Purgeable labyrinth axle/hub seal

A purgeable labyrinth axle/hub seal, comprising:

• an axle mount for rigidly attaching to an end portion of an axle, with an axle annular member extending therefrom, the axle annular member comprising:
• an axle ring having a first edge and a second edge;
• and
• an axle flange disk attached to an outer surface of the axle ring intermediate the first edge and the second edge, and extending therefrom to a distal edge, the axle flange disk connecting to the axle mount with the axle ring extending laterally thereof;
• the purgeable labyrinth axle/hub seal further comprising:
• a hub mount for rigidly attaching to a wheel hub with a hub annular member extending therefrom, the hub annual member comprising:
• a hub ring having a first edge and a second edge;
• and
• a hub flange disk attached to an outer surface of the hub ring intermediate the first edge and the second edge, and extending therefrom to a distal edge, the hub flange disk connecting to the hub mount with the hub ring extending laterally thereof;
• the axle annular member and the hub annular member defining a lubricant gallery therebetween;
• the purgeable labyrinth axle/hub seal further comprising:
• a grease fitting for communicating a lubricant into the lubricant gallery;
• and
• a resilient pad received on the axle ring of the axle mount and defining a channel that receives the hub ring of the hub mount;
• with a gap therebetween as a labyrinth path that communicates with the lubricant gallery, the resilient pad sealing the axle annular member and the hub annular member, whereupon lubricant communicates through the labyrinth gallery outwardly of the resilient pad during rotation of the hub assembly relative to the axle assembly.

A purgeable labyrinth axle/hub seal, comprising:

• an axle mount for rigidly attaching to an end portion of an axle, with an axle annular member extending therefrom,
• the axle mount comprises a pair of U-shaped members, each having a cross bar for being disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the axle and a pair of legs extending in a first direction at respective opposing ends of the cross bar, each leg having a lateral flange that defines an opening, whereby the U-shaped members mount on opposing sides of the axle with the flanges aligned with a respective one of the flanges of the opposing member and for receiving a respective fastener through the aligned openings in the flanges to rigidly secure the axle mount to the axle;
• the axle annular member comprising:
• an axle ring having a first edge and a second edge;
• and
• an axle flange disk attached to an outer surface of the axle ring intermediate the first edge and the second edge and extending therefrom to a distal edge, the axle flange disk connecting to the axle mount with the axle ring extending laterally thereof;
• the purgeable labyrinth axle/hub seal further comprising:
• a hub mount for rigidly attaching to a wheel hub with a hub annular member extending therefrom,
• the hub mount further comprises:
• a hub plate and a plurality of threaded studs extending therefrom for attaching a wheel to the wheel hub, each stud defining a tapped bore through the hub plate;
• the hub flange disk defining a plurality of openings that align with the threaded studs of the hub plate;
• and
• a plurality of threaded fasteners, each for extending through a respective one of the openings in the hub flange disk and engaging the aligned tapped bore,
• whereby the hub mount rigidly attaches to the wheel hub;
• the hub annular member comprising:
• a hub ring having a first edge and a second edge;
• and
• a hub flange disk attached to an outer surface of the hub ring intermediate the first edge and the second edge and extending therefrom to a distal edge, the hub flange disk connecting to the hub mount with the hub ring extending laterally thereof;
• the axle annular member and the hub annular member defining a lubricant gallery therebetween;
• the purgeable labyrinth axle/hub seal further comprising:
• a grease fitting for communicating a lubricant into the lubricant gallery;
• and
• an annular resilient pad that defines a groove on a first side that receives the axle ring of the axle mount and defines a channel on an opposing side that receives the hub ring of the hub mount;
• with a gap therebetween as a labyrinth path that communicates with the lubricant gallery, the resilient pad sealing the axle annular member and the hub annular member,
• whereupon lubricant communicates through the labyrinth gallery outwardly of the resilient pad during rotation of the hub assembly relative to the axle assembly.