Lubrication – Lubricators – Lubricant heating and/or cooling device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-07-24
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Lubrication
Lubricators
Lubricant heating and/or cooling device
C184S006220, C384S316000, C165S104190
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264003
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the art of lubricant circulation systems used to provide a continuous supply of lubricant fluid to hydrodynamic sleeve bearings.
Hydrodynamic sleeve bearings are configured so that the shaft rides upon a thin film of lubricant fluid such as a petroleum-based or synthetic oil. In such bearings, the shaft extends through a sleeve material. Further, the bearing typically includes an oil ring to supply the lubricant fluid from a sump defined in the bearing housing to the top of the shaft.
As set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,048, which is commonly assigned to the applicant and which is incorporated herein by reference, an apparatus and process is provided to supplement the lubrication provided by the oil ring. To accomplish this, a reservoir is provided which is in fluid communication with a bearing outlet such that the lubricant fluid will flow from the sump to the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to maintain therein a predetermined quantity of lubricant fluid. A pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet provides fluid communication with the reservoir. A pump communicates with the reservoir to draw the lubricant fluid therefrom and deliver it to the bearing inlet. The pump mechanism is regulated such that any excess lubricant flow from the pump is directed back to the reservoir. A filter is used to remove impurities from the lubricant fluid prior to delivery to the bearing housing.
The lubricant circulation apparatus referenced above improves the quality of the lubricant fluid and provides a reliable mechanism for maintaining an appropriate level of oil within the hydrodynamic sleeve bearing sump. However, there remains room for improvement and variation within the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses that the foregoing prior art constructions and methods may be varied. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lubrication apparatus and process for facilitating the rotation of a mechanical shaft as may be associated with oil film sleeve bearings, hydrodynamic bearings, rolling element bearings, and gear reducers.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved bearing system which continually supplies a cooled lubricant fluid to a bearing device.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a lubricant fluid cooling apparatus and process which uses an existing flow of air to provide cooling of the lubricant.
Some of these objects are achieved by a bearing system for facilitating rotation of a mechanical shaft. The bearing housing defines a sump for maintaining a lubricant fluid therein. A bearing inlet and a bearing outlet are also defined in the housing permitting flow of lubricant fluid through the bearing housing at a predetermined flow rate. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the bearing outlet such that the lubricant fluid will flow from the sump to the reservoir. The reservoir is in further fluid communication with a heat exchanger via a pump. The heat exchanger is operatively disposed within the pathway of a cooling fan associated with a reservoir pump.
Other objects of the invention are achieved by a method of providing a cooled lubricant fluid to a hydrodynamic sleeve bearing. The method involves the steps of draining a defined amount of a lubricant fluid from the sump into a reservoir. Lubricant fluid is then removed by the pump from the reservoir and is passed through a filter for removing contaminants. The filtered lubricant fluid is then introduced into a heat exchanger, such as a fan-assisted radiator cooling apparatus. As the heated lubricant enters the heat exchanger at a first temperature, a flow of cooler air is passed over the heat exchange fins, thereby cooling the lubricant to a lower discharge temperature. The now cooled lubricant is then supplied via the pump pressure to a location radially above a shaft supported by the bearing such that the cooled lubricant fluid is deposited on top of the shaft. The movement of air used with the heat exchanger is supplied by the airflow created by cooling fan of the lubricant circulation pump. The introduction of a cooled lubricant extends the operating life of the lubricated components as well as extends the service interval of the lubricant fluid.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1334844 (1920-03-01), Day
patent: 4200149 (1980-04-01), Pechner
patent: 4418777 (1983-12-01), Stockton
patent: 4445592 (1984-05-01), New et al.
patent: 4461340 (1984-07-01), Hart et al.
patent: 5220978 (1993-06-01), McMaster
patent: 5626470 (1997-05-01), Gerhardt
patent: 5733048 (1998-03-01), El-Ibiary et al.
patent: 5971068 (1999-10-01), Ochiai et al.
W.W. Grainger Catalog No. 389 dated 1998-1999.
Dong Qimin
Young Jack
Fenstermacher David
Gerasimow Alexander M.
Klosowski, Jr. Bernard S.
Reliance Electric Technologies LLC
Walbrun William R.
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