[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bearing assemblies.
[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to the field of large size bearings,
for example large-diameter rolling bearings adapted to be used in wind turbines.
[0003] Rolling bearings comprise generally two rings and rolling elements interposed between
these rings. For protecting the space where the rolling elements are placed, seals,
made from synthetic materials such as elastomeric or thermoplastic materials, are
interposed between the rings. An example of an annular dedicated to be mounted in
a large size rolling bearing is shown in
WO 2011/050837 A1. The mounting of the seals between the rings induces difficulties due to the rigidity
of the seals. In order to soften and reduce the rigidity of the seals, it is current
to heat the seals with a warm air flow issued from a hot air blower which is carried
by an operator. Such a solution is not satisfying because it is difficult to obtain
a controlled temperature of the seals and because there is a risk of overheating of
the seals.
[0004] One aim of the present invention is to facilitate the heating and the mounting of
seals between rings of bearings.
[0005] In one embodiment, it is proposed a heating device for heating a seal having to be
placed between rings of a bearing.
[0006] This heating device comprises two longitudinal parts able to be moved relative to
each other between a closed position in which a longitudinal channel is formed there
between for being transverse longitudinally by said seal and an open position in which
said seal can be introduced in and removed out of said channel, at least one of the
said longitudinal part carrying heating means for heating the portion of the seal
extending in said channel.
[0007] According to the invention, said longitudinal parts comprise:
half longitudinal internal bodies which form there between said longitudinal channel
in said close position ;
half longitudinal external fairings surrounding said half longitudinal internal bodies,
the half longitudinal internal bodies carrying heating means for heating the portion
of the seal extending in said channel ; and
end flanges for fixing together, respectively, half longitudinal internal bodies and
half longitudinal external fairing, said end flanges forming opposed end apertures
at the ends of the longitudinal channel.
[0008] The said longitudinal parts can be provided with articulating means having a longitudinal
rotation axis and are provided with locking means for maintaining the said longitudinal
parts in the said close position.
[0009] The heating means can comprise at least a longitudinal elongated element including
at least an electrical resistance.
[0010] The heating means can comprise at least one longitudinal elongated element inserted
in a longitudinal hole of at least one of the half longitudinal internal bodies.
[0011] The heating device can comprise guiding protuberances able to cooperate with the
bearing for guiding the heating device along a circumferential path.
[0012] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by studying a
heating device and its using, given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated
by the appended drawings on which:
- Figure 1 is a top view of a heating device, in a closed position, installed on a bearing;
- Figure 2 is a radial cross-section of figure 1 referenced on figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the heating device, referenced on figure 1,
in a closed position;
- Figure 4 is a radial cross-section of the heating device referenced on figure 3, in
a closed position;
- Figure 5 is an end view of the heating device referenced on figure 3, in an open position;
and
- Figure 6 is a perspective exploded view of the heating device.
[0013] As illustrated on figures 1 and 2, a heating device 1 is intended to heat an annular
seal 2, this seal 2 being provided with lips and having to be mounted between an internal
ring 3 and an external ring 4 of a bearing assembly 5. For example, the bearing assembly
5 comprises at least a row 6 of rolling elements, such as balls, interposed between
annular raceways of the rings 3 and 4, the seal 2 being intended to be mounted in
an annular location 7 provided at an annular end portion of the space 8 between the
ring 3 and 4, in which the rolling elements 6 move.
[0014] As illustrated more particularly on figures 3, 4, 5 and 6, the heating device 1 comprises
two half longitudinal elongated parts 10 and 11.
[0015] The longitudinal elongated parts 10 and 11 comprise respectively half tubular longitudinal
inner bodies 12 and 13, formed as half cylinders, and half longitudinal tubular outer
fairings 14 and 15, formed as half cylinders, recovering the half tubular longitudinal
inner bodies 12 and 13.
[0016] The half tubular longitudinal inner bodies 12 and 13 are divided in two successive
portions 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b, aligned longitudinally, which are respectively connected
by longitudinal ankles 17 and 18 (figure 6).
[0017] The longitudinal parts 10 and 11 comprise further half radial end flanges 19, 20
and 21, 22, formed as half crowns, which are provided at the opposed ends of the inner
bodies 12 and 13 and the outer fairings 14 and 15.
[0018] The half radial end flanges 19, 20 and 21, 22 comprise edges 19a, 20a and 21a, 22a,
which extend over the outer faces of the outer fairings 14 and 15. Longitudinal mounting
screws 23, 24 and 25, 26 are provided through the end flanges 19, 20 and 21, 22 and
are screwed in the opposed end portions of the portions 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b, of
the inner bodies 12 and 13.
[0019] When the two longitudinal parts 10 and 11 are in a close position (figures 1-4),
in which the heating device 1 is in the form of an elongated cylinder, the half longitudinal
inner bodies 12 and 13 form a longitudinal central channel 27 between them and the
opposed half end flanges 19, 20 and 21, 22 form opposed end apertures 28 and 29 between
them, at the ends of the longitudinal channel 27.
[0020] The longitudinal parts 10 and 11 are provided with a pair of articulating means 30,
which are longitudinally spaced apart and which comprise respectively pairs of projecting
lugs 31 and 32 respectively on the outer fairings 14 and 15 and longitudinal axles
33 which transverse the lugs 31 et 32.
[0021] By these articulating means, the longitudinal parts 10 and 11 can be pivoted between
the said close position (figures 1-4) and an open position (figure 5) in which the
longitudinal parts 10 and 11 are spaced apart, such that the channel 27 and the apertures
28 and 29 are opened.
[0022] The longitudinal parts 10 and 11 are also provided with a pair of locking means 34
for maintaining them in said close position. The locking means 34 are spaced apart
longitudinally and are located at a position diametrically opposed to the articulating
means 30.
[0023] The locking means 34 comprise respectively pairs of projecting lugs 35 and 36 respectively
on the outer fairings 14 and 15, which respectively come one on the other in the said
close position, and comprise threaded rods 37 articulated on the lugs 35 through longitudinal
axle 38.
[0024] The rods 37 can be pivoted between locking positions (figures 1-4) in which the rods
37 are introduced in slots 39 of the lugs 36 and released positions (figure 5) in
which the rods 37 are out of the slots 39. The rods 37 carry rings 40, nuts 41 and
springs 42 between the rings and the nuts. In the locking position, the nuts 41 apply
the ring 40 on the lugs 36 through the springs 42, so as to maintain the heating device
1 in the said close position.
[0025] The heating device 1 comprises further elongated longitudinal heating elements 43,
44, 45 and 46, respectively inserted in longitudinal holes 47, 48, 49 and 50 of the
longitudinal portions 12a, 12b and 13a, 13b of the longitudinal inner bodies 12 and
13. The longitudinal holes 47 and 48 are aligned, the longitudinal holes 49 and 50
are aligned, the longitudinal holes 47 and 49 are diametrically opposed and the longitudinal
holes 48 and 50 are diametrically opposed.
[0026] The heating elements 43, 44, 45 and 46, which include electrical resistances, are
connected to a common connector 51, via electrical wires 43a, 44a, 45a and 46a, which
is placed in a lateral projecting chamber 52 of the outer fairing 15. The connector
51 is connected to a feeding wire 53 connected to an electrical source (not shown).
When the heating elements 43, 44, 45 and 46 are connected to the electrical source,
the produced heat is transferred to the longitudinal inner bodies 12 and 13, such
that the temperature of these bodies 12 and 13 is controlled and substantially homogenous.
[0027] The outer fairing 14 is provided with projecting radial guiding rods 54 and 55 which
are longitudinally spaced apart. The rods 54 and 55 are provided with collar 56 and
57 such that the end portions of the rods 54 and 55 are free.
[0028] The heating device 1 can be used as following.
[0029] As illustrated on figures 1 and 2, an operator places the heating device 1 on the
bearing 5, with the end portions of the guiding rods 54 and 55 introduced in the space
8 between the rings 3 and 4 and the collar 56 and 57 abutting external annular radial
surfaces 59 and 60 of the rings 3 and 4. So, the heating device 1 extends in a parallel
position and at a distance of the radial face of the bearing 5.
[0030] The operator places the heating device 1 in its open position previously mentioned
(Figure 6).
[0031] The operator introduces a portion of the annular seal 2, longitudinally, between
the half longitudinal elongated parts 10 and 11.
[0032] The operator brings closer the half longitudinal elongated parts 10 and 11 to the
close position previously mentioned and places the blocking means 34 in blocking position
(Figure 1-4).
[0033] So, the portion of the annular seal 2 extends longitudinally and freely in the channel
27 and through the end apertures 28 and 29.
[0034] The portion of the annular seal 2 is heated by the heat of the bodies 12 and 13 including
the heating elements 43, 44, 45 and 46, such that the rigidity of this portion is
decreasing. As the temperature in the channel 27 is controlled and homogenous, the
heating of the portion of the seal 2 extending in the channel 27 is controlled and
homogenous.
[0035] The operator moves the heating device 1 circumferentially along the space 8 of the
bearing 5, the heating device 1 being guided by the guiding rods 54 and 55 engaged
in the circumferential edge portion of the space 8 between the rings 3 and 4.
[0036] As the moving of the heating device 1, the seal 2 slides longitudinally in the channel
27 and portions of the annular seal 2 are heated. The operator introduces successively
or continuously heated portions of the annular seal 2 into the space 8 of the bearing
5, to the location 7.
[0037] At the end of the heating operations, the operator can open the heating device 1,
extract the portion of the seal 2 from the heating device 1 and remove the heating
device 1 for finishing the installation of the annular seal 2 in the location 7.
[0038] The present invention is illustrated by the description of an application of a heating
device for heating an annular seal having to be mounted in a bearing including one
or several rows of rolling elements. The present invention can also be applied to
plain bearings.
1. A heating device for heating an annular seal dedicated to be placed between rings
of a bearing, comprising two longitudinal parts (10, 11) able to be moved relative
to each other between a closed position in which a longitudinal channel (27) is formed
there between for being transverse longitudinally by a portion of said seal, and an
open position in which a portion of said seal can be introduced in and removed out
of said channel
characterized in that said longitudinal parts (10, 11) comprise:
half longitudinal internal bodies (12, 13) which form there between said longitudinal
channel (27) in said close position ;
half longitudinal external fairings (14, 15) surrounding said half longitudinal internal
bodies, the half longitudinal internal bodies carrying heating means (43, 46) for
heating the portion of the seal extending in said channel ; and
end flanges (19-22) for fixing together, respectively, half longitudinal internal
bodies (12, 13) and half longitudinal external fairings (14, 15), said end flanges
(19-22) forming opposed end apertures (28, 29) at the ends of the longitudinal channel
(27).
2. Device according to claim 1, in which the said longitudinal parts (10, 11) are provided
with articulating means (30) having a longitudinal rotation axis and are provided
with locking means (30) for maintaining the said longitudinal parts in the said close
position.
3. Device according to anyone of claims 1 or 2, in which the heating means comprise at
least a longitudinal elongated element (43-46) including at least an electrical resistance.
4. Device according to anyone of preceding claims, in which the heating means comprise
at least one longitudinal elongated element (43-46) inserted in a longitudinal hole
(47-50) of at least one of the half longitudinal internal bodies.
5. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising guiding protuberances
(54, 55) able to cooperate with the bearing for guiding the heating device along a
circumferential path.
1. Heizungsvorrichtung zur Erwärmung einer Ringdichtung, die zwischen Ringen eines Lagers
platziert werden soll, umfassend zwei Längsteile (10, 11), die bezüglich einander
zwischen einer geschlossenen Position, in der ein Längskanal (27) dahingehend dazwischen
gebildet ist, von einem Teil der Dichtung in Längsrichtung durchquert zu werden, und
einer geöffneten Position, in der ein Teil der Dichtung in den Kanal eingeführt und
daraus entfernt werden kann, bewegt werden können,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Längsteile (10, 11) Folgendes umfassen:
Innenlängshalbkörper (12, 13), die in der geschlossenen Position dazwischen den Längskanal
(27) bilden;
Außenlängshalbverkleidungen (14, 15), die die Innenlängshalbkörper umgeben, wobei
die Innenlängshalbkörper Erwärmungsmittel (43, 46) zur Erwärmung des sich in dem Kanal
erstreckenden Abschnitts der Dichtung tragen; und
Endflansche (19-22) zum jeweiligen Aneinanderbefestigen der Innenlängshalbkörper (12,
13) und der Außenlängshalbverkleidungen (14, 15), wobei die Endflansche (19-22) gegenüberliegende
Endöffnungen (28, 29) an den Enden des Längskanals (27) bilden.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Längsteile (10, 11) mit Gelenkmitteln (30)
versehen sind, die eine Längsdrehachse aufweisen und mit Verriegelungsmitteln (30)
zum Halten der Längsteile in der geschlossenen Position versehen sind.
3. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2, wobei die Heizungsmittel mindestens
ein langgestrecktes Längselement (43-46) umfassen, das mindestens einen elektrischen
Widerstand aufweist.
4. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Heizmittel mindestens
ein langgestrecktes Längselement (43-46) umfassen, das in einem Längsloch (47-50)
mindestens eines der Innenlängshalbkörper eingeführt ist.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die Führungsvorsprünge (54, 55)
umfasst, welche mit dem Lager zum Führen der Heizungsvorrichtung entlang einem Umfangsweg
zusammenwirken können.
1. Dispositif de chauffage pour chauffer un joint annulaire prévu pour être placé entre
des bagues d'un palier, comprenant deux parties longitudinales (10, 11) pouvant être
déplacées l'une par rapport à l'autre entre une position fermée dans laquelle un canal
longitudinal (27) est formé entre elles de manière à être traversé longitudinalement
par une portion dudit joint, et une position ouverte dans laquelle une portion dudit
joint peut être introduite dans ledit canal et retirée dudit canal,
caractérisé en ce que lesdites parties longitudinales (10, 11) comprennent :
des demi-corps internes longitudinaux (12, 13) qui forment entre eux ledit canal longitudinal
(27) dans ladite position fermée ;
des demi-profilés externes longitudinaux (14, 15) entourant lesdits demi-corps internes
longitudinaux, les demi-corps internes longitudinaux portant des moyens de chauffage
(43, 46) pour chauffer la portion du joint s'étendant dans ledit canal ; et
des brides d'extrémité (19-22) pour fixer ensemble respectivement les demi-corps internes
longitudinaux (12, 13) et les demi-profilés externes longitudinaux (14, 15), lesdites
brides d'extrémité (19-22) formant des ouvertures d'extrémité opposées (28, 29) au
niveau des extrémités du canal longitudinal (27).
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdites parties longitudinales (10,
11) sont pourvues de moyens d'articulation (30) ayant un axe de rotation longitudinal
et sont pourvues de moyens de verrouillage (30) pour maintenir lesdites parties longitudinales
dans ladite position fermée.
3. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 2, dans lequel les moyens
de chauffage comprennent au moins un élément allongé longitudinal (43-46) comportant
au moins une résistance électrique.
4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les
moyens de chauffage comprennent au moins un élément allongé longitudinal (43-46) inséré
dans un trou longitudinal (47-50) d'au moins l'un des demi-corps internes longitudinaux.
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant des protubérances
de guidage (54, 55) aptes à coopérer avec le palier pour guider le dispositif de chauffage
le long d'une trajectoire circonférentielle.