Wear Rings & Bearing Isolators
Wear Rings & Bearing Isolators
Wear Rings
A wear ring, also known as a guide ring or wear band, is a crucial component in hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders. It provides guidance and support for the piston and rod, ensuring their proper alignment within the cylinder. By preventing metal-to-metal contact between the moving parts, wear rings help to reduce friction, minimize wear, and extend the lifespan of the cylinder components.
Guidance and Support
Wear rings provide lateral support to the piston and rod, ensuring they move smoothly within the cylinder and remain properly aligned. This prevents tilting or uneven movement that could lead to damage.
Friction Reduction
By preventing direct metal-to-metal contact between the piston/rod and the cylinder wall, wear rings reduce friction and wear. This helps maintain the efficiency and longevity of the cylinder.
Load Distribution
Wear rings help distribute the lateral forces and side loads evenly across the cylinder bore, preventing localized stress and potential damage.
Contaminant Protection
Wear rings can also serve as a barrier to contaminants, preventing dirt and debris from entering the sealing area and causing abrasion or damage to the seals.
Material
Wear rings are typically made from durable materials like composite materials, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), bronze-filled PTFE, or thermoplastics like nylon or phenolic resins. These materials are chosen for their strength, low friction, and wear resistance.
Design
Wear rings are designed to fit into grooves on the piston and rod. They are usually rectangular or square in cross-section and can come in split or continuous designs to accommodate different installation methods and cylinder designs.
Bearing Isolators
A bearing isolator is a non-contact, permanent, and dynamic sealing device used to protect bearings from contamination and to retain lubricants. Bearing isolators combine the benefits of labyrinth seals and lip seals, offering superior protection and extending the life of bearings in various industrial applications.
Contaminant Exclusion
Bearing isolators effectively prevent contaminants such as dirt, dust, moisture, and chemicals from entering the bearing housing, thereby protecting the bearings from damage.
Lubricant Retention
They retain lubricants within the bearing housing, ensuring that the bearings remain properly lubricated and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
Non-Contact Design
Unlike traditional lip seals that contact the shaft and can wear out over time, bearing isolators use a non-contact design, which eliminates friction and wear between the seal and the rotating shaft.
Construction
Bearing isolators typically consist of two main components: a rotor and a stator.
The rotor rotates with the shaft, while the stator is stationary and fits into the housing. These components work together to create a labyrinth-like pathway that blocks contaminants and retains lubricants.
Material
Bearing isolators are made from durable materials such as metals (e.g., stainless steel, bronze) and high-performance polymers. These materials are chosen for their resistance to wear, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
Design
The non-contact, labyrinth design of bearing isolators ensures minimal friction and wear, making them suitable for high-speed and high-temperature applications.
Durability
Bearing isolators are designed for long-term use, with a lifespan that often exceeds that of traditional contact seals. Their durable construction and non-contact design contribute to their longevity and reliability.
Maintenance-Free
Because bearing isolators do not wear out like contact seals, they typically require little to no maintenance, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
When To Choose A Custom Seal
Custom-designed sealing solutions play a pivotal role in addressing the diverse and intricate sealing challenges across various industries. As an expert, you understand that off-the-shelf sealing products often fail to meet the unique demands posed by specific applications, operating conditions, and...
Products & Resources
R. E. Purvis & Associates, Inc. is a recognized Sealing Technology Center for Parker's EPS (Engineered Polymer Systems) Division. Parker's EPS Division is a premier manufacturer of hydraulic seals which offers many geometric sealing profiles along with a vast selection of material options.
