Patent Application
20130267331
The present invention relates to rotating shaft assemblies, and more particularly to a lubrication management system for such shaft assemblies, as well as a method for forming the lubrication management system.
Various systems comprising rotating components often include a shaft to which the rotating components are mounted or operably connected to. The shaft typically requires lubrication proximate an outer surface to ensure intended functionality of the overall system. Often, a shaft seal is not feasible and even in configurations where feasible, such seals have an inherently slight weepage. Therefore, lubrication outside of the intended contained area occurs and may undesirably interact with components of the system that function properly when kept clean of lubrication. In order to keep the components free of lubrication, a slinger is commonly installed on the shaft to centrifugally move the lubricant away from the shaft. The slinger must be retained and this is typically achieved with a separate and additional locking component. Multiple components pose installation issues and increase part count, as well as enhance the footprint on the shaft.
According to one embodiment, a lubrication management system for a rotating shaft assembly includes a shaft rotatable about a central axis and in operable connection with at least one component, wherein lubrication is supplied proximate an outer diameter of the shaft. Also included is a lubrication manipulation device for directing the lubrication radially away from the outer diameter of the shaft, wherein the lubrication manipulation device comprises a threaded portion for fixedly securing the lubrication manipulation device to the outer diameter of the shaft.
According to another embodiment, a method of forming a lubrication management system for a rotating shaft assembly is provided. The method includes operably connecting at least one component to a shaft rotatable about a central axis. Also included is fixedly securing a lubrication manipulation device to the shaft by threading the lubrication manipulation device onto an outer diameter of the shaft, wherein the lubrication manipulation device is configured to direct lubrication supplied to the outer diameter of the shaft radially away from the shaft.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
The rotating shaft assembly 10 includes a shaft 18 that is rotatable about a central axis 20 and is in operable connection with, or in close proximity to, the at least one component 14. To enhance functionality, efficiency and service life of the system 12, a lubrication management system 21 having lubrication is supplied to various regions of the rotating shaft assembly 10, such as an outer diameter 22 of the shaft 18. The lubrication may be supplied from a lubrication supply circuit (not illustrated) that provides lubrication to the rotating shaft assembly 10, collects lubrication subsequent to interaction with the rotating shaft assembly 10 and recirculates the collected lubrication to provide lubrication once again to the rotating shaft assembly 10, thereby completing a lubrication recirculation process.
To prevent interaction of lubrication with the at least one component 14, a lubrication manipulation device 24, commonly referred to as a “slinger,” is fixedly secured to the shaft 18. The lubrication manipulation device 24 is disposed radially outward from the shaft 18 and in fitting engagement with the outer diameter 22 of the shaft 18. The lubrication manipulation device 24 functions to direct lubricant from regions proximate the outer diameter 22 of the shaft 18 radially outward and away from the shaft 18, such that the lubrication does not seep or flow to the at least one component 14 that is sensitive to lubricant, as discussed above. Specifically, as the shaft 18 is rotating, the lubrication manipulation device 24 is configured to rotate in a way that generates a centrifugal force sufficient to throw the lubrication radially outward through a plurality of capillaries (not illustrated) of the lubrication manipulation device 24. It is to be appreciated that the lubrication merely need be directed outward and away from the rotating shaft assembly 10, and the term radially is not intended to limit the direction of lubricant throwing to that of a 90° angle (i.e., perfectly perpendicular) from the rotating shaft assembly 10, and more particularly from the shaft 18.
Referring now to
Extending axially from the relatively planar base portion 26 is a torque element 36 that is integrally formed with the relatively planar base portion 26, such that the lubrication manipulation device 24 comprises a single device configured to direct lubrication away from the shaft 18. The torque element 36 extends axially from the relatively planar base portion 26 and includes a threaded aperture 38 that is aligned with the centrally located aperture 28, such that the lubrication manipulation device 24 may be securely engaged with the shaft 18 by threading to the threaded region 34. Such an arrangement ensures adequate retention in the axial direction, as well as radially and circumferentially. To enhance the fixed securement of the lubrication manipulation device 24 to the shaft 18, the torque element 36 includes a plurality of surfaces 40 that form a nut 42 which may be engaged with a variety of tools to assist with a final torque application to the lubrication manipulation device 24.
During the secure engagement of the lubrication manipulation device 24 to the shaft 18, a locking element 44 self-retains the lubrication manipulation device 24 to the shaft 18 for adequate locking thereon. The locking element 44 is integrally formed with the lubrication manipulation device 24 and is configured to interact with the threaded relationship between the threaded portion 32 and the threaded region 34 during torqueing of the lubrication manipulation device 24 to the shaft 18. The locking element 44 may comprise a lock ring, a locking pellet, a deformed thread, etc., for example. It is to be appreciated that the examples listed above are merely illustrative and any suitable locking element may be employed to form adequate locking with the shaft 18.
Referring now to
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
