Bearing isolator oil containment cup

Abstract

An oil leak prevention device for use on a pump assembly having a non-contacting bearing isolator. The device has an annular surface having a central opening and a second surface extending from the first surface. The second surface covers an opening of an outside leak path between the rotor and the stator of the bearing isolator when the central opening is placed about the shaft of the pump. A method for preventing the leakage of oil from the pump assembly includes forming an oil containment cup and then placing the oil containment cup in contact with the bearing isolator such that a shaft of the pump assembly passes through the central opening and the second surface of the oil containment cup covers the opening of the leak path. Preferably, the cup is removed from the pump before operation of the pump.

1 . An oil leak prevention device for a horizontal chopper pump having a non-contacting bearing isolator, the device comprising:
 a first annular surface having an inner edge defining a central opening; and   a second surface extending from an outer edge of the first surface;   wherein the second surface is configured to cover an outside leak path between the rotor and the stator of the non-contacting bearing isolator when the central opening is placed about the shaft of the pump.   
     
     
         2 . The oil leak prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface is normal to the first surface. 
     
     
         3 . The oil leak prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface extends from a portion of the first surface. 
     
     
         4 . The oil leak prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface extends from the entire circumference of the first surface. 
     
     
         5 . The oil leak prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface forms a complete ring. 
     
     
         6 . The oil leak prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface forms a partial ring. 
     
     
         7 . The oil leak prevention device of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface and second surface are comprised of an oil-resistant elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . A device for preventing leakage of oil from a pump assembly having at least one bearing isolator comprising a stator, a rotor and an outside leak path between the rotor and stator, the device comprising:
 a first annular surface having an inner edge defining a central opening, the surface being comprised of an oil-resistant, elastomeric material; and   a second surface extending substantially perpendicularly from at least a portion of an outer edge of the first surface, the second surface being comprised of an oil-resistant elastomeric material;   wherein the second surface is configured to cover an outside leak path opening between the rotor and the stator of the non-contacting bearing isolator when the central opening is placed about the shaft of the pump and the first surface contacts the rotor.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first surface forms a complete annular ring. 
     
     
         10 . A method for preventing the leakage of oil from a pump assembly having at least one bearing isolator comprising a stator, a rotor and a leak path between the rotor and stator, the leak path having an opening outside a bearing housing of the pump assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming an oil containment device having a containment surface sufficient for covering the entire opening of the leak path; and   placing the oil containment device in contact with the bearing isolator such that the containment surface of the oil containment device covers the opening of the leak path.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the oil containment device comprises a positioning surface extending from the containment surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the positioning surface is normal to the containment surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the containment surface extends from a portion of the positioning surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the containment surface extends from the entire circumference of the positioning surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the positioning surface forms a complete ring. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the positioning surface forms a partial ring. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of removing the oil containment device before operation of the pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the oil containment device is formed of nitrile rubber. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the oil containment device is formed of fluoroelastomeric material.