Bearing protector

Abstract

A bearing protector includes a static component fixed relative to a housing, in which a stationary sealing face profile is retained and a rotational component for fixing relative to a shaft with the static and rotational components held axially relative to each other. The rotational component has an annular sealing face profile energized by way of one or more magnetic elements retained within the static component to generate a positive sealing face contact between the stationary sealing face and rotational sealing face profiles. The magnets elements are held within recesses in the static component and extend radially inwards of the recesses.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising an annular static component fixed relative to an annular housing having a recess, wherein a stationary sealing face profile is retained, and an annular rotational component for fixing relative to a shaft with the annular static component and the annular rotational component held axially relative to one another, the annular rotational component having a protrusion from a cylindrical surface of the annual rotational component and an annular sealing face profile energized via a plurality of magnetic elements retained within the annular static component for generating a positive sealing face contact between the stationary sealing face profile and a rotational sealing face profile, the cylindrical surface having a first diameter and being perpendicular to the annular sealing face profile and the protrusion having a second diameter being received in the recess, the second diameter being an outer diameter, the plurality of magnetic elements being positioned annually within the housing via semi-formed recesses with a third diameter of the magnetic elements being overhung for allowing assembly of the annular rotational component in the annular housing prior to installation of the plurality of magnetic elements, the third diameter being an inner diameter in cross-section that is below the outside diameter of the protrusion and above the first diameter of the cylindrical surface, said plurality of magnetic elements having a longitudinal axis within the recess.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of magnetic elements is retained within the annular housing of the annular static component via holes allowing said plurality of magnetic elements to interact with the annular rotational component generating positive seal face loading.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the holes are partially cylindrical recessed for accommodating cylindrical magnetic elements so that said cylindrical magnetic elements exit radially inwards of the holes for allowing assembly of the annular rotational component within the annular housing prior to installation of the cylindrical magnetic elements.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a profile of the annular rotational component profile provides for magnetic element interaction to be promoted and a magnetic force gap is set for maintaining a predetermined seal face loading.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular stationary sealing face profile is retained via an annular sealing member.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a bearing protector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals and symbols denote similar features throughout the several views:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of a bearing protector in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of the magnetic elements positioning in accordance with the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of a bearing protector in accordance with the present invention; and,

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of the apparatus of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

(8) Turning now, in detail, to an analysis of the drawing figures, in FIG. 1, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a bearing protector of the present invention which is fitted to a bore 10 and over a rotating shaft 11 of which the bore 10 and rotating shaft 11 form a single piece of rotating equipment. Generally included within bore 10, but not shown in the accompanying drawings, is a bearing. The bearing protector is comprised of a rotary component 5, a housing component 1, a stator component 3, a stationary sealing face component 4, a rotary sealing O-ring 6, a statically sealing O-ring 9, a resiliently mounted sealing O-ring 2 and one or more magnetic elements 7. The rotary component 5 has a protrusion 16 extending from a cylindrical surface of the rotary component 5.

(9) Referring, now, to FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the annularly mounted magnetic elements 7 positioned within the housing component 1.

(10) Referring to FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of the magnetic elements 7 positioned annularly within the housing component 1, by way of semi-formed holes, whereby the diameter of magnetic elements 7 are overhung allowing assembly of the rotary component 5 into the housing component 1 prior to instillation of magnetic elements 7.

(11) With reference to FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a bearing protector in accordance with the present invention showing the magnetic element 7 and rotary component 5 interactive mechanisms.

(12) Finally, referring to FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the magnetic elements 7 interaction with rotary component 5, wherein the magnetic elements 7 are distally located from rotary component 5 via a contact surface 12 maintaining a magnetic force gap between magnetic element 7 face profile 13 and rotary component 5 face profile 14, generating a controlled sealing face contact 15 between rotary component 5 and stationary sealing face component 4.

(13) While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.