Self-Cooled and-or Self Lubricated Electric Motor Bearing Systems

摘要

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide two advantageous features, which are especially beneficial in combination, but which can be advantageously and beneficially employed independently of one another: (1) firstly, a self-cooling motor bearing system; and (2) secondly, a self-lubricating motor bearing system. In the preferred embodiments, one or both of these two advantageous features are integrated inside an electric motor (e.g., within the electric motor's enclosure housing) in such a manner as to greatly enhance bearing operating conditions (e.g., maintaining adequate bearing lubrication and/or bearing operating temperature) without the use of external lubrication units and/or external cooling units.

主权项

1. A system including a vertical electric motor having a self-cooling motor bearing component, comprising:
(a) a vertical motor shaft; (b) a rotor and a stator surrounding said motor shaft and cooperatively causing said motor shaft to rotate; (c) a bearing bracket supported around said motor shaft, said bearing bracket including:
(i) a through-hole through which said motor shaft is rotatably received via a bearing;(ii) a support surface supporting said bearing;(iii) an oil reservoir containing lubricating oil for said bearing; (d) a self-cooling motor bearing component including:
(i) at least one thermosiphon having a hot-end extending within said oil reservoir and a cold-end extending outside of said oil reservoir to at least one radiator; and(ii) at least one fan arranged to direct cooling airflow over said at least one radiator, said at least one fan being rotated via said motor shaft; (e) a housing enclosure surrounding said vertical motor shaft, said bearing bracket and said self-cooling motor bearing component, said housing enclosure including at least one opening allowing airflow to and from said enclosure.