Exclusion seal for fluid dynamic bearing motors

US6702465B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Alan Lyndon Grantz · Capitola, US
• Robert A. Nottingham · Santa Cruz, US
• Jeffry Arnold LeBlanc · Capitola, US
• Troy M. Herndon · San Jose, US
• Norbert Parsoneault · Scotts Valley, US
• Saul Ceballos · Watsonville, US
• Hans Leuthold · Santa Cruz, US
• Alexander Gredinberg · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 13, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 9, 2004
• Expiry date: Jan 11, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16C2370/12
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a conical bearing is provided having a seal shield having an angle supported from the hub or sleeve which surrounds the shaft, and extending at an angle toward the outer surface of the shaft and spaced slightly away from the upper angular surface of the cone. As the cone and seal shield rotate relative to one another, fluid is drawn toward the lower inner region of the reservoir. However, due to shock or the like, some fluid may reach the radial gap between the end of the shield and the outer surface of the shaft, therefore, a ring is either incorporated into the upper end of the cone or pressed against the axial outer end of the cone, defining an axial gap which is smaller than the radial gap. In a preferred form of the invention, the ratio is about 1:3.When oil is introduced to either of the two gaps (typically by shock), it transfers or typically comes to rest in the axial gap, since the capillary attractive force increases as the gap size decreases; therefore, with the axial gap being smaller than the radial gap the oil will tend to transfer to the axial gap. As the seal is spun up as the shield and cone rotate relative to one another, centrifugal for…