Philip C Shaffer

US Patent:

20040131464, Jul 8, 2004

Filed:

Jan 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/337565

Inventors:

Philip Shaffer - Golden CO, US
Robert Grennan - Stillman Valley IL, US

International Classification:

F01D005/00

US Classification:

415/072000, 417/424200, 417/423300

Abstract:

A rotary machine is provided, such as an electromechanical device, that includes a housing having a lubricating oil disposed within the housing. A shaft is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The shaft has a passage extending to an end portion of the shaft. A screw includes a body arranged coaxial to the shaft, and preferably affixed thereto. The screw includes helical blades extending outwardly from the body adjacent to a shroud. The shroud is arranged about the screw forming a gap between the blades and the shroud. Rotation of the shaft and screw pump the oil to the end portion of the shaft and into the passage from which the oil may be delivered to other machine components, such as the bearings. A flow straightener having radial fins may be arranged between the screw and the passage for controlling the flow of oil into the passage preventing a vortex.