Abstract:
A fluid dampened support for a bearing such as a tilt pad bearing or a rolling element (13) bearing such as a ball bearing, needle bearing, roller bearing and the like. The fluid dampened support (20) includes a network of closely spaced beams (24, 26, 28), which act as structural springs which support the outer race of the roller bearing for movement in any direction. The spring rate or constant of these structural springs can be caused to change after a selected amount of deflection. The amount of deflection needed to cause the change in spring rate can be adjusted to suit the particular application. A liquid is provided in the spaces between the beams (24, 26, 28) to dampen movement of the pads. The damping rate can be made to change with movement of the pads (32).
Abstract:
A hydrodynamic bearing that includes a carrier (10) and a plurality of bearing pads (1120, 1121) circumferentially-spaced about the carrier (10). The bearing has a multimode configuration for supporting a shaft that rotates in two or more distinct modes. The multimode bearing includes a carrier (10) for supporting two or more distinct sets of bearing pads (1120, 1121). Each set of bearing pads (1120, 1121) includes bearing pads (1120, 1121) that include a pad portion (1126, 1129) and a support portion (1124, 1125, 1130). The bearing pads (1120, 1121) of each set are supported by the carrier (10).
Abstract:
A one piece hydrodynamic bearing which can include hydrostatic support features (30p). The pads (31) are supported on a single thin web (37) for pivoting on a support structure which can include one or more beam-like members (302). The bearings may have hydrostatic and active control attributes and is very attractive in cryogenic applications where it is very difficult to prevent leakage in conventional hydrostatic tilt pad bearings. The hydrostatic feed (30p) through the post (37) eliminates this problem completely and prevents the fretting at the pivots common with conventional tilt pad bearings. A cavity (30g) provided under a pad support membrane (301) can be used as an active control device.
Abstract:
A method and bearing construction for inhibiting hot oil carryover in hydrodynamic bearings. The method includes supporting the pads so that they form a wedge. The oil flowing through the wedge is pressurized and oil exiting the hydrodynamic wedge is directed away from the adjacent wedge. Oil is then supplied from another source to the adjacent wedge. Various bearing constructions can be used to practice the method of the present invention. These bearing constructions include some form of a scraper (121) to inhibit flow of hot oil. The scraper is located between the trailing edge of one bearing pad (123) and the fluid nozzle (121) passage of an adjacent pad (121). The scraper may be integrally formed with the bearing pad or it may be separate. The scraper may be pushed toward or away from the shaft using electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or magnetic devices.
Abstract:
The bi-directional rotation offset pivot thrust bearing (10) includes a carrier (16) and an array of longitudinal protrusions (20) thereon that run through the center axis of the carrier (16). An array of pads (12) are in slidable engagement with the longitudinal protrusions (20) to permit the thrusts pads (12) to move between first and second rotational positions. The thrust pads (12) are automatically offset pivoted in a first direction when in a the first rotational position and automatically offset pivoted in a second direction when in the second rotational position. The thrust pads (12) are offset pivoted in an approximate 60 percent to 40 percent ratio with the leading side of the thrust pad (12) being 60 percent in both the first rotational position and the second rotational position. A retainer (14) is also provided to maintain the thrust pads (12) in slidable communication with the protrusions (20).