Locomotive air compressor with outboard support bearing

Abstract

This invention is directed to a locomotive air compressor that includes a detachable bearing housing that houses an outboard crankshaft bearing. The bearing housing includes a flange, a tapered housing and a bearing retainer. The housing also includes a central bore to allow for the passage of a crankshaft and an annular recess which supports the outboard crankshaft bearing. The addition of an outboard crankshaft support bearing allows the placement of the bearing closer to the electric motor, eliminating deflections that are inherent with extended, unsupported crankshafts. The elimination of crankshaft deflections allows the use of more efficient electric motors that have a smaller air gap between the rotor and the stator. The bearing housing is detachable to allow access to the bearings in the crankcase for easy servicing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.