Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a bearing runner and a bearing carrier, the carrier defining thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier limiting movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The pads can tilt under load to form a hydrodynamic wedge. A runner may have a wear resistant face. In one implementation, at each site, a deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is at least partially disposed within a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier. Another embodiment attaches pads to a bearing carrier using pad holder assemblies.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly comprising a bearing runner and a bearing carrier, the carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier limiting movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. Though the range of movement is limited, the pads can tilt under load to form a hydrodynamic wedge as is known in the art. An embodiment comprises a bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a bearing carrier defining thrust pad sites disposed annularly around the carrier. In one implementation, at each site, a deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is disposed in a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad can be at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face contacts the pad.