http://home.houston.rr.com/electricpete/BlochArticleTAMU.pdf
The above linked article by Heinz Bloch identifies:

Oil ring function is not critical for machines < 3,600 rpm since oil level can be adjusted partway up the lowest rolling element.

Oil ring function is critical for machines at 3,600 rpm, since the bearing cannot be flooded and will therefore rely on proper ring operation for lubrication of the bearing.

Oil rings have a complex operation heavily dependent upon viscosity, immersion depth, levelness etc and can become unstable in the range of D*N number 6000 - 8000 and above where here he defines DN using D= bore diameter in inches and N = rpm. For 3,600rpm machine, you might expect problems with rings on as small a bearing as 6000/3600 ~ 1.7" ~ 42 mm or size 6308. Even more likely problems with bigger bearings.

We have had a number of 3600 rpm pumps with oil ring lubrication that generate discolored oil. In some cases oil analysis shows brass particles and other cases erratic ring operation has been visibly noted.

We are interested in trying out the solution he recommends: flexible flinger disks attached directly to the shaft.

http://www.tricomfg.com/store/ProdLineInfo.asp?ProdLine...dSeg=FluidProtection

Has anyone used these? Good or bad experiences?
Any other sources for this product?

Another alternative would by nonmetallic rings.

This happens to be a hot topic for us (trying to make some decisions soon).

If anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate hearing them FAST.

Thx.

Have you tried it, Pete?

I think people are very cautious on trying new products like this one.