Protected flow meter rotor bearing
US4886420A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1988 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A protected, but unsealed rotor bearing for flowmeter turbine rotors and the like has an annular shoulder protruding axially from the rotor in concentric relation to the rotor axis in a manner that defines a cavity protruding axially into the rotor. An elongated bearing body with a cylindrical peripheral surface is mounted in a supporting frame and protrudes axially into the cavity. An axle on which the rotor is mounted protrudes into a bore in the bearing body such that the bearing interface is between the surface of the axle and the surface of the bore in the bearing body. A ball in the bore between the bearing body and the axle bears axial thrust. The peripheral surface of the bearing body does not contact the annular shoulder, but a face on the annular sholder that extends radially outward from adjacent the peripheral surface of the bearing body acts as a centrifugal flinger to dynamically divert contaminant particles away from the bearing surfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.