Debris resistant bearing system and method
US8215844B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L2101/30
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for protecting bearings operating in dirty environments. The system may include a reservoir of lubricant, a bearing, and a regulator. The bearing may border on both the dirty environment and the reservoir. Accordingly, the bearing may be exposed to the solid particles carried by the fluid within the environment, as well as the lubricant of the reservoir. The regulator may ensure that the pressure within the reservoir is greater than the pressure of the dirty environment. Due to the higher pressure within the reservoir, the bearing may be preferentially filled with lubricant rather than dirty fluid from the environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.