Patent ID: 8283824

Claim:
A fluid deflecting motor protection assembly for at least partially covering a vent opening extending from an external side to an internal side of an endshield of an electric motor, wherein the vent opening is disposed below a horizontal axis of the motor and is configured to permit vent air to flow in a generally axial venting direction from outside the motor to inside the motor, with the assembly being operably securable to the endshield to define an operational position, said assembly comprising: an endshield cover operably securable to the external side of the endshield, said cover including a body being configured to project axially from the endshield and extend generally radially coextensively with the area of the endshield disposed above the horizontal axis when in the operational position; and a fluid deflecting baffle operably securable to the endshield, said baffle being configured to extend in a partial covering relationship with the vent opening when in the operational position, said baffle defining a vent passage therethrough, said baffle including at least one liquid flow obstructing louver extending across the vent passage to deflect liquid flowing at least partially in the venting direction away from the vent passage when in the operational position, said louver including a generally flat liquid deflection surface, said deflection surface being disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis and at least partially facing the venting direction when the baffle is in the operational position, said baffle including a plurality of liquid flow obstructing louvers, each of said louvers including a generally flat liquid deflection surface, each of said deflection surfaces being disposed at an oblique angle relative to the axis and at least partially facing the venting direction when the baffle is in the operational position, each of said louvers extending across the vent passage in a generally arcuate path, each of said arcuate paths defining a generally circular arc having a center of curvature disposed on the axis, such that the arcuate paths are concentric when the cover is in the operational position.