Low drag/high feed rate bearing wick for a unit bearing motor

Abstract

An electric motor includes a rotor body having a longitudinal central axis, a longitudinal central opening substantially coaxial with the central axis, a journal bearing which is received in the central opening, a rotor shaft rotatably journaled in the bearing, and a wicking element through which the rotor shaft is journaled. The wicking element is in wicking contact with a source of lubricant and the rotor shaft to deliver lubricant from the source of lubricant to the rotor shaft. The improved wicking element has an opening which positively contacts the rotor shaft at at least one point, and is spaced from the shaft throughout substantially the remainder of the periphery to provide a wick which will improve oil flow to the rotor to improve lubrication of the shaft. Further, the wick is made from a polyester-cotton blend textile which has relatively short fibers. These fibers will not readily separate from the wick.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.