Patent ID: 6126321
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A shaft and bearing assembly for supporting a structure for relative rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the shaft having a free end, a shoulder spaced from the free end, and a journal of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the shoulder and extending from the free end toward the shoulder and terminating in a contoured fillet leading to the shoulder, a backing ring fitted around the journal at the fillet, the backing ring including a first axially extending counterbore receiving the shaft shoulder in interference relation and a second axially extending counterbore directed toward the shaft free end and providing a first substantially radially extending annular abutment surface directed toward said free end, an end cap member mounted on the shaft free end providing a second abutment surface directed toward said shoulder, and a bearing assembly mounted on the journal between the first and second abutment surfaces, the bearing assembly including a bearing cup having a pair of axially spaced outer bearing races presented inwardly toward the shaft axis, first and second bearing cones mounted on said journal in interference relation therewith, said bearing cones each having a generally radially extending end face and an inner bearing race presented outwardly one toward each of the outer bearing races, two rows of rolling elements arranged one between each inner race and the opposing outer race, a first annular seal wear ring mounted adjacent said free end and having opposed ends one abutting the second abutment surface and the other abutting said first bearing cone end face, and a second annular seal wear ring interposed between said backing ring and the second bearing cone, a pair of seals mounted on said bearing cup and cooperating one with each said seal wear ring to close the ends of the annular space between the inner and outer bearing races, a third axially extending counterbore, said third counterbore being formed in the end face of said second bearing cone and terminating in a third abutment surface directed toward and in opposing relation to said first abutment surface, said second annular seal wear ring having a first end received in interference relation in said second counterbore in said backing ring and in abutting relation with said first abutment surface and a second end received in interference relation in said third counterbore and in abutting relation with said third abutment surface, said second annular seal wear ring having an inner surface extending in outwardly spaced relation to said journal surface along the full length of the seal wear ring.