Rotating flow control diverter

Abstract

The present invention is directed to rotating flow control diverter having sealed bearing assembly that does not require external hydraulic pumping to circulate and cool the lubricating fluid used to lubricated the bearings of the sealed bearing assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotating flow control diverter apparatus comprising;
 a. a stationary housing;   b. a sealed bearing assembly comprising;
 i. an outer housing and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft, the outer housing and the axially rotatable inner tubular shaft defining an annular space between them; 
 ii. a sealed fluid chamber disposed in the annular space, the fluid chamber containing lubricating fluid; 
 iii. bearing elements disposed within the fluid chamber, the bearing elements radially and axially supporting the inner tubular shaft; 
 iv. at least one fan ring mounted on and rotating with the inner tubular shaft in a position such that fan ring is disposed within the fluid chamber; 
   c. an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft; and   d. means for releasably attaching the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing;   
       whereby rotation of the fan ring causes circulation of the lubricating fluid within the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for releasably attaching the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing comprises a locking clamp ring rotatably mounted on the outer housing, the locking ring having locking tabs that align with complementary locking tabs on the stationary housing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the sealed fluid chamber comprises an upper cap and a lower seal whereby the fluid chamber is defined by the upper cap, the lower seal, the inner tubular shaft and the outer housing of the bearing assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the fan ring comprises a substantially flat member comprising a plurality of blades mounted on the inner tubular shaft in a substantially transverse orientation which may be substantially parallel to the upper cap and the lower seal. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein rotation of the fan ring blades pressurizes lubricating fluid above or below the fan ring. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising;
 a. a lubricating fluid outlet in fluid chamber for fluid communication with the fluid chamber, the fluid outlet being positioned between the upper cap and the fan ring; and 
 b. a lubricating fluid inlet for fluid communication with the fluid chamber, the fluid inlet being positioned between the lower seal and the fan ring. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising an external lubricating fluid cooler connected to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet whereby rotation of the fan ring causes the lubricating fluid to circulate in a loop from a position below the fan ring, to a position above the fan ring, through the fluid outlet, through the external cooler and into the fluid inlet and back to a position below the fan ring. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the rotation of the fan ring is sufficient to circulate the lubricating fluid without the need for additional pumping energy. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the external lubricating fluid cooler comprises an air to oil cooler and the apparatus further comprises an series of fan blades mounted on the inner tubular shaft externally of the fluid chamber and adjacent to the air to oil cooler. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an interchangeable flange on the stationary housing. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the interchangeable flange comprises an upper flange defined by the stationary housing and a second flange that is releasably secured to the upper flange. 
     
     
         12 . A method of circulating and cooling the lubricating fluid of a bearing assembly of a rotating flow control diverter, the rotation flow control diverter comprising;
 a stationary housing;   a sealed bearing assembly comprising;
 an outer housing and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft, the outer housing and the axially rotatable inner tubular shaft defining an annular space between them; 
 a sealed fluid chamber disposed in the annular space, the fluid chamber containing lubricating fluid; 
 bearing elements disposed within the fluid chamber, the bearing elements radially and axially supporting the inner tubular shaft; 
   an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft; and   means for releasably attaching the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing;   
       the method comprising the steps of:
 a. mounting a fan ring on the inner tubular shaft in a position such that fan ring is disposed within the fluid chamber; and 
 b. rotating the inner tubular shaft thereby causing rotation of the mounted fan ring and circulation of the lubricating fluid. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  comprising further steps of;
 a. providing a lubricating fluid outlet in the fluid chamber for fluid communication with the fluid chamber; 
 b. providing a lubricating fluid inlet for fluid communication with the fluid; and 
 c. providing an external cooler that is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet whereby the lubricating fluid is circulated through the external cooler by rotation of the fan ring. 
 
     
     
         14 . A rotating flow control diverter apparatus comprising;
 a. a stationary housing;   b. a sealed bearing assembly comprising;
 i. an outer housing and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft, the outer housing and the axially rotatable inner tubular shaft defining an annular space between them; 
 ii. an upper cap and a lower seal; 
 iii. a sealed fluid chamber disposed in the annular space, the fluid chamber being defined by the upper cap, the lower seal, the outer housing and the inner tubular shaft, the fluid chamber containing lubricating fluid; 
 iv. bearing elements disposed within the fluid chamber, the bearing elements radially and axially supporting the inner tubular shaft; 
 v. at least one fan ring mounted on the inner tubular shaft in a position such that fan ring is disposed within the fluid chamber in a position between the upper cap and the lower seal in an orientation substantially transverse to the axis of rotation; 
   c. an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft; and   d. means for releasably attaching the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing;   
       wherein rotation of the fan ring creates a pressure differential within the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising;
 a. a lubricating fluid outlet in fluid chamber for fluid communication with the fluid chamber, the fluid outlet being positioned between the upper cap and the fan ring; 
 b. a lubricating fluid inlet for fluid communication with the fluid chamber from the exterior of the bearing assembly, the fluid inlet being positioned between the lower seal and the fan ring; and 
 c. an external lubricating fluid cooler connected to the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, whereby rotation of the fan ring causes the lubricating fluid to circulate in a loop from a position below the fan ring, to a position above the fan ring, through the fluid outlet, through the external cooler and into the fluid inlet and back to a position below the fan ring. 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the rotation of the fan ring is sufficient to circulate the lubricating fluid without the need for additional pumping energy. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the means for releasably attaching the outer housing of the bearing assembly to the stationary housing comprises a locking ring rotatably mounted on the outer housing, the locking ring having locking tabs that align with complimentary locking tabs on the stationary housing. 
     
     
         18 . A method of circulating and cooling the lubricating fluid in the bearing assembly of a rotating flow control diverter having a stationary housing, the bearing assembly being mounted on the stationary housing and comprising an outer housing and an axially rotatable inner tubular shaft and an elastomeric stripper element attached to the inner tubular shaft, the method comprising the steps of forming a sealed fluid chamber between the outer housing of the bearing and the inner tubular member, mounting a fan ring on the inner tubular member such that it is disposed in the sealed fluid chamber and rotating the fan ring. 
     
     
         19 . A method of circulating lubricating fluid in the sealed bearing assembly of a rotating flow control diverter having bearings disposed in a sealed fluid chamber and a rotating inner tubular shaft, the method comprising;
 a. mounting a fan ring on the inner tubular shaft in a position such that it is disposed in the sealed fluid chamber; and   b. rotating the fan ring;
 whereby rotation of the fan ring creates a pressure differential in the fluid chamber.