Oil retention and delivery system for a bearing

摘要

A bearing seal assembly of a rotary machine includes and inner shaft and an outer shaft. The outer shaft is disposed concentrically around and radially outward from the inner shaft. The space between the inner and outer shafts forms an annulus void. The inner shaft includes an oil inlet port through which lubricating oil enters the annulus void. A grooved structure is located on an inner surface of the outer shaft, and the grooved structure is configured to retain oil upon shutdown of the rotary machine. A bearing is located outside of the outer shaft. An oil outlet port is disposed in the outer shaft and is connected to the grooved structure for supplying lubricating oil to the bearing.

主权项

1. A bearing seal assembly of a rotary machine, the bearing seal assembly comprising:
an inner shaft; an outer shaft disposed concentrically around and radially outward from the inner shaft, wherein a space between the inner shaft and the outer shaft forms an annulus void; an oil inlet port in the inner shaft through which lubricating oil can enter the annulus void; a grooved structure disposed in an inner radial surface of the outer shaft, wherein the grooved structure forms an oil retaining reservoir configured to retain a lubricating oil upon shutdown of the rotary machine, further wherein the grooved structure is configured to contain lubricating oil during a steady-state operation of the rotary machine, and further wherein the grooved structure is configured so that a centrifugal force of the lubricating oil maintains a substantially continuous oil annulus located in the grooved structure during steady-state operation of the rotary machine; a first groove and a second groove included in the grooved structure; a first portion and a second portion included in the first groove, the first portion having a larger radial diameter than the second portion; rolling elements located external to the outer shaft; an inner race positioned between the rolling elements and the outer shaft, wherein the inner race separates the rolling elements from the outer shaft; and an oil outlet port disposed in the outer shaft and directly fluidly connected to the grooved structure, the oil outlet port configured to supply the lubricating oil from the grooved structure through the inner race and to the rolling elements.