Description
The BI1710 Bearing Isolator is a precision-engineered, non-contact bearing protection device designed to retain oil, grease, or mist lubrication while preventing dust, dirt, water, chemical vapors, and other contaminants from entering the bearing housing. Its rotor-stator sealing geometry provides a controlled sealing path without shaft contact, helping eliminate lip-seal wear, shaft scoring, frictional heat generation, and routine seal replacement.
Constructed from high-grade bronze, stainless steel, or custom-engineered alloys, the BI1710 is built for demanding rotating equipment operating in high-speed, high-temperature, wet, corrosive, or dust-laden environments. Magnetic-face (BI1710-M) and other severe-service versions are engineered on request.
The BI1710 is suitable for horizontal and vertical electric motors, centrifugal and positive-displacement pumps, industrial gearboxes, blowers, exhaust fans, turbines, compressors, conveyors, and other process equipment across the chemical, pulp and paper, steel, power, cement, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Flanged and press-fit mounting is standard; split (BI1710-SP), vertical (BI1710-V), flooded (BI1710-F) and magnetic-face (BI1710-M) versions are engineered on request.
Technical Key Features
- Extended service life is achieved through a zero-wear sealing mechanism.
- Shaft-friendly design eliminates lip-seal scoring and other wear-related shaft damage.
- Enhances equipment reliability and protection in demanding operating environments.
- Minimizes total lifecycle cost by reducing wear, maintenance, and replacement frequency.
- Reduces unplanned downtime by improving bearing protection and contamination control.
- Flexible installation formats are available in flanged, press-fit and solid configurations; split versions on request.
- Standards and compliance options may be available to suit specific application requirements.
- Excellent lubrication retention keeps oil, grease, and mist lubricants within the bearing housing.
- Extends Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) through reliable non-contact sealing performance.
- Bi-directional sealing performance supports both clockwise and counter-clockwise shaft rotation.
- Pressure equalization option helps balance internal housing pressure during operating transients.
- Maintenance-free bearing protection reduces unplanned downtime and extends equipment MTBF.
- Non-contact, frictionless operation eliminates shaft wear, grooving, heat generation, and parasitic drag.
- Misalignment compensation on select models supports sealing integrity under minor shaft misalignment.
- Split versions (BI1710-SP) are engineered on request for retrofit installation without shaft disassembly.
- Superior contaminant exclusion protects bearings from dust, dirt, moisture, water spray, and chemical vapor ingress.
- Industry versatility makes the BI1710 suitable for electric motors, pumps, gearboxes, turbines, blowers, and other rotating equipment.
Service Overview
| Parameter | Value |
| Equipment | Pumps, electric motors, industrial gearboxes, gear reducers, blowers, exhaust fans, turbines, compressors, conveyors, process machinery |
| Fluid | Bearing housing lubricants: oil, grease, oil mist; external exposure to dust, moisture, water spray, vapors, and light chemical contamination |
| Service Nature | Non-contact bearing protection for lubricant retention and contamination exclusion |
| Operating Mode | Continuous rotating service; suitable for horizontal and selected vertical shaft arrangements; engineered variants for washdown, flooded and retrofit duties on request |
Specifications
| Item | Min | Max | Typical/Notes |
| Size | 19.0 mm (0.748”) | 500.0 mm (19.685”) | Larger sizes available on request |
| Pressure | 0 bar (0 psi) | 6 bar (87 psi) | Bearing housing protection duty; confirm configuration for pressure transients |
| Temp | -40°C (-40°F) | +200°C (+392°F) | Final limit depends on elastomer and material selection |
| Speed | — | 35 m/s (6,890 fpm) | Surface speed at shaft OD; RPM depends on shaft diameter |
Materials
| Component | Standard Material | Optional Material | Comment |
| Rotor & Stator | Bronze C932 | SS 304 / SS 316 / custom alloy | Bronze for general industrial service; stainless steel for corrosive or hygienic duties |
| Retaining Ring | SS 304 / Aluminum | SS 316 / engineered alloy | Selected based on housing design, corrosion exposure, and speed |
| Flange / Mounting Hardware | SS 304 / Aluminum Alloy | SS 316 / CI custom | For flanged, press-fit, split, or retrofit mounting arrangements |
| Secondary Seals / O-rings | NBR / FKM (Viton) | EPDM / PTFE / FEP-encapsulated Viton | Selected for lubricant, temperature, and chemical compatibility |
| Magnetic Face Seal | Optional | Magnetic face seal assembly | Used for high splash, oil mist, flooded, or sensitive sealing environments |
Applications
- Steam turbines and compressors.
- Horizontal and vertical electric motors.
- Industrial gearboxes and gear reducers.
- Blowers, exhaust fans, and process fans.
- Centrifugal and positive displacement pumps.
- Conveyors, pillow blocks, and auxiliary rotating equipment.
- Chemical, pulp and paper, steel, power, cement, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical process equipment.
Operating Limits
| Parameter | Value |
| Pressure | Up to 6 bar (87 psi) |
| Temp | -40°C to +200°C (-40°F to +392°F) |
| Speed | Up to 35 m/s (6,890 fpm) |
| Size Range | 19.0 mm to 500.0 mm (0.748” to 19.685”); larger sizes on request |
Selection Note
Verify final material selection, elastomer grade, installation orientation, drain-back position, and pressure suitability against the actual equipment drawing and site operating conditions before release for manufacture.
Related Products
- BI1710-SP Split Bearing Isolator: for installation without shaft or coupling removal (engineered on request).
- LB-1610 Labyrinth Seal: non-contact leakage control for compressors, turbines, and blowers.