LUBRICATION SCAVENGE SYSTEM

• US 20110100757A1
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Munson
• Original Assignee: John Munson
• Inventors: MUNSON, JOHN
• Granted Patent: US 8,201,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6
• CPC Class Codes: F01D 25/183 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 7/06 Arrangements of bearings bearings F16C; Lubricating of turbo machines F01D25/18; of machines or engines in general F01M
• CPC Class Codes: F05D 2260/602 Drainage

Abstract

A lubrication scavenge system is disclosed herein. The lubrication scavenge system includes a sump housing substantially encircling a structure disposed for rotation about an axis. The sump housing has an inwardly-facing surface extending at least partially about the axis in a spiral path. The spiral path increases in radial distance from the axis in the direction of rotation of the structure, in a plane perpendicular to the axis. The spiral path extends 360°.

Claims

1. In a lubrication scavenge system for collecting lubricant expelled from a structure rotating about an axis, the improvement comprising:

a sump housing substantially encircling the structure and having an inwardly-facing surface extending at least partially about the axis in a spiral path increasing in radial distance from the axis in the direction of rotation of said structure in a plane perpendicular to the axis, wherein said spiral path extends 360°

.

2. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 1 wherein said spiral path includes a first position being closest to the axis at substantially a bottom dead center position of said sump housing.

3. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 1 wherein said spiral path includes a second position being furthest from the axis at substantially a bottom dead center position of said sump housing.

4. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 1 wherein said inwardly-facing surface defines a bottom of a channel cross-section in a plane containing the axis.

5. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 4 wherein said channel cross-section narrows with increasing depth to accumulate lubricant into a stream.

6. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 4 wherein said channel cross-section is asymmetrical to direct lubricant along the axis.

7. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 1 wherein said inwardly-facing surface is further defined as being substantially conical in cross-section in a plane containing the axis to define a banking surface urging lubricant along the axis.

8. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 1 wherein said sump housing further comprises:

a first body encircling a first portion of said structure; and

a second body encircling a second portion of said structure, wherein said inwardly-facing surface is defined by said second body.

9. The lubrication scavenge system of claim 1 wherein said sump housing further comprises:

a first body encircling the structure; and

an insert positionable in said first body, wherein said inwardly-facing surface is defined by said insert.