Agitator shaft bottom bearing assembly
US4660989A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1985 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01F2035/352
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A baffle for protecting a bottom bearing assembly used as a stabilizer for an agitator shaft operating in a tank-like vessel containing a liquid hostile to bearing components. The baffle defines a pressurized gaseous chamber for isolating the bearing from the liquid in the vessel. Gas under pressure delivered to and maintained in the chamber prevents invasive entry of liquid from the vessel. The apparatus includes an open top bearing-encircling casing which is sealed at its lower end to a bottom wall of the vessel. A pipe in the form of an inverted bucket coaxial with and sleeved over to overlap and encircle an open top of the casing is open at its lower end and is sealed at its upper end to the agitator shaft for rotation therewith. Spaced radially outwardly of an outer wall of the casing, the pipe defines with the casing a restricted annular channel. A conduit connected through the bottom wall of the vessel delivers a supply of gas, under pressure, to fill the casing, the over-sleeved pipe, and the intermediate channel, thus preventing liquid from the vessel from reaching the bearing. Excess gas is slowly discharged at the open lower end of the restricted channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.