Systems and methods for cooling a drive end bearing
US9013076B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02K5/1732
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for cooling a drive end bearing. The system may include an alternator including a drive end bearing, a drive end fan and a front housing face. The drive end fan may include a shaft aperture and auxiliary air flow inlet apertures positioned circumferentially around the shaft aperture. The front housing face may include auxiliary fins coupled to the drive end bearing. The auxiliary fins may protrude from the front housing face. The auxiliary fins may be arrayed axially on the front housing face. In various embodiments, the drive end fan is rotated to draw air through the auxiliary air flow inlet apertures and adjacent to at least a portion of auxiliary fins of the front housing face. The at least a portion of the auxiliary fins transfers heat from the drive end bearing to the air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.