Vacuum pump
AssigneeEdwards Limited
InventorsBarrie Brewster, Martin Ernst Tollner, Paul David Flower
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pump insert (50) for supporting a rotor (14) of a pump comprises an annular resilient support (52) for engaging the body (26) of the pump, the support (52) extending about a rolling bearing (10) having an inner race (12) for engaging the rotor (14), an axially preloaded outer race (16) fixed to the support (52), and a plurality of rolling elements (18) located between the races. During assembly, the rolling bearing (10) can be accurately positioned within the support (52) so that there is a very low tolerance stack-up when the insert (50) is fitted to the rotor (14). Consequently, the position of the rotor (14) will hardly change, if at all, when the rolling bearing (10) is replaced during servicing of the pump.
Claims19
A method of assembling a pump insert, the method comprising the steps of:
- locating an annular resilient support about a rolling bearing having an inner race, an outer race and a plurality of rolling elements located between the races;
- positioning the bearing at a desired location within the support relative to an axial end surface of the support;
- and
- at this location, fixing the support to the outer race of the bearing whilst applying a preload to the outer race of the bearing.
An insert for insertion around a rotor of a pump, the insert comprising a metallic, annular resilient support comprising inner and outer annular portions connected by a plurality of flexible members, the resilient support extending about a rolling bearing having an inner race, an axially preloaded outer race fixed to the inner annular portion of the resilient support, and a plurality of rolling elements located between the races.
A vacuum pump comprising a body and a rotor supported for rotation relative to the body by an insert inserted around the rotor, the insert comprising a metallic, annular resilient support comprising inner and outer annular portions connected by a plurality of flexible members, the resilient support extending about a rolling bearing having an inner race, an axially preloaded outer race fixed to the inner annular portion of the resilient support, and a plurality of rolling elements located between the races.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.