Rotary machine oil lubrication system - has small reservoirs each side of shafts enlarged centre to ensure starting lubrication

摘要

The oil lubricating system for gas turbines, pumps etc., has the centre portion of the shaft enlarged to form a solid, central collar. The gap between the collar and the housing is much narrower than that between the rest of the shaft and the housing. The housing has a large oil reservoir at its base and two smaller reservoirs higher up, each side of the collar. When the shaft rotates, oil in the large reservoir is driven by the swirling air around the shaft up into the smaller reservoirs so that, when the machine stops, oil remains in them. When starting up after a long stoppage the central collar is lubricated by the oil trapped in the small reservoirs.