Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Endless conveyor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-29
2001-03-27
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Endless conveyor
C198S501000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206182
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a roller assembly for a belt conveyor and, more specifically, it provides a unitary co-injected annular seal which has a first labyrinth seal portion and a contact seal portion composed of a different material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In connection with belt conveyors as used in mining and other industries, it has been known to provide a fixed shaft having an idler roller rotatably mounted with respect thereto and an interposed bearing which facilitates the relative rotation. See, generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,984,160, 4,972,939, 5,188,214, 5,261,528, and 5,383,549.
It has also been known to provide labyrinth seals in idler rollers for conveyors. See, generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,277,114, 4,919,253, 5,028,054 and 5,046,869.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,025,917 and 5,074,408 disclose conveyor roller tubes for belt conveyors which have a bearing interposed between the housing and end cover, a labyrinth seal, and a separate additional seal element disposed adjacent to the bearing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,600 discloses a journal bearing with a dust seal wherein a deformable sealing ring in the form of a separate lip member is provided adjacent to a labyrinth seal and has one end received within a preformed groove.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,253 discloses a bearing lubrication system for an idler roller assembly for conveyors wherein a labyrinth seal, a bearing, and a felt seal are provided. See, also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,972,939, 5,188,214 and 5,261,528.
In spite of the foregoing known systems, there remains a need for an idler roller seal wherein the advantageous use of co-injection may be employed to provide a labyrinth seal of a first material integrally formed with a wiper or contact seal composed of a more flexible material which may be employed in an otherwise conventional idler roller construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has met the above-described need by providing an idler roller assembly for a belt conveyor wherein a fixed shaft is operatively associated with a roller mounted for rotation about the shaft. A housing mounted at an end of the roller for rotation therewith cooperates with a hub secured at or adjacent an end of the shaft. A bearing has an inner race secured to the shaft and an outer race secured to the housing. A unitary co-injected annular seal has a first labyrinth seal portion and a contact seal portion composed of a different material than the first labyrinth seal portion. A second labyrinth seal portion cooperates with the first labyrinth seal portion to provide a labyrinth seal. The contact seal portion is preferably made from a resiliently deformable material which may be positioned at an annular radially outwardly disposed portion of the first labyrinth seal or a radially inwardly disposed portion thereof.
Various configurations of the contact seal and its cooperation with different portions of the adjacent hub may be employed.
In general, the idler roller will have housings and hubs along with the associated bearings and the co-injected seal of the present invention at each end.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an idler roller assembly for a belt conveyor wherein a unitary co-injected annular seal provides the desired structure and properties in a first labyrinth seal portion and a contact seal portion composed of a different material than the first labyrinth seal portion.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a roller assembly construction wherein the first labyrinth seal portion is composed of a more rigid material than the contact seal portion.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a unitary seal which is in part a labyrinth seal portion and a resiliently deformable contact seal portion.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a unitary seal construction which is adapted to be employed with conventional idler roller assemblies.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a co-injected seal construction wherein various configurations of the contact seal portion may be employed so as to enhance desired properties in the idler roller assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an idler roller which facilitates equalizing the grease pressure in the labyrinth to provide for more efficient operation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a first labyrinth seal and a resiliently deformable contact seal which resists ingress of contaminants.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a first labyrinth seal and a resiliently deformable contact seal which allows for the purging of contaminants, when it is desirable, by means of grease flowing to the outside of the seal through the labyrinth and contact seal portions.
These and other objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the invention on reference to the illustrations appended hereto.
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Knapick James D.
Wilson Craig M.
CWA, Inc.
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott , LLC
Ellis Christopher P.
Sharma Rashmi
Silverman Arnold B.
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