# US 2014/0191508 A1 · Rotary joint for underwater operation and system equipped therewith for generating energy from waterpower > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191508 A1 - Document ID: US20140191508A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/110,301 - Filed: 2012-04-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-05 - Assignees: IMO Holding GmbH - Inventors: Werner Schröppel; Hubertus Frank; Georg Hofmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191508A1 ## CPC - F16C 33/72: Sealings - F03B 11/006: {Sealing arrangements (F03B3/14, F03B3/183, F03B13/083 takes precedence; sealings in general F16J)} - F03B 11/06: Bearing arrangements - F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors - F03B 17/061: {with rotation axis substantially in flow direction} - F16C 33/60: divided {or split, e.g. comprising two juxtaposed rings} - F16C 33/7896: {with two or more discrete sealings arranged in series} - F05B 2240/57: Seals - F05B 2260/40: Transmission of power - F16C 19/381: {with at least one row for radial load in combination with at least one row for axial load} - F16C 33/6622: {Details of supply and/or removal of the grease, e.g. purging grease} - F16C 2300/14: Large applications, e.g. bearings having an inner diameter exceeding 500 mm - F16C 2360/00: Engines or pumps - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A rotary joint for use in a system for generating energy from water power, the joint comprising a first rotationally symmetrical connecting element and a second rotationally symmetrical connecting element disposed concentrically with the first connecting element and rotatable relative thereto, an annular gap between the two connecting elements, and a row of rolling elements rolling along a race on each of the connecting elements, wherein provided to seal the annular gap is a sealing device having a sealing ring fixed to the first connecting element, and a circumferential sealing lip, or sealing surface, extends along a lead-in surface, wherein the second connecting element is divided into a race ring, with at least one race, and a lead-in ring with a lead-in surface for at least one sealing ring, the lead-in ring being removably connected to at least one race ring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotary joint for underwater operation, the joint comprising a first annular connecting element and a second annular connecting element arranged concentrically with the first connecting element and rotatable relative thereto, an annular gap disposed between the two connecting elements, and at least one row of rolling elements rolling along a race on each of the first and the second connecting elements, wherein provided to seal the annular gap is a sealing device having at least one sealing ring fixed to the first connecting element and is provided with a circumferential sealing surface that extends along a lead-in surface, wherein the second connecting element is divided into at least one race ring with at least one race and a lead-in ring with a lead-in surface for at least one sealing ring, the lead-in ring being removably connected to at least one race ring. ### Claim 2 A system for generating energy from waterpower, the system comprising at least one rotary joint for underwater operation and comprising a first rotationally symmetrical connecting element, and a second rotationally symmetrical connecting element arranged concentrically with the first connecting element and rotatable relative thereto, an annular gap disposed between the two connecting elements, and at least one row of rolling elements rolling along a race on each of the first and the second connecting elements, wherein provided to seal the annular gap is a sealing device having at least one sealing ring fixed to the first connecting element and a circumferential sealing surface that extends along a lead-in surface, wherein the second connecting element is divided into at least one race ring, with at least one race, and a lead-in ring with a lead-in surface for at least one sealing ring, the lead-in ring being removably connected to the at least one race ring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lead-in ring is a selected one of (1) a material with the same standard potential or reduction potential E° as the race ring, or (2) the same material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lead-in ring is of a material with a different standard potential, or reduction potential E°, from the race ring, and is of a more noble material than the race ring, or a non-rusting material that forms a spontaneous passivation layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lead-in ring is provided with a planar end face in surface-abutting contact with the race ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein provided on a selected one of the lead-in ring and the race ring is a circumferential centering collar that engages in a circumferential depression of complementary cross section to its own, provided in the respective other ring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lead-in ring is flanged to a race ring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lead-in ring is provided with a plurality of through-bores distributed circularly about its circumference and serving for the through-passage of fastening screws. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 8, wherein the at least one race ring is provided with a plurality of internally threaded blind bores, distributed circularly about its circumference, into which fastening screws are adapted to be inserted. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein sealing rings are disposed between the lead-in ring and the at least one race ring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 9, wherein at least one sealing ring surrounds at least one bore. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lead-in surface of the lead-in ring is surface-hardened. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 12, wherein the lead-in surface is disposed on a cylinder-jacket-shaped, surface region of the lead-in ring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lead-in ring and the race ring are disposed one behind the other in an axial direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first connecting element substantially overlaps the lead-in ring and the at least one race ring in an axial direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 7, wherein the first connecting element outwardly surrounds the lead-in ring and the at least one race ring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claims 1, wherein the at least one sealing ring is received in a recess of the first connecting element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 17, wherein the at least one sealing ring is clamped fixedly in an axial direction in the recess of the first connecting element by a clamping ring. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 18, wherein the clamping ring is fixedly screwed to the end face of the first connecting element which includes the recess. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 19, wherein the clamping ring overlaps in a radial direction the recess of the first connecting element. ### Claim 21 (depends on 2) The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the cross section of the sealing ring includes two legs connected to each other at one end, directly or via a web. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system in accordance with claim 21, wherein a first cross-sectional leg of at least one sealing ring is provided with a generally rectangular shape and serves to anchor the ring to the first connecting element in a recess thereof. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The rotary system in accordance with claim 22, wherein a second cross-sectional leg of at least one sealing ring is provided with a sealing surface on a side facing away from the first cross-sectional leg, proximate its free end. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The rotary system in accordance with claim 23, wherein disposed in a slot shaped space between the two cross-sectional legs is a circumferential wire clamp that engages around a back side of the cross-sectional leg comprising the sealing lip or sealing surface, and presses the sealing lip, or sealing surface thereof, against the lead-in surface of the lead-in ring. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The rotary system in accordance with one of claim 24, wherein the at least one sealing ring is disposed such that a slot or indent between the two cross-sectional legs is open to an outer side. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The rotary system in accordance with claim 21, wherein a plurality of sealing rings is provided, each two adjacent sealing rings being separated by a respective annular, disk-shaped, spacer element. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The rotary system in accordance with claim 26, a wherein the spacer element is of a selected one of metal, ceramic and plastic material. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The rotary system in accordance with claim 26, a wherein the spacer element is provided with at least one channel extending generally in the radial direction. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The rotary system in accordance with claim 28, wherein the spacer element is provided with a circumferential groove on the periphery thereof facing the first connecting element. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The rotary system in accordance with claim 29, wherein the first connecting element is provided with a lubrication channel at a level of a spacer elements. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The rotary system in accordance with claim 30, wherein the lubrication channel contains grease as a lubricant. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of the rolling elements is provided. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 32, wherein the at least one row of the rolling elements comprise roller-shaped, barrel-shaped, or needle-shaped rolling elements. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the connecting elements is configured as a nose ring, with a collar facing the annular gap, and on which are disposed one or more of the races for the rolling elements rolling therealong. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The rotary joint in accordance with claim 34, wherein the connecting element opposite the nose ring is divided into at least two race rings which together surround the circumferential collar of the nose ring.