Patent ID: 8733677
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: B02C

Abstract:
1. An improvement in a media basket mill having a basket with a basket wall establishing an interior for containing a bed of very small media within the basket, an impeller outside the basket for rotating about an axis of rotation extending within the basket, and a drive shaft extending along the axis of rotation and coupled with the impeller, the drive shaft being journaled at a bearing interface between a bearing surface of a bearing construct and the drive shaft, juxtaposed with the basket wall while feedstock is passed through the basket, the improvement comprising: a barrier member extending along the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, the barrier member including a barrier wall interposed between the interior of the basket and the bearing interface, the barrier wall being impervious to the passage of the media through the barrier wall so as to isolate the bearing interface from media within the basket and thereby deter the entry of media into the bearing interface and concomitant wear at the bearing interface.