An improved seal (10) for use in a universal joint (11) having an elastic seal ring (23) compressed between a pair of right circularly cylindrical sleeves (24,25). The seal ring is bonded to the sleeves. The sleeves are adapted to have press-fitted relationship with association portions of the universal joint, such as the journal trunnion (12) and the bearing retainer (14). In one form, the elongated extent of the sleeves is parallel to the axis (15) of the journal trunnion (12) and in a modified form, the sleeves (124,125) extend perpendicularly thereto. In each form, a portion of one of the sleeves is disposed adjacent the inner end of the needle bearings (22,122) so as to limit axial movement thereof. The sleeves are bonded to the seal ring so as to preclude sliding movement therebetween while yet permitting limited axial play in the universal joint thereby to provide long troublefree life of the seal.
The invention relates to a bearing assembly for a cross member. To avoid negative influences of axial forces which occur during the operation of the universal joint and which make it necessary to provide axial support for the rolling members, there have been provided supporting discs which are supported directly, via a bore, on a step of the arm. The seal which is located axially in the direction of the open end of the bearing bush is not subjected to any axial forces, as a result of which disadvantageous influences on the sealing effect of the seal are avoided. Furthermore, there is no need for any special fixing arrangement for the seal, with the exception of providing a seat which permits a defined association with the bearing bush.
A dual operating mode seal assembly (10) wherein a frictional force maintains a seal ring (50) in a static sealing mode during either movements of a member (16) being sealed to eliminate frictional and abrasive wear to the seal ring (50) and member (16). A load ring (52) provides a shear force upon deflection sufficient to overcome the frictional force at a predetermined slip point to cause the seal ring (50) to enter a dynamic sealing mode in response to extended travel movements of the member (16).
A hub cap for a wheel hub having a cylindrical housing with a closed first end and an open second end adapted for attachment in an air-tight sealing arrangement to the outer end of a wheel hub to form a closed air system in the interior of the wheel hub. An air pressure gauge in an air flow connection with the closed air system is operable to provide a visual indication of the air pressure in the closed air system. The air pressure gauge includes a dial face and a pressure indicating needle moving relative to the dial face in direct relation to the air pressure within the closed air system. The dial face includes indicia thereon to assist an observer to readily identify a breached seal condition within the wheel hub.
A high performance constant velocity universal joint is based on a body which encloses the constant velocity joint components and provides a smooth spherical outer surface. A one-piece semi-rigid plastic boot in the form of a truncated sphere has a smooth internal spherical surface sized to match the outer surface of the body. The plastic of the boot is sufficiently elastic to allow the boot to snap over the body, yet sufficiently resilient to snap the open end closed after the boot is snapped over the body to provide a substantial seal preventing entry of debris under the seal. A retaining ring is positioned on the boot near the truncated end to resist plastic creep which would result in enlarging the opening and allowing debris to enter the seal.
