IDLER DISK

摘要

An idler disk (45) for reducing fluid drag forces in a machine having a rotating component is disclosed. An outer housing (3) is provided for the machine and a cavity (5) is defined in the outer housing. The cavity (5) has opposed side walls. A rotatable component (13) is positioned in the cavity (5) and the rotatable component (13) is spaced apart from the side walls of the cavity (5). At least one freely rotatable idler disk (45) is positioned in the cavity (5) and the idler disk (45) is in spaced apart relationship with the rotatable component (13) and the side walls of the cavity (5). The idler disk (45) extends in the cavity (5) along at least at portion of the length of the rotatable component (13). The idler disk (45) is caused to rotate in the same direction as the rotatable component (13) by the rotating fluid in the cavity (5). The fluid is caused to rotate by the rotation of the rotatable component (13). An outer seal means (57) forms a seal between the idler disk (45) and the rotatable component (13). The outer seal means (57) is positioned adjacent the outer periphery of the rotatable component (13) and the idler disk (45). The outer seal means (57) acts to equalize the axial forces on the sides of the idler disk (45) to maintain the idler disk (45) in a desired equilibrium position where the idler disk (45) is maintained in spaced apart relationship from the rotatable component (13) and the side walls of the cavity (5).