Patent ID: 7972253
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: B22D,F16C

Abstract:
1. A roller arrangement comprising: a rotationally fixed shaft; at least one tubular roller segment rotatably supported on the rotationally fixed shaft by spaced apart bearings positioned adjacent opposite axial ends of the shaft; a space between an inner surface of the least one tubular roller segment and an outer surface of the rotationally fixed shaft; sealing arrangements axially outside each of the bearings to axially seal off the space from atmosphere surrounding the roller arrangement; a bore in the shaft and extending along at least a portion of an axial extent of the shaft, the bore possessing an open end that is open to atmosphere surrounding the roller arrangement, a passage communicating the bore with the space that is axially sealed off from atmosphere surrounding the roller arrangement; and a flexible member in the bore of the shaft arranged to extend across the passage and having an open end which communicates an interior of the flexible member with atmosphere surrounding the roller arrangement, wherein the flexible member prevents communication of the passage with atmosphere surrounding the roller arrangement.