Patent ID: 8408806

Claim:
An auxiliary bearing system, comprising: a sleeve through which a rotating shaft extends, the shaft comprising a first slinger and a second slinger distal from the first slinger, wherein a gap is defined between the sleeve and the shaft when a primary bearing system supports the shaft, and wherein the sleeve engages and rotates with the shaft when the primary bearing system does not support the shaft; a bearing mount through which the shaft extends, the bearing mount defining an inside surface; a plurality of oil seals adapted to sealingly engage the shaft, the plurality of oil seals comprising: a first pair of oil seals disposed within the bearing mount and extending radially inward from the inside surface of the bearing mount, the first slinger being axially positioned between the first pair of oil seals; and a second pair of oil seals disposed within the bearing mount and extending radially inward from the inside surface of the bearing mount, the second slinger being axially positioned between the second pair of oil seals; and an oil ring extending circumferentially around the sleeve and rotating in response to the rotating sleeve when the sleeve engages and rotates with the shaft, wherein the rotating oil ring distributes lubricant within the auxiliary bearing system.