Fluid-Cooled Bearing

摘要

This invention relates to bearings which are to operate under conditions of extreme low temperature, as in liquid oxygen machinery, it being well known that the presence of very cold liquids, such as liquid oxygen, greatly increases the friction of surfaces which are in rubbing or sliding contact. It is the general object of my invention to provide an improved bearing especially adapted for very low temperature use and in which overheating is prevented and friction losses are substantially reduced. To the attainment of this object, I provide a bearing of ball or roller type in which the relatively moving parts are immersed in the cold liquid, as liquid oxygen, which circulates through the bearing and absorbs any heat generated by friction. Wear in the bearing parts is also substantially reduced, as the hardness of the metal surfaces increases at extreme low temperatures. I also make special provision to prevent leakage of the cold liquid from the bearing, both when the rotated part is in motion and also when said part is at rest.