A bearing assembly (A-H) enables one member (4) to rotate relative to
another member (2) about an axis (X). It includes a bearing (6) having an
inner race (54) on one of the members, an outer race (74, 126, 164, 250)
in the other member, and rolling elements (58) between raceways on the
two races. A seal (10, 180, 210, 256) excludes contaminants from the
interior of the bearing, and it includes a wear ring (92, 184, 214, 276)
carried by an extension (80, 128, 144, 168, 252) on the outer race beyond
the raceway of that race, a contacting wear ring (90, 182, 212, 278)
carried by the member on which the inner race is located or else by a can
(110, 230, 254) that is fitted to the inner race. The seal also includes
backing elements (94, 96, 192, 194, 216, 218, 294) for supporting the
wear rings on that which carries them, and in most instances the backing
elements exert a biasing force on the wear rings to maintain them in
contact, so that they establish a dynamic fluid barrier. The backing
elements may include O-rings (94,96), polymer connecting segments (200)
or springs (292) and a membrane (294).