Clean-In-Place Shaft Bushing
AssigneeCustom Fabricating & Repair, Inc.
InventorsTimothy J. Isenberg, John E. Zirbel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shaft bushing is provided that can be automatically cleaned in place, without requiring manual cleaning by a technician, and that can be used with food processing equipment. The shaft bushing has a body with a circumferential sidewall, opposing ends, and an opening in at least one of the ends the can accept cleaning fluid thereinto. The opening may be defined by ends of longitudinal grooves that extend along the bushing and that may direct the cleaning fluid between the bushing body and the support structure, and/or the bushing body and the shaft.
Claims22
A bushing for use with a clean-in-place system comprising:
- a body having
- a circumferential side wall with (i) an outer surface that engages a support structure for holding the bushing in a generally fixed position, and (ii) an inner surface that defines an outer periphery of a bore that extends longitudinally into the body so that the bore can hold a shaft within the body of the bushing;
- and
- opposing ends, at least one of the ends of the body having an opening that accepts a cleaning fluid thereinto for delivering the cleaning fluid between at least one of (i) the body and the support structure, and (ii) the body and the shaft.
A bushing for mounting to a support structure, comprising:
- a body having a longitudinally extending bore and a circumferential side wall that includes:
- a grooved outer surface that can convey a fluid between the body and the support structure;
- and
- a grooved inner surface that can convey a fluid between the body and a shaft being held within the bore of the body.
A clean-in-place system comprising:
- a bushing that supports a shaft and is supported in a support structure, the bushing having an inner surface that engages the shaft and an outer surface that engages the support structure;
- a groove extending into at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the bushing;
- and
- a sprayer that is positioned with respect to the bushing so that the sprayer can deliver a cleaning fluid into the groove and between at least one of (i) the bushing and the shaft, and (ii) the bushing and the support structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.