Abstract: Spring ring type seals are substituted for the usual piston ring seals in squeeze film dampers for bearings to provide more available space and location for oil plenums in the squeeze film space and a more constant and continuous circumferential oil seal.

Abstract: A conical spring ring oil seal at the ends of a squeeze film shaft damper replaces conventional internal piston ring seals to provide circumferential oil sealing of an annular squeeze film space in the damper.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper having spaced opposite piston rings for damper fluid sealing includes a fluid plenum groove adjacent and inboard of each ring to serve as a lower pressure receiver for damper fluid and as a reservoir to receive and supply fluid during pumping action of the damper.

Abstract: An improved bearing assembly is provided for supporting a rotating shaft. The improvement is comprised of utilizing a resilient support means in combination with a multiple squeeze film damper apparatus. The damper apparatus provides a large damping force to suppress large vibrations and excessive radial shaft deflections in the event of operation with an abnormally high unbalanced shaft. The resilient support provides a soft spring system as a means for establishing and maintaining the critical rotor speed at a low speed condition, for centering the shaft during normal operation, and for allowing radial deflection during operation with an unbalanced shaft.