With Pressure Or Suction Means Patents (Class 384/471)
  • Patent number: 11940010
    Abstract: A bearing apparatus supports a rotating body with a bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, and a rolling element. The bearing apparatus includes a power generator including a Peltier element variable in amount of power generation depending on a temperature difference between the inner ring and the outer ring caused in the bearing and an abnormality sensing apparatus that senses abnormality of the bearing based on the amount of power generation by the power generator. Preferably, the abnormality sensing apparatus senses abnormality of the bearing based on any of the amount of power generation by the power generator, a time derivative value of the amount of power generation, and following relation between the amount of power generation and another parameter. The bearing apparatus and a spacer in which abnormality of the bearing can accurately be sensed early are thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Shohei Hashizume
  • Patent number: 11933363
    Abstract: A bearing box for a rotating roll that delivers a high-temperature substance. The bearing box includes a bearing portion and a seal portion provided adjacent to the bearing portion and includes a first cooling liquid passage that is formed on the outer peripheral side of the bearing portion and through which a cooling liquid passes, and a second cooling liquid passage that is formed on the radially inner side relative to the first cooling liquid passage and on the outer peripheral side of the seal portion, the second cooling liquid passage communicating with the first cooling liquid passage to cause the cooling liquid to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Isozaki, Shinya Ito, Akitaka Fujii, Noriaki Ohara
  • Patent number: 11808300
    Abstract: A device for stabilizing pressure inside a gear's housing or a wheel's hub includes a bladder, and a conduit coupled to the bladder and coupleable to a volume containing a lubricant. The bladder includes a chamber having a volume, and is configured such that the chamber's volume increases as a fluid enters the chamber, and decreases as fluid leaves the chamber. The conduit includes a first end positionable adjacent the lubricant containing volume, a second end coupled with the bladder, and a passage between the first and second ends, and is configured to hold fluid disposed in the passage and direct the fluid between the first and second ends. When the conduit is coupled to the lubricant containing volume, the volume of the bladder's chamber, the passage of the conduit and the lubricant containing volume are isolated from the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Lew Davis
  • Patent number: 11542832
    Abstract: A device for lubricating and cooling a turbomachine rolling bearing is at least partially annular. The device comprises a first duct and a second duct inclined with respect to the first duct. The first duct is configured to be in thermal contact with an outer ring of the rolling bearing that at least partially surrounds same. The second duct is fluidically connected to the first duct. The first duct is configured to circulate the lubricant for cooling the outer ring, towards a discharge outlet of the lubricant. The second duct is configured to eject the lubricant through a lubrication outlet towards the rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Lionel Bauduin, Othmane Ez-Zahraouy
  • Patent number: 11215179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a volumetric compressor (100) including a container (51) for collecting the lubricant moved by an oil distribution disc (1). The compressor (100) further comprises at least two lubricant distribution channels (52), in which each lubricant distribution channel (52) extends from the collecting container (51) so that during operation, the lubricating oil flowing along the channel itself reaches a lubrication opening (82) of a lubrication duct (81) for a rolling bearing (90) of a rotor (80?, 80?). The lubrication opening (82) is arranged at a lower level with respect to the container (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: JUROP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Danilo Santarossa
  • Patent number: 10670078
    Abstract: When inner diameter side opening portions are projected on an outer circumferential surface of a retainer along extension lines of central lines of radial holes, at least parts of the inner diameter side opening portions of a plurality of radial holes of an outer ring are positioned within an area of two circles formed by connecting each of axial end portions of adjacent pockets of the retainer in an axial direction. When a central line of any one radial hole coincides with a circumferential phase of a center of a ball, any other radial hole is formed such that the projected inner diameter side opening portion is separated from the ball and an inner circumferential surface of the pocket when viewed from the radial direction of the ball bearing, and a central line of the other radial hole overlaps with the pocket when viewed from the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Amano, Yoshiaki Katsuno, Kyohei Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 10344552
    Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) which partitions the rotating speed of an inner barrel relative to a rotary and stationary seal via a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly causes the rotary seal to rotate at near half the speed, or portion of the speed thereof, of the inner barrel. Alternatively, a rotary seal assembly is rotatable by frictional contact with the inner barrel, and a stationary seal assembly is in frictional contact with the rotary seal assembly to prevent the rotary seal assembly from rotating at the same speed as the inner barrel. The speed differential between the inner barrel and the rotary seal, as well as between the rotary seal and the stationary seal is reduced by nearly half, which reduces wear and increases performance life of each seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 10228023
    Abstract: An improved film damper oil delivery pathway from an oil reservoir to a thin film fluidic damper is provided. An oil supply tube may be configured to mate to a bearing outer race. The bearing outer race may comprise internal oil flow circuit(s) configured to supply oil from the oil tube to the thin film damper for improved bearing compartment designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Eric Charles Mundell, Gary L. Grogg
  • Patent number: 10156158
    Abstract: An oil supply assembly for a bearing damper of a gas turbine engine includes an oil supply tube configured to supply oil in a first direction. The assembly also includes a bearing support having a bearing damper path connecting the bearing damper to the oil supply tube and a bearing compartment path connecting a bearing compartment to the oil supply tube. The assembly also includes a check valve disposed within the bearing damper path and configured to allow fluid communication in the first direction from the oil supply tube to the bearing damper and block fluid communication in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Todd A. Davis
  • Patent number: 9624978
    Abstract: A bearing device is constituted by a rolling bearing and a lubricant supply device combined with each other. The lubricant supply device includes a lubrication oil tank which stores pressurized lubrication oil and has a lubrication oil discharge spout; an open/close valve which opens/closes the lubrication oil discharge spout of the lubrication oil tank; a driving section which operates the open/close valve; and an electric power source section which generates electric energy for operation of the driving section. The lubricant supply device is attached to the rolling bearing or to a spacer adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Ito, Kaoru Oomoto
  • Patent number: 9429195
    Abstract: A rolling bearing apparatus includes a lubrication unit provided adjacently to an annular space formed between an inner ring and an outer ring. The lubrication unit includes a tank that stores a lubricant to be supplied to an annular space and that has an outlet portion through which the lubricant flows out. The tank has a flexible bag in which the lubricant is stored. The bag is filled with the lubricant and allows the lubricant to flow out through the outlet portion as a volume of the bag decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenta Hasama
  • Patent number: 9382944
    Abstract: A bearing having grease lubrication includes a first ring and a second ring. A plurality of screw holes axially extend through the first ring. A first axial end of the first ring is affixed to a housing by a plurality of screws extending from the housing into the respective screw holes. A first bore is defined in the first ring adjacent to a second axial end of the first ring. The first bore intersects and fluidly communicates with one of the screw holes such that grease is dischargeable therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Matthias Hofmann, Werner Horn, Holger Kristandt, Baozhu Liang, Edgar Pickel, Ingo Schulz, Mathias Seuberling
  • Patent number: 9281462
    Abstract: A power generating bearing assembly (100) comprises a bearing subassembly (120) retained by a bearing housing (110). During operation, friction and other factors increase a temperature of the bearing assembly (100). The housing (110) can optionally include a bearing cooling passage system comprising at least one liquid cooling passage (134) formed internally therein. The liquid cooling passage (134) would be routed proximate the bearing subassembly (120) to remove heat therefrom. A thermo-generator cavity (180) extends inward from an exterior surface of the housing (110), terminating at a cavity end wall (182). The cavity (180) is formed at a location identified having a higher temperature. A Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) is inserted within the cavity (180) and thermally coupled to the end wall (182). The Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) (200) utilizes a temperature difference between the end wall (182) and the ambient air to generated electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Frank Bartl, Andreas Clemens Van Der Ham
  • Patent number: 9228611
    Abstract: A lubricant supply unit that supplies lubricating oil to a raceway groove of an inner ring is fixed to an outer ring. The lubricant supply unit is provided with a first and second radially separated electrodes used to supply electric power from an external power source to the micropump. Each of the first and second radially separated electrodes is fixed to an outer face of a tank that is stationary relative to the micropump so as to be exposed on the outside of the lubricant supply unit. The first radially separated electrode is arranged so as to be apart from the second radially separated electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamamoto, Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 8920037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing arrangement with an outer ring and an inner ring that can rotate relative to one another, and rolling bodies, especially balls, which are located between the outer ring and the inner ring. The invention also relates to an infeed distributor and a suction exhaust device for incorporation in such a bearing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lincoln GmbH
    Inventors: Zdravko Paluncic, Ralf Trinkel
  • Patent number: 8894288
    Abstract: A system for cooling a transmission of a hover-capable aircraft, the system having: a stator; a heat exchanger connectable thermally to the transmission; a fan for creating a current of a first heat-carrying fluid from the heat exchanger to the fan itself, to remove heat from the heat exchanger; a rotary member, which rotates about an axis to rotate an impeller of the fan about the axis; and a bearing supporting the rotary member for rotation about the axis; the system also having cooling means for cooling the bearing, and in turn having conducting means for conducting a current of a second heat-carrying fluid along a path from an outside environment, external to the bearing, to and to cool the bearing itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: AgustaWestland S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Pisani, Andrea Gabrielli
  • Publication number: 20140341490
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bearing device which includes a lubricant supply device that is capable of supplying lubrication oil from a lubrication oil tank to a rolling bearing without time lag and without using a pump, and at a high level of energy efficiency. A bearing device is constituted by a rolling bearing and a lubricant supply device combined with each other. The lubricant supply device includes a lubrication oil tank which stores pressurized lubrication oil and has a lubrication oil discharge spout; an open/close valve which opens/closes the discharge spout of the lubrication oil tank; a driving section which operates the open/close valve; and an electric power source section which generates electric energy for operation of the driving section. The lubricant supply device is attached to the rolling bearing or to a spacer adjacent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Ito, Kaoru Oomot
  • Publication number: 20140248015
    Abstract: A lubricant supply unit that supplies lubricating oil to a raceway groove of an inner ring is fixed to an outer ring. The lubricant supply unit is provided with a first and second radially separated electrodes used to supply electric power from an external power source to the micropump. Each of the first and second radially separated electrodes is fixed to an outer face of a tank that is stationary relative to the micropump so as to be exposed on the outside of the lubricant supply unit. The first radially separated electrode is arranged so as to be apart from the second radially separated electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi YAMAMOTO, Hiroshi UENO
  • Patent number: 8753016
    Abstract: A spindle unit comprises a rolling bearing including an outer ring having an outer ring raceway on an inner peripheral surface, an inner ring having an inner ring raceway on an outer peripheral surface, and rolling elements provided rollably between the outer ring raceway and the inner ring raceway, whereby a spindle is borne rotatably in a housing, and a grease supply system for supplying a grease to an inside of the rolling bearing, wherein the grease supply system supplies the grease such that a supply amount in one shot is set to 0.004 cc to 0.1 cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Matsuyama, Saburou Azumi, Yuu Koiwa, Mitsuho Aoki, Yasushi Morita, Yoshifumi Inagaki, Sumio Sugita, Ken Inaba, Kenji Yakura
  • Patent number: 8360650
    Abstract: A method for lubricating a rolling element bearing by an ultra low viscosity volatile fluid comprises injecting a liquefied fluid flow into the bearing, lubricating rolling contacts between the rings and the rolling elements of the bearing by the liquefied fluid, providing a flow restriction for the liquefied fluid so as to maintain at least part of the fluid at a pressure which is above the evaporation pressure which is defined by evaporation of the fluid at the temperature or temperatures which prevail(s) in the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: AB SKF
    Inventors: Guillermo Enrique Morales Espejel, Hans Wallin, Goran Lindsten
  • Patent number: 8342753
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in a rolling mill oil film bearing to remove oil exiting from between a rotating sleeve and a fixed bushing surrounding the sleeve. The system comprises an annular chamber arranged to receive the exiting flow of oil. The chamber is isolated from a drainage sump by confinement surfaces including a seal interface defined by a flexible seal in contact with an adjacent rigid component of the bearing. Impellers project into the chamber and are rotable with and at the velocity of the sleeve to rotatively propel oil around the chamber. A discharge conduit communicates tangentially with the chamber and is arranged to receive a pressurized flow of the oil being rotatively propelled around the chamber. A venturi is located in the discharge conduit. A suction conduit connects the venturi to the drainage sump. Oil escaping from the annular chamber past the seal interface into the drainage sump is aspirated by the venturi for removal via the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter N. Osgood, Thomas C. Wojtkowski, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110222804
    Abstract: A wind turbine generator is provided in which damage to a rolling element due to running out of lubricant oil in a main bearing (10) can be reliably prevented even if a wind turbine idles during a power failure. In a wind turbine generator in which the main bearing (10) of a laterally disposed main shaft (6) has an oil supply port (14) and a drain port (15) for lubricant oil, and in which the lubricant oil supplied from an oil pump flows through the oil supply port (14) into the main bearing (10) and flows out through the drain port (15) to circulate, the drain port (15) is disposed above the center of a lower rolling element disposed in the main bearing (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Okano, Kazufumi Takayanagi, Yoshitomo Noda
  • Patent number: 7883271
    Abstract: In a rolling bearing including an oil supply unit for supplying lubricating oil stored in a tank by a pump via a nozzle which is made to open in an annular space defined between an inner ring and an outer ring, the nozzle is made to open in a space between an inner circumferential surface of a case and the inner ring, and the inner circumferential surface of the cage is formed into a surface in which an inside diameter of the cage is reduced gradually in a continuous or intermittent fashion from an axial center portion towards at least an end portion lying on a side where the nozzle is inserted, whereby a lubricating oil dropped on to the inner circumferential surface of the cage is caused to flow towards the axial center portion by virtue of centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the cage, so as to prevent the lubricating oil from flowing out to the outside of the bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Suzuki, Kiyoshi Tanimoto, Hiroshi Ueno, Shinji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7815374
    Abstract: A system for cooling a bearing of a shaft of a motor comprises an oil sump adapted to collect oil that contacts a bearing enclosed within the sump; and a heat exchanger physically separated from the sump and the bearing, the heat exchanger adapted to be in fluid communication with the sump and the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Kreitzer, Mark Hodowanec, Warren G. Holter, Margaret M. Holter, legal representative, Jason Obermeyer
  • Publication number: 20080240643
    Abstract: A hood for a bearing assembly isolates lubricants or gases expelled from the bearing assembly. The hood may include lower, middle, and upper portions that substantially form a funnel. The hood covers at least a portion of a bearing seal of the bearing assembly and extends from the bearing assembly and out of a galvanizing bath. The hood may be formed from one or more sheets of material. Mounting brackets are provided to secure the hood to the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Wayne-Dalton Corp
    Inventor: John Henry GARNCARZ
  • Patent number: 7410302
    Abstract: The invention refers to a pressure compensating device (4) for a bearing housing, which is incorporating a sealed off compartment, and which device is intended to compensate pressure variations in the sealed off compartment, wherein the device (4) incorporates a housing (5, 6, 7), in which is positioned a bellows (9) of flexible material, which housing (4) has at least one first opening (10) through which the interior of the bellows (4) communicates with the side of the bearing housing where a varying pressure can be expected, and wherein the bellows (4) further is associated with an additional opening (8), adapted to allow the bellows (4) to alter its momentary form for compensating such pressure variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Bjorn Pettersson, Filip Rosengren
  • Patent number: 7374019
    Abstract: There is provided a lubricating method for a rolling bearing assembly capable of achieving a reliable lubrication and exhibiting a stable temperature rise. The method is for supplying a lubricant oil to the rolling bearing assembly during the operation thereof, in which in order to keep the temperature of a rolling bearing assembly (103) within a predetermined tolerance, the amount of the lubricant oil to be supplied during the operation is automatically or manually adjusted by means of a supply adjusting unit (102). Supply of the lubricant oil is performed in the form of an air/oil mixture by the use of a lubricant supply unit (101). The amount of the lubricant oil supplied varies depending on the rotational speed of the rolling bearing assembly (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Futoshi Kosugi, Masatsugu Mori, Keiichi Ueda
  • Patent number: 7293919
    Abstract: A bearing device mountable on a smaller bearing and allowing to be automatically lubricated for a long period, comprising an inner ring and an outer ring rotated relative to each other, cages and rolling elements held by the cages which are disposed in an annular space between the inner and outer rings, a seal ring disposed on both sides of the inner and outer rings, and a unit body formed of a battery, a tank for storing lubricant, and a pump sucking and discharging the lubricant from the tank which is disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring detachably from the seal ring, wherein the lubricant is discharged from the pump into the annular space in which the rolling elements are disposed and the discharged amount of the lubricant from the pump is controlled by a sensor and a control circuit, and the unit body is formed detachable, whereby a lubrication unit installed in the bearing can be made compact and slim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueno, Masaaki Ohtsuki, Shinji Fukuda, Kenji Sakamoto, Syouji Eguchi
  • Patent number: 7153030
    Abstract: A rolling bearing system provided with an inner ring including a first raceway surface, an outer ring including a second raceway surface, a rolling element retained between the inner ring and the outer ring and capable of rolling along the first raceway surface and the second raceway surface, and a lubricant storage section incorporated in a bearing structure. The lubricant storage section includes a grease tank arranged between the inner and outer rings for storing a grease, and a grease pressing mechanism for pushing the grease stored in the grease tank out of the grease tank to supply the grease to the rolling element and the first and second raceway surfaces. The inner ring includes a first extending surface adjoining the first raceway surface, and the outer ring includes a second extending surface adjoining the second raceway surface and facing the first extending surface. The grease tank is housed in an annular space defined between the first and second extending surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yukio Katsuzawa, Yasuyuki Nakazawa, Taku Oohara
  • Patent number: 7124857
    Abstract: A bearing scavenge system comprises a scavenging passage extending axially through a rotating shaft supported by the bearing assembly. Oil and air are drawn from an oil cavity of the bearing assembly and evacuated through the rotating shaft as the shaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Eugene Gekht, Thomas Francis Haslam-Jones, Pierre-Yves Légaré
  • Patent number: 6991378
    Abstract: For a bearing mounted between two concentric races rotating relative to each other, and forming an annular gap that accommodates the bearing and is closed by seals, at least one grease tube is provided between the periphery of one of the two races and the annular gap, and is connected to a corresponding grease reservoir. At least one main grease tube opens into the annular gap in an angular sector where an overpressure occurs, a corresponding main grease reservoir is adapted to collect grease flowing from the annular gap through the main grease tube due to the overpressure that may occur within the annular gap in the angular sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: S.A. Defontaine
    Inventors: Eric Jacquemont, Germain Errard
  • Patent number: 6308621
    Abstract: The bearing lubrication system for a cylinder in a printing machine pumps oil from the driving gear side to the roller bearing. The gear side has a gear box and an oil sump with a supply of lubricating oil. An oil loop connects the bearing housing with the gear box fluidically via dry quick disconnects. The dry disconnects allow quick removal of the printing machine cylinder for maintenance or for print job retrofitting. As the printing machine cylinder rotates (it is driven from the gear box), oil is pumped from the gear box into the bearing housing. The bearing is thus lubricated and cooled. The oil is discharged from the bearing housing and returned to the gear box sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Gerald Roger Douillard, Eric Michael Lapine, Michael Robert Lemlin
  • Patent number: 6177744
    Abstract: A technique is provided for sealing a bearing cavity in a rotating machine such as an electric motor. The bearing cavity is defined by annular elements on either side of an antifriction bearing set. Seals are provided on the sides of the bearing cavity and are secured to a support structure, such as the motor housing, and include elements which ride against the rotating shaft during operation. The seals exert a sealing force against the rotating element which results at least partially from internal pressure within the bearing cavity provided by a pressurized lubricant stream. The lubricant stream is provided in the form of an airborne oil mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Subler, Harvey A. Trickel, T. Wayne Paschall
  • Patent number: 6172436
    Abstract: A technique is provided for sealing a bearing cavity in a rotating machine such as an electric motor. The bearing cavity is defined by annular elements on either side of an antifriction bearing set. Seals are provided on the sides of the bearing cavity and are secured to a support structure, such as the motor housing, and include elements which ride against the rotating shaft during operation. The seals exert a sealing force against the rotating element which results at least partially from internal pressure within the bearing cavity provided by a pressurized lubricant stream. The lubricant stream is provided in the form of an airborne oil mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Subler, Harvey A. Trickel, T. Wayne Paschall
  • Patent number: 5735676
    Abstract: A method and device for the autolubrication of the rolling bearings of turbomachines. The method and device utilize pressure differences present in the turbomachine for sucking in the lubricating oil. Moreover, a pressure is built up in centrifuges arranged on a shaft, and is used for the direct injection of the lubricating oil into the rolling bearings. For this purpose, an annular element imparting a negative pressure is arranged stationarily on the shaft, and is designed as a negative pressure chamber. The negative pressure chamber is connected via an oil suction conduit to an oil sump holding the lubricating oil and via a first air conduit to a negative pressure region of the turbomachine. The oil sump is connected via a second air conduit to an overpressure region of the turbomachine. A separating point is arranged between the oil suction conduit and the negative pressure region, preferably in the first air conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventor: Markus Loos
  • Patent number: 5722778
    Abstract: A bearing device for supporting a rotating shaft substantially arranged in a vertical direction in a vertical rotation machine is disclosed. The bearing device enables the vertical rotation machine to operate in a stable and contamination-free condition by preventing leakage of lubricant as well as to decrease the lubricant consumption. The bearing device comprises a roller bearing for supporting the rotating shaft and a labyrinth seal provided below the bearing. An oil dam is provided at a bottom portion of a bearing chamber to surround the sealing. An oil suction pipe for discharging lubricant from the oil dam, a sealing gas supply passage for supplying sealing gas into the bearing chamber from below by way of the sealing, and a sealing gas vent port opening at an upper area of the bearing chamber are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kishikawa, Hisao Uekusa, Pierre Gauvin, ReJean Jodoin
  • Patent number: 5711615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an antifriction bearing with an external lubricant supply system, which includes a lubricant duct which extends through the outer ring or inner ring of the bearing, and which terminates in the direct vicinity of the rolling elements of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Albert Stitz, Wolfgang Hahmann, Franz Peter Salz
  • Patent number: 5628248
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The Minster Machine Co.
    Inventors: Richard J. Oen, Edward A. Daniel
  • Patent number: 5584359
    Abstract: A detectable wheel bearing lubricator for lubricating bearings in a wheel hub that includes an adapter for securely coupling to a wheel hub at one end and a lubrication assembly that is releasably coupled to the other end of the adapter thereby facilitating the removal thereof from the adapter for replacement and lubricant replenishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Phillip N. Reinersman
  • Patent number: 5484212
    Abstract: A method of lubricating a bearing (58) in a printing unit (14) includes the step of directing a quantity of grease into the bearing (58), and the step of directing pressurized air into contact with the grease. The bearing (58) supports a printing cylinder (16) for rotation in the printing unit (14), and includes a plurality of rolling elements (100) between a pair of opposed bearing race surfaces (94, 88). A predetermined quantity (160) of grease is directed to flow from a hydraulic pump (114) to the space between the bearing race surfaces (94, 88). The pressurized air is directed to flow from a pneumatic pump (132) into contact with the grease to remove a first portion of the predetermined quantity (160) of grease from the space between the bearing race surfaces (94, 88). The pressurized air further spreads a second portion of the predetermined quantity (160) of grease into coatings (190) which extend over the rolling element surfaces (104) and the bearing race surfaces (94, 88).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Glenn A. Guaraldi, David C. Burke
  • Patent number: 5423399
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for supplying a lubricant to a bearing assembly, such as that in a gyroscope of a spacecraft. The system includes a housing which is connected to the bearing assembly and which forms a pressurized chamber. A collapsible member, such as a bellows, in the pressurized chamber houses a supply of lubricant. One or more valves regulate and control the flow of lubricant from the collapsible member to the bearing assembly. In response to the actuation of the valves, flow of lubricant is caused by pressure exerted on the collapsible member. Lubricant flow conduits may also be formed within the housing, so that lubricant may be provided directly to a portion of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis W. Smith, Edward F. Silvent, Mark H. Warner
  • Patent number: 5322373
    Abstract: A venting system is disclosed in connection with a high speed electric motor having oil bath lubricated ball bearings. The bracket and cap which enclose the bearing define mating passageways which, in combination upon assembly, lead from inside the inboard bearing seal to the outside atmosphere. The venting passageway maintains a chamber next to the bearing seal at substantially outside atmospheric pressure, so that no lubricant will be sucked out of the bearing structure. However, because the passageway is formed automatically upon assembly of the cap and bracket, no extra steps or awkward assembly of parts is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Co.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Oakes, Donald F. Kus, William Subler
  • Patent number: 5312192
    Abstract: A bearing lubricating structure for rotary machinery having a rotor rotatably supported by a bearing in a casing, an oil reservoir provided in a lower part of a bearing chamber accommodating the bearing, and an oil disk attached to an end of a rotating shaft of the rotor and immersed in lubricating oil in the oil reservoir so as to supply the bearing with lubricating oil splashed by the oil disk, wherein a guide groove is provided to collect lubricating oil flowing down an inner wall of a cover attached to an end of the casing; a suction nozzle is inserted into the guide groove to suck lubricating oil collected in the guide groove; a lubricant passage extends through the inside of the rotating shaft to supply the bearing with lubricating oil sucked through the suction nozzle; and an oiling nozzle is communicated with the lubricant passage and performs a pumping action induced by the rotation of the shaft, whereby a sufficiently large amount of lubricating oil is supplied to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Noburu Shimuzu, Yasuhiro Niimura
  • Patent number: 5303800
    Abstract: A lubricator for the bearings of a wheel hub that includes a bellows for accommodating changes in pressure in the wheel hub and utilizes a nongrease lubricant. Methods of manufacturing the lubricator and of lubricating wheel bearings are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Kenneth Persson
  • Patent number: 5178233
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying continuous uniform pressure to lubricant within a lubricant reservoir are disclosed. Memory retentive material, when inserted within a lubricant reservoir, compresses when initially subjected to lubricant pressure and later expands back to its original shape as lubricant seeps from the reservoir, thereby applying pressure to the lubricant to maintain constant lubricant pressure within the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: NTH, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond P. Nesseth
  • Patent number: 5150975
    Abstract: The bearing lubricating system comprises a casing having a bore which defines a reservoir and a well sized to receive a sufficient volume of a suitable liquid lubricant. A return passage in the casing allows fluid flow from the well to the reservoir. A shaft extends through the reservoir and through the well. At least one bearing is situated in the bore between the reservoir and the well. A pumper element is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith within the well. A pair of end seals seal off the opposite ends of the bore from the ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignees: Hy-Tech Hydraulics, Inc., Michael P. Breston
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Major, John L. Baker, David K. Braunagel
  • Patent number: 5129733
    Abstract: The invention contemplates use of a suction bell to enhance the loading with which a guided machine part is gravitationally supported on its guide. In application to a machine in which the machine part is movably supported on air bearings, the suction bell applies a preload force of magnitude to optimize the stiffness of air-bearing action and to maintain an air gap of uniform capillary thickness, free of mechanical contact between the machine part and its supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, Heidenheim/Brenz
    Inventors: Eckhard Enderle, Werner Leitenberger, Helmut Muller
  • Patent number: 5116145
    Abstract: Roller bearing for a shaft or similar, containing an inner race and outer race between which one or more rows of rollers are mounted and whereby lubricant can be applied between the rollers and races, characterized by the fact that the roller bearing (3) contains a pump (9) or part thereof with which the lubricant can be sucked form a tank and delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Developement Company BV
    Inventor: Alexander Jan de Vries
  • Patent number: 4942944
    Abstract: Apparatus to lubricate generator bearings with an oil-air mist is disclosed. A screw pump, preferably an assembly of components comprising a ring, a teflon seal, a pump rotor and a hub is secured onto a rotor shaft of a generator for rotation therewith. The rotor shaft has at least one passageway extending radially from an axial bore therein through which oil is transferred. The screw pump has a first orifice coincident with the rotor shaft passageway, a second orifice, a passageway extending from the first orifice to the second orifice through which the oil is directed into a cavity in the generator housing where it mixes with air to form a mist to lubricate the bearing, a circumferential surface fitting within an opening in the generator housing, and a helical groove in the circumferential surface through which the oil-air mist is evacuated during rotation of the generator rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Frey, James D. Lengel
  • Patent number: 4836334
    Abstract: A device for supplying a lubricant to a mechanism, in particular a rolling bearing, comprising a container for holding a quantity of lubricant which at its lower edge is provided with a discharge channel for the lubricant and wherein a spring-loaded piston-like element is located in such fashion that the force of the spring presses this element in the direction of the discharge channel, characterized in that in the discharge channel is mounted a valve member, normally found in the closed position, which is coupled with an electric circuit which upon excitation controls the valve member bringing this valve member into the open and again into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: SKF Industrial Trading and Development Co., B.V.
    Inventor: Johan C. M. Bras