first rigid element;
• a second rigid element having at least one second portion configured with a plurality of second depressions;
• a second flexible element disposed on said second rigid element, said second flexible element adapted to be connected with said first flexible element forming a seal connection there-between and forming a plurality of cavities between said plurality of first depressions and said plurality of second depressions;
• a third rigid element having at least one third portion configured with a plurality of projections, said projections adapted to be disposed within said cavities such that a gap is maintained there-between; and
• a third flexible element disposed on said third rigid element.

2) The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing device is disposed adjacent to the rotating element and between an inner race and an outer race of a bearing.

3) The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first flexible element has a frustum-shaped groove for accommodating a frustum-shaped protrusion of said second flexible element.

4) The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projections are first projections and second projections which are configured on either side of said third rigid element such that each of the first projections are in-line with each of the second projections.

5) The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projections are first projections and second projections which are configured on either side of said third rigid element such that each of the first projections are spaced at a distance with respect to each of the second projections.