Labyrinth seal and method of producing a labyrinth seal

A bearing assembly for a wind power plant, the bearing assembly comprising:

• a bearing;
• and
• a labyrinth seal including:
• a first disc;
• a second disc spaced axially from the first disc such that an axial intermediate chamber is formed between the first and the second discs;
• a first ring connected with the first disc so as to extend generally toward the second disc and into the axial chamber;
• second and third rings connected with the second disc so as to extend generally toward the first disc and into the axial chamber, the third ring being spaced radially outwardly from the second ring and the first ring being at least partially disposed radially between the second and third rings so as to form a sealing labyrinth.

A method for producing a labyrinth seal comprising the steps of:

• providing a first disc, a second disc and an elongated sheet of material;
• cutting the sheet of material so as to form a first strip, a second strip, and a third strip;
• bending each of the first, second and third strips so as to form first, second and third rings;
• attaching the first ring to the first disc such that the first ring and the first disc are substantially coaxial;
• attaching the second and third rings to the second disc such that each of the second and third rings is substantially coaxial with the second disc and the third ring is disposed radially outwardly of the second ring;
• and
• positioning the first and second discs such that the two discs are spaced axially apart and the first ring is disposed at least partially radially between the second and third rings so as to form a sealing labyrinth.