ProTech Bearing Isolators are
unitized two-piece, dynamic seals. The permanently assembled rotor and stator
utilize labyrinth technology for complete lubricant retention and contaminant
exclusion, thereby
extending bearing life -- with
zero shaft wear.
Bearing isolators are an upgrade from standard lip seals, however when one considers the total cost of the sealing system over the total life span, it is well worth it for key equipment such as pumps, motors, gear boxes, and split pillow blocks.
The cost of downtime in today’s
manufacturing environment has been the primary driver behind companies’ decisions to convert
from standard lip seals to bearing isolator-type seals. Standard lip seals have a
typical life of 3,000 to 5,000 hours. With true non-contact ProTech designs there is nothing to wear out; thereby extending mean time between failure (MTBF). With a bearing isolator solution, the seal is no longer the limiting factor for the bearings reaching the basic life rating stated by bearing manufacturers (L10 rating).
Cost
savings are realized by
- Less unplanned downtime
- Lower maintenance expenses with fewer
rebuilds
- Lower torque consumption which results in
lower energy usage
In
some cases, the energy savings alone offsets upgrade costs.
Multiple
standard profiles are available to meet specific design requirement and
geometry constraints
- Available
with or without flange to provide
labyrinth sealing in restricted widths
- Single
and multiple expulsion (drain) ports when directional installation is a concern
- Exceed
IEEE-841 to provide premium bearing protection on severe-duty electric motors
- Split
pillow block design meets OEM specifications
- Custom designs are available for higher speeds, axial movement and high misalignment (STBM) conditions.
