Vacuum generator seal
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsMarshall Saville, Deborah Osborne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vacuum generator seal can comprise an upstream annular cavity adjacent to the upstream side of the bearing, a downstream annular cavity adjacent to the downstream side of the bearing, and at least one drain slot positioned on the upstream side of the bearing housing. The vacuum generator seal can include a retainer that at least partially defines the upstream annular cavity. The retainer may be in contact with the bearing housing and may have a tight clearance with the impeller hub. The retainer along with a supply of grease packed within the annular cavities can seal the bearing; and the drain slot can direct water and waste away from the bearing and towards the scroll.
Claims20
An assembly for a bearing having a bearing housing comprising:
- an upstream annular cavity positioned upstream from and in contact with said bearing;
- a retainer in contact with said bearing housing, said retainer at least partially defines said upstream annular cavity;
- and
- a supply of hydrophobic grease positioned within said upstream annular cavity.
An assembly for a rotating machine having a bearing and an impeller comprising:
- at least one drain slot machined into a housing of said bearing, said drain slot extending outward from a bearing housing depression in said housing and towards a scroll of said rotating machine.
A method of preventing the migration of a supply of contaminants into a bearing of a rotating machine comprising the steps of:
- sealing an upstream side of said bearing;
- and
- directing said supply of contaminants away from said bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.