US 5,628,248 AGranted

Fluid control system for rotating shaft or flywheel

AssigneeThe Minster Machine Company

InventorsRichard J. Oen, Edward A. Daniel

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Abstract

A fluid control system for a rotating shaft which provides a seal to limit fluid leakage from around the shaft and which vacuums away any fluid leaking past the provided seal. The fluid control system may be installed around a rotating shaft such as a flywheel in a press. The fluid control system includes a housing which forms a clearance space with the rotating shaft in which fluid, such as oil being used to create or service the flywheel bearing, can be collected. A seal is provided between the rotating shaft and the housing to prevent fluid leakage from the clearance space. A vacuum mechanism positioned along a leakage path beyond the seal is provided with an air duct through which passes a vacuum induced air flow which vacuums away fluid leaked from the seal. The air duct is preferably configured to include a radial clearance between a portion of the fluid collection system and the rotating shaft such that relative axial movement therebetween does not compromise the vacuuming capabilities of the vacuum mechanism, and therefore the fluid collection system can be employed with axially reciprocating or moving rotating shafts.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A mechanical press comprising:

a frame structure with a crown and a bed;
a slide guided by the frame structure for reciprocating movement in opposed relation to said bed;
a drive mechanism attached to said frame structure;
a flywheel assembly rotatably driven by said drive mechanism, said flywheel assembly including a flywheel rotatable relative to said frame structure about an axis of rotation on at least one bearing;
a crankshaft rotatably disposed within said crown and in driving connection with said slide;
a clutch assembly for selectively connecting said flywheel to said crankshaft for driving rotation thereof;
and
a fluid control system for controlling fluid associated with said at least one bearing, said fluid control system comprising:
a housing defining a clearance space with said flywheel assembly, said clearance space arranged in flow communication with said at least one bearing to collect fluid therefrom;
a first seal positioned to limit leakage of fluid from said clearance space;
and
vacuum means including at least one vacuum drain port arranged for removing fluid leaking past said seal, said vacuum means including an air duct structured and arranged to draw a flow of air suitable to provide a vacuum induced air flow through said vacuum drain port during vacuum operation sufficient to vacuum away fluid leaking past said seal.

9 more elements

A mechanical press comprising:

a frame structure with a crown and a bed;
a slide guided by the frame structure for reciprocating movement in opposed relation to said bed;
a drive mechanism attached to said frame structure;
a flywheel assembly rotatably driven by said drive mechanism, said flywheel assembly including a flywheel rotatable relative to said frame structure about an axis of rotation on at least one bearing;
a crankshaft rotatably disposed within said crown and in driving connection with said slide;
a clutch assembly for selectively connecting said flywheel to said crankshaft for driving rotation thereof;
and
a lubricating fluid control system for controlling fluid associated with said at least one bearing, said fluid control system comprising:
a housing defining a clearance space with said flywheel assembly, said clearance space arranged in flow communication with said at least one bearing to collect fluid therefrom;
a first seal positioned to limit leakage of fluid from said clearance space;
said flywheel assembly including an end portion having an annular end surface in proximity to said seal;
and
a vacuum system including:
at least one vacuum drain port positioned radially outward of said flywheel annular surface to receive fluid leaking past said seal and flowing around said flywheel end portion surface, a vacuum source connected to said drain port, and an air inlet disposed between said end surface and said drain port to provide air to be drawn into said drain port, whereby air drawn into said port vacuums away the fluid leaking past said seal.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.