Abstract: A bearing support structure for a journal bearing including a plurality of overlapping compliant foils mounted upon one of a pair relatively rotatable members to form an outwardly diverging surface to support the other of the members. The outwardly diverging surface may be formed by varying thickness shims included along the axial length of the plurality of foils.

Abstract: A novel air bearing structure prevents destructive bending moments within the top foil. Welds are eliminated by mounting the top bearing foil in the bearing cartridge sleeve without using a spacer block.Tabs or pins at the end of the top bearing foil are restrained by slots or stops formed in the cartridge sleeve. These structural members are free to move in a direction normal to the shaft while being restrained from movement in the direction of shaft rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foil bearing for high speed rotation such as a turbocharger, a high speed centrifugal separator or the like. The foil bearing according to the present invention can form at least three wedge-shaped spaces between the rotary shaft and the top foil along the direction of rotation of the rotary shaft. The rotary shaft can be supported by at least three portions of air sucked in the wedge-shaped spaces so that when the rotary shaft is rotated at a high speed, the axial center thereof is kept more adjacent to that of the top foil at all times based on the wedge effect by the air.

Abstract: A fluid foil bearing comprises a bearing housing in which the journal of a rotatable shaft is positioned, a single foil bearing is so arranged in the housing as to surround substantially the whole circumference of the shaft journal with a minute space interposed between the foil bearing and the shaft journal, and supporting under foils are disposed outside the foil bearing and inside the housing for resiliently supporting the foil bearing at circumferentially spaced intervals so as to provide a predetermined preload on the shaft.

Abstract: A bearing support structure for a journal bearing including a plurality of overlapping compliant foils mounted upon one of a pair of relatively rotatable members to form an outwardly diverging surface to support the other of the members. The outwardly diverging surface may be formed by varying thickness shims included along the axial length of the plurality of foils.

Abstract: A foil sliding bearing for machines, in particular a foil sliding bearing for glandless rotary and centrifugal pumps used in chemical processes, such as for pumping corrosive liquids, and adapted to be lubricated by the liquid being pumped (centrifugal pumps, gap-tube pumps, and the like) is provided. This bearing comprises a bearing sleeve to be positioned between a bearing pin or a shaft and a coaxial cylindrical or slightly conical bearing housing of the machine. Around the outer periphery of the bearing sleeve a plurality of plastic foil sections are held at their front ends each, as seen in the direction of rotation, in axial slots formed in the bearing sleeve and which do not extend up to the edges, and at their rear ends they lie loosely on the outer bearing sleeve and leave an expansion gap free with respect to the adjacent foil sections.

Abstract: A perforated foil bearing surface having dry lubricant reservoirs dispersed throughout and a method of producing such perforated foil bearing surfaces.

Abstract: An axial shaft is supported within a housing by a plurality of bearing foils which are cantilevered from the housing by a series of rotatably mounted supports. The supports are provided with gear teeth and a ring gear which surrounds the housing is engageable with the gear teeth of the supports to simultaneously rotate these supports relative to the housing and adjust the preload of the bearing foils against the shaft.

Abstract: A specially designed method is used to apply a graphite fluoride (CFx)-polyimide binder dry lubricant coating to the rubbing contact surface of a foil element used in a high speed gas foil bearing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic fluid film bearing including a stationary retaining member 15, a rotating member 20 and a foil element 25 therebetween includes a resilient backing member 45 adjacent the foil element. The resilient backing member has a bilinear spring constant associated therewith. At low bearing loading, the spring constant of the backing member is lower than at high loading. By this construction the bearing achieves enhanced damping with minimum power loss at all speeds of operation as well as improved load capacity, and resistance to rotating member excursions and instabilities due to shaft imbalances and other disturbances.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic fluid film journal bearing comprises a stationary retaining member 15, a rotatable journal 20 disposed therewithin and an insert comprising a smooth cylindrical foil element 25 and a corrugated, cylindrical, resilient backing member 45 disposed radially outwardly from the foil. The foil element and the resilient backing member are fixed at ends thereof to the retaining member such that the backing member extends from the fixed end, in an opposite circumferential direction from that of the extension of the foil element from the fixed end thereof. The journal is supported by a fluid film layer maintained by relative rotary motion between the journal and the foil element, the backing accommodating deflections of the foil and excursions of the journal due to fluid pressure and loading of the bearing.