Centrifugal pump assemblies having an axial flux electric motor and methods of assembly thereof

• US 10,584,739 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2017
• Issued: 03/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Regal Beloit Australia Pty Ltd (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Turner, Matthew J., Heins, Greg, Thiele, Mark, Kreidler, Jason Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Pilkington, James
• Application Number:
  US15/418,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20180216624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/06 the pump being electrically driven
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/0666 the motor being of the plane gap type
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/0413 hydrostatic; hydrodynamic thrust bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/0473 for radial pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/061 especially adapted for liquid pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 17/02 for radial load only
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2360/44 Centrifugal pumps

Abstract

A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first stationary component, a shaft coupled to the first stationary component, and a second stationary component coupled to the shaft opposite the first stationary component. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a rotating component coupled to the shaft between the first stationary component and the second stationary component. The rotating component includes a first end surface including a first diameter and an opposing second end surface including a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.

Claims

1. A hydrodynamic bearing assembly configured to rotating about an axis, said hydrodynamic bearing assembly comprising:

a first stationary component;

a shaft coupled to said first stationary component;

a second stationary component coupled to said shaft opposite said first stationary component; and

a rotating component coupled to said shaft between said first stationary component and said second stationary component, wherein said rotating component comprises a first end surface including a first diameter and an opposing second end surface including a second diameter greater than said first diameter, wherein said rotating component comprises a body surface extending between said first end surface and said second end surface, wherein said body surface is non-linear arid comprises a curved surface.

2. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second end surface is positioned adjacent said second stationary component, and wherein said first end surface is positioned adjacent said first stationary component.

3. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first end surface is positioned adjacent said second stationary component, and wherein said second end surface is positioned adjacent said first stationary component.

4. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second end surface comprises a midpoint and an outer diameter that define a radius therebetween, wherein a pressure velocity factor at a first point a first distance from said midpoint along said radius is equal to a pressure velocity factor of a second point a second distance from said midpoint along said radius, wherein said second end surface is substantially flat and oriented perpendicular to the axis.

5. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second end surface comprises a midpoint and an outer diameter that define a radius therebetween, wherein a pressure velocity factor of said rotating component is substantially similar at each point along said radius, wherein said second end surface is substantially flat and oriented perpendicular to the axis.

6. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first end surface is concentric with said second end surface.

7. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first end surface comprises a first inner diameter, and wherein said second end surface comprises a second inner diameter equal to said first inner diameter.

8. A pump assembly comprising:

a hydrodynamic bearing assembly comprising;

a first stationary component;

a shaft coupled to said first stationary component;

a second stationary component coupled to said shaft opposite said first stationary component; and

a rotating component coupled to said shaft between said first stationary component and said second stationary component, wherein said rotating component comprises a first end surface including a first diameter and an opposing second end surface including a second diameter greater than said first diameter, wherein said rotating component comprises a body surface extending between said first end surface and said second end surface, wherein said body surface is non-linear and comprises a curved surface;

an impeller coupled to said rotating component; and

a rotor assembly directly coupled to said impeller.

9. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein said second end surface is positioned adjacent said second stationary component, and wherein said first end surface is positioned adjacent said first stationary component.

10. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein said first end surface is positioned adjacent said second stationary component, and wherein said second end surface is positioned adjacent said first stationary component.

11. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein said second end surface comprises a midpoint and an outer diameter that define a radius therebetween, wherein a pressure velocity factor at a first point a first distance from said midpoint along said radius is equal to a pressure velocity factor of a second point a second distance from said midpoint along said radius, wherein said second end surface is substantially flat and oriented perpendicular to the axis.

12. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein said second end surface comprises a midpoint and an outer diameter that define a radius therebetween, wherein a pressure velocity factor of said rotating component is the same at each point along said radius, wherein said second end surface is substantially flat and oriented perpendicular to the axis.

13. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein said impeller comprises a rear plate and an extension portion extending along said rotating component from said rear plate.

14. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 13, wherein said extension portion comprises a radially inner surface that corresponds in shape to said radially outer body surface of said rotating assembly.

15. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein said first end surface is concentric with said second end surface.

16. The pump assembly in accordance with claim 8, wherein said first end surface comprises a first inner diameter, and wherein said second end surface comprises a second inner diameter equal to said first inner diameter.