Patent ID: 6334616
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: F16J

Abstract:
A rotational apparatus, comprising:a hub having a central axis, a bore, an annular recess formed in the bore, and an axial end; a shaft mounted in the hub concentric with the axis, the hub and the shaft being rotatable relative to each other; one or more bearings mounted between the shaft and the hub; a ferrofluid seal mounted axially outboard of all of said one or more bearings between the shaft and the hub for sealing all of said one or more bearings in the hub, the ferrofluid seal containing ferrofluid; a solid ferrofluid cap mounted in the annular recess in the bore of the hub axially outboard of the ferrofluid seal and all of said one or more bearings for sealing the ferrofluid in the hub, the cap comprising a circular disc with an outer circumferential edge and an axial hole that is free of contact with the shaft; and an elastomeric seal mounted to the outer circumferential edge of the ferrofluid cap for engaging the annular recess in the bore of the hub to form a seal.