Pump supported by a fluid-isolated, liquid-lubricated thrust bearing

Claim 2

A machine for conveying gases comprising at least one vertically disposed motor rotor; at least one impeller driven from said rotor; a gas-tight casing housing said rotor and impeller;

Claim 3

a shaft connected to and extending from said rotor, said shaft being of smaller diameter than said rotor; a thrust bearing mounted in said casing and rotatably supporting said shaft therein to support the weight of said rotor from said casing; means including a bath of lubricating liquid for lubricating said thrust bearing with cooled liquid and a heat exchanger element for cooling the bath of lubricating liquid; at least one element centering said rotor in said casing, said element having a cylindrical bore surrounding said rotor in spaced relation thereto to form a film of pumped gas therebetween; a sealing gland disposed about said shaft between said bearing and said centering element; means for supplying gas to said gland to function as a barrier medium between said means for lubricating and said centering element; and means communicating a space above said bath with a position of lower pressure to produce an upward flow of gas in said gland.

Claim 4

a shaft connected to and extending from said rotor, said shaft being of smaller diameter than said rotor; a thrust bearing mounted in said casing and rotatably supporting said shaft therein to support the weight of said rotor from said casing; means including a bath of lubricating liquid for lubricating said thrust bearing with cooled liquid and a heat exchanger element for cooling the bath of lubricating liquid; at least one element centering said rotor in said casing, said element having a cylindrical bore surrounding said rotor in spaced relation thereto to form a film of pumped gas therebetween; a sealing gland disposed about said shaft between said bearing and said centering element; means for supplying gas to said gland to function as a barrier medium between said means for lubricating and said centering element; and means communicating a space above said bath with a position of lower pressure to produce an upward flow of gas in said gland.

Claim 5

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein one said centering element is disposed between said impeller and said rotor and another said centering element is disposed between said rotor and said thrust bearing.

Claim 6

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein each centering element is mounted in a diaphragm secured to said casing.

Claim 7

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said centering element is disposed between said impeller and said rotor.

Claim 8

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said thrust bearing is self-aligning within said casing.

Claim 9

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said thrust brearing is a roller bearing.

Claim 10

A machine as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises means for forming an emergency thrust bearing upon movement of said rotor in a downward direction in response to failure of said thrust bearing.

Claim 11

A machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein said latter means is mounted below said thrust bearing within said casing.

Claim 12

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying gas to said gland delivers part of the conveyed gas to said gland as the barrier medium.

Claim 13

A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for lubricating includes a chamber about said thrust bearing for containing said bath of lubricating liquid.

Claim 14

A machine for pumping gases comprising at least one vertically disposed motor rotor; at least one impeller driven from said rotor for pumping a gas; a housing surrounding said rotor and impeller; a member subdividing said housing into two vertically aligned chambers; a shaft extending from said motor rotor and passing through said member; said shaft being of smaller diameter than said rotor; at least one element centering a reduced diameter end of said rotor within said housing and having a cylindrical bore surrounding said end in spaced relation to form a film of pumped gas therebetween; a thrust bearing in one of said chambers rotatably supporting said shaft to support said rotor and impeller; means for lubricating said thrust bearing with cooled liquid including a bath of lubricating liquid immersing said thrust bearing therein; a sealing gland disposed about said shaft within said member between said thrust bearing and said element; and means for supplying gas to said sealing gland to function as a barrier medium between said chambers.

Claim 15

A machine for pumping gases comprising at least one vertically disposed motor rotor; at least one impeller driven from said rotor for pumping a gas; a housing surrounding said rotor and impeller; a member subdividing said housing into two vertically aligned chambers; a shaft extending from said motor rotor and passing through said member; said shaft being of smaller diameter than said rotor; at least one element centering a reduced diameter end of said rotor within said housing and having a cylindrical bore surrounding said end in spaced relation to form a film of pumped gas therebetween; a thrust bearing in one of said chambers rotatably supporting said shaft to support said rotor and impeller; means for lubricating said thrust bearing with cooled liquid including a bath of lubricating liquid immersing said thrust bearing therein; a sealing gland disposed about said shaft within said member between said thrust bearing and said element; and means for supplying gas to said sealing gland to function as a barrier medium between said chambers.