US2573735A - Wheel and axle seal - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1951 H. w. SANFORD ET AL 2,573,735

WHEEL. AND AXLE SEAL Filed Jan. 5, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov- 6, 1 51 H. w. SANFORD ET AL WHEEL AND AXLE SEAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1946 awe/M014.

Nov. 6, 1951 Filed Jan. 3, 1946 H. W. SANFORD ET AL WHEEL AND AXLE SEAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zlwumwtom,

Patented Nov. 6, 1951 TWHEEIYAND AXLEL'SEAL HughlW. Sanford-and John Frank Baker, Knoxville,l'1enn., assignors to The Sanford Investment .Company,.'Wi1mington, Del., a corporation" of'Delaware' .;ApplicationJanua1-y-3, 1946, Serial No. 638,822

This inventionwrelatesi tolwheel and axleseals,

an'd'mmore particularly to a sealing; device :i'or cl sing 3 the space. between-the. wheel .bearing and the axle on which it is journaled, particularly for such wheels. as. are adaptedrtonuse inmine cars and the'like; v I

jIn mine cars .of.' the ..type whenelthe side. sills are spaced very far apart lso. as. to. leave little clearance between the wheelliand the ..adjacent. side -sill, v difficulties have been ,encfiuntere'dlin the. l

sealing oi thebearing assembly, especiallywhere the car is used in a" mine. in which I a greatideal of water or moisturelis' encountered. ,Innsuch mines, the moistureor water absorbs .dirtfland forms a muck which getsli'nto 'the. space between the cap at"then'ear 'ofthe wheel and the.

vertical wall of the 'carnsilli Where the wheelf'iss0 mounted that-the distance between the cap 7 and the adjacent sill-is very"short;;this wheel" has a transverse motion relative to'the sill'of approximately one-quarter inch. Consequently, when the muck-gets down 'between-the cap'and' the sill, the""pressure' of 1 the end thrust *of",the

wheel' 'towar'd the sill tendstosqueeze the muck into "the "crack between the collar" on the A axle and'zthelcap'on therear-"face -df'the whee'li When this -m1ick: findsits' way into' the" felt packing usually provided, it causes the packing to become :hard whencdr'ys' andi thereafter to he less effective for seaiingirpurposea andl moreover the grit rand-dirt present in #t'he muck tends F to cause the felt'to'zbertorniip :andrlestroyed:

This was: true even :of the packing set forth in thei'prior'patent of. HughW: Sanford, granted' October: '23; I945; No; 5231879301? iIn suchcon struction, there was '1. no" effective metal seal at the inner .face1 of: the: feltawhich 2 woul'di' prevent the entrance ofmuck: inter-the fflti that: would cause-i damage: thereto:

tive.to exclude-the z'muck and moisture:

'A-sl-eather'washert oven the-grace of the-:felt probablyawouldxnot :bereffece- The object rof cth-isrinventione is: to improve the construction 'of ithe-z seal for the -hearings at: the

innenface of wthewheel. by providingaasealahe tween 7 theewheelaandtthe; axles whichi will more effectively excludeethelmuckuandtmoisturetfrom= the;fieltlthatior nse.thesprimary seal.fonthe bear.-

close the felt packinghy a'inetalp'ortion, flange or ring .in such manner as tooverlap the can between the hub capand the axle collar tofonn a positive obstruction or labyrinth againstithe ,admission of muck to the sealing element. LB}! thus enclosing the sealin element within-amet'al wall at the side whereqthemuck normally would enter, thelatter isvirtuallyexcluded from-finding access to the packing l e1ement,- whereby the latter is protected andmaintainedin. servicetfor providing an efiective packing between the =-whee1= and axle atthe inner sidevof thebearings- The invention may be embodied in difierent:

forms, several of which =are.illustrated infithetaccompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 isla half.sectionthrougha-car wheel:

journale'd on an axle which latter is .shown in;

elevation, .and illustrating one embodiment :of this seal; and

Figs. 2 to :7 are detail vertical sectional 'views showingother formsof the seal asmodifiedtembodiments ofltheinvention.

Referringlto Fig..l',lan;axle is designated-Lgenerally by the numeral .l, .provided with an axle journal 2, terminating at its. outer end. ina.- reducedjournal portion '3. k the reduced portiona3'is externally screw-thread-' ed at 4 to receive thereon a-nut 5 adapted; to be adjusted and locked iniplace by a. cotterpin 6.

Surrounding the axle ll is alwheel whichzis. ill-v lustratedLasa car wheelwprovidedawithla tread- I and. hub .8 connected together integrally -by-a webor spokes.9. The innerend-lof thehub 81s initially open,.ebut the outer end. (toward .the outer side .of ithe wheel) is closed by an integral bricantemayvbe introduced into the hubnof the wheel. .for lubricatin the. bearings therein.

The hubv8 surrounds-the journatportionsi and 3 'Df thBTaIXIeQaHd-iS journaled thereon by two;

sets of anti-friction bearings l2 and 13, which are shown as hall bearings; and these are spaced apartaxiall y ofnt'he hubltoward'the inner and outer. sides of the. wheel. However, one-way end-thrust roller-bearmgsmay hev used instead of,hal1 bearings;1if desired;

The, set. of.flball bearings I 21 is provided with' anz Y axlrace .IA gandla hubirace l5 fittedirespectively 1 one the ,axle journalif'land within-.the wheel huh 50 8. The set'of anti-friction bearings l'3'is'provided The extreme end 70L end .wall 1.0; which ,isiprovidedwith an orifice which aliplugl. H v is fitted and through which 1 1-- with an axle race l6 and a hub race |1 fitted respectively upon the axle journal portion 3 and within the wheel hub 8.

Although the hub race 1 is not confined axially by the wheel hub, the axle race I6 is confined at one side by the nut 5. The axle races l4 and I6 are confined at their opposed sides by spacing means generally designated at IS. A lubricant chamber I9 is formed between the spaced bearings l2 and I3. The hub race I is confined at one side by abutting against a shoulder |8 in the hub 8.

The hub race I5 is held in clamped relation against the shoulder l8 by a pressure ring 2| which telescopes into the inner end of the hub 8 in pressure relation, although not abutting in the form shown, with the hub race l5. edge of the pressure ring 2| projects from the inner end of the hub in positionto receive there-- against a retaining hub cap generally. indicated at 22 that surrounds the inner end of the hub.

Theopposite 4 the flange 29, so as to press the felt resiliently against the flange which would tend to cause the felt to work its way inwardly toward the axle collar as wear takes place on the felt.

The felt or packing ring 21 is so disposed between the rotatable wheel and the stationary axle collar 24 as to exclude dirt and foreign matter from the wheel bearings. At the same time, this felt or packing ring is confined on its inner side by a metal flange 29, extending over substantially the entire inner face thereof in overlapping relation with the crack 26 as to exclude muck from the felt and thus protect it from the destructive effect of the muck and other foreign matter. There is no tendency for the felt to rub against the shoulder on the axle collar as the Wheel revolves; which would have a destructive effect on the felt.

This cap 22 forms a closure cap or ring at least In this form, the axle collar 34 has its flange 35 generally indicated at 3| has laterally and inwardly inclined flange 39, which parts are so shaped as to be capable of stamping from heavy sheet metal in forming the ring instead of the .machined ring disclosed above.

the peripheral portion of .the cap 22 and through the web or spokes .of the wheel, to provide for the application of pressure to the ring 2| sufficiently.

to apply a clamping action .to the hub race [5 in thewheel hub.

The structure as described above is similar.

generally to that set forthin the prior patent to Moore, No. 2,112,859, granted April 5, 1938,v v

.Provision is made for sealing the inner end of the hub to confine lubricant therein within the l lubricant chamber l9 that surroundsthe axle between the bearings l2 and I3. For this purpose,-

The axle comer 24 is concentric with the pressure ring 2| and has a radially surrounding flange 25 extending toward the periphery-of the opening in the center of the hub cap 22in a transverse vertical planepassing through the center portion of {said cap with a, relatively narrow crack generally indicated at 26 therebetween.

Surrounding the axle collar 24 and between said collar and the pressure ring 2|, is a packing ring 21,,preferably formed of felt or other suitable packing material. This packing ring 21 is confined on one side by a washer 28 which is interposed between the pressure ring 2| and the hub race |5 and clamped. therebetween s as to rotate with the wheel. At its opposite side, the packing ring 21 is confined by an integral flange 29 formed the felt or packing ring 21 is confined between the metal flange 29 and the metal washer 28 both rigid with the wheel, so as to rotate therewith, whereby the packing ring will have a frictional bearing only at its edge which bears on the axle collar. The washer .28 may be made sufliciently thin andresilient, so as t bend when;

thefelt is packed tight between this Washer and The packing 31 is enclosed between the flange 39 and a washer 38 which isJaterally offset to provide a spring action yieldably pressing the packing ring 31 toward the inclined flange 39 t increase the tendency to press the packing inwardly to take up.

for wear.

In this form, the axle collar 34 has it flange 35 spaced from the vertical plane through the inner edge of the hub cap 32, although this relation may be varied according to the lateral disposition, One of these sills is of the side SiHSeOf the car. indicated generally at 30 supported upon the axle and having means connected therewith formounting the car body thereon.

In the further morification shown in Fig. 3,

a lighter stamped pressurering is-shown generally at 4| but used in connection with a heavy steel washer 48 for confining the felt packing 41 therebetween. The ring 4| is constructed to-have lateral resiliency acting on the felt packing tending to press the same inwardly.

In Fig. 4, the pressure ring 5| has an internal groove 56 therein to receive the felt packing 51 embraced on opposite sides by flanges 58 and 59 on the ring and which flanges form opposite sides of the groove 56. In this form, the extra washer is not required, inasmuch as the flanges serve to confine opposite sides of the packing ring.

Referring to Fig. 5, the hub cap 62 abuts directly against the hub race of the inner bearing without an intervening pressure ring. Ac-' cordingly, a confining ring BI is Welded to one side of the hub cap 62 to enclose the felt packing 61 at the inner open face of the wheel. The

opposite side of the packing ring 61 is enclosed by a cupped washer 68 which also extends inwardly between the axle race and the axle collar. The form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, has" the pressure ring H reversed with respect to its position in Fig; 1, whereby the washer 18 is disposed at the inner face of the packing ring' 11, while the flange 19 is formed integral with the pressure ring 1| at the outer face of the races.

Because 01? the overlapping relationship c nema tween the rearrliubwcapiandithezshoulder on the axle collar in Figs. 1 and 6,, there is no possibility 11-. kThu's we form a labyrinthin thedesigns shown .'in. fi'igs. 1 and 6. Because of the=nature of1 tl iese two-forms, we can packthis crack- :25 with'a heavy waterproof grease at the time of mounting the wheel; and thus form an added seal againstthe entrance of dirtror: muck.

"Still, another modificationr'isshown iniFig. '7, ingwdiich the felt packing-:81: :isa inserted; into a groove, 85, formed in ther'axle :collar 84. this form, the packing ring remains stationary although bearing against a lateral flange 83 formed on the hub cap 82, so as to seal the crack therebetween.

While the invention is illustrated in different embodiments, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to these specific forms but that it may be employed in many ways within the scope of the claims presented.

We claim:

1. In a hub having an open inner end adapted to receive an axle therein and to be journaled on said axle, a ring arranged at the axial inner end of said hub and having a radially extending inner portion thereof to close said end portion of said hub, a collar adapted to fit about the axle and spaced radially inwardly from said ring, said collar having a portion thereof extending radially outward, a packing ring adjacent the open end of the hub in position to seal the space between said hub and the axle collar, and a metal ring disposed axially laterally of said packing ring in overlapping relation with the outwardly extending portion of the collar and the radially extending portion of the first-mentioned ring in position to prevent the admission of foreign matter into the packing ring.

2. In a wheel including a hub having an open inner end adapted to receive an axle therein to be journaled thereon, a packing ring of fibrous material at the open inner end of the hub in position to seal the hub from the entrance of foreign matter through said open inner end, a closure cap at the inner end of the hub and at least partially closing said open inner end thereof, and a metal ring disposed axially laterally between the packing ring and said closure cap and projecting radially inwardly of the radial inner edge of said closure cap substantially to the inner edge of the packing ring.

3. In a wheel including a hub having a closed end and an opposite open end adapted to receive an axle therein to be j ournaled thereon, a packing ring of fibrous material at the open end of the hub in position to seal the hub from the entrance of foreign matter through said open end, a closure cap at the open end of the hub and at least partially closing said open end thereof, means for detachably connecting the closure cap with the wheel for removal of the wheel from the axle upon detachment of the closure cap therefrom, a pressure ring at one side of the closure cap, and metal ring means connected with said pressure ring and extending radially inwardly on opposite sides of the packing ring, one of said last-mentioned metal ring means being disposed between the packing ring and the closure cap and extending radially inwardly from the inner edge of the closure cap substantially'ito ltherradial: innercedgexofothe packing.

ing'xringiof fibrousrmaterial Rat theopenend of theihub intposition to seal'the hub from the en trance of: foreign matter through saidopenend, a- CIGSHIB Capl atk'the open end of the hub and at least partiallys'closingsaid open. end thereof, meansaforcdetachablyazconnecting the closure cap with iithe wheel for removal of the wheel from the axle upon detachment of the closure cap therefrom, and a pressure ring interposed be- 15; tweem the closurecap: and .the interior of: the

hub radially outwardly of the packing ring said pressure ring having an integral metal flange extending radially inwardly beyond the inner edge of the closure cap substantially to the radial inner edge of the packing ring to prevent the admission of foreign matter thereto.

5. The combination of a wheel having a hub adapted for rotatably encircling an axle and to be journaled thereon, said hub having a closed end and opposite open end, a closure cap connected with the wheel and extending inwardly toward the axis of the hub in overlapping relation with the open end of the hub at least partially closing said open end, means for detachably connecting the closure cap with the wheel for removal of the wheel from the axle upon detachment of the closure cap therefrom, a pressure ring at the open end of the hub and interposed between said closure cap and the interior of the hub, a packing ring of fibrous material radially inwardly of the pressure ring in position to seal the space between said pressure ring and an axle collar, said pressure ring having an integral metal flange thereon extending radially inwardly between said packing ring and the cap beyond the inner edge of said closure cap and substantially to the inner diameter thereof.

6. In a wheel including a hub having an open inner end adapted to receive an axle therein, a packing ring of fibrous material adjacent the open inner end of the hub in position to seal the hub against the entrance of foreign matter thereinto, a pressure ring having spaced opposite sides and an inner face toward the axis of the hub between the sides embracing and enclosing the packing ring with said sides extending radially inwardly substantially to the radial inner edge of the packing ring, and means for anchoring said pressure ring rigidly to the hub to rotate therewith.

'7. In a wheel including a hub having an open inner end adapted to receive an axle therein, a

packing ring of fibrous material adjacent the open inner end of the hub in position to seal the hub against the entrance of foreign matter thereinto, a pressure ring having spaced opposite sides and an inner face toward the axis of the hub between the sides embracing and enclosing the packing ring with said sides extending radially inwardly substantially to the radial inner edge of the packing ring, said sides and face being constructed in one integral piece in rigid relation to each other, and a closure cap secured to the inner end of the hub and anchoring the pressure ring thereto.

' 8. In a wheel including ahub having a closed end and an opposite open end adapted to receive an axle therein, a packing ring of fibrous material at the open end of the hub in position Intaiwheel includingra' hub having aiclosed. en'dian'dians opposite: :open endi adapted: to receive ansaxlezthereinit'ocbe :journaledthereon, a pack- 7 to seal the hub against the entrance of foreign matter through said open end, a closure cap at the open end of the hub and at least partially closing said open end thereof, and a pressure ring interposed between the closure cap and the 5 the interior of the hub with a metal flange thereon extending radially inwardly in overlapping relation with the packing ring, said flange being of yieldable material and arranged to bear yieldably against a side of the packing ring. 10

HUGH W. SANFORD. JOHN FRANK BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15 file of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Buckwalter Jan. 4 ,1921 Gurney Apr. 14, 1925 Taylor July 3, 1928 Scribner Feb. 25, 1930 Brouwer May 15, 1934 Okner et a1 Aug. 25, 1936 Sanford Mar. 2, 1943 Sanford Oct. 23, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden 1886 Germany 1935 Great Britain 1939

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