Bearing sleeve for blower

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12576229-B2
Application number	US-202117908967-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2021
Priority date	Mar 3, 2020
Publication date	Mar 17, 2026
Grant date	Mar 17, 2026

Abstract

A blower includes a rotor, a motor adapted to drive the rotor, at least one bearing to rotatably support the rotor, a stationary component, and a bearing sleeve provided to the stationary component. The bearing sleeve is structured and arranged to support and retain the bearing to the stationary component. The bearing sleeve comprises an elastomeric material, and the bearing sleeve comprises one or more bumps or ribs configured to engage along an outer race of the bearing.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A blower, comprising:
a rotor; a motor configured to drive the rotor; at least one bearing configured to rotatably support the rotor; a stationary component; and a bearing sleeve provided to the stationary component, the bearing sleeve configured and arranged to support and retain the bearing to the stationary component, wherein the bearing sleeve comprises an elastomeric material, wherein the bearing sleeve comprises one or more bumps or ribs configured to engage along an outer race of the bearing, wherein the bearing sleeve comprises an overmolded connection to the stationary component, wherein the bearing sleeve comprises a cylindrical side wall and a retaining structure configured and arranged to form a mechanical connection to the stationary component, wherein the one or more bumps or ribs are provided to an inner side of the cylindrical side wall, wherein the retaining structure is configured to wrap around a support wall of the stationary component, wherein an outer side of the cylindrical side wall includes threads configured to engage within respective grooves provided to the support wall of the stationary component to secure the bearing sleeve in an operative position, and wherein the retaining structure forms a separate and distinct structure from the threads.

2 . The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material comprises TPE.

3 . The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the stationary component comprises stator vanes.

4 . The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing sleeve comprises at least two bumps or ribs arranged between the stationary component and the bearing to isolate vibrations, reduce noise, and provide shock absorption.

5 . The blower according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing sleeve protrudes through one or more holes provided to the stationary component to form a stake or rivet onto the stationary component.

6 . The blower according to claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element configured to provide a pre-load force to the at least one bearing,
wherein the bearing sleeve is configured to protrude past the bearing and provide a space for enclosing and positioning the biasing element.

7 . The blower according to claim 6 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

8 . The blower according to claim 6 , wherein the biasing element is configured to provide the pre-load force to an inner race of the bearing.

9 . A CPAP system for providing gas at positive pressure for respiratory therapy to a patient, the CPAP system comprising:
an RPT device configured to supply a flow of gas at a therapeutic pressure, the RPT device comprising the blower according to claim 1 ; a patient interface; and an air delivery conduit configured to pass the flow of gas at the therapeutic pressure from the RPT device to the patient interface.

Assignees

• Resmed Motor Technologies Inc

Inventors

• Moir Michael Bruce
• Edwards Christopher Scott

Classifications

• F05D2240/50

  Bearings · CPC title

• F04D29/668

  damping or preventing mechanical vibrations · CPC title

• F04D29/056 Primary

  Bearings · CPC title

• A61M16/0057

  Pumps therefor · CPC title

• A61M2205/3368

  Temperature · CPC title