Sealed lubricating system module

Claim 2

Lubricated bearing apparatus for use in rotodynamic apparatus of the kind including a pair of spaced upper and lower rotodynamic machines, upright shaft interconnecting the machines and supported by the bearing means, the lubricated bearing apparatus comprising a closed vessel adapted to permit the extension therethrough of the shaft and which includes upper and lower compartments for bearing lubricant and oil return ducting interconnecting the compartments, upper and lower shaft-engaging bearing devices in the respective compartments, and a lubricant circulator having an inlet communicating with the lower compartment and an outlet communicating with the bearing devices, an intermediate shaft access compartment between the upper and lower compartments, a lubricant reservoir at the floor of the intermediate compartment to one side of the axis of the shaft, and an aperture in said floor to permit through flow of lubricant between the lower compartment and the reservoir of the intermediate compartment, the arrangement being such that lubricant flows from the lower compartment through the bearing devices into the compartments, lubricant overflowing from the upper compartment into the lower compartment via said ducting.

Claim 3

Lubricating bearing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the floor of the intermediate compartment has a sloping outer end to provide said lubricant reservoir and to improve access to the compartment.

Claim 4

Lubricated bearing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a rear wall of the intermediate chamber separates the chamber from said ducting and includes an aperture to permit the through passage of gas between the intermediate chamber and the ducting.

Claim 5

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus for use with rotodynamic apparatus of the kind including a pair of vertically spaced driving and driven machines which are drivingly connected, and bearing means for the machines, the sealed lubricant bearing apparatus comprising a closed vessel, having top and bottom end walls, a vertical shaft extending through the vessel and coupled to rotating members of the driving and driven machines so that the shaft drivingly couples the machines, the end walls of the vessel including apertures for the shaft, upper and lower compartments in the vessel for bearing lubricant, upper and lower shaft, engaging bearing devices in the respective compartment so as to be immersed in bearing lubricant in the compartment, the bearing devices constituting said bearing means and serving to radially and axially locate the shaft, a lubricant circulator having an inlet communicating with the lower compartment and an outlet communicating with the bearing devices, a lubricant return duct for return of lubricant from the upper compartment to the lower compartment, shaft seals at the bearing devices to prevent lubricant leakage from the compartment via said apertures, a lubricant storage compartment, a fluid conduit supplying lubricant to said storage compartment from the upper compartment, said storage compartment being in fluid communicating with said lower compartment by means of a valve controlled outlet, and valve control means being provided automatically operable to close said outlet during normal running of the machines when the speed of the machines is above a predetermined value so that the level of lubricant in the lower compartment is lowered to a desired value whereby at least a portion of the lower compartment bearing device is non-immersed and whereby said valve is opened when the speed of the machines falls below said predetermined value to completely immerse the lower bearing device.

Claim 6

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus for use with rotodynamic apparatus of the kind including a pair of vertically spaced driving and driven machines which are drivingly connected, and bearing means for the machines, the sealed lubricant bearing apparatus comprising a closed vessel, having top and bottom end walls, a vertical shaft extending through the vessel and coupled to rotating members of the driving and driven machines so that the shaft drivingly couples the machines, the end walls of the vessel including apertures for the shaft, upper and lower compartments in the vessel for bearing lubricant, upper and lower shaft, engaging bearing devices in the respective compartment so as to be immersed in bearing lubricant in the compartment, the bearing devices constituting said bearing means and serving to radially and axially locate the shaft, a lubricant circulator having an inlet communicating with the lower compartment and an outlet communicating with the bearing devices, a lubricant return duct for return of lubricant from the upper compartment to the lower compartment, shaft seals at the bearing devices to prevent lubricant leakage from the compartment via said apertures, a lubricant storage compartment, a fluid conduit supplying lubricant to said storage compartment from the upper compartment, said storage compartment being in fluid communicating with said lower compartment by means of a valve controlled outlet, and valve control means being provided automatically operable to close said outlet during normal running of the machines when the speed of the machines is above a predetermined value so that the level of lubricant in the lower compartment is lowered to a desired value whereby at least a portion of the lower compartment bearing device is non-immersed and whereby said valve is opened when the speed of the machines falls below said predetermined value to completely immerse the lower bearing device.

Claim 7

Sealed lubricant bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said portion of the lower compartment bearing device which is non-immersed during normal operation of the machine, comprises a thrust bearing serving for axial location of the shaft.

Claim 8

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the end walls of the vessel are adapted for supporting relationship with the driving and driven machines.

Claim 9

Sealed lubricating bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an intermediate shaft access compartment is provided between the upper and lower compartments, an oil reservoir is located at the floor of the intermediate compartment to one side of the shaft axis and an aperture is provided in said floor to permit throughflow of oil between the lower compartment and the reservoir of the intermediate compartment.

Claim 10

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the bearing device of the lower compartment includes a lubricant discharge located above the device to ensure satisfactory immersion of the device.

Claim 11

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said valve control means is fluidly connected to the lubricant circulator outlet so as to be operable by the pressure of the lubricant, whereby said valve controlled outlet is closed when the pressure of the lubricant is above a predetermined value and is opened when the lubricant pressure falls below the predetermined value.

Claim 12

Sealed lubricating bearing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the valve control means comprise a fluid operable piston-and-cylinder device for valve closure, the operating fluid for which device is constituted by lubricant discharge from the lubricant circulator, and resilient means to urge the valve into an open position.

Claim 13

Sealed lubricating bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the return ducting and the fluid conduit are so arranged that the storage compartment is filled prior to the delivery of lubricant from the upper compartment to the lower compartment through the return duct.

Claim 14

Sealed lubricating bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the return ducting discharge into an inlet chamber beside the lower compartment and in fluid communication therewith, a baffle device being provided separating the inlet chamber from the lower compartment and serving to inhibit air entrainment in the lubricant.

Claim 15

Sealed lubricating bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein means are provided to ensure retention of lubricant in the upper compartment on stoppage of pump.

Claim 16

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lubricant circulator is comprised by a pump located in the lower compartment and includes a rotor on the shaft in the compartment.

Claim 17

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an overflow weir is located above the upper compartment received bearing lubricant from the upper compartment and discharging into said ducting, the weir ensuring that the upper compartment is satisfactorily filled.

Claim 18

Sealed lubricated bearing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an upright housing is removably located in each of the upper and lower compartments and serves to house the bearing device of the compartment.

Claim 19

Rotodynamic apparatus comprising a pair of vertical spaced driving and driven machines drivingly coupled together; bearing means for the machines; and a sealed lubricated bearing system located between the machines in supporting relationship therewith and comprising a closed vessel, having top and bottom end walls, a vertical shaft extending through the vessel and coupled to rotating members of the driving and driven machines so that the shaft drivingly couples the machines, the end walls of the vessel including apertures for the shaft, upper and lower compartments in the vessel for bearing lubricant, upper and lower shaft, engaging bearing devices in the respective compartment so as to be immersed in bearing lubricant in the compartment, the bearing devices constituting said bearing means and serving to radially and axially locate the shaft, a lubricant circulator having an inlet communicating with the lower compartment and an outlet communicating with the bearing devices, a lubricant return duct for return of lubricant from the upper compartment to the lower compartment, shaft seals at the bearing devices to prevent lubricant leakage from the compartment via said apertures, a lubricant storage compartment, a fluid conduit supplying lubricant to said storage compartment from the upper compartment, said storage compartment being fluid communicating with said lower compartment by means of valve controlled outlet, and valve control means being provided automatically operable to close said outlet during normal running of the machines when the speed of the machines is above a predetermined value so that the level of lubricant in the lower compartment is lowered to a desired value whereby at least a portion of the lower compartment bearing device is non-immersed and whereby said valve is opened when the speed of the machine fails below said predetermined value to completely immerse the lower bearing device.

Claim 20

Rotodynamic apparatus comprising a pair of vertical spaced driving and driven machines drivingly coupled together; bearing means for the machines; and a sealed lubricated bearing system located between the machines in supporting relationship therewith and comprising a closed vessel, having top and bottom end walls, a vertical shaft extending through the vessel and coupled to rotating members of the driving and driven machines so that the shaft drivingly couples the machines, the end walls of the vessel including apertures for the shaft, upper and lower compartments in the vessel for bearing lubricant, upper and lower shaft, engaging bearing devices in the respective compartment so as to be immersed in bearing lubricant in the compartment, the bearing devices constituting said bearing means and serving to radially and axially locate the shaft, a lubricant circulator having an inlet communicating with the lower compartment and an outlet communicating with the bearing devices, a lubricant return duct for return of lubricant from the upper compartment to the lower compartment, shaft seals at the bearing devices to prevent lubricant leakage from the compartment via said apertures, a lubricant storage compartment, a fluid conduit supplying lubricant to said storage compartment from the upper compartment, said storage compartment being fluid communicating with said lower compartment by means of valve controlled outlet, and valve control means being provided automatically operable to close said outlet during normal running of the machines when the speed of the machines is above a predetermined value so that the level of lubricant in the lower compartment is lowered to a desired value whereby at least a portion of the lower compartment bearing device is non-immersed and whereby said valve is opened when the speed of the machine fails below said predetermined value to completely immerse the lower bearing device.