Centrifugal separator with protected bearing

A centrifugal separator comprising:

• a base;
• a substantially vertical spindle upstanding from the base;
• a rotor mounted on the spindle and defining a rotor chamber surrounding the spindle;
• wherein the base includes an inlet passage receiving fluid to be filtered;
• and
• wherein the spindle includes an axial bore and outlets therefrom to supply the fluid to be filtered to the rotor chamber from the inlet passage;
• wherein the spindle is connected to the rotor so as to rotate in unison with the rotor relative to the base and
• wherein bearings for rotation of the spindle relative to the base are provided in a bearing housing which is fixedly mounted to the base, in that the spindle is also connected to the rotor in a manner which isolates the bearing housing from the rotor chamber;
• and
• an axial sealing arrangement comprising:
• an elongated stationary non-rotating tubular seal component mounted to the base, the seal component having a first axial bore extending therethrough and through opposing axial end faces of the non-rotating tubular seal component;
• an axially elongated rotating tubular seal component mounted to the spindle and rotating with the spindle, the rotating seal component having a second axial bore extending therethrough and through opposing axial end faces of the rotating tubular seal component;
• wherein a first one of the end faces of the rotating tubular seal component contacts and rotates upon a second one the end faces of the non-rotating tubular seal component forming a seal interface, the seal interface forming a rotary seal connecting the first and second axial bores such that a major portion of fluid flow in the first and second axial bores is prevented from escaping through the seal interface;
• wherein the sealing arrangement is provided, separate from the rotation bearings, between the spindle and the base at a location below the bearings in the bearing housing.