Abstract:
A lubricant assembly that is configured as part of a lubricating system that flings, or slings, fluid lubricants about the interior of compressors. In one embodiment, the lubricant assembly includes a lubricant guide member with a body member that has a pair of peripheral side members with angled surfaces. The construction is amenable to more consistent fabrication constraints (e.g., tolerances), as well as to offer features that can improve operation of the lubricating system, e.g., as operative in the compressors. In use, the lubricant guide member is disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of a shaft that is configured to rotate a slinger member to fling the lubricant. This configuration captures lubricant that falls downwardly from other parts of the compressors. The angled surfaces of the side members direct this captured lubricant toward the shaft, and other rotating components, of the lubricating system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/985,162, filed Apr. 28, 2014, and entitled “LUBRICATING MEMBERS, LUBRICATING ASSEMBLY, AND LUBRICANT DISPERSAL SYSTEM COMPRISED THEREOF.” This application relates to commonly-owned application identified as U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Nov. 30, 2014, and entitled “DEVICE TO TRANSFER LUBRICATION IN A LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Nov. 30, 2014, and entitled “DEVICE TO RETAIN LUBRICANT IN A LUBRICATING ASSEMBLY AND LUBRICATING SYSTEM COMPRISED THEREOF.” 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to lubricating systems found on compressors and machinery that can pressurize a working fluid and, more specifically, to an improved lubricant guide member that directs lubricant into a reservoir to maintain a volume of lubricant therein. 
         [0003]    Most industrial machinery incorporates a myriad of moving parts that are necessary for the machinery to perform its intended functions. Compressors, for example, include many parts that are in contact and move (e.g., rotate, translate, etc.) relative to other parts, often at high speeds and/or under heavy loads. Parts that operate under these conditions for long periods of time can wear, which can eventually cause failures that interrupt operation of the machinery. To avoid such problems, compressors will utilize lubricants such as oils, greases, and like substances that can reduce friction between moving parts. The lubricants can help to avoid breakdown of the moving parts. Nominally, an effective lubricating fluid management design is required to disperse the lubricant to the rotating components and collect it for further use. 
         [0004]    One particular lubricating fluid management design is a splash lubricating oil system. Examples of these systems have a shaft and a flat plate body (or “slinger”) having a circular or disc shape and a rolled peripheral edge. In operation, the shaft rotates the slinger to pass the rolled peripheral edge through the reservoir of lubricant. Rotation of the slinger generates centrifugal action that effectively transfers, or slings, the lubricant from the rolled peripheral edge. This action splashes the lubricant randomly on the interior surfaces of the compressor. In some applications, a guide member may be utilized to catch lubricant that falls back down toward the lubricant system. However, due to the harsh operating environment in some compressors, conventional guide members have failed for unforeseen reasons. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This disclosure describes improvements to members found in splash lubricating oil systems. These improvements provide features that can enhance performance, extend useful life, simplify manufacture, and make the members more amenable to consistent fabrication constraints (e.g., tolerances). As noted more below, at least one improvement provides embodiments of a lubricant guide member that is configured to better gather and direct lubricant toward the moving parts of the lubricating systems. This lubricant guide member can form part of a passive, gravity-assisted lubricant return mechanism, which captures more lubricant that falls onto and/or proximate the clamp member than similar parts in conventional splash lubricating oil systems. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the embodiments can include a body member that is configured to capture and direct lubricant toward rotating components of the lubricating system. The body member has a central portion and side members formed unitarily or monolithically together, often from a single piece of material (e.g., sheet metal). The body member includes a front side and an opposing back side. When installed in the lubricating system, the body member is disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of a shaft that is configured to rotate a slinger member to fling the lubricant. In one embodiment, the central portion has a centerline and a primary attachment feature, for example, through-holes that are disposed on either side of the centerline. These holes are configured to align with corresponding features on a bearing clamp member that at least partially circumscribes a shaft that rotates the slinger member to fling the lubricant during operation of the lubricating system. The side members can include a first side member and a second side member joined to the body member symmetrically on either side of the centerline. Each of the first side member and the second side member can have a first member forming a lubricant flow surface extending transversely away from the body member toward the back side. The first side member and the second side member can also include a second member extending transversely from a back edge of the first member. The second member can define a secondary attachment feature, which can also comprise through-holes that align with corresponding features on the bearing assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Reference is now made briefly to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a lubricating system as part of an example of a compressor, shown illustratively as a blower; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lubricating system for use on the blower of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts the lubricating system of  FIG. 2  in exploded form; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lubricating assembly with focus on an example of a lubricant guide member; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  depicts a front view of the lubricating assembly of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  depicts a back view of the lubricating assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Where applicable like reference characters designate identical or corresponding components and units throughout the several views, which are not to scale unless otherwise indicated. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The embodiments herein incorporate improvements that address certain problems found in conventional lubricating systems for use with compressors. As used herein, the term “compressor” describes machinery (including compressors and blowers) that acts on a working fluid, for example, to pressurize the working fluid to distribute on a process line. Examples of the process lines may be found in various applications including chemical, petro-chemical, resource recovery and delivery, refinery, and like sectors and industries. However, this disclosure does not foreclose use of the improvements, in whole or in part, in applications that can benefit from the distribution of lubricant that arises from the embodiments contemplated herein. 
         [0016]    The discussion that follows describes embodiments of a lubricant guide member and related lubricating system that disperse lubricant in compressors and like machines. These embodiments are useful to capture and direct lubricant to components of the lubricating system. In conventional practice, the guide member is formed from up to five separate pieces and uses extensive welding that can result in significant labor costs. The welds often reside in critical areas that are sensitive to loading and/or vibration. In use, the conventional guide member typically requires two bolts to fasten to an adjoining structure. This conventional configuration, however, can leave the guide member largely unsupported, causing the guide member to be cantilevered when subject to the significant vibrations that result from operation of the compressor. 
         [0017]    Notably, after multiple lubricant guide members failed in the field, resulting in expensive warranty claims, an engineering study, including 3-D element modeling, was undertaken to determine the static and dynamic forces to which the guide member was subjected. The study offered evidence that the lubricant guide member was subjected to unforeseen modal stresses and high cycle fatigue, peak stresses greater than 21 kpsi, and part deflections of 0.066 inches. The embodiments disclosed herein address the findings of this study, while at the same time providing improved lubricant capture and transport to the components of the lubricating system. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  generally depicts an exemplary embodiment of a lubricating assembly  100  as seen in a cross-sectional view of a compressor. The lubricating assembly  100  is part of a lubricating system  102  found herein in a blower  104 . In connection with the illustrated embodiment, the blower  104  has a first side  106  and a second side  108 , each of which can incorporate a cover member (e.g., a first cover member  110  and a second cover member  112 ). The cover members  110 ,  112  may form a chamber  114  that can house a fluid  116 , typically a lubricant (and/or friction reducing substance) with viscosity suitable for lubricating parts of the blower apparatus  104 . On the first side  106 , the lubricating system  102  resides proximate the lower part of the chamber  114  to locate one or more parts of the lubricant assembly  100  in contact with the fluid  116 . 
         [0019]    Examples of the lubricating system  102  are also known as “oil slinger” systems and/or “splash lubrication oil systems.” As noted herein, these names are synonymous of systems that operate rotating components to move, or “sling,” lubricant (or other fluids) from a lower part of the chamber  114  to an upper part of the chamber  114 . This action disperses the lubricant onto components (e.g., gears, bearings, etc.) that require lubricant to reduce friction and avoid wear and premature breakdown. The lubricating assembly  100  is configured to capture and retain some of the lubricant that falls back down toward the bottom of the chamber  114  ( FIG. 1 ). These configurations direct the lubricant into the interior components of the lubricating system  102 , thereby increasing the availability of lubricant to maintain appropriate lubrication of components during operation of the lubricating system  102 . 
         [0020]      FIGS. 2 and 3  depict the lubricating assembly  100  separated from the blower apparatus  104  ( FIG. 1 ) to highlight some additional features.  FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the lubricating assembly  100 .  FIG. 3  depicts the lubricating assembly  100  in exploded form, still implemented as part of and shown together with the lubricating system  102 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the lubricating assembly  100  can include a slinger member  118 , a bearing clamp member  120 , and a lubricant guide member  122 . The lubricating system  102  may include a shaft member  124  and a bearing assembly  126 . In one example, the lubricant guide member  122  is configure to couple with the bearing clamp member  120  in position between the slinger member  118  and the bearing assembly  126 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the bearing assembly  126  can include a bearing carrier member  128  and a bearing member  130 . The lubricating system  102  can further include a locking member  132 , such as a peripheral lock nut. For reference, the lubricating assembly  100  and lubricating system  102  are shown to have a front side  134  (also, “first side  134 ”), a back side  136  (also, “second side  136 ”), and a longitudinal axis  138  extending therethrough. The designation of the terms “front side” and “back side,” however, also translate to individual components, e.g., the bearing clamp member  120  and the lubricant guide member  122 , as indicated during the discussion herein. Likewise, use of the longitudinal axis  138  can extend to one or more of the other components of the lubricating assembly  100 , as necessary. body 
         [0022]    In one implementation, the shaft member  124  has a first end, a second end, and an axis that aligns with the longitudinal axis  138 . The shaft member  124  can insert into one or more components. This feature positions each of the slinger member  118 , the bearing clamp member  120 , and the components of the bearing assembly  126  on the shaft member  124  in alignment with the axis. On the front side  134 , the first end of the shaft member  124  is typically exposed to accept the locking member  132 , which engages the first end of the shaft member  124  to secure the parts of the lubricating system  102  together. The second end of the shaft member  124  can receive a belt and/or other drive mechanism. During operation of the lubricating system  102 , the drive mechanism can rotate the shaft member  124  about the longitudinal axis  138 . The shaft member  124 , in turn, rotates the slinger member  118 , which picks up lubricant from the bottom of the chamber  114  ( FIG. 1 ) and slings the lubricant into the rest of the machinery. Lubricant that does not adhere to components falls back down toward the chamber  114  ( FIG. 1 ). The lubricant guide member  122  is configured to capture some of the falling lubricant. Examples of the lubricant guide member  122  often have sloped and/or angled surfaces that can direct captured lubricant toward the interior of the bearing clamp member  120 . 
         [0023]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  depict exemplary embodiments of a lubricating assembly  200  with some parts removed to focus the discussion on an example of the lubricant guide member  222  (also, “oil leader  222 ”).  FIG. 4  provides a perspective view of the lubricant guide member  222 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  provide an elevation view taken from, respectively, the front side  234  and the back side  236 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , the lubricant guide member  222  includes a body member  244  having a central portion  246  and a pair of peripheral, or side, members or portions (e.g., a first side member  248  and a second side member  250 ). The body member  244  also defines a centerline  252  extending radially from the longitudinal axis  238  and bisecting the body member  244 . The side members  248 ,  250  can be disposed on either side of the centerline  252 . As illustrated, the body member  244  may be thin (i.e., formed of one or more thin sheets of material) and substantially planar so as to minimize volume. The body member  244  further includes a primary attachment feature  254  that is useful to mate and/or adjoin the lubricant guide member  222  to components of the lubricating system  102  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). In one example, the primary attachment feature  254  comprises one or more thru-holes or openings that penetrate the body member  244 . These through-holes can be equally spaced on opposite sides of the centerline  252 , although the position of these through-holes can also match corresponding holes found on other components. For example, when incorporated into the lubricating assembly  100  ( FIG. 2 ), the primary attachment feature  254  can be configured to allow the body member  244  to couple with the bearing clamp member  220  via fasteners (e.g., bolts). In this position, the body member  244  can reside transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the longitudinal axis  238  and the thru-holes can align with mating holes in the bearing clamp member  220  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0025]    As also shown in  FIG. 4 , the side members  248 ,  250  can include a first member  256  and second member  258  that couple with one another at an edge  260 . The first member  256  extends transversely away from the body member  246  along the longitudinal axis  238 . This configuration forms a lubricant flow surface  262  and a flow tab  264  (also “tab member  264 ”), both of which can facilitate migration of lubricant, as discussed herein. The second member  258  can have a secondary attachment feature  266  that is configured to facilitate mating with adjoining components of the lubricating system  102  ( FIG. 3 ). Near the flow tab  264 , the lubricant guide member  222  can include a stress relief feature  268  that can reduce local stress concentrations in the component. In one example, the first member  256  is perpendicular to the central portion  246  within reasonable manufacturing tolerances. The first member  256  can include a first part and a second part, one each that extends from the back side  236  of the central portion  246  and the front side  234  of the central portion  248 , respectively. However, this disclosure contemplates configurations for the first member  256  wherein the first part and the second part are configured to extend along the longitudinal axis  238  on one, both, or either the front side  234  and the back side  236  of the central portion  246 , as desired. 
         [0026]    The second member  258  is configured in spaced relation to, or is spaced longitudinally apart from, the central portion  246  of the body member  244  (along the longitudinal axis  238 ). The spacing can be measured from a plane that is tangent to at least two points on a surface of the second member  258  and a plane that is tangent to at least two points on a surface of the central portion  246 . Typically, the first plane and the second plane are parallel; however this configuration is not always the case. In one embodiment, the second member  258  extends in a direction generally downwardly from the first member  256  (also, transversely below the first member  256 ), in a direction along the centerline  252  toward the bottom of the body member  244 . In one example, the secondary attachment feature  266  comprises one or more thru-holes or openings that penetrate the second member  258 . These holes can be equally spaced on opposite sides of the centerline  252 , although the position and construction of the holes may depend on corresponding holes found on components of the lubricating system  102  ( FIG. 3 ). In one example, the thru-holes receive fasteners (e.g., bolts) that permit the lubricant guide member  222  to be bolted directly to the bearing carrier member  128  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
         [0027]    As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the lubricant flow surface  262  slopes (and/or tapers) at an angle a with respect to each of the longitudinal axis  238  and the centerline  252 . Generally, the angle a configures the slope of the lubricant flow surface  262  inwardly (i.e., toward the centerline  252 ) and downwardly (i.e., toward bottom of the lubricant guide member  222 ). This configuration directs a fluid towards the centerline  252  and the top of the bearing clamp member  220  ( FIG. 4 ). In one example, the angle a is in a range between  20  and  60  degrees. This angle configures the lubricant flow surface  262  to at least partially enable the passive, gravity-assisted lubricant return mechanism to capture and direct lubricant toward the center of the lubricant guide member  222 . For purposes of example, one implementation of the lubricant guide member  222  utilizes the side members  248 ,  250  to direct a fluid lubricant F down the lubricant flow surface  262  towards the central portion  246 . In one example, the lubricant can flow down the lubricant flow surface  262  to the reservoir region  240  ( FIG. 4 ) of the bearing clamp member  220  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0028]    Examples of the stress relief feature  268  form a fillet with oversized radius at a corner at which the first member  256  adjoins the central portion  248  in each of the first side portion  250  and the second side portion  252 . The lubricant guide member  222  can also include a tab member  264  (also, flow tab  264 ″) proximate this corner. In one example, the second part of the first member  256  forms the tab member  264 , wherein the tab member has a second surface angled upwardly from the corner toward the centerline  254  and the top of the body member  246 . Formation of the flow tab member  264  by metal bending may cause excessive residual stress in the corner, and the stress relief feature  268  greatly reduces the probability of crack propagation. 
         [0029]    Construction of the lubricant guide member  222  may utilize various materials and techniques. The lubricant guide member may, for example, have a monolithic and/or unitary construction that utilizes a thin planar material, such as sheet metal or like thin materials of substantially uniform thickness. The sheet metal may be bent and formed into the various portions (e.g., the body member  246  and the side portions  250 ,  252 ). In other examples, one or more of the portions may be formed separately and secured together, e.g., via welding and/or other fastening techniques. 
         [0030]    In view of the foregoing, the lubricant guide member of the present disclosure offers several improvements over convention lubricating devices found in compressors and related machinery. One of the improvements of the present disclosure is that the lubricant guide member may be formed from a single piece of sheet metal, thereby reducing the number of weldments, decreasing labor and material cost, and increasing reliability. Another improvement is that the increased inlet area, which defines the distance between opposing lubricant flow surfaces, allows more lubricant to flow into the reservoir for better reservoir management. Another improvement is that the peak stresses in the guide member have been reduced by about 60% and the deflection has been decreased by about 35%. Furthermore, the first-order resonance or excited failure mode of the guide member has been increased from about 49 Hz to about 142 Hz, which significantly decreases the probability of a modal failure. 
         [0031]    As used herein, an element or function recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or functions, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the claimed invention should not be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
         [0032]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.