Patent ID: 11892006
Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 5:
6. A diffuser plate operative for use with a baffle element in a seal system of a turbomachine,
the baffle element having a front surface which in use faces axially into a bearing chamber of the turbomachine, and a rear face which in use faces axially away from the bearing chamber, the baffle element comprising:
an inner portion defining a circular central opening which in use is positioned on a rotational axis of the turbomachine with a center of the central opening on the axis and the perimeter of the central opening lying in a plane transverse to the axis;
a wall upstanding from the front surface of the baffle element at a periphery of the inner portion of the baffle element; and
at least two gutter surfaces extending radially-outwardly from the inner portion through respective gaps in the wall at different respective circumferential positions about the center of the central opening, the gutter surfaces each being mirror symmetric about respective planes which pass through the center of the central opening; and

the diffuser plate having a front surface defining a central aperture and arranged to conform with the baffle element, wherein upon placing the baffle element against the diffuser plate the diffuser plate supports the baffle element with the central opening of the baffle element in register with the central aperture of the diffuser plate and in a fixed angular position about the central aperture of the diffuser plate; and further comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions subtending the central aperture of the diffuser plate and arranged to contact the wall of the baffle element, wherein upon placing the baffle element against the diffuser plate the gutter surfaces extend through respective circumferential gaps between the protrusions.