US 4,942,944 A · Screw pump for lubricating generator bearing

Abstract

Apparatus to lubricate generator bearings with an oil-air mist is disclosed. A screw pump, preferably an assembly of components comprising a ring, a teflon seal, a pump rotor and a hub is secured onto a rotor shaft of a generator for rotation therewith. The rotor shaft has at least one passageway extending radially from an axial bore therein through which oil is transferred. The screw pump has a first orifice coincident with the rotor shaft passageway, a second orifice, a passageway extending from the first orifice to the second orifice through which the oil is directed into a cavity in the generator housing where it mixes with air to form a mist to lubricate the bearing, a circumferential surface fitting within an opening in the generator housing, and a helical groove in the circumferential surface through which the oil-air mist is evacuated during rotation of the generator rotor shaft.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for providing a lubricating mist to a bearing in a rotating machine, comprising:

a housing having a circular opening and a passageway through which air can enter a cavity in said housing;
a rotor shaft secured in said housing for rotation therein having an axial opening, an axial bore extending from said axial opening through which a lubricant can be circulated and a radial passageway extending from a first opening at said axial bore to a second opening;
and
a screw pump secured to said rotor shaft for rotation therewith and having a first orifice coincident with said second opening in said rotor shaft, a second orifice, a passageway extending from said first orifice to said second orifice through which said lubricant can be directed into said cavity to form the lubricating mist, a circumferential surface fitting within said circular opening in said housing, and a helical groove in said circumferential surface through which the lubricating mist is evacuated from said cavity during rotation of said rotor shaft.

1 more element

Apparatus for providing a lubricating mist to a bearing in a generator, comprising:

a housing having a circular opening and a passageway through which air can enter a cavity in said housing;
a rotor shaft secured in said housing for rotation therein having an axial opening, an axial bore extending from said axial opening through which a lubricant can be circulated and a radial passageway extending from a first opening at said axial bore to a second opening;
a ring adapted for receipt on said rotor shaft in a position adjacent the bearing having a first face with an opening therein, a second face with an opening therein and a passageway between said openings;
a hub secured to said rotor shaft for rotation therewith having a collar section with a radially extending orifice coincident with said second opening in said rotor shaft through which said lubricant can be received from said rotor shaft and directed through said passageway in said ring into said cavity to form the lubricating mist, and a plate section having a face in which at least one drive pin is supported;
and
a pump rotor adapted for receipt on said rotor shaft without blocking said passageway in said ring, a circumferential surface fitting within said opening in said housing, a helical groove in said circumferential housing through which the lubricating mist is evacuated from said cavity during rotation of said rotor shaft, a first face which mates with said second face on said ring and a second face having at least one radial slot therein adapted to receive said drive pin such that said pump rotor rotates with said hub.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Screw pump for lubricating generator bearing

Life of this patent

Screw pump for lubricating generator bearing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20