阅读说明：本技术 用于表面压实机中的偏心轴承的润滑和冷却的风扇 (Fan for lubrication and cooling of eccentric bearings in surface compactors ) 是由 克里斯托弗·格罗夫 于 2018-03-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种偏心轴组件,包括第一偏心轴,该第一偏心轴包括：内表面,在该内表面内形成凹部；外表面；至少一个第一流体入口,该至少一个第一流体入口在所述内表面和外表面之间延伸；至少一个第一流体出口,该至少一个第一流体出口在所述内表面和外表面之间延伸。该偏心轴组件还包括布置在第一偏心轴的所述凹部中的第二偏心轴,该第二偏心轴包括：第二支承表面,该第二支承表面与第一支承表面相对地接合第一轴承子组件；以及至少一个第一风扇叶片,该至少一个第一风扇叶片用于围绕旋转轴线旋转,以迫使流体通过所述第一流体入口进入所述凹部并通过所述第一流体出口离开所述凹部,从而润滑和/或冷却被布置在第一偏心轴和第二偏心轴之间的轴承子组件。(An eccentric shaft assembly comprising a first eccentric shaft, the first eccentric shaft comprising: an inner surface in which a recess is formed; an outer surface; at least one first fluid inlet extending between the inner and outer surfaces; at least one first fluid outlet extending between the inner and outer surfaces. The eccentric shaft assembly further includes a second eccentric shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft, the second eccentric shaft including: a second bearing surface engaging the first bearing subassembly opposite the first bearing surface; and at least one first fan blade for rotation about a rotational axis to force fluid into the recess through the first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the first fluid outlet to lubricate and/or cool a bearing subassembly disposed between the first and second eccentric shafts.)

1. An eccentric shaft assembly comprising:

a first eccentric shaft having a rotational axis and a center of mass that is radially offset from the rotational axis, the first eccentric shaft comprising:

an inner surface in which a recess is formed;

an outer surface;

at least one first fluid inlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface; and

at least one first fluid outlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the first eccentric shaft comprises a first bearing surface between the at least one first fluid inlet and the at least one first fluid outlet;

a first bearing sub-assembly engaging the first bearing surface;

a second eccentric shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft, the second eccentric shaft having the axis of rotation and a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation, the second eccentric shaft comprising:

a second bearing surface engaging the first bearing sub-assembly opposite the first bearing surface; and

At least one first fan blade for rotation about the axis of rotation to force fluid into the recess through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

2. The eccentric shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first fluid outlet comprises a plurality of first fluid outlets radially arranged around said first eccentric shaft.

3. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of first fluid outlets extends along a radial outlet axis that intersects the rotational axis of the first eccentric shaft.

4. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first fan blade is integrally formed with said second eccentric shaft.

5. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first fan blade comprises a plurality of first fan blades arranged radially about said second eccentric shaft.

6. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of first fan blades extends radially outward from said axis of rotation.

7. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first fan blade is located between said first bearing subassembly and said at least one first fluid outlet of said first eccentric shaft.

8. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said first eccentric shaft further comprises:

at least one second fluid inlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface; and

at least one second fluid outlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the first eccentric shaft further comprises a third bearing surface between the at least one second fluid inlet and the at least one second fluid outlet,

wherein the eccentric shaft assembly further comprises a second bearing subassembly that engages the third bearing surface, and

wherein the second eccentric shaft further comprises:

a fourth bearing surface that engages the second bearing subassembly opposite the third bearing surface, an

At least one second fan blade for rotation about the axis of rotation to force the fluid into the recess through the at least one second fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one second fluid outlet.

9. The eccentric shaft assembly according to claim 8, wherein said center of mass of said first eccentric shaft is between said first bearing surface and said third bearing surface, and

wherein the center of mass of the second eccentric shaft is between the second bearing surface and the fourth bearing surface.

10. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an oil sump forming an enclosure around the first and second eccentric shafts, an

At least one flinger coupled to the first eccentric shaft for circulating the fluid within the enclosure proximate the at least one first fluid inlet of the first eccentric shaft.

11. The eccentric shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first fluid outlet of said first eccentric shaft is arranged between said at least one first fluid inlet and said center of mass of said first eccentric shaft, and

wherein the at least one first fan blade of the second eccentric shaft is disposed between the at least one first fluid inlet of the first eccentric shaft and the center of mass of the second eccentric shaft.

12. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1 wherein rotation of said at least one first fan blade of said second eccentric shaft creates a reduction in pressure at said at least one first fluid inlet of said first eccentric shaft and said first bearing subassembly to force said fluid through said at least one first fluid inlet into said recess, past said first bearing subassembly, and toward said at least one first fan blade.

13. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 12 wherein rotation of said at least one first fan blade of said second eccentric shaft produces an increase in pressure at said at least one first fluid outlet of said first eccentric shaft to force said fluid away from said at least one first fan blade and out of said recess through said at least one first fluid outlet.

14. The eccentric shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first fan blade is configured to force a fluid comprising at least one of air or a lubricant into said recess through said at least one first fluid inlet and out of said recess through said at least one first fluid outlet.

15. The eccentric shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first fan blade is configured to force a fluid comprising a mixture of air and lubricant through said at least one first fluid inlet and out of said recess through said at least one first fluid outlet.

16. A method of operating an eccentric shaft assembly, comprising:

providing a first eccentric shaft having an axis of rotation and a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation, the first eccentric shaft having a recess formed therein; and

rotating a second eccentric shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft about the axis of rotation relative to the first eccentric shaft, the second eccentric shaft comprising a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation, the second eccentric shaft comprising at least one first fan blade,

wherein rotating the second eccentric shaft rotates the at least one first fan blade to force a fluid:

entering the recess through at least one first fluid inlet formed in the first eccentric shaft;

flowing through a first bearing subassembly disposed in the recess between the first eccentric shaft and the second eccentric shaft; and is

Exits the recess through at least one first fluid outlet formed in the first eccentric shaft.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein rotating the second eccentric shaft rotates the at least one first fan blade to force fluid out of the recess through a plurality of first fluid outlets radially arranged about the first eccentric shaft.

18. The biasing method of claim 16, wherein said at least one first fan blade is integrally formed with said second eccentric shaft.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one first fan blade comprises a plurality of first fan blades arranged radially about the second eccentric shaft.

20. An eccentric shaft assembly comprising:

a first shaft, the first shaft comprising:

an inner surface having a recess formed therein;

an outer surface;

at least one first fluid inlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface; and

at least one first fluid outlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the first shaft includes a first bearing surface between the at least one first fluid inlet and the at least one first fluid outlet;

A first bearing sub-assembly engaging the first bearing surface;

a second shaft disposed in the recess of the first shaft, the second shaft having an axis of rotation and a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation, the second shaft comprising:

a second bearing surface engaging the first bearing sub-assembly opposite the first bearing surface; and

at least one first fan blade integrally formed with the second shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation to force fluid into the recess through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to fans, and more particularly to fans for lubrication and cooling of eccentric bearings in surface compactors.

Background

Surface compactors are used to compact a variety of substrates, including soil, asphalt, or other materials. For this purpose, the surface compactor is provided with one or more compacting surfaces. For example, a roller compactor may be provided with one or more cylindrical rollers that provide a compaction surface for compacting a substrate.

Roller compactors use the weight of the compactor applied by the rolling rollers to compact the surface of the rolled substrate. In addition, one or more of the rollers of some roller compactors may be vibrated by a vibration system to cause additional mechanical compaction of the rolled substrate. The vibratory system may include an eccentric shaft assembly including one or more eccentric masses that are rotated to generate vibratory forces that excite the compacting surface of the drum.

Known roller compactors typically require rotating the eccentric mass at high rotational speeds (e.g., 1000rpm or higher). However, factors that limit the rotational speed of the eccentric mass include the need to provide adequate lubrication and cooling for the bearings within the eccentric shaft assembly. Failure to adequately lubricate and cool these and other components of the vibratory system may reduce the useful life of those components and may also result in damage to the eccentric shaft assembly.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an eccentric shaft assembly. The eccentric shaft assembly includes a first eccentric shaft having an axis of rotation and a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation. The first eccentric shaft includes an inner surface in which a recess is formed and an outer surface. The first eccentric shaft further comprises at least one first fluid inlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, at least one first fluid outlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, and a first bearing surface between the at least one first fluid inlet and the at least one first fluid outlet. The eccentric shaft assembly also includes a first bearing subassembly that engages the first bearing surface. The eccentric shaft assembly further comprises a second eccentric shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft. The second eccentric shaft has: the axis of rotation; a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation; a second bearing surface engaging the first bearing subassembly opposite the first bearing surface; and at least one first fan blade for rotation about the axis of rotation to force fluid into the recess through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of operating an eccentric shaft assembly. The method comprises the following steps: a first eccentric shaft is provided having an axis of rotation and a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation, the first eccentric shaft having a recess formed therein. The method further comprises the following steps: rotating a second eccentric shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft about the axis of rotation relative to the first eccentric shaft, the second eccentric shaft comprising a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation, the second eccentric shaft comprising at least one first fan blade. Rotating the second eccentric shaft causes the at least one first fan blade to rotate to force fluid into the recess through at least one first fluid inlet formed in the first eccentric shaft, through a first bearing subassembly disposed in the recess between the first and second eccentric shafts, and out of the recess through at least one first fluid outlet formed in the first eccentric shaft.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to an eccentric shaft assembly. The eccentric shaft assembly includes a first shaft. The first shaft includes an inner surface and an outer surface, with a recess formed in the inner surface. The first shaft also includes at least one first fluid inlet extending between the inner and outer surfaces, at least one first fluid outlet extending between the inner and outer surfaces, and a first bearing surface between the at least one first fluid inlet and the at least one first fluid outlet. The eccentric shaft assembly also includes a first bearing subassembly that engages the first bearing surface. The eccentric shaft assembly further includes a second shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft. The second shaft has: the axis of rotation; a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation; a second bearing surface engaging the first bearing subassembly opposite the first bearing surface; and at least one first fan blade integrally formed with a second shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation to force fluid into the recess through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

Other surface compactors, methods, and control systems according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following figures and detailed description. All such additional surface compactors, methods and control systems are intended to be encompassed within this specification and protected by the following claims. Furthermore, all embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be able to be implemented individually or in combination in any way and/or combination.

Aspects of the invention

According to some aspects, the eccentric shaft assembly includes a first eccentric shaft having an axis of rotation and a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation. The first eccentric shaft includes an inner surface in which a recess is formed. The first eccentric shaft also includes an outer surface. The first eccentric shaft further comprises at least one first fluid inlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. The first eccentric shaft further comprises at least one first fluid outlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. The inner surface of the first eccentric shaft comprises a first bearing surface between the at least one first fluid inlet and the at least one first fluid outlet. The eccentric shaft assembly also includes a first bearing subassembly that engages the first bearing surface. The eccentric shaft assembly further includes a second eccentric shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft. The second eccentric shaft has the axis of rotation and a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation. The second eccentric shaft includes a second bearing surface that engages the first bearing subassembly opposite the first bearing surface. The second eccentric shaft further comprises at least one first fan blade for rotation about the axis of rotation to force fluid into the recess through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fluid outlet comprises a plurality of first fluid outlets arranged radially around the first eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, each of the plurality of first fluid outlets extends along a radial outlet axis that intersects the rotational axis of the first eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fan blade is integrally formed with the second eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fan blade comprises a plurality of first fan blades arranged radially about a second eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, each of the plurality of first fan blades extends radially outward from the axis of rotation.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fan blade is located between the first bearing subassembly and the at least one first fluid outlet of the first eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, the first eccentric shaft further comprises at least one second fluid inlet extending between said inner and outer surfaces, and at least one second fluid outlet extending between said inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the first eccentric shaft further comprises a third bearing surface between the at least one second fluid inlet and the at least one second fluid outlet. The eccentric shaft assembly further includes a second bearing subassembly engaging the third bearing surface. The second eccentric shaft further includes: a fourth bearing surface engaging the second bearing subassembly opposite the third bearing surface; and at least one second fan blade for rotation about the axis of rotation to force fluid into the recess through the at least one second fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one second fluid outlet.

According to another aspect, the first eccentric shaft has a center of mass between the first bearing surface and the third bearing surface. The second eccentric shaft has a center of mass between the second bearing surface and the fourth bearing surface.

According to another aspect, the eccentric shaft assembly further comprises an oil sump forming an enclosure (enclosure) around the first and second eccentric shafts. The eccentric shaft assembly further includes at least one flinger coupled to the first eccentric shaft for circulating fluid within the enclosure proximate the at least one first fluid inlet of the first eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fluid outlet of the first eccentric shaft is arranged between the at least one first fluid inlet and the centre of mass of the first eccentric shaft. The at least one first fan blade of the second eccentric shaft is disposed between the at least one first fluid inlet of the first eccentric shaft and the center of mass of the second eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, rotation of the at least one first fan blade of the second eccentric shaft creates a reduction in pressure at the at least one first fluid inlet and the first bearing subassembly of the first eccentric shaft to force fluid through the at least one inlet into the recess, past the at least one first bearing subassembly and toward the at least one first fan blade.

According to another aspect, rotation of the at least one first fan blade of the second eccentric shaft produces an increase in pressure at the at least one first fluid outlet of the first eccentric shaft to force fluid away from the at least one first fan blade and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fan blade is configured to force a fluid comprising at least one of air or lubricant into the recess through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fan blade is configured to force a fluid comprising a mixture of air and lubricant through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

According to some other aspects, a method of operating an eccentric shaft assembly includes: a first eccentric shaft is provided having an axis of rotation and a center of mass radially offset from the axis of rotation, the first eccentric shaft having a recess formed therein. The method further comprises the following steps: rotating a second eccentric shaft, arranged in said recess of the first eccentric shaft, about said rotation axis with respect to the first eccentric shaft, the second eccentric shaft comprising a center of mass radially offset with respect to said rotation axis, the second eccentric shaft comprising at least one first fan blade. Rotating the second eccentric shaft causes the at least one first fan blade to rotate to force fluid into the recess through at least one first fluid inlet formed in the first eccentric shaft, through a first bearing subassembly disposed in the recess between the first and second eccentric shafts, and out of the recess through at least one first fluid outlet formed in the first eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, rotating the second eccentric shaft rotates the at least one first fan blade to force fluid out of the recess through a plurality of first fluid outlets radially arranged about the first eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fan blade is integrally formed with the second eccentric shaft.

According to another aspect, the at least one first fan blade comprises a plurality of first fan blades arranged radially about a second eccentric shaft.

According to some other aspects, the eccentric shaft assembly includes a first shaft. The first shaft includes an inner surface within which a recess is formed. The first shaft also includes an outer surface. The first shaft also includes at least one first fluid inlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. The first shaft also includes at least one first fluid outlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. The inner surface of the first shaft includes a first bearing surface between the at least one first fluid inlet and the at least one first fluid outlet. The eccentric shaft assembly also includes a first bearing subassembly that engages the first bearing surface. The eccentric shaft assembly further includes a second shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft. The second shaft has the axis of rotation and a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation. The second shaft includes a second bearing surface that engages the first bearing subassembly opposite the first bearing surface. The second shaft also includes at least one first fan blade integrally formed with the second shaft for rotation about the axis of rotation to force fluid into the recess through the at least one first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the at least one first fluid outlet.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of the inventive concept. In these figures:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an eccentric shaft assembly having a fan for facilitating lubrication and cooling of the eccentric shaft assembly, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the eccentric shaft assembly of FIG. 1 showing additional details of a flow path around the bearing sub-assembly, in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of the second eccentric shaft of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing details of the fan blades, in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the first eccentric shaft of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing details of the passage, in accordance with embodiments; and is

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of operating an eccentric shaft assembly (e.g., the eccentric shaft assembly of fig. 1 and 2) in accordance with an embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to fans, and more particularly to fans for lubrication and cooling of eccentric bearings in surface compactors. In some embodiments, the first eccentric shaft has an axis of rotation and a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation. A recess is formed in the first eccentric shaft, and a second eccentric shaft having the same rotational axis and a center of mass radially offset from the rotational axis is disposed within the recess. At least one bearing subassembly is disposed between the first eccentric shaft and the second eccentric shaft to support the second eccentric shaft within the recess and allow the first eccentric shaft and the second eccentric shaft to rotate independently of each other. The first eccentric shaft has at least one fluid inlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface of the first eccentric shaft and at least one fluid outlet extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. The bearing sub-assembly is disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The second eccentric shaft further includes at least one fan blade for rotating about the rotational axis to force fluid into the recess through the first fluid inlet and out of the recess through the first fluid outlet to facilitate lubrication and/or cooling of the bearing sub-assembly and other components within the recess.

One advantage of this arrangement is that the circulation of fluid within the recess is increased, thereby improving the lubrication and/or cooling of the components within the recess and extending the useful life of these components. The rotation of the fan blades creates a pressure differential within the recess that forces fluid into the recess through the inlet of the first eccentric shaft and out of the recess through the outlet of the first eccentric shaft. The forced flow path created by this pressure differential forces an increase in the flow rate of fluid through the recess, which causes a greater amount of fluid to contact the bearing sub-assembly and other components within the recess as the fluid circulates through the recess, thereby improving lubrication and/or cooling of the components within the recess during operation of the eccentric shaft assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of an eccentric shaft assembly 100 is shown, according to an embodiment. The eccentric shaft assembly comprises a first eccentric shaft 102, the first eccentric shaft 102 having a first axis of rotation 104 and a center of mass 106 radially offset from the axis of rotation 104 such that: rotating the first eccentric shaft 102 generates vibration corresponding to the rotation speed of the first eccentric shaft 102. The first eccentric shaft 102 has an inner surface 108 and an outer surface 114, with a recess 110 and a pair of inner bearing surfaces 112 formed in the inner surface 108. In the present example, the first eccentric shaft 102 includes an eccentric mass 116, the eccentric mass 116 coupled between a pair of journals 118 by a plurality of fasteners 120 (e.g., bolts in the present example). The journal 118 is supported within a pair of housings 122 via a pair of outer bearing subassemblies 124, and an oil sump 126 forms an enclosure (enclosure) around the first eccentric shaft 102. In the present example, a pair of flingers 128 are coupled to the journal 118 and contact a reservoir of lubricating fluid 130 (e.g., oil) stored within the enclosure of the sump 126. As the first eccentric shaft 102 rotates, the slinger 128 also rotates to circulate lubricating fluid 130 through the air 131 or other fluid occupying the remainder of the enclosure 127, thereby facilitating lubrication and/or cooling of the components within the enclosure 127.

First eccentric shaft 102 further comprises a plurality of passages extending between inner surface 108 and outer surface 114 of first eccentric shaft 102 to form one or more fluid flow paths 135 into and out of recess 110 of first eccentric shaft 102. In the present example, each journal 118 of the first eccentric shaft 102 has a plurality of longitudinal inlets 136 arranged around a central shaft inlet 138, and the eccentric mass 116 of the first eccentric shaft 102 has a plurality of radial outlets 140, the plurality of radial outlets 140 being arranged at opposite ends of the eccentric mass 116 proximate each journal 118.

A second eccentric shaft 142 is disposed within the recess 110 of the first eccentric shaft 102. The second eccentric shaft 142 is configured to rotate about the same axis of rotation 104 as the first eccentric shaft 102, and the second eccentric shaft 142 has a center of mass 144 that is radially offset from the axis of rotation 104 such that: rotating second eccentric shaft 142 generates vibration corresponding to the rotational speed of second eccentric shaft 142. The second eccentric shaft 142 can be configured to rotate independently of the first eccentric shaft 102, which allows the first eccentric shaft 102 and/or the second eccentric shaft 142 to rotate in different directions and/or at different speeds, respectively, relative to each other.

A pair of inner bearing subassemblies 148 are disposed between respective pairs of inner bearing surfaces 112 of first eccentric shaft 102 and outer bearing surfaces 146 of second eccentric shaft 142 to support second eccentric shaft 142 within recess 110 of first eccentric shaft 102 and allow first eccentric shaft 102 and/or second eccentric shaft 142 to rotate independently of one another. A plurality of fan blades 150 are arranged radially around the second eccentric shaft 142 between each inner bearing subassembly 148 and the centre of mass 144 of the second eccentric shaft 142, said plurality of fan blades 150 being opposite to the radial outlet formed in the first eccentric shaft 102. In the present example, each fan blade of the plurality of fan blades 150 extends radially outward from the axis of rotation 104 such that rotation of the fan blade 150 in either rotational direction creates a reduction in pressure at the corresponding longitudinal inlet 136 and inner bearing subassembly 148 to force the fluid mixture 133 through the longitudinal inlet 136 and into the recess 110 of the first eccentric shaft 102, the fluid mixture 133 circulating around the longitudinal inlet 136 due to rotation of the flinger 128. This reduced pressure pulls the fluid mixture 133 through the inner bearing sub-assembly 148 and toward the fan blades 150, thereby facilitating lubrication and/or cooling of the inner bearing sub-assembly 148 and other components within the first eccentric shaft 102. The rotation of the fan blades 150 further generates an increase in pressure at the radial outlet 140 of the first eccentric shaft 102 to force the fluid mixture 133 radially away from the fan blades 150 and out of the recess 110 through the radial outlet 140. In the present example, each of the radial outlets 140 extends along a radial outlet axis 154 that intersects the rotational axis 104 of the first eccentric shaft 102, but it should be appreciated that the arrangement of the radial outlets 140 may be customized to a variety of different configurations as desired. Similarly, it should be understood that the arrangement of fan blades 150 may also be customized as desired into a variety of different configurations.

Referring now to fig. 2, a cross-sectional view of the eccentric shaft assembly 100 of fig. 1 is shown illustrating additional details of the fluid flow path 135 around the inner bearing subassembly 148, according to an embodiment. In the present example, the first eccentric shaft 102 and the second eccentric shaft 142 are rotatable independently of each other at different speeds. As the second eccentric shaft 142 rotates, the fan blades 150 at either end produce a reduction in pressure at the respective longitudinal inlet 136 and/or central shaft inlet 138 and at the respective inner bearing sub-assembly 148. This reduction in pressure forces fluid (e.g., lubricating fluid 130, air 131, and/or fluid mixture 133 of fig. 1) into recesses 110 and toward respective fan blades 150. The rotation of the fan blades 150 also generates an increase in pressure at the respective radial outlets 140 of the first eccentric shaft 102. This increase in pressure forces the fluid away from the corresponding fan blade 150 and out of the recess 110 through the radial outlet 140. In this manner, rotation of second eccentric shaft 142 continuously circulates fluid through recess 110 to cool and/or lubricate the internal components of eccentric shaft assembly 100 (including inner bearing subassembly 148).

Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the second eccentric shaft 142 of fig. 1 and 2 showing details of the fan blades 150, according to an embodiment. In the present example, each of the fan blades 150 is integrally formed with the second eccentric shaft 142. Fan blades 150 are arranged radially around second eccentric shaft 142, wherein each fan blade extends radially outward from rotational axis 104 of second eccentric shaft 142.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the first eccentric shaft 102 of fig. 1 and 2, showing details of the radial outlet 140, in accordance with an embodiment. In the present example, each of the plurality of radial outlets 140 extends along a radial outlet axis 154 that intersects the rotational axis 104 of the first eccentric shaft. In this example, the fan blades 150 of the second eccentric shaft 142 in FIG. 3 are substantially aligned with the radial outlets 140 such that rotation of the fan blades 150 forces the fluid directly and effectively out of the radial outlets 140. However, it should be understood that different configurations defining different flow paths for the fluid may be used as desired.

Fig. 5, for example, illustrates a flow chart of a method 500 of operating an eccentric shaft assembly (e.g., the eccentric shaft assembly of fig. 1 and 2). The method 500 includes: a first eccentric shaft is provided having an axis of rotation and a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation, the first eccentric shaft having a recess formed therein (block 502). The method further comprises the following steps: a second eccentric shaft disposed in the recess of the first eccentric shaft is rotated relative to the first eccentric shaft about the axis of rotation (block 504). The second eccentric shaft has a center of mass that is radially offset from the axis of rotation and includes at least one first fan blade. Rotating the second eccentric shaft causes the first fan blades to rotate to force fluid into the recess through at least one first fluid inlet formed in the first eccentric shaft (block 506), through a first bearing subassembly disposed in the recess between the first and second eccentric shafts (block 508), and out of the recess through a first fluid outlet formed in the first eccentric shaft (block 510).

When an element is referred to as being "connected," "coupled," "responsive," "mounted" (or variants of these terms) to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, responsive, or mounted to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly coupled," "directly responsive," or "directly mounted" (or variants of these terms) to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term "and/or" and its abbreviation "/" include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, these elements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element/operation from another element/operation. Thus, a first element/operation in some embodiments may be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and "comprises," "including," and "comprising," or variations thereof, are open-ended and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components, or functions but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof. Additionally, as used herein, the common abbreviation derived from the latin phrase "exempli gratia," e.g., "can be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of the aforementioned items, and is not intended to limit such items. The general abbreviation "i.e.," derived from the latin phrase "id est" may be used to designate a particular item from a more general narrative.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above-described embodiments may be variously combined or eliminated to produce additional embodiments, and that such additional embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of the inventive concepts. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may be combined, in whole or in part, to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the inventive concept. Thus, while specific embodiments of, and examples for, the inventive concept are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Accordingly, the scope of the inventive concept is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.