Alignment feature

Alignment feature

Cooper supplies various mounting options and for all except the hanger mountings, the bearing is housed in a cartridge supported by the mounting unit. Cartridges have a spherical surface that fits into a conforming surface in the mounting unit.This arrangement allows the cartridge to swivel in the mounting in a similar way to a ball and socket joint.

Cartridge and mounting units are designed to allow so that the shaft can be up to 2 1/2° out of alignment with respect to the mountings on initial assembly. This alignment feature is intended for static or very slowly changing conditions.

Constantly superior sealing

An important property of the cartridge and mounting unit alignment feature is that the seals are constantly concentric with the shaft. Whatever the misalignment condition, the seals are maintained at the correct attitude with respect to the shaft giving optimum sealing as illustrated.

Compare this with the situation that occurs with a double row spherical bearing in a standard pillow block. As the shaft misaligns, a gap between the seal and shaft opens on one side. In the worst case when the shaft is at about 0.5 degrees, the shaft can bind on the seal carrier or cause the seal to bind in the housing, compromising the sealing. Although felt seals are shown in the illustration, the same applies for labyrinth or lip seals.