Adaptor Frame

Abstract

An adaptor frame comprising an isolated drain path formed in the adaptor frame at a first end of the adaptor frame is disclosed and claimed. An inboard wall is formed in the adaptor frame at the first end and the inboard wall is positioned adjacent an interstitial area. The interstitial area is between a bearing and the first end of the adaptor frame. The inboard wall provides a first limit for the isolated drain path. An outboard wall is formed in the adaptor frame at the first end and is separated from the inboard wall by a predetermined amount along the axial dimension of a shaft passing through the adaptor frame. The outboard wall provides a second limit for the isolated drain path.

1 . An adaptor frame comprising:
 a. an isolated drain path formed in said adaptor frame at a first end of said adaptor frame;   b. an inboard wall formed in said adaptor frame at said first end, wherein said inboard wall is positioned adjacent an interstitial area, wherein said interstitial area is between a bearing and said first end of said adaptor frame, and wherein said inboard wall provides a first limit for said isolated drain path; and,   c. an outboard wall formed in said adaptor frame at said first end, wherein said outboard wall is separated from said inboard wall by a predetermined amount along the axial dimension of a shaft passing through said adaptor frame, and wherein said outboard wall provides a second limit for said isolated drain path.   
     
     
         2 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 1  wherein said adaptor frame first end is fashioned with at least one O-ring groove to engage a bearing housing. 
     
     
         3 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 1  further defined as not including said outboard wall. 
     
     
         4 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator. 
     
     
         5 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 1  further comprising an annular adaptor frame groove adjacent said inboard wall and said outboard wall, wherein said adaptor frame groove is in fluid communication with said isolated drain path. 
     
     
         6 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 5  wherein the radial dimension of said adaptor frame groove with respect to said shaft increases on a portion of said adaptor frame groove adjacent said isolated return path 
     
     
         7 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 1  wherein a radial distance between the ends of said inboard wall and said outboard wall and said shaft is in the range of 0.0001-1.0 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator and wherein at least a portion of said outboard wall is formed by said bearing isolator. 
     
     
         9 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 8  wherein said bearing isolator includes a labyrinth groove, wherein said bearing isolator includes a labyrinth return drain, and wherein said labyrinth return drain is in fluid communication with said isolated drain path. 
     
     
         10 . An adaptor frame comprising:
 a. a first end fashioned to accept a bearing isolator, wherein said first end is engagable with a bearing housing at a bearing housing/adaptor frame interface, and wherein said bearing isolator is at least capable of retaining lubricant;   b. a second end engagable with a pump casing;   c. an isolated drain path formed in said adaptor frame at said first end, wherein said isolated drain path provides a conduit to return lubricant drained from said bearing isolator to said bearing housing;   d. an inboard wall formed in said adaptor frame, wherein an inboard wall exterior face is oriented adjacent an interstitial area between a bearing and said adaptor frame, wherein an inboard wall interior face provides a first limit for said isolated drain path, and wherein said bearing is installed in said bearing housing; and,   e. an outboard wall formed in said adaptor frame, wherein an outboard wall interior face provides a second limit for said isolated drain path, wherein said outboard wall interior face is adjacent said inboard wall interior face and separated therefrom by a predetermined amount along the axial dimension of a shaft passing through said bearing housing, said adaptor frame, and into said pump casing.   
     
     
         11 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 10  wherein said adaptor frame first end is fashioned with O-ring grooves to engage said bearing housing at said bearing housing/adaptor frame interface. 
     
     
         12 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 10  wherein at least a portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator. 
     
     
         13 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 10  further defined as not including said outboard wall. 
     
     
         14 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 10  further comprising an annular adaptor frame groove adjacent said inboard wall and said outboard wall, wherein the axial dimension of said adaptor frame groove is defined by said inboard wall interior face and said outboard wall interior face, and wherein said adaptor frame groove is in fluid communication with said isolated drain path. 
     
     
         15 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 10  wherein at least a portion of said inboard wall is formed by a bearing isolator and wherein at least a portion of said outboard wall is formed by said bearing isolator. 
     
     
         16 . The adaptor frame according to  claim 15  wherein said bearing isolator includes a labyrinth groove, wherein said bearing isolator includes a labyrinth return drain, and wherein said labyrinth return drain is in fluid communication with said isolated drain path. 
     
     
         17 . A pump assembly comprising:
 a. a pump casing, wherein said pump casing houses an internal portion of a pump, and wherein a shaft passing through at least a portion of said pump casing provides energy to said internal portion of a pump;   b. a bearing housing, wherein said bearing housing is fashioned to accept at least one bearing, wherein said shaft passes through said bearing housing and rotationally engages said at least one bearing;   c. an adaptor frame, wherein said adaptor frame is fashioned to provide an interface between said pump casing and said bearing housing, said adaptor frame comprising:
 i. an isolated drain path formed in said adaptor frame at a first end of said adaptor frame, wherein said first end of said adaptor frame is arranged adjacent said bearing housing; 
 ii. an inboard wall formed in said adaptor frame, wherein said inboard wall is positioned adjacent an interstitial area between said at least one bearing and said adaptor frame, and wherein said inboard wall provides a first limit for said isolated drain path; and, 
 iii. an outboard wall formed in said adaptor frame, wherein said outboard wall is separated from said inboard wall by a predetermined amount along the axial dimension of said shaft, wherein said shaft passes through said adaptor frame, and wherein said outboard wall provides a second limit for said isolated drain path. 
   
     
     
         18 . A bearing isolator comprising:
 a. a stator; and,   b. a rotor, wherein said stator and said rotor cooperate to form said bearing isolator, wherein said bearing isolator includes an inboard wall and an outboard wall, wherein said inboard wall and said outboard wall cooperate to form a labyrinth groove, wherein said labyrinth groove includes a labyrinth return drain that interfaces with an isolated drain path formed in an adaptor frame.