U.S. patent application number 10/750725 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for trunnion assembly.
Invention is credited to Swisher, James A..
Application Number | 20050146096 10/750725 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711317 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050146096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Swisher, James A. |
July 7, 2005 |
Trunnion assembly
Abstract
A trunnion assembly for the paddle shaft of a mortar mixer
including a substantially cylindrical drum having end plates
includes a housing, having an interior space defined by an interior
surface around the shaft. A first seal is located adjacent the end
plate and is positioned around the shaft and is mounted between
such shaft and the interior surface. A second seal is spaced
outwardly from the first seal and positioned around the shaft
between the shaft and the affixed interior surface. The first and
second seals partition a portion of the interior space to define a
first chamber for carrying grease. The second seal is spaced away
from a shaft bearing to partition a second portion of the interior
space to define a second chamber for carrying grease which forms a
positive seal to prevent contaminated grease from entering the
bearing when the first chamber is purged of contaminated
grease.
Inventors: |
Swisher, James A.;
(Jacksonville, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Arthur G. Yeager, P.A.
245-1 East Adams Street
Jacksonville
FL
32202-3336
US
|
Family ID: |
34711317 |
Appl. No.: |
10/750725 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
277/562 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16J 15/324 20130101;
F16J 15/3232 20130101; F16J 15/002 20130101; B28C 5/0818 20130101;
F16C 33/76 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/562 |
International
Class: |
F16J 015/32 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters
Patent of the United States is:
1. A trunnion assembly for a mortar mixer including a substantially
cylindrical drum having end plates and an elongate paddle shaft
mounted horizontally and extending into a bearing through each drum
end plate into a bearing carried by said trunnion assembly, said
trunnion assembly comprising a housing, said housing having an
interior space defined by an interior surface around such shaft, a
first seal means adjacent an end plate and positioned around such
shaft, first mounting means for affixing said first seal means
between such shaft and said interior surface, a second seal means
spaced outwardly from said first seal and positioned around such
shaft, second mounting means for affixing said second seal between
such shaft and said interior surface, said first and second seal
means partitioning a portion of said interior space to define a
first chamber for carrying grease, said second seal means being
spaced away from a shaft bearing to partition a second portion of
said interior space to define a second chamber for carrying grease,
said housing including a first grease passageway for providing
grease into said first chamber and a second grease passageway
spaced away from said first grease passageway for providing grease
into said second chamber.
2. The trunnion assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first
seal means includes a plurality of resilient seal elements, each
said seal element having one end portion in contact with such
shaft.
3. The trunnion assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said second
seal means includes a single resilient seal element, said single
seal element having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
4. The trunnion assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said second
seal means includes a resilient seal element, said seal element
having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
5. (canceled)
6. A pair of trunnion assemblies for the paddle shaft of a mortar
mixer including a substantially cylindrical drum having end plates,
each said trunnion assembly comprising a housing, said housing
having an interior space defined by an interior surface around such
shaft, a first seal means adjacent an end plate and positioned
around such shaft, first mounting means for affixing said first
seal means between such shaft and said interior surface, a second
seal means spaced outwardly from said first seal and positioned
around such shaft, second mounting means for affixing said second
seal between such shaft and said interior surface, said first and
second seal means partitioning a portion of said interior space to
define a first chamber for carrying grease, said second seal means
being spaced away from a shaft bearing to partition a second
portion of said interior space to define a second chamber for
carrying grease, each said housing including a pair of spaced
grease fittings, a first passageway communicating between one of
said grease fittings and said first chamber and a second passageway
communicating between another said grease fittings and said second
chamber.
7. The trunnion assemblies as defined in claim 6 wherein said first
seal means includes a plurality of resilient seal elements, each
said seal element having one end portion in contact with such
shaft.
8. The trunnion assemblies as defined in claim 7 wherein said
second seal means includes a single resilient seal element, said
single seal element having one end portion in contact with such
shaft.
9. The trunnion assemblies as defined in claim 6 wherein said
second seal means includes a resilient seal element, said seal
element having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
10. (canceled)
11. An improved trunnion assembly that includes a housing including
a first and second end portion and an interior spaced defined by an
interior surface for a shaft and a bearing mounted in said second
end portion for such shaft, the improvement comprising a first seal
means adjacent said first end portion and positioned around such
shaft, said first seal means including at least one first seal
element and mounting means for mounting said at least one seal
element to said interior surface and in contact with such shaft, a
second seal means spaced away from said first seal means including
at least one second seal element and mounting means for mounting
said at least one second seal element to said interior surface and
in contact with such shaft, a portion of said interior space
between said at least one first seal element and said at least one
second seal element defining a first chamber for carrying
lubricating material therein, a portion of said interior space
between said at least one second seal element and a bearing mounted
in said end portion defining a second chamber for carrying
lubricating material therein, said housing including a first grease
fitting and a first passageway communicating between said first
grease fitting and said first chamber and a second grease fitting
spaced away from said first grease fitting and a second passageway
spaced away from said first passageway communicating between said
second grease fitting and said second chamber.
12. The trunnion assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said first
seal means includes a plurality of resilient seal elements, each
said seal element having one end portion in contact with such
shaft.
13. The trunnion assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said
second seal means includes a single resilient seal element, said
single seal element having one end portion in contact with such
shaft.
14. The trunnion assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said
second seal means includes a resilient seal element, said seal
element having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
15. (canceled)
16. Improved trunnion assemblies for a rotatable mixing apparatus,
each trunnion assembly including a housing including a first and
second end portion and an interior space defined by an interior
surface for a shaft and a bearing mounted in said second end
portion for such shaft, the improvement comprising a first seal
means adjacent said first end portion and positioned around such
shaft, said first seal means including at least two first seal
elements and mounting means for mounting each said first seal
element to said interior surface and in contact with such shaft, a
second seal means spaced away from said first seal means including
at least one second seal element and mounting means for mounting
said at least one second seal element to said interior surface and
in contact with such shaft, a portion of said interior space
between said at least one first seal element and said at least one
second seal element defining a first chamber for carrying
lubricating material therein, a portion of said interior space
between said at least one second seal element and a bearing mounted
in said end portion defining a second chamber for carrying
lubricating material therein, each said housing including a pair of
spaced grease fittings and a pair of elongated spaced passageways
respectively connected with said first and second chambers.
17. The trunnion assemblies as defined in claim 16 wherein said
first seal means includes three resilient seal elements, each said
seal element having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
18. The trunnion assemblies as defined in claim 17 wherein said
second seal means includes a single resilient seal element, said
single seal element having one end portion in contact with such
shaft.
19. The trunnion assemblies as defined in claim 16 wherein each
said first seal element includes a resilient member, said member
having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
20. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to seals for trunnions and
particularly to seals for trunnions used in mortar mixing
drums.
[0006] 2. Relevant Art
[0007] Trunnions used in mortar mixing drums employ sealing
apparatus including a single set of resilient seals with lips
biased against the paddle shaft and facing the interior space of
the drum. A single grease chamber is formed by and positioned
outwardly of the set of seal, away from the drum. Conventional
trunnions allow contaminated grease to be pushed outwardly into the
trunnion/shaft bearing area as the seal/shaft interface shows wear
and tear over a period of time. What is desired is a sealing system
that increases the protection of the shaft bearing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
trunnion assembly for a mortar mixer including a substantially
cylindrical drum having end plates and an elongate paddle shaft
mounted horizontally and extending into a bearing through each drum
end plate into a bearing carried by the trunnion assembly, trunnion
assembly comprising a housing having an interior space defined by
an interior surface around such shaft, a first seal means adjacent
an end plate and positioned around such shaft. First mounting means
affixes the first seal means between such shaft and the interior
surface and a second seal means spaced outwardly from the first
seal is positioned around such shaft. Second mounting means
provides for affixing the second seal between such shaft and the
interior surface, the first and second seal means partitioning a
portion of the interior space to define a first chamber for
carrying grease and the second seal means being spaced away from a
shaft bearing to partition a second portion of the interior space
to define a second chamber for carrying grease. The first seal
means includes a plurality of resilient seal elements, each seal
element having one end portion in contact with such shaft. The
second seal means includes a single resilient seal element having
one end portion in contact with such shaft. The second seal means
includes a single resilient seal element having one end portion in
contact with such shaft. The second seal means includes a resilient
seal element having one end portion in contact with such shaft. The
housing includes a first second passageway into the interior space
for supplying grease into respective first and second chambers.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention there is provided
a pair of trunnion assemblies for the paddle shaft of a mortar
mixer including a substantially cylindrical drum having end plates,
each trunnion assembly comprising a housing, the housing having an
interior space defined by an interior surface around such shaft. A
first seal means is adjacent an end plate positioned around such
shaft and a first mounting means provides for affixing the first
seal means between such shaft and the interior surface. A second
seal means is spaced outwardly form the first seal and positioned
around such shaft and second mounting means for affixing the second
seal between such shaft and the interior surface. The first and
second seal means partitions a portion of the interior space to
define a first chamber for carrying grease, the second seal means
being spaced away from a shaft bearing to partition a second
portion of the interior space to define a second chamber for
carrying grease. The first seal means includes a plurality of
resilient seal elements, each having one end portion in contact
with such shaft. The second seal means includes a single resilient
seal element having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
[0010] Second seal means includes a resilient seal element having
one end portion in contact with such shaft. The housing includes a
first and second passageway into the interior space for supplying
grease into respective first and second chambers.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides an improved
trunnion assembly that includes a housing including a first and
second end portion and an interior spaced defined by an interior
surface for a shaft and a bearing mounted in the second end portion
for such shaft, the improvement comprising a first seal means
adjacent the first end portion and positioned around such shaft,
the first seal means including at least one first seal element and
mounting means for mounting the at least one seal element to the
interior surface and in contact with such shaft. A second seal
means is spaced away from the first seal means including a least
one second seal element and mounting means for mounting the at
least one second seal element to the interior surface and in
contact with such shaft, a portion of the interior space between
the at least one first seal element and the at least one second
seal element defining a first chamber for carrying lubricating
material therein and a portion of the interior space between the at
least one second seal element and a bearing mounted in the end
portion defining a second chamber for carrying lubricating material
therein. The first seal means includes a plurality of resilient
seal elements each having one end portion in contact with such
shaft. The second seal means includes a single resilient seal
element having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
[0012] Second seal means includes a first and second passageway
into the interior space for supplying grease into respective first
and second chambers.
[0013] The present invention also provides improved rotatable
trunnion assemblies for a rotatable mixing apparatus, each trunnion
assembly including a first and second end portion and an interior
space defined by an interior surface for a shaft and a bearing
mounted in the second end portion for such shaft, the improvement
comprising a first seal means adjacent the first end portion and
positioned around such shaft. The first seal means includes at
least two first seal elements and mounting means for mounting each
first seal element to the interior surface and in contact with such
shaft, a second seal means spaced away from the first seal means
including at least one second seal element and mounting means for
mounting the at least one second seal element to the interior
surface and in contact with such shaft. A portion of the interior
space between the at least one first seal element and the at least
one second seal element defining a first chamber for carrying
lubricating material therein, a portion of the interior space
between the at least one second seal element and a bearing mounted
in the end portion defining a second chamber for carrying
lubricating material therein. The first seal means includes three
resilient seal elements, each having one end portion in contact
with such shaft. The second seal means includes a single resilient
seal element having one end portion in contact with such shaft.
Each first seal element includes a resilient seal member having one
end portion in contact with such shaft. The housing includes a
first and second passageway into the interior space for supplying
grease into the respective first and second chambers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended
claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization
and method of operation, together with further objects and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following description, taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional pictorial view of a trunnion
employing a twin grease chamber system in accord with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional pictorial view of another
embodiment of the trunnion and sealing system in accord with the
present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional pictorial view of another
embodiment of the trunnion and sealing system in accord with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0018] Introduction
[0019] Mortar and plaster mixers provide a seal and a grease
chamber. Due to wear and tear, the mortar slurry may enter into the
trunnion housing and travel into the shaft bearing. When grease is
pumped into the grease chamber in an effort to purge the
contaminated grease into the mixer drum, the contaminated grease
may be forced into the bearing area thereby damaging the mixing
apparatus.
[0020] The present design utilizes two grease chambers and
seals:
[0021] A single seal with two metal support washers forms the first
outer grease chamber and is back loaded into the trunnion with the
seal lip on the paddle shaft facing the drum and held in position
by a locking collar. A side hole in the locking collar must be
lined up with the threaded hole where the Zerk fitting is screwed
in. This alignment will allow grease to flow through the collar and
into this chamber while the locking collar holds the rubber seal
between two metal washers in the correct position. When fresh
grease is forced into this chamber, the old grease will be purged
either into the front chamber or exit through the drum bearing
area.
[0022] A triple seal completes the second inner grease chamber
closest to the drum and is front loaded into the trunnion housing
with all three seals lips on the paddle shaft facing into the
mixer's drum. These three seals are held in position by trunnion
mounting bolts. Because the chamber has a positive outer seal, the
fresh grease can now push all the contaminated grease back into the
mixers drum when the grease is forced into the inner chamber.
[0023] With respect now to the drawings, a trunnion assembly is
illustrated in FIG. 1 at numeral 10. A paddle shaft 11 is mounted
in interior space 13 in trunnion housing 12. A first set of drum
seals 14 is held in place at the front (inward portion) of housing
12 via metal support fitting 15. The seals 14 are mounted to orient
lips 14' toward the interior space 16 of the mixer drum.
[0024] The drum seal includes inner grease storage chamber 17, a
second drum seal 18 held in place via metal fitting 19 with seal
lip 18' oriented towards the front of the assembly housing 12.
Grease is supplied to chamber 17 via Zerk grease fittings 21 and 25
and passageways 22 and 26 respectively. The seals 14 and 18
partition a portion of interior space 13. The shaft bearing seal
protects the bearing assembly 27 positioned via snap ring 27' and
includes outer grease chamber 20 that is supplied via Zerk grease
fitting 23 and passageway 24.
[0025] Snap ring 30 is mounted in groove 30' adjacent channel 31
into which fitting 19 is mounted to hold fitting 19/seal 18 in
place. Inner seals 14 and fitting 15 are mounted into channel 32
formed by housing 12 and drum end plate 29.
[0026] Grease forced into the inner grease chamber 17 exits
inwardly into drum interior space 16 because of the positive outer
seal provide by seal 18 and filled chamber 20.
[0027] Trunnion 10 is secured to end plate 29 of the mixing drum
via a plurality of bolts 28 as needed.
[0028] An alternate embodiment of the trunnion is illustrated at 33
in FIG. 2. The trunnion housing 34 provides shaft passageway 39
into drum interior 38 to provide an outer grease storage chamber 46
smaller than chamber 20 and an inner grease chamber 40 that is
larger than chamber 17.
[0029] The first set of seals 35 is substantially the same as
described above regarding FIG. 1. Support fitting 36 fits into
channel 43, which includes a portion of drum end plate 37. Outer
seal 41 is mounted via fitting 42 that is seated into channel 44
that is completed by ring 45 and forms grease chamber 46. Shaft
bearing 47 is protected from contamination by chamber 46. Shaft
bearing 47 is protected from contamination by chamber 46. Zerk
fittings 48 and 50 provide grease via respective passageways 49 and
51. Ring 45 includes an opening 52 that is aligned with the
passageway 51.
[0030] In FIG. 3 another embodiment of the trunnion 53 in accord
with the present invention is shown. Trunnion housing 54 provides
passageway 63 for paddle shaft 62. Trunnion 53 is mounted to end
plate 59, partly defining interior space 60, via bolts 61.
[0031] The inner, first set of drum seals 55 includes two elements
secured via metal spacer fittings 56 against shaft 62 (mounted in
passageway 63) as described hereinabove. An outer, second set of
drum seals 57 includes two elements secured into place via metal
spacer fittings 58. Metal bolts 61 secure drum end plate 59 to
trunnion 53. Trunnion housing 54 is formed to provide a channel 70
into which seals 55 and 57 and fittings 56 and 58 are mounted and
secured via bolts 61 therethrough.
[0032] Zerk fittings 65 and 67 and associated passageways 66 and 68
respectively provide grease into first inner grease chamber 64
which is defined by the space between the seal sets 55 and 57 and
respective second outer grease chamber 69 defined between seal set
57 and shaft bearing assembly 71.
[0033] The specific embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 chosen in a particular
application depends on the size of the associated mixing drum and
the speed and loading on the paddle shaft which itself contributes
to the choice of shaft bearing used.
[0034] In summary, the present trunnion is attached to the drum by
four 1/2" bolts. The mixers are "dry cleaned" daily with a mason's
hammer and the drum's end plate can become deformed, Thus four
spaced 1/2" bolts instead of three {fraction (5/16)}, or four 3/8',
to minimize deformity of the plate adjacent trunnion
attachment.
[0035] The present trunnion also employs a vinyl cover to protect
the trunnion from mortar splash. Such cover also protects the Zerks
from becoming encased in mortar.
[0036] By protecting the paddle shaft bearing with its own unique
chamber of fresh grease that cannot be contaminated with mortar
slurry from the drum, the life of the bearing is greatly extended
at minimum expense. When a bearing fails the paddle shaft drops
because it has lost its designed support tolerance and then severe
consequential damage occurs as the paddles begin to rub and then
cut into the drum. This design improvement affords definite bearing
life extension and proper functioning of the mixers.
[0037] The "side by side" grease chambers are also unique. The
outside grease chamber or "the bearing grease chamber", when
pressurized with grease is fed in two directions into the paddle
with grease can field in only one direction, back into the drum,
thus providing the ability to purge this grease chamber of all
contaminated grease, and extending the life of the drum seals. The
contaminated grease is forced back into the drum and never
backwards into the bearing as is the case in most mixer
designs.
[0038] All the seal lips in the improved trunnion face toward the
interior space of the drum.
[0039] While the invention has been described with respect to
certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended
therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications
and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *