U.S. patent application number 11/893567 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for adaptor frame.
Invention is credited to Neil F. Hoehle, David C. Orlowski.
Application Number | 20080044279 11/893567 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39082755 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080044279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orlowski; David C. ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Adaptor Frame
Abstract
An adaptor frame comprising an isolated drain path formed in the
adaptor frame at a first end of the adaptor frame is disclosed and
claimed. An inboard wall is formed in the adaptor frame at the
first end and the inboard wall is positioned adjacent an
interstitial area. The interstitial area is between a bearing and
the first end of the adaptor frame. The inboard wall provides a
first limit for the isolated drain path. An outboard wall is formed
in the adaptor frame at the first end and is separated from the
inboard wall by a predetermined amount along the axial dimension of
a shaft passing through the adaptor frame. The outboard wall
provides a second limit for the isolated drain path.
Inventors: |
Orlowski; David C.; (Punta
Gorda, FL) ; Hoehle; Neil F.; (Solon, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF JAY R. HAMILTON, PLC.
331 W. 3RD ST., NEW VENTURES CENTER SUITE 120
DAVENPORT
IA
52801
US
|
Family ID: |
39082755 |
Appl. No.: |
11/893567 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60838219 |
Aug 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/0462 20130101;
F04D 29/049 20130101; F04D 13/021 20130101; F04D 29/106 20130101;
F04D 29/628 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/175 |
International
Class: |
F01D 25/00 20060101
F01D025/00 |
Claims
1. An adaptor frame comprising: a. an isolated drain path formed in
said adaptor frame at a first end of said adaptor frame; b. an
inboard wall formed in said adaptor frame at said first end,
wherein said inboard wall is positioned adjacent an interstitial
area, wherein said interstitial area is between a bearing and said
first end of said adaptor frame, and wherein said inboard wall
provides a first limit for said isolated drain path; and, c. an
outboard wall formed in said adaptor frame at said first end,
wherein said outboard wall is separated from said inboard wall by a
predetermined amount along the axial dimension of a shaft passing
through said adaptor frame, and wherein said outboard wall provides
a second limit for said isolated drain path.
2. The adaptor frame according to claim 1 wherein said adaptor
frame first end is fashioned with at least one O-ring groove to
engage a bearing housing.
3. The adaptor frame according to claim 1 further defined as not
including said outboard wall.
4. The adaptor frame according to claim 1 wherein at least a
portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator.
5. The adaptor frame according to claim 1 further comprising an
annular adaptor frame groove adjacent said inboard wall and said
outboard wall, wherein said adaptor frame groove is in fluid
communication with said isolated drain path.
6. The adaptor frame according to claim 5 wherein the radial
dimension of said adaptor frame groove with respect to said shaft
increases on a portion of said adaptor frame groove adjacent said
isolated return path
7. The adaptor frame according to claim 1 wherein a radial distance
between the ends of said inboard wall and said outboard wall and
said shaft is in the range of 0.0001-1.0 inches.
8. The adaptor frame according to claim 1 wherein at least a
portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator and
wherein at least a portion of said outboard wall is formed by said
bearing isolator.
9. The adaptor frame according to claim 8 wherein said bearing
isolator includes a labyrinth groove, wherein said bearing isolator
includes a labyrinth return drain, and wherein said labyrinth
return drain is in fluid communication with said isolated drain
path.
10. An adaptor frame comprising: a. a first end fashioned to accept
a bearing isolator, wherein said first end is engagable with a
bearing housing at a bearing housing/adaptor frame interface, and
wherein said bearing isolator is at least capable of retaining
lubricant; b. a second end engagable with a pump casing; c. an
isolated drain path formed in said adaptor frame at said first end,
wherein said isolated drain path provides a conduit to return
lubricant drained from said bearing isolator to said bearing
housing; d. an inboard wall formed in said adaptor frame, wherein
an inboard wall exterior face is oriented adjacent an interstitial
area between a bearing and said adaptor frame, wherein an inboard
wall interior face provides a first limit for said isolated drain
path, and wherein said bearing is installed in said bearing
housing; and, e. an outboard wall formed in said adaptor frame,
wherein an outboard wall interior face provides a second limit for
said isolated drain path, wherein said outboard wall interior face
is adjacent said inboard wall interior face and separated therefrom
by a predetermined amount along the axial dimension of a shaft
passing through said bearing housing, said adaptor frame, and into
said pump casing.
11. The adaptor frame according to claim 10 wherein said adaptor
frame first end is fashioned with O-ring grooves to engage said
bearing housing at said bearing housing/adaptor frame
interface.
12. The adaptor frame according to claim 10 wherein at least a
portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator.
13. The adaptor frame according to claim 10 further defined as not
including said outboard wall.
14. The adaptor frame according to claim 10 further comprising an
annular adaptor frame groove adjacent said inboard wall and said
outboard wall, wherein the axial dimension of said adaptor frame
groove is defined by said inboard wall interior face and said
outboard wall interior face, and wherein said adaptor frame groove
is in fluid communication with said isolated drain path.
15. The adaptor frame according to claim 10 wherein at least a
portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator and
wherein at least a portion of said outboard wall is formed by said
bearing isolator.
16. The adaptor frame according to claim 15 wherein said bearing
isolator includes a labyrinth groove, wherein said bearing isolator
includes a labyrinth return drain, and wherein said labyrinth
return drain is in fluid communication with said isolated drain
path.
17. A pump assembly comprising: a. a pump casing, wherein said pump
casing houses an internal portion of a pump, and wherein a shaft
passing through at least a portion of said pump casing provides
energy to said internal portion of a pump; b. a bearing housing,
wherein said bearing housing is fashioned to accept at least one
bearing, wherein said shaft passes through said bearing housing and
rotationally engages said at least one bearing; c. an adaptor
frame, wherein said adaptor frame is fashioned to provide an
interface between said pump casing and said bearing housing, said
adaptor frame comprising: i. an isolated drain path formed in said
adaptor frame at a first end of said adaptor frame, wherein said
first end of said adaptor frame is arranged adjacent said bearing
housing; ii. an inboard wall formed in said adaptor frame, wherein
said inboard wall is positioned adjacent an interstitial area
between said at least one bearing and said adaptor frame, and
wherein said inboard wall provides a first limit for said isolated
drain path; and, iii. an outboard wall formed in said adaptor
frame, wherein said outboard wall is separated from said inboard
wall by a predetermined amount along the axial dimension of said
shaft, wherein said shaft passes through said adaptor frame, and
wherein said outboard wall provides a second limit for said
isolated drain path.
18. A bearing isolator comprising: a. a stator; and, b. a rotor,
wherein said stator and said rotor cooperate to form said bearing
isolator, wherein said bearing isolator includes an inboard wall
and an outboard wall, wherein said inboard wall and said outboard
wall cooperate to form a labyrinth groove, wherein said labyrinth
groove includes a labyrinth return drain that interfaces with an
isolated drain path formed in an adaptor frame.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Applicant claim priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of
provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/838,219 filed on
Aug. 17, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an adaptor frame and
bearing isolator for pumps wherein both the adaptor frame and the
bearing isolator have multiple embodiments.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] No federal funds were used to develop or create the
invention disclosed and described in the patent application.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0004] Not Applicable
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a pump assembly as
found in the prior art.
[0006] FIG. 1A is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of
the pump assembly from FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional exploded view of a pump assembly
shown in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a pump assembly
employing a first embodiment of the present art.
[0009] FIG. 3A is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of
the pump assembly from FIG. 3 employing the first embodiment of the
present art.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a pump assembly
employing a second embodiment of the present art.
[0011] FIG. 4A is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of
the pump assembly from FIG. 4 employing the second embodiment of
the present art.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a pump assembly
employing a third embodiment of the present art.
[0013] FIG. 5A is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of
the pump assembly from FIG. 5 employing the third embodiment of the
present art.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective partial cutaway view of the third
embodiment of the present art.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the bearing
isolator designed for use with the third embodiment of the present
art adaptor frame.
[0016] FIG. 8 is and end view of the third embodiment of the
present art adaptor frame.
[0017] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional side view of the third
embodiment of the present art adaptor frame as in FIG. 8 wherein
connecting lines between FIG. 8 and FIG. 8A correspond to common
surfaces.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a present art
bearing isolator engaged with a prior art adaptor frame.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a prior art
bearing isolator engaged with a present art adaptor frame.
TABLE-US-00001 [0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION - LISTING OF ELEMENTS
ELEMENT DESCRIPTION ELEMENT # Bearing Housing 1 Adaptor Frame 2
Pump Casing 3 Pump Assembly 4 Bearing 5 Intentionally Blank 6 Shaft
7 Labyrinth Groove 8 Labyrinth Return Drain 9 Isolated Drain Path
10 Interstitial Area 11 Lubricant 12 Isolated Lubricant Return
Passage 13 Lubricant Sump 14 Lubricant Level 15 Rotor 16 O-Ring 17
Bearing Housing/Adaptor Frame Interface 18 Outboard Wall 19 Present
Art Adaptor Frame 20 Stator 21 Inboard Wall 22 Inboard Wall
Interior Face 23 Inboard Wall Exterior Face 24 Outboard Wall
Interior Face 25 Outboard Wall Exterior Face 26 Bearing Isolator 27
O-ring Groove 28 Contaminant Drain 29 Unitizing Ring 30 Adaptor
Frame Groove 31 Intentionally Blank 32 Bearing Isolator Inboard
Wall 33 Bearing Isolator Outboard Wall 34 Contaminant Groove 35
Shaft Aperture 36
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting. Furthermore, the bearing
isolator 27 used with the present art adaptor frame 20 includes,
but is not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,234,489,
6,062,568, 5,378,000, 5,221,095, and 4,175,752, all of which are
incorporated herein by reference. By way of example, FIG. 10 shows
a prior art bearing isolator 27 installed within the present art
adaptor frame 20. The present art bearing isolators 27, such as
those used in the first and third embodiments (FIGS. 3-3A and 5-8A,
respectively), may also be used with prior art adaptor frames 2, as
is shown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, the scope of the present art
bearing isolators 27 is not limited by whether they are engaged
with a prior art adaptor frame 2 or a present art adaptor frame
20.
[0022] The term "bearing isolator" as defined herein is meant to
include such structures disclosed herein and in the prior art
consisting of a stator 21 and a rotor 16 cooperating to protect a
bearing 5 either through contaminant exclusion, lubricant
retention, or both. However, the present art adaptor frame 20 may
also be used without a bearing isolator 27, as shown in the second
embodiment pictured in FIGS. 4 and 4A. In the second embodiment
(explained in detail below), a simple labyrinth seal is used
instead of a bearing isolator 27. Therefore, the scope of the
present invention is not limited by whether a bearing isolator 27,
simple labyrinth seal, or complex labyrinth seal, are used
separately or in any combination thereof.
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, a prior art pump assembly 4 and relevant portions
thereof is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 provides a cross-sectional side
view of a typical prior art pump assembly 4, and FIG. 1A provides a
detailed view of a portion of the bearing housing/adaptor frame
interface 18. FIG. 2 shows the pump assembly 4 from FIG. 1 exploded
into the three primary components of the pump assembly 4: the
bearing housing 1, adaptor frame 2, and pump casing 3. A shaft 7
passes through each portion of the pump assembly 4 and is typically
affixed to a pump impeller (not shown) at one end, and to a source
of rotational power (not shown) at the opposite end, as is well
known to those skilled in the art.
[0024] The bearing housing 1 is typically arranged with at least
one bearing 5 positioned between the bearing housing 1 and the
shaft 7, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As is well known to those
skilled in the art, a portion of the bearing 5 is rotatable with
the shaft 7 and a portion is affixed to the bearing housing 1. In
many applications a bearing isolator 27 is positioned within the
adaptor frame 2 to retain lubricant 12 within the bearing housing 1
and/or to protect the bearing(s) 5 in the bearing housing 1 from
external contaminants that may enter the bearing housing 1 from the
pump casing 3 or elsewhere. Often the bearing housing 1 includes a
lubricant sump 14 filled to a specific lubricant level 15 with a
specific lubricant 12. The lubricant 12 serves to lubricate the
bearing(s) 5. When the shaft 7 rotates, a portion of the bearing(s)
5 rotate as well, which often causes lubricant 12 to splash around
the bearing(s) 5 and potentially migrate away from the bearing
housing 1 towards the adaptor frame 2 when the lubricant level 15
is at the appropriate value. This is because an appropriate
lubricant level 15 is often high enough to submerge at least a
portion of the bearing(s) 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 1A).
[0025] FIG. 1A provides a detailed cross-sectional view of a prior
art bearing isolator 27 positioned within the bearing housing 1. In
this embodiment of the prior art, the bearing isolator 27 functions
to retain lubricant 12 within and exclude contaminants from the
bearing housing 1. Many different types of bearing isolators 27
exist, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Bearing
isolators 27 designed to retain lubricant 12 and exclude
contaminants generally include a stator 21 and a rotor 16, and
bearing isolators 27 designed to retain lubricant generally include
only a stator 21. The rotor 16 is engaged with the shaft 7 and
rotatable therewith, and the stator 21 is engaged with the adaptor
frame 2. The rotor 16 and stator 21 may be fashioned to form a
bearing isolator 27 having a plurality of corresponding radial and
axial projections and grooves, and may employ a single unitizing
ring 30 or a plurality of unitizing rings (not shown). The
operation of bearing isolators 27 in such applications is well
known to those skilled in the art, and therefore is not explained
further herein.
[0026] Certain prior art bearing isolators 27 collect lubricant 12
splashed by the bearing 5 or other rotating components and drain or
return the lubricant 12 to the lubricant sump 14, thus preventing
escape of the lubricant 12 from the bearing housing 1 and providing
lubricant 12 retention. As taught by the prior art, a separate
bearing isolator 27 was required to be fit and inserted into the
adaptor frame 2 in order for lubricant 12 to be returned to the
bearing housing 1. The prior art also required that lubricant 12
collected in the bearing isolator 27 be drained or returned into
the bearing housing 1 directly against the force and splash of
lubricant 12 created by the bearing 5 or other rotating components
of the equipment.
[0027] In prior art adaptor frames 2, lubricant 12 collected in the
labyrinth groove 8 and drained from the labyrinth return drain 9
must first pass through the interstitial area 11, and then through
the isolated lubricant return passage 13 to reach the lubricant
sump 14. Lubricant 12 exiting the bearing isolator 6 through the
labyrinth return drain 9 does so merely by the force of gravity
since the labyrinth return drain 9 is located in the non-rotating
portion (i.e., the stator 21) of the bearing isolator 27. When
lubricant 12 drained from the labyrinth return drain 9 encounters
lubricant 12 splashed or flung from the bearing 5 or other
rotational components, the bearing isolator 27 cannot drain
lubricant 12 back to the lubricant sump 14 effectively. This is
because placing the bearing isolator 27 adjacent to the bearing 5
or other rotational components with merely an interstitial area 11
in between, the lubricant 12 splashed or flung from the rotational
components impedes the flow of lubricant 12 drained from the
bearing isolator 27 when the drained lubricant 12 is in the
interstitial area 11. That is, there is no structure in the prior
art that alleviates the effects the splash or force of lubricant 12
(created by rotational components in the interstitial area 11) has
on lubricant 12 drained from the bearing isolator 27 when that
lubricant 12 is in the interstitial area 11. The centrifugal force
and splash the bearing 5 or other rotational components impart to
lubricant 12 in the interstitial area 11 is often greater than the
gravitational force imparted to that lubricant 12. That is, the
lubricant 12 draining from the bearing isolator 27 must work
against the force and splash of lubricant 12 adjacent the bearing 5
or other rotational components near the interstitial area 11 to
drain properly from both the bearing isolator 27 and the
interstitial area 11.
[0028] The failure of the prior art described above is accentuated
in certain situations, depending on the lubricant level 15 in the
lubricant sump 14. FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate an embodiment of the
prior art wherein the bearing 5 is rotating in the lubricant level
15, as is typically the situation for this type of configuration.
The rotation of the bearing 5 in the lubricant 12 creates a splash
of lubricant 12 in the interstitial area 11 and adversely affects
draining of lubricant 12, as described above. If lubricant 12 in
the interstitial area 11 overcomes the forces imparted to that
lubricant 12 by the bearing 5 or other rotating components, the
bearing isolator 27 will then operate properly so that lubricant 12
may be returned to the lubricant sump 14 by the isolated lubricant
return passage 13 shown in FIG. 1A. Other embodiments of the prior
art, which are not shown herein, do not provide an isolated
lubricant return passage 13 and rely simply on the lubricant 12 in
the interstitial area 11 to return to the lubricant sump 14 by
draining through the bearing 5.
[0029] The various embodiments of the present art, shown in FIGS.
3-8 and 10, illustrate an adaptor frame 20 that combines the
functions of attaching the bearing housing assembly 1 to the pump
casing 3 while providing an improved configuration for returning
lubricant 12 to the lubricant sump 14. The present art adaptor
frame 20 may be used with the present art bearing isolator 27, as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, or it may be used with prior art bearing
isolators 27, as shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, the present art
bearing isolator 27 may be used with prior art adaptor frames 2, as
shown in FIG. 9. All embodiments of the present art adaptor frame
20 are fashioned with a shaft aperture 36 through which the shaft 7
passes (see FIG. 8), as in prior art adaptor frames 2.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the present art adaptor frame 20
utilizes an isolated drain path 10 for lubricant 12 return to
improve the lubricant 12 retention function. This improvement
results from the shielding effect the inboard wall 22 provides to
lubricant 12 drained from the labyrinth drain 9. The improved
lubricant 12 retention significantly decreases the likelihood of
lubricant 12 leakage from the bearing housing 1, which may
ultimately result in catastrophic bearing 5 failure. The present
art adaptor frame 20 shown herein abuts the bearing housing 1 at
the bearing housing/adaptor frame interface 18. O-ring grooves 28
may be fashioned in the present art adaptor frame 20 and O-rings 17
may be placed within the O-ring grooves 28 to seal the bearing
housing/adaptor frame interface 18. Other convenient sealing means
known to those skilled in the art may be used without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Sealing the
bearing housing/adaptor frame interface 18 prevents lubricant 12
from leaking from the bearing housing 1 along the bearing
housing/adaptor frame interface 18.
[0031] As noted, the present art adaptor frame 20 provides an
isolated drain path 10 to the isolated lubricant return passage 13
for lubricant 12 drained from the bearing isolator 27. The isolated
drain path 10 is generally formed by an inboard wall 22 and an
outboard wall 19 fashioned in the present art adaptor frame 20. As
shown in the first embodiment (FIGS. 3 and 3A), a portion of the
outboard wall 19 may be formed by the bearing isolator 27 (either a
portion of the stator 21 or a portion of the rotor 16). A portion
of the stator 21 forms a portion of the outboard wall 19 in the
first embodiment and is positioned adjacent the adaptor frame
groove 31. The annular adaptor frame groove 31 collects and drains
lubricant 12 to the isolated drain path 10 (See FIG. 8). This
configuration provides an isolated return path 10 for lubricant 12
drained from the bearing isolator 27 that spans the entire distance
from the bearing isolator 27 to the lubricant sump 14. The isolated
drain path 10 protects the lubricant 12 drained from the bearing
isolator 27 from any lubricant 12 splash and force imparted by the
bearing 5 or other rotating components. Lubricant 12 splash and
other force is still present in the interstitial area 11, but the
inboard wall 22 prevents the splash and other forces from affecting
lubricant 12 drained from the bearing isolator 27. Removing the
influence of splashing lubricant 12 upon lubricant 12 in close
proximity to the bearing isolator 27 decreases the likelihood of
lubricant 12 leakage though the bearing isolator 27 due to more
effective lubricant 12 drainage from the bearing isolator 27. This
also improves pump reliability due to increased efficiency of
lubricant 12 retention. Lubricant 12 splashed or flung from the
bearing(s) 5 contacts the inboard wall exterior face 24 as the
inboard wall shields the lubricant 12 drained from the bearing
isolator 27. The cross-sectional shape of the isolated drain path
10 and the adaptor frame groove 31 may be of any convenient shape
depending on the application, and the distance from the shaft 7 at
which the isolated drain path 10 connects to the isolated lubricant
return passage 13 will vary depending on the specific embodiment.
In the third embodiment (shown in FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 7, and 8, and
explained in greater detail below) the isolated drain path 10 is
rounded in a semi-circular shape (as shown in FIG. 7) rather than
cylindrical. The semi-circular shape helps to funnel the lubricant
12 drained from the bearing isolator 12 into the isolated lubricant
return passage 13. Other shapes may be used for the adaptor frame
groove 31 or isolated drain path 10 in other embodiments not shown
herein. The axial dimension (along the axis of the shaft 7) of the
isolated drain path 10 is defined by the inboard wall 22 and the
outboard wall 19. The inboard wall interior face provides a first
limit for the axial dimension of the isolated drain path 10, and
the outboard wall interior face 25 provides a second limit for the
axial dimension of the isolated drain path 10. The inboard wall
exterior face 24 comprises a portion of the bearing housing/adaptor
frame interface 18 and is adjacent the interstitial area 11. The
outboard wall exterior face 26 is adjacent the interior portion of
the present art adaptor frame 20.
[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, the bearing
isolator 27 is designed for both lubricant 12 retention and
contaminant exclusion. FIG. 3A provides a detailed view of the
present art bearing isolator 27 and present art adaptor frame 20
wherein the labyrinth groove 8 essentially forms a portion of the
isolated drain path 10 in the form of an adaptor frame groove 31,
which is built into the present art adaptor frame 20 (as best seen
from FIGS. 3A and 8). Contaminants are collected in the contaminant
groove 35 and expelled from the bearing isolator 27 through the
contaminant drain 29. In this embodiment, no separate labyrinth
return drain 9 or labyrinth groove 8 is required (as it is for the
bearing isolator shown in FIG. 1A), and lubricant 12 drains from
the bearing isolator 27 directly into the adaptor frame groove 31
or the isolated drain path 10. The isolated drain path 10 is
connected to or interfaces with the isolated lubricant return
passage 13 to provide for a completely isolated conduit from the
bearing isolator 27 to the lubricant sump 14. The bearing
housing/adaptor frame interface 18, which is located between the
adaptor frame 2 and the bearing frame 1, may be sealed with an
O-ring 17 or similar device to prevent any communication between
the interstitial area 11 and the isolated lubricant return passage
13.
[0033] As noted above, in the first embodiment of the present art
adaptor frame 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, a portion of the outboard
wall 19 is formed by the stator 21. In other embodiments of the
present art adaptor frame 20 not shown herein, the outboard wall 19
may be composed of multiple portions of either the stator 21 or
rotor 16 alone, or the stator 21 and rotor 16 in combination.
[0034] In the second embodiment of the present art adaptor frame 20
shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the present art adaptor frame 20 is not
used in conjunction with a bearing isolator 27 and instead employs
a simple labyrinth seal, as is known to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the entire outboard wall 19 and inboard wall 22 are
fashioned in the present art adaptor frame 20 and no portion of
either the inboard wall 22 or outboard wall 19 is formed by a
bearing isolator 27. In this embodiment, the present art adaptor
frame 20 serves to retain lubricant 12 in the same manner as a
bearing isolator 27 used for lubricant 12 retention, but there is
no contaminant exclusion functionality other than the close
clearance that may be fashioned between the shaft 7 and the
outboard wall 19 and inboard wall 22. That is, in the second
embodiment the present art adaptor frame 20 functions similarly to
a bearing isolator 27 having only a stator 21. However, to provide
lubricant 12 retention, no separate bearing isolator 27 is
required. As in the first embodiment, the inboard wall 22 in the
second embodiment shields lubricant 12 in the isolated drain path
10 from lubricant 12 splash or centrifugal force of the bearing(s)
5. Consequently, lubricant 12 retention and resistance to leakage
are improved compared to prior art adaptor frames 2. The bearing
housing/adaptor frame interface 18 in the second embodiment may be
sealed in any manner as the first embodiment may be sealed.
[0035] A third embodiment of the present art adaptor frame 20 and
bearing isolator 27 is shown in FIGS. 5-7. The bearing isolator 27
in the third embodiment comprises a portion of both the inboard
wall 22 and outboard wall 19, indicated as the bearing isolator
inboard wall 33 and bearing isolator outboard wall 34, respectively
(best shown in FIGS. 5A and 6). The bearing isolator inboard wall
33 and bearing isolator outboard wall 34 form a labyrinth groove 8
in the stator 21, which functions similarly to the adaptor frame
groove 31 in the first embodiment. Lubricant 12 may be collected in
the labyrinth groove 8 and drained from the bearing isolator 27
through the labyrinth return drain 9 into the isolated drain path
10, and subsequently returned to the lubricant sump 14. As in the
first and second embodiments, lubricant 12 drained from the bearing
isolator 27 is shielded from the lubricant 12 splash or centrifugal
force caused by the bearing(s) 5. The third embodiment of the
present art adaptor frame 20 does not utilize an adaptor frame
groove 31 as do the first and second embodiments; rather, the third
embodiment utilizes a labyrinth groove 8 in the stator 21 of the
bearing isolator 27. The present art bearing isolator 27 in the
third embodiment also utilizes a contaminant groove 35 to exclude
contaminants and expel them from the bearing isolator 27 through
the contaminant drain 29. The bearing housing/adaptor frame
interface 18 in the third embodiment may be sealed in any manner as
the first embodiment may be sealed.
[0036] In all embodiments of the present art adaptor frame 20, the
labyrinth groove 8 may be a single groove or may be formed through
a plurality of grooves. Furthermore, a portion of the bearing
isolator 27 may be used to form a portion of the adaptor frame
groove 31, as in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, or
the bearing isolator 27 may be fashioned with a labyrinth groove 8
as in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, and 7. As
described herein, FIGS. 3, 3A, 5, 5A, 6, and 7 illustrate
embodiments of the present art bearing isolator 27 having
contaminant exclusion and lubricant 12 retention capability. The
type of bearing isolator 27 employed with the present art adaptor
frame 20 in no way limits the scope of the invention relating to
the present art adaptor frame 20.
[0037] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited
to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is
intended to apply to all similar adaptor frames facilitating
improved return of lubricant 12 to the lubricant sump 14.
Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will
occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
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