US4363608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thrust bearing arrangement
Assignee: Flowserve Management Co
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Filing: 1981-04-20
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2001-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A thrust bearing assembly especially adaptable for use with a centrifugal pump and located between the impeller and the impeller driving means and constructed of multiple bearings, each of which is preloaded to a certain value such that under conditions of no upwardly directed thrust load, the upper and lower bearings share a load applied to the upper bearing while a middle bearing is subject only to its preload, and under upwardly directed thrust load conditions, the upper and middle bearings share the upwardly directed thrust load while the lower bearing carries its preload.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan A. Mulders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C25/00; F16C25/06; F16C25/08; F16C19/00; F16C19/22; F16C19/34; F16C19/36; F16C19/54; F16C35/00; F16C35/04; F16C35/06; F16C35/061; F16C41/00; F16C41/02; F16C19/30; F16C23/00; F16C23/06; F16C23/08; F16C23/082; F16C23/086; F16C2360/00; F16C2360/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A generally vertically arranged thrust bearing assembly adapted to operate under conditions which vary from no upwardly directed thrustload to an upwardly directed thrustload, said thrust bearing assembly being operatively associated with a rotating unit and which comprises: an upper, middle and lower bearing, each spaced from the others; means to preload each of the middle and lower bearings to apply a first-value load thereto; and means to preload the upper bearing to apply a second and higher value load thereto; said bearing assembly being so constructed and arranged that said last-named means transmitts its load to said lower bearing under no upwardly directed thrust load conditions such that said lower bearing shares the load of said upper bearing while said middle bearing continues to carry its preload, and said middle and upper bearings carry the load under the upwardly directed load conditions while at the maximum upwardly load conditions the lower bearing carries only its preload.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A generally vertically arranged thrust bearing assembly adapted to operate under conditions which vary from no upwardly directed thrustload to an upwardly directed thrustload, said thrust bearing assembly being operatively associated with a rotating unit and which comprises: an upper, middle and lower bearing, each spaced from the others; means to preload each of the middle and lower bearings to apply a first-value load thereto; and means to preload the upper bearing to apply a second and higher value load thereto; said bearing assembly being so constructed and arranged that said last-named means transmitts its load to said lower bearing under no upwardly directed thrust load conditions such that said lower bearing shares the load of said upper bearing while said middle bearing continues to carry its preload, and said middle and upper bearings carry the load under the upwardly directed load conditions while at the maximum upwardly load conditions the lower bearing carries only its preload.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A thrust bearing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said spaced bearings are roller bearings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thrust bearing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein coil springs apply said preload to said middle and lower bearings and a Belleville spring applies said preload to said upper bearing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
159 words
A vertical pump assembly comprising an impeller for pumping fluid from an intake to an outlet and a motor for driving said impeller, and a thrust bearing arrangement located between said impeller and said motor, said thrust bearing arrangement comprising an upper, middle and lower bearing, each spaced from the others; means to preload each of the middle and lower bearings to apply a first-value load thereto; and means to preload the upper bearing to apply a second and higher value load thereto; said bearing assembly being so constructed and arranged that said last-named means transmitts its load to said lower bearing under no upwardly directed thrust load conditions such that said lower bearing shares the load of said upper bearing while said middle bearing continues to carry its preload, and said middle and upper bearings carry the load under the upwardly directed load conditions while at the maximum upwardly load conditions the lower bearing carries only its preload.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
159 words
A vertical pump assembly comprising an impeller for pumping fluid from an intake to an outlet and a motor for driving said impeller, and a thrust bearing arrangement located between said impeller and said motor, said thrust bearing arrangement comprising an upper, middle and lower bearing, each spaced from the others; means to preload each of the middle and lower bearings to apply a first-value load thereto; and means to preload the upper bearing to apply a second and higher value load thereto; said bearing assembly being so constructed and arranged that said last-named means transmitts its load to said lower bearing under no upwardly directed thrust load conditions such that said lower bearing shares the load of said upper bearing while said middle bearing continues to carry its preload, and said middle and upper bearings carry the load under the upwardly directed load conditions while at the maximum upwardly load conditions the lower bearing carries only its preload.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A pump assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said bearings are roller bearings and further comprising coil springs to apply the preload to said middle and lower bearings and a Belleville spring to apply the preload to said upper bearing, the preload to said upper bearing being of greater value than the preload to said middle and lower bearings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |