Anti-rotation bearing cup retainer
OwnerWilliam Engle, Yogendra Sharma +2inventors
InventorsWilliam Engle, Yogendra Sharma, Donald Miller, Chuong Nguyen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment, a system and device are disclosed for preventing damage to one or more shims of a rotating machine. The system incorporates an anti-rotation spacing device that fits within a bearing bore or recess between the one or more shims and a bearing assembly. The anti-rotation spacing device prevents the rotation of the bearing assembly from damaging the one or more shims present within the recess. In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a generally annular structure or body and an anti-rotation feature. A method for protecting shims within a bearing bore and method of manufacturing an anti-rotation spacing device are also disclosed.
Claims32
A rotating machine comprising:
- a housing comprising a bore configured to receive a bearing assembly;
- a bearing assembly positioned within the bore, the bearing assembly comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of bearings, wherein the plurality of bearings bear against an inner race of the inner ring and an outer race of the outer ring;
- a shim positioned within the bore;
- and
- a spacing device interposed between the shim and the bearing assembly within the bore, the spacing device being secured from rotation with the bearing assembly to prevent damage to the shims.
A method for preventing damage to shims proximate to a bearing assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a housing of a rotating machine;
- forming an anti-rotation feature on a surface adjacent to a recess in the housing;
- and
- placing a bearing assembly, a shim, and an anti-rotation spacing device within the recess, wherein the anti-rotation spacing device is disposed between the bearing assembly and the shim and cooperates with the anti-rotation feature on the surface adjacent to the recess to prevent rotation of the anti-rotation spacing device.
A method of manufacturing an anti-rotation spacing device, the method comprising:
- forming an anti-rotation spacing device out of a sheet of metal, the anti-rotation spacing device comprising an anti-rotation feature, the spacing device having a front surface configured to bear against a bearing assembly and a rear surface configured to bear against a shim, the anti-rotation feature being configured to resist a moment on the spacing device imparted by the bearing assembly to prevent rotation of the spacing device with the bearing assembly;
- and
- deburring the anti-rotation spacing device to provide smooth front and rear surfaces thereof.
A shim protecting anti-rotation spacing device comprising:
- a generally annular body comprising an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, a front surface and a rear surface, the front surface configured to bear against a bearing assembly and a rear surface configured to bear against a shim;
- and
- an anti-rotation feature formed on the body, the anti-rotation feature being configured to resist a moment on the spacing device imparted by the bearing assembly to prevent rotation of the spacing device with the bearing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.