With Antifriction Bearing Patents (Class 384/101)
  • Patent number: 11289991
    Abstract: A linear actuator, comprising: a base; a fixed part support mechanism attached to the base; a fixed part elastically supported by the fixed part support mechanism; and a movable part driven to reciprocate in a predetermined drive direction with respect to the fixed part, wherein the fixed part support mechanism comprises: a movable block attached to the fixed part; a linear guide that couples the movable block with the base to be slidable in the predetermined drive direction; and an elastic member that is disposed between the base and the movable block and prevents transmission of a high frequency component of vibration in the predetermined drive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: KOKUSAI KEISOKUKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sigeru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10760617
    Abstract: A bearing assembly for a gas turbine engine comprises a bearing; a bearing bracket, which holds the bearing and is secured by a predetermined breaking device on a connecting element, which can be connected or is connected to a loadbearing structure of the gas turbine engine; a first toothed component mounted on the bearing bracket; and a second toothed component fixed on the connecting element, wherein, after the destruction of the predetermined breaking device, the first toothed component and the second toothed component can be or are brought into engagement with one another in such a way that one of the toothed components can be made to roll on the other. A gas turbine engine and a method are furthermore provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Martin Boehme, Gideon Daniel Venter
  • Patent number: 10315687
    Abstract: A steering gear having a gearwheel (2), a pinion shaft (3) which meshes with the former and is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis which lies transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (6) of the pinion shaft (3), wherein the pinion shaft (3) is loaded against the gearwheel (2) by means of a spring element which is integrated into a locating bearing (5) for the pinion shaft (3), which locating bearing (5) forms the pivot axis (7), and wherein the pinion shaft (3) is mounted in a floating bearing (8) such that is spaced apart axially from the pivot axis, which floating bearing (8) ensures mobility of the pinion shaft (3) which makes pivoting of the pinion shaft (3) about the pivot axis possible, wherein the floating bearing (8) comprises an outer part and an inner part which is arranged movably in a radial direction with respect to the outer part, is characterized by a stop element (24) which limits the radial mobility of the inner part and can be positioned differently with regard t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Fuechsel, Ekkehard Kneer, Jens Hafermalz, Marco Grau
  • Patent number: 9897097
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing defining a bearing bore and a hybrid journal bearing system disposed within the bore. The hybrid journal bearing system includes first and second journal bearings. The first journal bearing is a semi-floating bearing and the second journal bearing is a full-floating bearing. The turbocharger also includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the shaft is supported by the journal bearing system for rotation about an axis within the bore. The turbocharger also includes a turbine wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the first end and configured to be rotated about the axis by post-combustion gases emitted by the engine. Additionally, the turbocharger includes a compressor wheel fixed to the shaft proximate to the second end and configured to pressurize an airflow being received from the ambient for delivery to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Louis P. Begin, Dingfeng Deng, Isaac H. Y. Du
  • Patent number: 9828998
    Abstract: A screw compressor includes a housing having an inlet for receiving gas to be compressed by the compressor and an outlet for discharging pressurized compressed gas. A pair of meshing threaded rotors, each rotor having an axis and being rotatably received in the housing, each rotor having a first end near the inlet and a second end near the outlet. A bearing rotatably carrying each rotor about its axis and positioned near the first end and the second end of each rotor. A conduit formed in the housing in selectable fluid communication with at least one bearing and a force generating source from a pressurized fluid source, the force generating source selectably providing a force in a radial direction relative to the axis of the at least one bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Holger Tychsen
  • Patent number: 9482271
    Abstract: In a disengageable axial thrust bearing for a rotary machine, an outer ring has first and second outer half-rings (114A, 114B) centered in a casing (116) and clamped in the axial direction between a stationary thrust member (118) and a first pre-loading system (120) exerting a first predetermined axial force such that, so long as the axial load exerted on the axial thrust bearing via a synchronization element (106) is greater than a determined threshold value, rolling elements (110) with oblique contacts present respective single lines (130) having two points of contact (130A, 130B) with an inner ring (102) and with the first outer half-ring (114A), the second outer half-ring (114B) being spaced apart from the first by a second predetermined axial force exerted by a second pre-loading system (126) inserted in the axial direction between the first and second outer half-rings, and such that the inner ring (102) is driven in rotation by the synchronization element, whereas, when the axial load exerted on the axi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Sébastien Boufflert, Philippe Bourdin, Alban Lemaitre, Fabien Tessier
  • Patent number: 9011007
    Abstract: A spindle unit includes: a main spindle that holds a rotary tool, and that is rotated; bearings by which the main spindle is rotatably supported; and a damper bearing by which the main spindle is rotatably supported, and that has a damping coefficient larger than damping coefficients of the bearings. The damping coefficient of the damper bearing is set to a value within a range from 10,000 to 1,000,000 N·s/m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Matsunaga, Toshiyuki Okita, Ryota Tanase
  • Publication number: 20150078886
    Abstract: A ball bearing sleeve is used in a turbocharging device. The ball bearing sleeve has one or more ball bearings that are designed to control loads that are applied to the sleeve in the x, y and z-directions. The ball bearing sleeve is designed to replace the “thrust bearing” that is typically the “weak link” in a turbocharging device, as well as the journal bearings. The sleeve is designed to include a cylindrical portion that includes one or more grooves for directing the flow of oil around the sleeve for cooling. An oil duct having access holes directs the flow of oil into the ball bearings. Sleeve device may be retro-fitted into an existing turbocharger, which originally had journal and thrust bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Bret J. Park
  • Publication number: 20140376896
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a rotation device in an RTP chamber. The rotation device includes a cylindrical inner race, a plurality of thrust bearings and a plurality of radial bearings. During operation, the bearings create a gas cushion preventing the rotating parts from contacting the stationary parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Michael P. KARAZIM
  • Publication number: 20140314349
    Abstract: An electric motor includes an armature shaft which is mounted in at least one floating bearing. The floating bearing comprises a bearing inner ring, which is positioned on the armature shaft, a bearing outer ring, which is received in a bearing seat, and a fluid pump for a vehicle fluid system having the electric motor. Lubricant disposed between the armature shaft and the bearing inner ring forms a hydrodynamic lubricant film and generates a constant relative movement between the armature shaft and the bearing inner ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Marc Micke, Reiner Fellmeth, Stefan Klein
  • Publication number: 20140301680
    Abstract: A rotor system for a rotating machine, including a rotating shaft, an auxiliary bearing, and a primary bearing configured to provide a bearing and seal combination. The auxiliary bearing may include a support structure extending around a circumference of the rotating shaft, such that an annular gap is defined between the support structure and the rotating shaft when the primary bearing supports the rotating shaft. The auxiliary bearing may also include a first pedestal extending radially-inward from the support structure, and first and second beams extending from opposite sides of the first pedestal in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. The auxiliary bearing may further include a first roller operatively coupled to the first beam, and a second roller operatively coupled to the second beam, such that the first and second rollers are configured to engage the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Dresser-Rand Company
  • Publication number: 20140286599
    Abstract: In order to effect a seal a porous material which comprises one side of two opposing surfaces is used to restrict and evenly distribute externally pressurized gas, liquid, steam, etc. between the two surfaces, exerting a force which is opposite the forces from pressure differences or springs trying to close the two faces together and so may create a non-contact seal that is more stable and reliable than hydrodynamic seals currently in use. A non-contact bearing is also disclosed having opposing surfaces with relative motion and one surface issuing higher than ambient pressure through a porous restriction, wherein the porous restriction is part of a monolithic porous body, or a porous layer, attached to lands containing a labyrinth, the porous restriction and lands configured to not distort more than 10% of a gap created from differential pressure between each side of the porous restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: NEW WAY MACHINE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Devitt, Richard Duane Pollick
  • Publication number: 20140056547
    Abstract: A rolling bearing includes an inner ring, an outer rind and a plurality of rolling elements. Multiple dynamic pressure generating grooves are formed in at least one of an inner ring raceway surface and an outer ring raceway surface so as to be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of the dynamic pressure generating grooves and the number of the rolling elements are set so as to establish a relationship expressed by A=[{n+(n+1)}/2]·Z, where A is the number of the dynamic pressure generating grooves, Z is the number of the rolling elements, and n is a natural number (1, 2, 3 . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junji MURATA
  • Publication number: 20130336603
    Abstract: A spindle unit includes: a main spindle that holds a rotary tool, and that is rotated; bearings by which the main spindle is rotatably supported; and a damper bearing by which the main spindle is rotatably supported, and that has a damping coefficient larger than damping coefficients of the bearings. The damping coefficient of the damper bearing is set to a value within a range from 10,000 to 1,000,000 N·s/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Shigeru Matsunaga, Toshiyuki Okita, Ryota Tanase
  • Patent number: 8540432
    Abstract: In a disengageable axial abutment for a rotary machine fitted with fluid bearings, an outer ring (103) comprises first and second outer half-rings (103A, 103B) centered in the casing (111) by a flexible suspension system, with the outer half-rings (103A, 103B) being held in the axial direction between a static abutment member (113) and a pre-loading system (104) exerting a predetermined axial force such that, so long as the axial load exerted on the axial abutment via a synchronization cone (108) is greater than a given threshold, each rolling element (101) presents a single line (121) of two points of contact (121A, 121B) with an inner ring (102) and with the first outer half-ring (103A) respectively, and the inner ring (102) is driven in rotation by the synchronization cone (108), whereas, when the axial load exerted on the axial bearing becomes smaller, a gap (115) is created between the outer half-rings (103A, 103B) and a second line (123) of two additional points of contact (123A, 123B) is created betwee
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Charles Marciquet, Laurent Collongeat, Philippe Bourdin, Patrice Fonteyn
  • Patent number: 8449188
    Abstract: A round table bearing, which has a radial, axial roller bearing for mounting a first bearing ring part relative to a second bearing ring part, and a squeeze-film damper which is connected parallel to the radial, axial bearing. The squeeze-film damper has a basic damper component which is coaxial to the bearing ring parts and which is fastened, together with a rolling element of the bearing ring part which contacts the radial, axial roller bearing, to a rotary table base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Arbogast Grunau, Juergen Hilbinger, Reinhard Schwinghammer
  • Patent number: 8353360
    Abstract: A pile driver provided with a housing and at least one body connected with the housing so as to be moved back and forth over a predetermined path, the pile driver being further provided with a drive for moving the body back and forth over the path for the purpose of pile-driving, the pile driver comprising at least two parts movable relative to each other, respectively having at least a first type of sliding surface and at least a second type of sliding surface which during pile-driving slide along each other and between which there is a lubricant, wherein the first type of sliding surface is provided with polyether ether ketone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: IHC Holland IE B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Marcel Slot, Arris Van Duijvenboden
  • Patent number: 8283825
    Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system for supporting a rotating shaft including a first auxiliary bearing coupled to the rotating shaft. A first inertia ring is coupled to and circumscribes the first auxiliary bearing. A second inertia ring circumscribes the first inertia ring. A radial clearance is defined between the first and second inertia rings when the rotating shaft is supported by a primary bearing system, and the first inertia ring engages the second inertia ring when the rotating shaft is not supported by the primary bearing system. A second auxiliary bearing is engaged with an outer surface of the second inertia ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8256963
    Abstract: There is provided a roll machining apparatus for machining the surface of a roll, which can accurately support a roll by hydrostatic bearings while absorbing thermal expansion of the roll in the length direction, thus enhancing the machining precision. The roll machining apparatus can include a first hydrostatic radial bearing for receiving the radial load of a first spindle and rotatably supporting the first spindle, a hydrostatic thrust bearing for receiving the thrust load of the first spindle and limiting axial movement of the first spindle, a second hydrostatic radial bearing for receiving the radial load of a second spindle and rotatably supporting the second spindle, and a floating thrust having a thrust bearing for receiving the thrust load of the second spindle. The floating thrust selectively limits and permits axial movement of the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanobu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8134263
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bearing unit including a shaft; a radial bearing for supporting the outer circumferential surface of the shaft; a housing for accommodating the radial bearing, the housing having an open end from which the shaft is inserted and a closed end opposite to the open end in the axial direction of the shaft; a lubricating oil filled in the housing to reduce rotational friction of the shaft; a holding member provided at the open end of the housing for holding the lubricating oil; and a sealing member for closing the open end of the housing to prevent the leakage of the lubricating oil; wherein the sealing member having a side wall portion interposed between the holding member and the shaft and opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Yazawa, Hiroshi Sato, Yoshiaki Kakinuma, Ichiro Koyanagi
  • Publication number: 20110052109
    Abstract: A system for supporting a rotating shaft, including a primary bearing configured to maintain the shaft within a predetermined range of operational shaft positions; a process fluid source; and a hydrostatic auxiliary bearing having an inner surface manufactured from a self lubricating composite material. The hydrostatic auxiliary bearing is fluidically coupled to the process fluid source and configured to use a pressurized process fluid provided by the process fluid source to maintain the shaft within the predetermined range of operational shaft positions when the primary bearing fails to maintain the shaft within the predetermined range of operational shaft positions when the primary bearing fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Andrew Tecza, Stephen Samuel Rashid
  • Publication number: 20100289361
    Abstract: A cryogenic submerged turbomachine equipped with one or more combinations of hydrostatic bearings, touchdown ball bearings, thrust bearings, and bushings. The pressurized fluid or gas introduced to the hydrostatic bearing creates a film of lubrication around at least one shaft of the turbomachine. A first combination includes at least a hydrostatic bearing or a pressurized journal bearing. A second combination includes a ball bearing and a thrust disk type bearing acting as a touchdown bearing. This second combination supports the rotor system of the turbine during transient periods when the Thrust Equalizing Mechanism device is not active, and decreases the axial thrust load during operation. A third combination uses a hydrostatic bearing with a sleeve that is joined as a unit with one or more ball bearings acting as touchdown ball bearings on the hydrostatic bearing sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: EBARA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keijun Kamio
  • Patent number: 7524112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing support for a rotating engine such as a gas turbine engine, with a rotating shaft supported by at least one bearing and a frame, capable of running at least two different running speeds, characterised in that it comprises at least two mechanical supporting structures with different stiffnesses combined so as to support the bearing at one of these stiffnesses. The invention has the advantage that the use of mechanical structures avoids the presence of any hydraulic equipment, since the stiffness forces thus introduced can directly oppose excitation forces generated by the unbalanced mass of the engine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Valerio Gerez, Edouard Jadczak
  • Patent number: 7226004
    Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun (10) having an air powered alternator-turbine (14) with a rotating impeller (24) therein mounted in bearings (18) is provided with bearings (18) which are coated with a solvent resistant material. This coating is provided on all surfaces of the bearing (18) except for the inner diameter (18A) which contains the impeller (24). This construction prevents leaching of the oil out of the bearing (18) and into the airstream and also is resistant to paint should the spray gun (10) become immersed in such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Lunzer
  • Patent number: 6793395
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing arrangement for machine-tool spindles, consisting of a hydrostatic radial bearing and at least one radial/axial roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: DS Technologie Werkzeugmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Studemann, Norbert Hennes
  • Patent number: 6758598
    Abstract: An integrated roller bearing and fluid transfer sleeve adapted for supporting and transferring fluid to a rotating shaft in a gas turbine engine reduction gearbox. The integrated roller bearing and fluid transfer sleeve comprises a fluid transfer sleeve having a sleeve casing defining therein an annular fluid plenum open radially outwardly, and at least two spaced apart roller bearing assemblies each comprising an annular outer race integral with the sleeve casing and each assembly comprising a plurality of roller elements supported by the outer race. Each roller bearing assembly is disposed within the sleeve casing, one at each opposing end thereof, and the plurality of roller elements in each assembly define a first inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the rotating shaft adapted to be supported by the roller elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Gilles Beauvais, David Brouillet, Pierre Gauvin, Alain Antoine Lewis
  • Patent number: 6367977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spindle unit which is able two work both in a low speed powerful roughing regime and medium and high speed precision semi-finishing and finishing. The spindle unit includes a body, a shaft placed into the body, journal bearings between the body and the shaft, and at least one journal-thrust ball bearing assembly placed between the body and the shaft. A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder is used to move the shaft in an axial direction. The spindle unit further has a pad placed on at least one side of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. As a result of this construction, the spindle unit can work as a fully restricted spindle unit with and without additional ball bearing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Moore Tool Company Incorporated
    Inventor: Leonid Kashchenevsky
  • Publication number: 20020037226
    Abstract: In turbocharger, particularly an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine with a turbine wheel and an impeller disposed on a common shaft which is rotatably supported by friction bearings to which lubricating oil is supplied by an oil supply, a turbine speed detection device is provided comprising a pressure modulating structure disposed on the shaft for modulating the oil pressure in the oil supply in accordance with the speed of the shaft and an oil pressure sensor is arranged in the oil supply for sensing the oil pressure modulations for determining the speed of the turbocharger
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Vogel
  • Patent number: 6345913
    Abstract: A kinetic pressure fluid bearing apparatus is disclosed, which includes a clearance supporting portion formed between a lower end portion of a rotary shaft and a first kinetic pressure generating groove on a surface of a thrust bearing. The clearance supporting portion includes a ball inserting groove formed on any one of the lower end portion of the rotary shaft and the surface of the thrust bearing, and a ball inserted into the ball inserting groove. By such a kinetic pressure fluid bearing apparatus, it is possible to prevent oscillation of the rotary shaft, which occurs when the rotary shaft starts to rotate and stops its rotation. It is also possible to prevent abrasion of the rotary shaft and the thrust bearing due to their friction as well as overload of the rotary shaft by friction. As a result, performance of the product can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6334712
    Abstract: Deflection adjustment roll and process for supporting a roll jacket on a crosspiece of the deflection compensation roll. The deflection compensation roll includes a crosspiece, roller bearings composed of radial bearings and at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement, and a roll jacket, which is rotatably supported on the crosspiece by the roller bearings. The at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement acts in the axial direction. The process includes positioning radial roller bearings each bearing end of the deflection compensation roll and between the crosspiece and the roll jacket, wherein the radial roller bearings absorb radial forces, and positioning at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement between the crosspiece and the roll jacket, wherein the at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement absorbs axial forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Van Haag, Reinhard Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20010043766
    Abstract: Deflection adjustment roll and process for supporting a roll jacket on a crosspiece of the deflection compensation roll. The deflection compensation roll includes a crosspiece, roll bearings composed of radial bearings and at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement, and a roll jacket, which is rotatably supported on the crosspiece by the roll bearings. The at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement acts in the axial direction. The process includes positioning radial roll bearings each bearing end of the deflection compensation roll and between the crosspiece and the roll jacket, wherein the radial roll bearings absorb radial forces, and positioning at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement between the crosspiece and the roll jacket, wherein the at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement absorbs axial forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Neil F. Greenblum
    Inventors: ROLF VAN HAAG, REINHARD WENZEL
  • Patent number: 6074165
    Abstract: A vacuum pump is provided with back-up bearings in addition to magnetic bearings for supporting its rotor with respect to the pump housing. The rotor has a hollow rotary shaft extending backwards enclosing in its inner space a forwardly protruding tubular shaft affixed to the pump housing, and another cylindrical member affixed to the rotor protrudes backward inside this fixed tubular shaft. One set of back-up bearings is provided on the outer surface of the fixed tubular shaft spaced from the inner surface of the rotor shaft and another set of back-up bearings is provided on the inner surface of the fixed tubular shaft, spaced from the protruding cylindrical member. The back-up bearings thus positioned can be made smaller for improved dynamic emergency capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Fausto Casaro, Alain Laager, Roland Siegwart
  • Patent number: 5848843
    Abstract: A supporting pivot thrust bearing apparatus is provided in which a steel ball groove is formed at both ends of a rotary shaft inserted into a through hole of a sleeve, and a steel ball is fixably inserted between the steel ball groove and a thrust support. The steel ball is in contact with the steel ball groove by line contact so that lateral of the steel ball can be prevented. As a result, eccentricity between a center shaft of the steel ball and a center shaft of the rotary shaft can be prevented, thereby improving rotative stabilization of the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-woo Lee
  • Patent number: 5789839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high precision axial and radial aerostatic and aerodynamic bearing for a motor. The bearing surfaces of the stator and the rotor are of a toroidal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Peter Langenbeck
  • Patent number: 5779005
    Abstract: A system for lubricating bearings on a vertical rotatable shaft within a bearing housing, is comprised of an annular lower lubricant sump at a lower portion of the bearing housing; an annular upper lubricant reservoir at an upper portion of the bearing housing; and a conduit providing fluid communication between the lower lubricant sump and the upper lubricant reservoir. Provision is made for metering a flow of lubricant from the upper lubricant reservoir into upper bearings. The lubricant is pumped from the lower lubricant sump, through the conduit, to the upper lubricant reservoir at a rate exceeding the rate of metered flow into the upper bearings. A constant head of lubricant above the metering orifice is provided in the upper lubricant reservoir, as well as an outlet for shunting excess lubricant back to the lower lubricant sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Dresser Pump Company
    Inventors: William B. Jones, Jr., Mark L. Hall, Vahe Hayrapetian, Khajak Jack Minassian
  • Patent number: 5683183
    Abstract: A bearing device includes a housing, a shaft arranged in an inner circumference of the housing, and a pair of bearings arranged between the shaft and the housing, and spaced from each other in an axial direction of the shaft, at least one of the bearings comprising a sleeve inserted in the housing and formed cylindrically. The sleeve has an outer layer portion including an outer cylindrical surface and an inner layer portion including an inner cylindrical surface, the outer layer portion being harder than the inner layer portion, the inner cylindrical surface having a groove for generating dynamic pressure. The sleeve is improved in working accuracy, and the dynamic pressure generating grooves can be formed with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Tanaka, Hiromitsu Muraki, Ikunori Sakatani
  • Patent number: 5348401
    Abstract: In rocket engines power is usually obtained by burning fuel and oxidizer. The two are mixed, pressurized, and directed to a combustion chamber by means of turbopumps. Hydrostatic bearings have been proposed for use in these turbopumps because during flight, hydrostatic lubrication can reduce roller bearing wear. But during startup, acceleration and shutdown high pressure fluids are not available to provide fluid lubrication for hydrostatic bearings. During these periods a second bearing is required to carry the load, rendering hybrid bearings desirable for rocket engine turbopumps. Herein a hybrid hydrostatic-rolling element bearing has been provided. The rolling element bearing is locked on a stationary housing through which a rotating journal passes. A transient supporting ring is keyed to the journal. It is adapted to lock on the rolling element bearing so that the rolling element bearing supports radial loads during startup, initial acceleration, deceleration and shut down, and to release at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John F. Justak, Gregg R. Owens
  • Patent number: 5202937
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an axial hydrostatic thrust-bearing for an axial and radial bearing unit. This consists of two hydrostatic axial bearings (12, 13) acting on either side of a pressure plate or flange (14) which is connected to the shaft (6). The hydrostatic bearings, each of which is equipped with at least one fluid pocket supplied with fluid from an external flow source, exhibit an external form such that, in combination with the bearing housing, they form the hydraulic pressure chambers C and D. These pressure chambers in turn are in direct contact with the pressure chambers A and B of the of the linear servo motor, which in turn are formed by the frame (1), the bearing housing (2) and a back plate (3). The pressure inside the chambers A and B is regulated via a servo valve (8) in proportion to the externally applied axial loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hymac Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Arvidsson
  • Patent number: 5145262
    Abstract: A ball spline bearing assembly includes a spline shaft having a peripheral surface formed with a spline groove, an outer sleeve fitted onto the spline shaft with a predetermined gap therebetween and a plurality of balls interposed between the spline shaft and the outer sleeve. A ball holder is provided in a radial hole formed in the outer sleeve and a ball is rotatably held in position and in engagement with the spline groove by the ball holder. A fluid line is formed in the outer sleeve and the ball holder so that a pressurized fluid may be supplied to establish a fluidic cushion between the ball holder and the ball. Also provided is a plurality of solid lubricants which are normaly pressed against the spiral groove to keep the groove lubricated at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Morita
  • Patent number: 5125719
    Abstract: A tunnel boring machine having increased thrust capability is disclosed. The machine includes a rotatable cutter head for cutting material away from the face of the tunnel and a drive shaft and motor for rotating the cutter head in a cutting state of operation. A bearing assembly is also provided for facilitating rotation of the cutter head during the cutting state of operation. Thrust cylinders are also provided for generating forward thrust. The machine also includes first and second structures for defining a fluid pressurizable cavity between the cutter head and the thrust cylinders which transmit forward thrust to the cutter head when the cavity is sufficiently pressurized. In addition, the machine includes a pressurizing system for pressurizing the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Larry Snyder
  • Patent number: 5046863
    Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing device induced a housing having a sleeve and a thrust receiver and a shaft fit into the sleeve. Herringbone-shaped grooves for generating dynamic pressure comprising outer groove segments and inner group segments are disposed to at least one of the inner cylindrical surface of the sleeve and the outer cylindrical surface of the shaft at two axially spaced apart positions. The axial length of the outer groove segment is longer than that of the inner groove segment, and the difference of the axial length for the outer and the inner groove segments is greater in the lower herringbone-shaped grooves than in the upper herringbone-shaped grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikunori Sakatani, Takeyuki Yoshiba, Katushiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4989997
    Abstract: A radial load reducing device includes a high-pressure fluid chamber defined to face an outer circumferential portion of a rotating shaft or an outer circumferential portion of a rotating body integrally rotating with the rotating shaft at a first position where a radial load to be applied to the rotating shaft is directed, and a low-pressure fluid chamber defined to face the outer circumferential portion at a second position opposite to the first position. Further, a sliding bearing and a screw compressor using the above device are also provided. The fluid pressure in the high-pressure fluid chamber is applied in a direction counter to the direction of application of the radial load to be applied to the rotating shaft, thereby reducing the radial load to be applied to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Shoji Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 4927274
    Abstract: A compound journal airbearing having a sleeve concentric with a rotor and having an inner surface forming an airbearing space with the surface of the rotor so as to maintain the rotor surface and inner sleeve surface out of contact. The sleeve is supported at each end by the inner race of a bearing whose outer periphery is supported by contact with the interior surface of the stator housing. Pressurized air is supplied to the airbearing space by a passage leading from an air supply through the wall of the stator and sleeve to the airbearing space. The airbearing surface can be shaped to provide both radial and axial support. For this purpose, the airbearing surfaces may be either concave or convex toward the axis of the rotor. Catastrophic failure that would occur with construction of the prior art due to inadvertent contact of rotor and stator surfaces (collapse of the airbearing film) is avoided because the sleeve is able to turn when inadvertent touchdown occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Robert S. Smith
  • Patent number: 4641977
    Abstract: A bearing system for a high-speed, rotating shaft (20) includes an outer race (12) adapted to be rotatable in its machine support and ( 32) to carry a rolling bearing (16), such as a ball bearing, at one end and further includes a floating sleeve bearing (14) at the other end. The outer race of the system can be adapted to rotate on a film of lubricant at a speed less than one-third, and preferably about one-tenth, that of the rotating shaft. The bearing system can include thrust-bearing surfaces (12c, 12d) at one end of the outer race and surfaces to permit lubrication of the sleeve and rolling bearings. The floating sleeve bearing is free to rotate at speeds of about one-half the speed of the rotating shaft. The system thus can provide very low bearing losses and a long bearing life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventor: William E. Woollenweber
  • Patent number: 4616388
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing hydrodynamic bearings for supporting and guiding rotary machine shafts. The process consists of pre-manufacturing a self-contained cartridge formed of thin foils, each fixed to its two next adjacent foils at locations staggered along said foils at overlapping parts thereof, so as to form an internal floating surface adapted to generate the formation of a fluid film between this surface and a shaft mounted therein. The cartridge has an external peripheral surface with a diameter corresponding to that of the bore of the bearing shell, and is inserted in this bore and then secured against rotation and axial translation with respect thereto by an abutment situated in the end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: ABG Semca
    Inventors: Jacques Soum, Christian Malabre
  • Patent number: 4605317
    Abstract: A bearing for supporting a load by the reaction force of a pressurized fluid, by the reaction force of a plurality of solid or hollow bearing rollers in the absence of the pressurized fluid or by a combined reaction force of the pressurized fluid and the bearing rollers includes a plurality of helicoid pressure reduction ducts leading to a number of chambers delimited by the bearing rollers so as to create a large pressure differential between adjacent chambers. The bearing rollers are disposed between bearing races with an interference fit to impede the passage of the pressurized fluid from one chamber to adjacent chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Inventor: Francesco Bonaccorso
  • Patent number: 4603458
    Abstract: A roller used for a roller conveyor which includes an outer cylinder of the roller supported by a pneumatic bearing. The roller also includes a fixed shaft having a path for letting air pass through in the center thereof, and annular members fitted on the fixed shaft, the outer cylinder covering the shaft and annular members leaving a narrow gap around the annular members. The path for letting air pass through the shaft and the narrow gap communicate with each other by way of holes and a groove made on the annular members. Therefore, the introduced air can pass through the holes and the groove and then fill the narrow gap to such an extent that the wall of the outer cylinder never comes into contact with the annular members, the thin layer of air in the gap functioning as the pneumatic bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Sanko Kikai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Hirohata
  • Patent number: 4545741
    Abstract: A vertical motor pump including an upper bearing and a lower bearing located on the motor side for journaling a rotary shaft for rotation at an upper portion and a lower portion respectively of a rotor, at least one of the upper and lower bearings being constituted by a ball bearing. The vertical motor pump further includes a hydrostatic lubricated bearing system for journaling the rotary shaft besides the ball bearing, for bearing a radial thrust during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunzoo Tomioka, Masaaki Nakano, Kinpei Okano, Kousaku Shimizu, Hiroaki Yoda
  • Patent number: 4542994
    Abstract: A fluid bearing in which parts of the bearing land are free to move relative to the bearing member on which they are mounted, so that in use the speed of the relative movement of the two confronting surfaces that define the bearing clearance is less than the speed of relative movement of the bearing members themselves. This reduces the power losses due to shearing effects within the thin film of fluid continuously passing through the bearing clearance in contact with these confronting surfaces. The invention applies particularly to rotary bearings of journal and end-thrust type, in which the moving lands may be ring-shaped units, mounted for rotation about the bearing axis and supported by relatively friction-free bearings--for instance gas bearings--on the bearing member in which the bearing recess is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventor: Mohamed E. Mohsin
  • Patent number: 4527910
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dual clearance hydrodynamic liquid squeeze film damper for a gas turbine engine. Under normal operating conditions the device functions as a conventional squeeze film damper, using only one of its oil films. When an unbalance reaches abusive levels, as may occur with a blade loss or foreign object damage, a second, larger-clearance film becomes active, controlling vibration amplitudes in a near-optimum manner until the engine can be safely shut down and repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: David P. Fleming