Patent ID: 8002473

Claim:
A low-friction sealed connection between a crankshaft and a journal, comprising: said crankshaft having a cylindrical surface; a split ring bearing assembly including a first bearing part and a second bearing part that when joined encircle the cylindrical surface, each bearing part having a plurality of bearing elements adapted to bear upon the cylindrical surface of the crankshaft; a first split ring seal assembly and a second split ring seal assembly, each including a first seal part and a second seal part that when joined encircle and sealingly contact with the cylindrical surface of the crankshaft, said first split ring seal assembly being installed on one side of the split bearing assembly and the second split ring seal assembly being installed on the other side of the split bearing assembly; first and second split retaining rings that extend into grooves provided in the first and second split ring seal assemblies to retain the seal assemblies; said journal including a first journal half having a cylindrical recess for receiving the crankshaft and a second journal half to capture the crankshaft in the cylindrical recess of the first journal half so that the bearing elements of the split ring bearing assembly bear upon the journal and the first and second split ring seal assemblies sealingly contact with the first journal half and the second journal half.