Axially flexible bearing carrier for a pump

摘要

The present invention relates to a pump 10 comprising a shaft 15 supported for rotation by a bearing 38. The bearing is carried by a bearing carrier 48, having a generally outer radial portion 52 which is fixed relative to a pump housing 12 and a generally inner radial portion 54 which is fixed relative to the bearing. The carrier is stiff in a radial direction between said inner and outer portions and flexible in an axial direction for restraining radial movement of the bearing and allowing axial movement. The bearing carrier is pre-loaded in a first axial direction to resist axial movement of the bearing in a second axial direction. The bearing carrier may be internally biased or may be biased by a spring. The inner and outer portions of the bearing carrier may be connected by a middle portion which is radially stiff but axially flexible, the middle portion may comprise a plurality of radially extending support portions spaced apart by openings through the bearing carrier.