Vacuum Pump Radial Bearing Lubrication for All Orientations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum pumps face challenges in reliably returning lubricant to the lubricant reservoir regardless of their orientation, leading to potential impairment of bearing functionality due to lubricant accumulation, especially when operated in non-upright positions.
Innovation Solution
The transfer element surrounds or engages with the bearing, allowing lubricant to be transported radially to a return device, minimizing axial height and ensuring reliable lubricant removal and return regardless of the pump's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transfer element is arranged above the bearing (as in prior art), then the structure is simple and enables good lubricant return when the vacuum pump is upside down, but the axial height becomes comparatively large and lubricant return is insufficient when the pump is operated horizontally
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer element is repositioned from an axial arrangement (above the bearing) to a radial arrangement (surrounding the bearing). This dimensional change allows the transfer element to be positioned at the same axial height as the bearing while still effectively collecting lubricant, thereby reducing the overall axial height of the assembly while maintaining or improving lubricant return reliability in all orientations
2Ease of manufacture
If the transfer element is arranged above the bearing, then the structure is simple, but the device complexity increases due to requiring multiple components and a radial gap for lubricant flow
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer element is integrated to surround the bearing directly, merging the functions of lubricant collection and structural support into a single unified component arrangement. This eliminates the need for separate components and radial gaps required in prior art, simplifying the overall structure while improving lubricant return efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer element surrounding the bearing performs multiple functions simultaneously: it collects lubricant from the bearing, maintains structural integrity, and enables lubricant return in all pump orientations (upright, horizontal, inverted). This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer element is arranged above the bearing, then lubricant return works for upside down operation, but lubricant return is insufficient when the pump is operated horizontally due to gravity limitations
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning from an axial to radial arrangement, the transfer element can collect lubricant from all circumferential positions of the bearing regardless of pump orientation. The radial positioning allows gravity to effectively drive lubricant toward the transfer element in any orientation, ensuring reliable lubricant return whether the pump is upright, horizontal, or inverted
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures effective lubrication and lubricant return with minimal axial height, preventing bearing impairment and maintaining functionality across various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
The transfer element, designed as a felt ring, for example, serves to collect lubricant coming from the bearing
Implementation Method 2
These return rods connect the felt ring to a lubricant reservoir in the lower area of the vacuum pump. However, such felt rings arranged above the bearing are often useless with regard to lubricant return when the pump is operated horizontally
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuum pump, in particular a turbomolecular vacuum pump, with at least one pumping stage which comprises a stator and a rotor which, during operation, rotates relative to the stator about an axis of rotation, a bearing, in particular a rolling bearing, for the rotor, and a lubricating device for lubricating the bearing with a liquid lubricant, wherein the lubricating device comprises an annular or partially annular transfer element which runs around the axis of rotation and receives lubricant coming from the bearing and delivers it to a return device of the lubricating device, wherein the transfer element surrounds the bearing and/or wherein the transfer element engages radially or with a radial component in a passage section surrounding the bearing, through which passage section lubricant can pass from the bearing to the transfer element.