Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC

Jack R Young

Qimin Dong

A bearing system includes a lubricant circulation apparatus to provide a continuous supply of a cooled lubricant fluid to a bearing device. The bearing device may be a hydrodynamic sleeve bearing having a bearing housing defining a sump for maintaining lubricant fluid therein. The bearing sump is in fluid communication with a reservoir which maintains a supply of lubricant. A pump communicates with the reservoir to draw a desired quantity of lubricant fluid therefrom and deliver it to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger uses an existing source of air from an operative pump motor to increase the air circulation through the cooling fins of the heat exchanger. The cooled lubricant is thereafter delivered to the bearing inlet and provides a cooler operating environment for the bearing system.

Bearing system including lubricant circulation and cooling apparatus

A rotating shaft assembly includes a housing that defines a bore that extends from an area exterior to the housing to an area interior to the housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the housing about an axis of the bore. The shaft extends through the bore between the interior and exterior areas. A lubricant retention area is axially outward of, and sealed from, the interior area. The retention is configured to collect lubricant from the interior area. A sump is in fluid communication with the interior area. A drain extends between the retention area and the sump. A check valve is disposed in the drain. The check valve is oriented to permit lubricant flow from the retention area to the sump and to prevent lubricant flow from the sump to the retention area.

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Nineveh, IN, United States of America

Jack R Young