Lubrication mechanism for anti-friction bearings
AssigneeS W Industries
InventorJames O. Gallant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high speed anti-friction bearing includes an internal impeller mechanism to provide improved high speed lubrication for the anti-friction elements. At high bearing speeds the impeller mechanism scoops liquid lubricant from a liquid annulus centrifugally generated on the outer wall of the bearing. The scooped liquid is hurled inwardly onto the anti-friction elements as a fine mist. The bearing lubrication process is achieved with minimum heat generation and minimum energy loss insofar as the anti-friction elements do not plow through large masses of lubricant.
Claims15
A bearing assembly comprising an inner race, an outer race, a plurality of rolling anti-friction elements disposed between said inner and outer races, and impeller means disposed between said inner and outer races adjacent to said rolling elements, said impeller means extending radially outwardly beyond said rolling elements for directing lubricant from a location alongside said outer race to a location adjacent said inner race.
The bearing assembly of claim and further comprising an annular separator for circumferentially spacing said rolling elements, said impeller means being carried by said separator.
A high speed bearing assembly comprising an inner race;
- an outer race;
- a plurality of rolling elements disposed between said inner and outer races;
- a support surface formed on said outer race for engaging and supporting said rolling elements;
- a fluid lubricant disposed between said inner and outer races;
- and lubricant distributing means disposed adjacent said rolling elements and having at least one scoop means extending radially outward beyond said support surface for engaging an annular layer of said lubricant alongside said outer race and for hurling said lubricant from said layer inwardly toward said rolling elements.
A high speed bearing assembly comprising an outer annular wall;
- an outer race projecting radially inwardly from said outer annular wall;
- an inner race spaced radially inwardly from said outer race;
- anti-friction ball elements rollably engaging said inner and outer races;
- two axially-spaced sealing members extending from said outer annular wall to said inner race, said ball elements and said outer race being located between said two sealing members;
- a quantity of liquid lubricant disposed in a space defined by said two sealing members;
- and two flat annular radial walls located between said ball elements and respective ones of said sealing members;
- each flat radial wall having a side surface facing said ball elements, and an outer circumferential edge in near proximity to said outer annular wall;
- each side surface having impeller means extending radially inwardly from its associated outer edge, such that said impeller means are enabled to direct lubricant from said outer annular wall into contact with said ball elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.