Double-disc labyrinth face seal

摘要

Double-disc labyrinth face seals 1 of this kind are used to seal off grease-lubricated bearings with axial play, such as those in wheel set bearing arrangements of rail vehicles. The procedure has hitherto been to have the individual double-disc rings 2 rest with a clamping force against the bearing housing 3, the grooves 4 in the seal carrier 5 being of a width which takes into account the axial play of the bearing arrangement. In order to avoid a situation where, under extreme operating conditions such as, for example, very low temperatures, the lubricating grease overcomes the holding torque of the double-disc rings 2, brought about by their clamping force, due to its viscosity and thus takes them along in rotation, in which case they cut into the mating surface 6, the double-disc rings 2 are fitted under a very low prestress and are a sliding fit with the mating surfaces 6. <IMAGE>