Auxiliary bearing system with oil reservoir for magnetically supported rotor system
AssigneeDresser-Rand Company
InventorsWilliam C. Maier, Joseph A. Tecza
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An auxiliary bearing including a bearing mount disposed circumferentially about a shaft. A support wall may extend radially inward from the bearing mount, and the support wall may define a first annular cavity. An outer race may be coupled to a radially inner surface of the support wall. An inner race may be rotatably coupled to the outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements may be disposed between the inner and outer races. A pool of lubricant may be disposed within the first annular cavity, and at least a lowermost one of the plurality of rolling elements may be at least partially disposed in the pool.
Claims20
An auxiliary bearing, comprising:
- a bearing mount disposed circumferentially about a shaft;
- a support wall extending radially inward from the bearing mount, the support wall defining a first annular cavity;
- an outer race coupled to a radially inner surface of the support wall;
- an inner race rotatably coupled to the outer race, wherein a radial clearance is defined between the shaft and the inner race when a primary bearing is supporting the shaft;
- a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races;
- and
- a pool of lubricant disposed within the first annular cavity, wherein at least a lowermost one of the plurality of rolling elements is at least partially disposed in the pool.
An auxiliary bearing, comprising:
- a bearing mount disposed circumferentially about a shaft;
- a support wall extending radially inward from the bearing mount, the support wall defining a first annular cavity;
- an outer race coupled to a radially inner surface of the support wall;
- an inner race rotatably coupled to the outer race, wherein a radial clearance is defined between the shaft and the inner race when a primary bearing is supporting the shaft;
- a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races;
- a pool of lubricant disposed within the first annular cavity;
- and
- a slinger coupled to or integral with the inner race, wherein an end of the slinger, distal the inner race, is adapted to collect lubricant from the pool.
A method of supporting a rotating shaft with an auxiliary bearing, comprising:
- engaging the shaft with an inner race of a roller element bearing;
- rotating the inner race in response to the rotation of the shaft;
- rotating a slinger in response to the rotation of the inner race, the slinger being coupled to or integrated with the inner race;
- collecting lubricant in a pocket of the slinger;
- and
- scooping the lubricant out of the pocket with a fin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.