Patent Application
20210293275
The present invention relates to protective covers for mechanical assemblies, and more specifically, to corrosion inhibiting thermoplastic covers with integrated closures for use with bearing assemblies.
Industrial operations such as manufacturing lines often come to a screeching halt when mechanisms malfunction or stop working. These failures are costly, potentially dangerous, and frustrating. Mechanical problems in an industrial operation are particularly troublesome insofar as it isn't usually possible to “swap out” a bad part, so repairs often require shutting down the entire operation.
Corrosion and contamination are leading causes of premature failure in rotating systems such as bearing assemblies. In an effort to prevent these issues, a variety of technologies have developed.
Corrosion Inhibiting Sprayable Thermoplastics (“CISTs”) are used in the industry to protect both stored and operational bearing assemblies. One known delivery method for CISTs is mobilizing spraying equipment and applying the CIST product directly onto the bearing assembly as a hot liquid. This avoids the laborious process of removing bearing assemblies from industrial operations, treating them, and returning them to the underlying structure.
An exemplary device and method of applying CIST in situ is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,562 entitled DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MELTING AND SPRAYING THERMOPLASTICS to Boehm et al., which issued on Dec. 15, 2015, and is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
Unfortunately, however, this system presents some challenges. One issue of applying CIST via mobilized spraying is that installed bearing assemblies are often difficult to access with the application equipment due to length of spray hose, size of application equipment, and/or limited access to surfaces with the spray gun. Another issue is the cost of application equipment. Yet another challenge is the significant time that is necessary for application equipment to melt the CIST, which adds to equipment downtime.
In a related technology CIST bearing covers are formed by spraying melted CIST onto a mold, allowing the CIST to cure, cutting and removing the cured cover from the mold, positioning the cover on a mechanical assembly such as a bearing assembly whose shape is significantly identical to the mold, and fusing the cuts on the cover using heat to reform the cover on the mechanical assembly. This overcomes many of the shortcomings of applying CIST in situ.
An exemplary CIST bearing cover is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 10,300,657 entitled CORROSION INHIBITING SPRAYABLE THERMOPLASTIC COVER FOR MECHANICAL ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING to Boehm et al., which issued on May 28, 2019, and is hereby incorporated in its entirety.
Unfortunately, however, this system also presents challenges. Namely, it requires that the mechanical assembly to be covered, including the “tail end” of the shaft, be almost identical to the mold. Also, it requires a heat source, such as a heat gun or flame torch, to fuse together cut portions of the cover. This can be cumbersome and/or dangerous, depending on the specific environment.
As can be seen, there is a need for a protective cover for bearing assemblies that can be used regardless of the length of the shaft's tail end, and that can be installed without a heat source. It is desirable that this cover can be used on bearing assemblies that are hard to access. It is also desirable that this cover is relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and easy to transport. It is also desirable that the cover can be fixed relatively quickly, and with standard tools and equipment.
The present invention pertains to corrosion inhibiting covers having integrated closures, for use with bearing assemblies. In a preferred embodiment the bearing assembly cover is sized and shaped to fit a bearing assembly and includes a main body having two separable partial sections, with each partial section including an outwardly projecting end that corresponds with a bearing assembly's shaft. The two partial sections are joined and secured together using an integrated closure such as a zipper with the resulting cover surrounding and protecting a bearing assembly, including the adjoining shaft portions. The covered assembly can be further protected from the environment by applying a sealant to areas such as the closure device, and to the interface region between the cover and shaft.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The following structure numbers shall apply to the following structures among the various FIGS.:
Broadly, the present invention is a cover for a bearing assembly that is formed of two partial sections that are joined together with a closure device such as a zipper to form a unitary body. Each partial section includes one shaft projection having a closed end that can be removed to form an opened end. In use one partial section is positioned on an uncovered assembly, then the second partial portion is positioned, and the two partial portions are connected to form a uniform body that protects the underlying bearing assembly. Sealant is preferably applied to certain areas to more completely shield the bearing assembly from ambient contaminants and corrosives. Bearing assembly covers fit specific bearing assemblies. For example, the cover generally depicted herein is for use with Pillow Block Bearings but other covers having different dimensions that correspond with different bearing assemblies are likewise within the scope of this invention. Examples of other bearing assemblies include (provide a few of the more common ones you do including name of bearing assembly, company, city and state).
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The foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. By way of example, the cover could be formed and used with other mechanisms with moving parts, for example gearboxes, or any part requiring corrosion protection such as pipes, valves, flanges and stored parts. Terms such as “substantially” and the like shall mean within reasonable bounds when considering limitations such as machines, materials, manufacturing methods, and people. By way of example, a “substantially smooth” surface means there are no intentional bumps or irregularities. Also, variances are likely to occur with this technology due to gravity, thermoplastic properties, air bubbles, operator differences, and so forth. Material accumulation in certain areas and other irregularities are within the scope of the invention. All ranges set forth herein include the endpoints as well as all increments there between, even if not specifically stated. By way of example 1 to 2 inches includes 1 inch, 1.000001 inches and so forth. Finally, unless otherwise stated or contrary to common sense, “approximate” and the like shall mean+/−10%.
