Pump lubrication system including an external reservoir
A circulating lubrication system for a centrifugal pump, or other rotating equipment utilizing an oil sump, is disclosed. The lubrication system includes an external reservoir located distant from the main lubrication chamber, so that lubricating fluid from the main misting chamber is forced out of the main chamber, cooled and cleaned (i.e. filtered) in the external reservoir, and thereafter fed back into the main lubricating chamber. In such a manner, the lubrication system maintains substantially clean, cool, and moisture free lubricating fluid in the main misting chamber and reduces the required downtime of the device. Thus, the life span of the device is lengthened while at the same time production is increased.
1. A lubrication system for pumps and other rotating equipment, for circulating lubricant to and from a main lubrication chamber, wherein said rotating equipment comprises a bearing housing for receiving at least a pair of bearings; a rotatable shaft disposed within said housing, said main lubricating chamber being annular and surrounding said shaft; and bearings to be lubricated, said bearings rotatably supporting said shaft and being located within or adjacent said main lubricating chamber, said lubrication system comprising:
a lubricant dispensing member affixed to said shaft within said main lubricating chamber for dispensing the lubricant in said main lubricating chamber for lubricating said bearings; and
a lubricant reservoir remote from and in fluid communication with said main lubricating chamber, wherein the said lubricant is circulated out of said main lubricating chamber and into said reservoir via a first fluid conduit, and thereafter is circulated back into said main lubricating chamber from said reservoir via a second conduit,
wherein the lubricant dispensing member is adapted to be mounted to said shaft without removing the bearings from said shaft.
2. The lubrication system of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant dispensing member includes means of adjusting its radial size to fit any size said main lubricating chamber.
3. The lubrication system of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant dispensing member is of a radial size that is larger than the radial size of said bearings, said dispensing member adapted to be mounted onto said shaft and then inserted into said main lubricating chamber as allowed by its pivoting blade assembly.
4. The lubrication system of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant reservoir includes heat removing fins.
5. The lubrication system of claim 1 , wherein the lubrication reservoir includes a filter to remove contaminants from the oil.
6. A lubrication system for pumps and other rotating equipment, for circulating lubricant to and from a main lubrication chamber, wherein said rotating equipment comprises a bearing housing for receiving at least a pair of bearings; a rotatable shaft disposed within said housing, said main lubricating chamber being annular and surrounding said shaft; and said bearings are to be lubricated, said bearings rotatably supporting said shaft and being located within or adjacent said main lubricating chamber, said lubrication system comprising:
a lubricant dispensing member affixed to said shaft within said main lubricating chamber for dispensing the lubricant in said main lubricating chamber for lubricating said bearings; and
a lubricant reservoir remote from and in fluid communication with said main lubricating chamber, wherein said lubricant is circulated out of said main lubricating chamber and into said reservoir via a first fluid conduit, and thereafter is circulated back into said main lubricating chamber from said reservoir via a second conduit,
wherein the lubrication reservoir includes an adjustable support to the reservoir to provide improved versatility in retrofitting all rotating equipment.
7. The lubrication system of claim 6 , wherein the lubrication reservoir includes a drain valve and cover for draining the oil and refilling the reservoir.
8. A lubrication system for pumps and other rotating equipment, for circulating lubricant to and from a main lubrication chamber, wherein said rotating equipment comprises a bearing housing for receiving at least a pair of bearings; a rotatable shaft disposed within said housing, said main lubricating chamber being annular and surrounding said shaft; and said bearings are to be lubricated, said bearings rotatably supporting said shaft and being located within or adjacent said main lubricating chamber, said lubrication system comprising:
a lubricant dispensing member affixed to said shaft within said main lubricating chamber for dispensing the lubricant in said main lubricating chamber for lubricating said bearings; and
a lubricant reservoir remote from and in fluid communication with said main lubricating chamber, wherein said lubricant is circulated out of said main lubricating chamber and into said reservoir via a first fluid conduit, and thereafter is circulated back into said main lubricating chamber from said reservoir via a second conduit,
wherein the lubrication reservoir includes a cover that contains a desiccant chamber for removing moisture from the air within the main lubricating chamber and from within the external reservoir for reducing moisture in the oil.
9. The lubrication system of claim 8 , wherein the lubrication reservoir includes a set of embossed letters at predetermined oil set levels to provide ease of setting an oil level for a plurality of rotating equipment for which the oil level has been previously determined.
10. The lubrication system of claim 8 , wherein the lubrication reservoir includes an adjustable oil level arrow to provide improved versatility in retrofitting rotating equipment.
11. The lubrication system of claim 8 , wherein the lubrication reservoir includes a full length sight glass to enable the oil level to be visible to provide improved versatility in retrofitting said rotating equipment and providing a means of visually assessing the condition of the oil in the reservoir.
12. A lubrication system for pumps and other rotating equipment, for circulating lubricant to and from a main lubrication chamber, wherein said rotating equipment comprises a bearing housing for receiving at least a pair of bearings; a rotatable shaft disposed within said housing, said main lubricating chamber being annular and surrounding said shaft; and said bearings are to be lubricated, said bearings rotatably supporting said shaft and being located within or adjacent said main lubricating chamber, said lubrication system comprising:
a lubricant dispensing member affixed to said shaft within said main lubricating chamber for dispensing the lubricant in said main lubricating chamber for lubricating said bearings; and
a lubricant reservoir remote from and in fluid communication with said main lubricating chamber, wherein said lubricant is circulated out of said main lubricating chamber and into said reservoir via a first fluid conduit, and thereafter is circulated back into said main lubricating chamber from said reservoir via a second conduit,
wherein said lubricant dispensing member and said lubricant reservoir define a retrofit kit mounted adjacent said rotating components, and wherein the retrofit kit includes an installation slide template to assist in the setting of the oil misting blade length and a level of the oil for said rotating equipment without the need for the customer to have special measuring equipment.
13. The lubrication system of claim 12 , wherein said oil level in said main lubricating chamber is maintained below lower balls of said bearings.