Labyrinth Joints
Non-contact protection for bearings and rotating equipment

Labyrinth seals are sealing devices designed to protect bearings from contaminant ingress and prevent lubricant loss in rotating equipment.

What are labyrinth seals?

Its operation is based on a non-contacting dual-component design: a stator (stationary part) mounted in the bearing housing and a rotor (moving part) coupled to the shaft.

Both elements fit together forming a zigzag or «labyrinth» path that hinders the passage of fluids and particles. As there is no contact between the two parts, frictional wear is eliminated, prolonging the service life of the bearing protector.

Advantages of labyrinth sealing

Effective protection against dust, humidity, splashes and solid particles.
Retention of grease or lubricating oil inside the bearing housing.
Elimination of friction wear (no contact between parts).
Suitable for demanding applications, with presence of vibration, eccentricity or misalignment.
Available designs for shafts horizontal y vertical.
Split design option.

How do labyrinth seals work?

The rotor, integrated with the stator The centrifugal force of the rotating shaft blocks the passage of contaminants and drives them to a drain. The stator keeps the assembly in its housing.

In addition, a O-ring integrated in the rotor ensures tightness against gases or vapors and guarantees the traction of the rotor with the shaft.

Labyrinth seals available from Epidor

At Epidor, We offer a wide range of labyrinth sealing solutions to suit all types of equipment and working conditions:

Epidor JL Mazes

They are an advanced sealing solution designed to provide complete protection against splashes and solid particles that could compromise equipment operation.

In addition to their ability to protect against contaminant intrusion, Epidor JLs also excel in their ability to prevent grease leakage or loss from inside the bearing housing. This is crucial to maintaining an optimal level of lubrication within the equipment, ensuring smooth and efficient operation over time.

GMN Labyrinths

Highly effective solution for dealing with liquid splashes and solid particles in industrial environments. It is important to note that while GMN labyrinths are very effective against liquid splashes and solid particles, they are not designed to withstand pressurized gases or liquids whose level reaches the seal. In such cases it is recommended that other more suitable sealing solutions be used to ensure equipment integrity and safe operations.

Inpro/Seal Labyrinths

Inpro/Seal labyrinth seals provide complete bearing protection by retaining lubricant and preventing contaminant ingress.

With a two-piece design (one static, placed in the bearing housing, and one dynamic, mounted on the shaft), these seals ensure durability by eliminating wear due to the absence of contact between the parts.

Garlock Labyrinths

The Guardian® range of labyrinths offer unparalleled protection in extreme conditions.

Its unique design, with a patented unitizing ring, is key to its effectiveness. This innovative design prevents metal-to-metal contact between the rotor and stator, reducing vibration and misalignment that can damage traditional O-rings.

Air Mizer® non-contact seals

These seals require no maintenance and have no moving components. Unlike conventional contact seals, Air Mizer® seals are fully adaptable to absorb radial runout, axial movement and angular misalignment simultaneously.

Air Mizer® non-contact seals provide protection against foreign bodies entering the bearing by injecting pressurized air as a barrier fluid. The compressed air can be replaced by nitrogen or other inert gas depending on the needs of the application. This solution is designed to accompany the equipment throughout its service life.