Patent ID: 12222002

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially toFIG.1, a system100for bearing lubrication comprises a bearing102, a temperature sensor104, a pressure sensor106, a lubricant reservoir108, a bearing lubrication line110, a lubricant drainage line112, an exhaust fan114, and a bearing lubrication controller116. The temperature sensor104may be configured to sense a temperature within the bearing102. The pressure sensor106may be configured to sense a fluid pressure within the bearing102. The lubricant reservoir108may comprise a lubricant118, gaseous fluid120, or both. The system may also not comprise an orifice plate.

Still referring toFIG.1, the system100may comprise the bearing102, as well as a rotary member130in contact with the bearing102. Without being limited by theory, while the rotary member130is illustrated inFIG.1to rotate in a counter-clockwise manner, the rotary member130may also rotate in a clockwise manner. The bearing102may also comprise an inboard seal132and an outboard seal134. The inboard seal132and the outboard seal134may be configured to form a positive pressure seal on the bearing102and the rotary member130. Particularly, the system100may further comprise a compressed air source (not illustrated) and an air supply line136, the air supply line136fluidly connected downstream of the compressed air source and upstream of at least one of the inboard seal132and the outboard seal134. The compressed air source may be configured to supply compressed air to at least one of the inboard seal132and the outboard seal134through the air supply line136to generate the positive pressure on the bearing102, the rotary member130, or both. Similarly, the system100may also comprise an air vent line138, which may be configured to vent the compressed air from at least one of the inboard seal132and the outboard seal134, such as when the bearing102, the rotary member130, or both need to undergo routine maintenance or replacement.

Without being limited by theory, it is contemplated that some of the lubricant118may intrude into the inboard seal132, the outboard seal134, or both. Accordingly the system100may further comprise a seal drainage line140fluidly coupled to and downstream from the inboard seal132, the outboard seal134, or both. The seal drainage line140may be configured to supply the lubricant118that intrudes into the inboard seal132, the outboard seal134, or both to a disposal tank142downstream of the seal drainage line140. To assess the quantity of the lubricant118that is intruding into the inboard seal132, the outboard seal134, or both (and determine if one or both needs routine maintenance or repair), a sight glass144may be positioned upstream of the disposal tank142and within the seal drainage line140.

Still referring toFIG.1, the system100may comprise the bearing lubrication line110. As illustrated inFIG.1, the bearing lubrication line110may be fluidly connected upstream from the bearing102and downstream from the lubricant reservoir108. The bearing lubrication line110may also comprise a pump122configured to supply the lubricant118from the lubricant reservoir108to the bearing102along the bearing lubrication line110. In embodiments, the bearing lubrication line110may further comprise a control valve124positioned downstream of the pump122and upstream of the bearing102. The control valve124may be configured to variably open or close, controlling the flow of the lubricant118from the pump122, as described in further detail hereinbelow.

Still referring toFIG.1, the system100may further comprise a pressure release line126fluidly coupled to the bearing lubrication line110and the lubricant reservoir108. The pressure release line126may be positioned downstream of the pump122and upstream of the control valve124. The pressure release line126may also comprise a check valve128.

Still referring toFIG.1, the system100may comprise the lubricant drainage line112. The lubricant drainage line112may be fluidly connected downstream from the bearing102and upstream from the lubricant reservoir108, the lubricant drainage line112configured to supply the lubricant118from the bearing102back to the lubricant reservoir108along the lubricant drainage line112. As previously stated, the system100may comprise the lubricant reservoir108. The lubricant reservoir108may be at a lower elevation than the bearing102. Without being limited by theory, the lubricant reservoir108being at a lower elevation than the bearing102may enhance the drainage along the lubricant drainage line112as the lubricant118may drain utilizing gravity drainage.

Still referring toFIG.1, the system100may comprise the exhaust fan114. The exhaust fan114may be fluidly connected to the lubricant reservoir108. The exhaust fan114may be a variable speed drive motor, such that the speed of the exhaust fan114may be adjustable, as explained in further detail hereinbelow. The exhaust fan114may also be configured to remove the gaseous fluid120from the lubricant reservoir108. Also as illustrated inFIG.1, the lubricant reservoir108may further comprise a breather valve146.

Still referring toFIG.1, and as previously stated, the system100may comprise the bearing lubrication controller116, which may be programmed to execute bearing temperature control logic. The bearing lubrication controller116may be communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor104, the pressure sensor106, the pump122, control valve124, and the exhaust fan114.

For direct communication, it is contemplated that the temperature sensor104, the pressure sensor106, the pump122, control valve124, and the exhaust fan114may comprise a two-way data communications link connecting communications hardware of the same to communications hardware of the bearing lubrication controller116. The bearing lubrication controller116may comprise a microcontroller unit, or it may comprise multiple or sub-microcontroller units. The microcontroller unit may comprise a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The communications hardware of the microcontroller unit may receive data, comprising the temperature, the fluid pressure, or both, and transfer the data to be stored in the memory. The processor may be configured to pull the data from the memory, conduct one or more operations on the data according to the bearing temperature control logic, which may also be stored on the memory, before communicating instructions to the pump122, the control valve124, the exhaust fan114or combinations thereof.

The bearing temperature control logic may comprise detecting the temperature from the temperature sensor104, receiving the temperature from the temperature sensor104, and determining whether the temperature falls outside pre-defined bounds of the temperature. The pre-defined bounds of the temperature may comprise an upper pre-defined temperature bound and a lower pre-defined temperature bound. The pre-defined bounds of the temperature may themselves be determined according to the experience of personnel, temperature ratings for the bearing102, temperature ratings for the lubricant118, temperature ratings for the lines used in the system100, operational safety, or combinations thereof.

Referring again to the bearing temperature control logic, the logic may further comprise increasing the rate of the lubricant118supplied from the pump122to the bearing102, such as through adjustment of the control valve124, upon determining the temperature falls outside the upper pre-defined bound of the temperature. Without being limited by theory, increasing the rate of the lubricant118supplied from the pump122, such as through adjustment of the control valve124, may operate to cool the bearing102. Similarly, if the temperature falls outside the lower pre-defined bound of the temperature, the logic may further comprise decreasing the rate of the lubricant118supplied from the pump122, such as through adjustment of the control valve124, to the bearing102, as the additional load on the pump122may not be necessary to ensure adequate lubrication and cooling of the bearing102. If the temperature falls inside the pre-defined bounds of the temperature, one or more additional iterations of the logic occur wherein additional temperatures are detected and received before conducting the determining step in each subsequent iteration.

In embodiments including the control valve124, the rate of lubricant118supplied from the pump122may be increased or decreased by variably opening or closing, respectively, the control valve124. In these embodiments, the bearing lubrication controller116may also be communicatively coupled to the control valve124in a similar manner to the pump122.

Referring again to the bearing temperature control logic, the logic may further comprise detecting the fluid pressure from the pressure sensor106after increasing the rate of lubricant118, receiving the fluid pressure from the pressure sensor106, and determining whether the fluid pressure falls outside pre-defined bounds of the fluid pressure within the bearing102. Similar to the temperature, the pre-defined bounds of the fluid pressure may comprise an upper pre-defined fluid pressure bound and a lower pre-defined fluid pressure bound. The pre-defined bounds of the pressure may themselves be determined according to the experience of personnel, lubrication system design, pressure ratings for the bearing102, pressure ratings for the lines used in the system100, operational safety, or combinations thereof.

Referring again to the bearing temperature control logic, the logic may further comprise increasing the speed of the exhaust fan114to a first speed upon determining the fluid pressure falls outside the upper pre-defined bound of the fluid pressure within the bearing102.

Without being limited by theory, increasing the speed of the exhaust fan114may operate to increase a pressure differential along the lubricant drainage line112from the bearing102to the lubricant reservoir108, thereby increasing drainage from the bearing102. Without being limited by theory, the additional drainage from the bearing102may also increase circulation of the lubricant118within the bearing102, contributing to increased cooling within the bearing102.

Similarly, if the fluid pressure falls outside the lower pre-defined bound of the fluid pressure, the logic may further comprise decreasing the speed of the exhaust fan114, as the additional load on the exhaust fan114may not be necessary to ensure adequate drainage and cooling of the bearing102. If the fluid pressure falls inside the pre-defined bounds of the fluid pressure, one or more additional iterations of the logic occur wherein additional fluid pressures are detected and received before conducting the determining step in each subsequent iteration.

Without being limited by theory, it is contemplated that even with the maintaining of optimal bearing lubrication, cooling, and drainage, such as with the aforementioned system100, the bearing102and the system100may still have a finite life of operation before necessary maintenance and replacement will be necessary. Accordingly the bearing temperature control logic may comprise additional logic to account for such a situation. Particularly, the logic may further comprise detecting a second temperature from the temperature sensor104a specified period of time after increasing the rate of the lubricant118supplied from the pump122, receiving the second temperature from the temperature sensor104, and determining whether the second temperature is greater than a first temperature. In this situation, the first temperature may be “the temperature” previously referred to hereinabove. Without being limited by theory, by including the previous additional steps in the logic, the controller may determine that additional increases in lubricant118flow rate are unlikely/unable to reduce the temperature in the bearing102, which may be due to bearing wear. Accordingly, the logic may further comprise transmitting a request for bearing maintenance or replacement upon determining that the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

Now referring toFIG.2, and in embodiments, an illustration of a method200for bearing lubrication utilizing any of the systems100hereinbefore described and the bearing temperature control logic is shown. The method200may comprise the initial steps of detecting the temperature from the temperature sensor104, receiving the temperature from the temperature sensor104, and determining whether the temperature falls outside pre-defined bounds of the temperature.

The method200may further comprise, upon determining the temperature falls outside the pre-defined bounds of the temperature, increasing the rate of the lubricant118supplied from the pump122to the bearing102. The method200may then further comprise detecting the fluid pressure from the pressure sensor106after increasing the rate of lubricant118, receiving the fluid pressure from the pressure sensor106, and determining whether the fluid pressure falls outside pre-defined bounds of the fluid pressure within the bearing102. The method200may then comprise, upon determining the fluid pressure falls outside the pre-defined bounds of the fluid pressure within the bearing102, increasing the speed of the exhaust fan114to increase a pressure differential along the lubricant drainage line112from the bearing102to the lubricant reservoir108.

Now referring toFIG.3, and as previously stated, the logic may comprise one or more additional steps to determine if maintenance or replacement of the bearing102or a component of the system100is necessary. Accordingly, the process300illustrated inFIG.3may comprise the additional steps of detecting a second temperature from the temperature sensor104a specified period of time after increasing the rate of the lubricant118supplied from the pump122, receiving the second temperature from the temperature sensor104, determining whether the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and transmitting a request for bearing maintenance or replacement upon determining that the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

It is also noted that recitations herein of “at least one” component, element, etc., should not be used to create an inference that the alternative use of the articles “a” or “an” should be limited to a single component, element, etc.

It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically,” when utilized herein, are not utilized to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to identify particular aspects of an embodiment of the present disclosure or to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

For the purpose of describing the simplified schematic illustrations and descriptions of the relevant figures, the numerous valves, temperature sensors, micro controllers and the like that may be employed and well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of certain chemical processing operations may or may not be included. It should be understood that these components, when not illustrated, are within the spirit and scope of the present embodiments disclosed. Further, operational components, such as those described in the present disclosure, may be added to the embodiments described in this disclosure.

It should further be noted that arrows in the drawings refer to process streams. However, the arrows may equivalently refer to transfer lines, which may serve to transfer process streams between two or more system components. Additionally, arrows that connect to system components define inlets or outlets in each given system component. The arrow direction corresponds generally with the major direction of movement of the materials of the stream contained within the physical transfer line signified by the arrow. Furthermore, arrows, which do not connect two or more system components, signify a product stream, which exits the depicted system, or a system inlet stream, which enters the depicted system. Product streams may be further processed in accompanying chemical processing systems or may be commercialized as end products.

Additionally, arrows in the drawings may schematically depict process steps of transporting a stream from one system component to another system component. For example, an arrow from one system component pointing to another system component may represent “passing” a system component effluent to another system component, which may include the contents of a process stream “exiting” or being “removed” from one system component and “introducing” the contents of that product stream to another system component.

Furthermore, arrows with dashed lines in the drawings may indicate electronic communication between one or more system components, such as wired or wireless communications.

It should be understood that according to the embodiments presented in the relevant figures, an arrow between two system components may signify that the stream is not processed between the two system components. In other embodiments, the stream signified by the arrow may have substantially the same composition throughout its transport between the two system components. Additionally, it should be understood that in embodiments, an arrow may represent that at least 75 wt. %, at least 90 wt. %, at least 95 wt. %, at least 99 wt. %, at least 99.9 wt. %, or even wt. % of the stream is transported between the system components. As such, in embodiments, less than all of the stream signified by an arrow may be transported between the system components, such as if a slip stream is present.

It should be understood that two or more process streams are “mixed” or “combined” when two or more lines intersect in the schematic flow diagrams of the relevant figures. Mixing or combining may also include mixing by directly introducing both streams into a unit or other system component. For example, it should be understood that when two streams are depicted as being combined directly prior to entering a unit, that in embodiments the streams could equivalently be introduced into the unit or be mixed within the same. Alternatively, when two streams are depicted to independently enter a system component, they may in embodiments be mixed together before entering that system component.

It is noted that recitations herein of a component herein being “configured” or “programmed” in a particular way, to embody a particular property, or to function in a particular manner, are structural recitations, as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is “configured” or “programmed” denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.

Having described the subject matter of the present disclosure in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is noted that the various details disclosed herein should not be taken to imply that these details relate to elements that are essential components of the various embodiments described herein, even in cases where a particular element is illustrated in each of the drawings that accompany the present description. Further, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, including, but not limited to, embodiments defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these aspects.

It is noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term “wherein” as a transitional phrase. For the purposes of defining the present invention, it is noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open-ended transitional phrase that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of characteristics of the structure and should be interpreted in like manner as the more commonly used open-ended preamble term “comprising.”