Figure eight pinion bearing support

Abstract

A bearing support design configured to provide increased resistance to deflection of a crankshaft within a power end. The bearing support design is contoured in the shape of a figure eight and provides an increased surface area for supporting the crankshaft and gearing. The support may be integrally formed in the frame plate of the power end or may alternatively be retrofitted into an existing frame plate and thereby be welded in. The power end having a bearing support at each end of the crankshaft.

1 . A power end assembly, comprising:
 a power end having a bull gear and a pinion gear; and   a frame plate coupled to the power end and having a pinion bearing support, wherein the pinion bearing support has a first circular end integrally joined to a second circular end by a transition member, wherein the first circular end has a first opening configured to receive the bull gear therethrough, wherein the second circular end has a second opening configured to receive the pinion gear therethrough, and wherein the frame plate and the pinion bearing support are integrally formed as a single piece such that a thickness of at least a portion of the pinion bearing support is greater than a thickness of at least a portion of the frame plate.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the first opening is greater than a diameter of the second opening. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pinion bearing support extends from an interior surface of the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pinion bearing support extends from an exterior surface of the plate. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second openings are coaxially aligned with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transition member is disposed between the first circular end and the second circular end. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the frame plate comprises a pair of frame plates coupled to opposite ends of the power end. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a crankshaft extending between each frame plate and configured to rotate at least one of the bull gear and the pinion gear. 
     
     
         9 . A power end assembly, comprising:
 a power end having a bull gear and a pinion gear;   a frame plate coupled to the power end and having a pinion bearing support, wherein the pinion bearing support has a first end having a first opening, a second end having a second opening, and a transition member disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the first opening is configured to receive the bull gear therethrough, wherein the second opening configured to receive the pinion gear therethrough, and wherein the frame plate and the pinion bearing support are integrally formed as a single piece to increase surface contact of at least one of the bull gear and the pinion gear with the frame plate via the pinion bearing support.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a thickness of at least a portion of the pinion bearing support is greater than a thickness of at least a portion of the frame plate. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the pinion bearing support extends from an interior surface of the plate. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the pinion bearing support extends from an exterior surface of the plate. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second openings are coaxially aligned with each other. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the frame plate is thinner than the pinion bearing support. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a diameter of the first opening is greater than a diameter of the second opening. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the frame plate comprises a pair of frame plates coupled to opposite ends of the power end. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a crankshaft that extends between each frame plate and is configured to rotate at least one of the bull gear and the pinion gear.