Bearing lubrication system for a turbomachine

Abstract

A bearing lubrication system for a turbomachine having a lubrication chamber which defines a lubrication space surrounding the bearings has lubricant feeding devices for supplying lubricant to the lubrication space, a lubricant removing device for removing lubricant from the lubrication space, and a buffer case surrounding the lubrication chamber, that is located in the fluid space of the turbomachine, and defines a buffer space communicating with the atmosphere. Shaft contact seals are provided between the buffer case and the fluid space, and shaft seals are provided between the buffer space and the lubrication space.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A bearing lubrication system for a turbomachine, said turbomachine having a fluid space and a shaft supported by bearings, said bearing lubrication system comprising: 
 a lubrication chamber, said lubrication chamber having a lubrication space surrounding said bearings;    a lubricant feeding means for supplying lubricant to said lubrication space;    a lubricant removing means for removing lubricant from said lubrication space;    a buffer case adapted to be located in said fluid space, said buffer case having a buffer space vented so as to have a substantially atmospheric pressure, said buffer case surrounding said lubrication chamber;    a plurality of first shaft sealing means provided between said buffer case and said fluid space; and    a plurality of second shaft sealing means provided between said buffer space and said lubrication space.    
     
     
         2 . The bearing lubrication system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of first shaft sealing means comprises a contact seal.  
     
     
         3 . The bearing lubrication system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of second shaft sealing means comprises a contact seal.  
     
     
         4 . The bearing lubrication system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said plurality of second shaft sealing means comprises a contact seal.  
     
     
         5 . The bearing lubrication system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said contact seals comprises a brush seal.  
     
     
         6 . The bearing lubrication system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of second shaft sealing means comprises a labyrinth seal.