Method and apparatus for applying lubricant to a hydrodynamic bearing
AssigneeQuantum Corporation
InventorsCarl D. Williams, Jackie Cordova, Richard E. Mills
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method, and associated apparatus, of applying fluid lubricant to a hydrodynamic bearing. Clearance spaces of the bearing which are to be filled with the fluid lubricant are evacuated. The fluid lubricant is then applied to the clearance spaces. Once the fluid lubricant has been applied to the clearance spaces, or concurrent therewith, the clearance spaces are returned to ambient pressure levels. Any pockets of air, or other gas, trapped within the bearing are collapsed as the clearance spaces are returned to the ambient pressure levels. The method is amenable to a high volume, assembly line-like process wherein large numbers of bearings may be filled with the fluid lubricant in a short period of time.
Claims25
A method for applying a fluid lubricant to a hydrodynamic bearing having clearance spaces separating bearing parts of the bearing and defining at least one pathway extending to an external surface of the bearing, said method comprising the steps of:
- reducing clearance space pressure levels of the clearance spaces to reduced pressure levels relative to an ambient pressure level;
- applying the fluid lubricant to the clearance spaces, and
- returning the clearance space pressure levels to levels above the reduced pressure levels.
An apparatus for applying a fluid lubricant to a hydrodynamic bearing having clearance spaces separating bearing parts of the bearing and defining at least one pathway extending to an external surface of the bearing, said apparatus comprising:
- means for reducing clearance space pressure levels of the clearance spaces;
- means for surrounding at least portions of the bearing with the fluid lubricant, thereby to isolate the clearance spaces from an ambient pressure level;
- means for applying the fluid lubricant to the clearance spaces;
- and
- means for returning the clearance space pressure levels to the ambient pressure levels once the fluid lubricant is applied by said means for applying.
An apparatus for applying a fluid lubricant to a hydrodynamic bearing having clearance spaces separating bearing parts of the bearing and defining at least one pathway extending to an external surface of the bearing to define a pathway opening thereat, said apparatus comprising:
- a first cap member positionable in sealing engagement about the least one pathway opening;
- a vacuum valve positioned between said first cap member and a vacuum pressure source, said vacuum valve actuatable into an open position for forming a first fluid connection between the vacuum pressure source and the clearance spaces and for depressurizing the clearance spaces of the bearing;
- a lubricant valve positioned between said first cap member and a source of the fluid lubricant, said lubricant valve actuatable into an open position for forming a second fluid connection between the source of fluid lubricant and the clearance spaces and for applying the liquid lubricant to the clearance spaces;
- and
- a vent valve positioned between said first cap member and an ambient pressure level source, said vent valve actuatable into an open position for forming a third fluid connection between the ambient pressure level source and the clearance spaces and for venting the clearance spaces to an ambient pressure level of the ambient pressure level source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.