Abstract: In a hydrostatic bearing structure in which two bearing members are disposed for movement relative to one another with adjacent bearing surfaces adapted to accommodate therebetween a bearing fluid under pressure for supporting one of the members on the other, a bearing surface area of at least one of the members is formed by a thin layer of an elastomeric material on a substrate of a highly heat conductive material in order to avoid damage to the bearing surfaces by particular matter and friction heat.

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.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing for a horizontal rotatable shaft includes an upper portion which is essentially a half section of a fixed arc journal bearing. The lower portion of the bearing is essentially the lower portion of a tilting pad bearing. Appropriate modifications are made to the oil film and drain lines and other peripheral elements to accommodate the hybrid nature of the bearing. The resultant bearing has the low power loss characteristics of the journal bearing, and additionally, the stability characteristics of a tilting pad bearing.

Abstract: A bearing system comprises two hydrodynamic bearings 5 and 7 by means of which two bodies 1 and 3 are rotatably supported relative to one another. Each of the bearings 5 and 7 has an inner and an outer pattern of helical grooves, which patterns in the direction of rotation for which the bearing system is intended build-up in opposite direction a pressure in lubricant. A reservoir 17 is situated between the bearings 5 and 7 and has two patterns 27 and 29 of feed grooves which pump lubricant towards the bearings 5 and 7 during operation.

Abstract: Tubular, pneumatic, vibratory transducer bearings incorporate a pair of colinear nested tubes with differing radii joined together at their inner and outer radii respectively. The mode of oscillation of the structure is designed to produce minimal vibration of the load carried on points of low vibration on the surface of the inner tube. The inner tube is far longer than the outer tube which is piezoelectrically excited at the correct frequency to produce the mode of oscillation desired for low vibration, automatically or self-pressurized bearing arrangement. The tubes are cylindrical and the inner tube rides on a cylindrical rod. The mounting points are at saddle points on the surface of the inner tube. The shortness of the outer tube of the transducer reduces the weight of the transducer.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic slide bearing unit has two relatively movable surfaces between which there is built up in a lubricant layer at least one load-bearing pressure zone within which the pressure (p) during one revolution in the direction of movement will increase from an initial pressure (p.sub.o) at the forward portion of the pressure zone to a higher pressure (p.sub.m) around the most central part of the pressure zone and decrease again to the initial pressure (p.sub.o), the slide bearing having at least one feed opening for lubricant at or ahead of that portion of the pressure zone which is foremost as counted in the direction of movement or flow, and an outtake means for collection of lubricant with a pressure higher than the initial pressure (p.sub.o), the lubricant being fed back via a return means to the lubricant layer through a feed opening, whereby the pressure difference will produce a pump effect for circulation of lubricant through the lubricant layer.

Abstract: A pneumatic journal bearing suitable for application to a rotating shaft which will acquire high temperature during operation, such as the turbine shaft in an automotive turbocharger. In this journal bearing, the cylindrical hole of the bearing body has a diameter considerably larger than the diameter of the shaft rotating therein. A hollow cylindrical journal member having an inner diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the shaft is coaxially disposed in the bearing hole and coaxially fixed to the shaft at two end plates of the cylindrical journal member, and compressed air is introduced into a clearance space between the journal member and the cylindrical bearing surface. Since the cylindrical major portion of the journal member is spaced from the shaft, the journal member does not undergo such significant thermal expansion as results in significant narrowing of the clearance space even though the shaft acquires high temperature.

Abstract: A sleeve/rod type squeeze bearing system is disclosed in which the piezoceramic driving element is placed in compression to an extent that limits or eliminates stress reversals of the piezoceramic driving element during vibrating cycles. Eliminating or limiting stress reversals increases reliability of the bearing system and extends the useful life of the bearing elements. The bearing load of such a system may also be increased.

Abstract: An improved air metering nozzle assembly for air bearings wherein the metering orifice is formed in a flat disc separate from air supply elements and is readily removable and replaceable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing assembly in which a relatively broad bearing is divided into two bearings (2, 3) placed axially side by side. Both bearings are connected together to an inner bearing member (1) which is mounted to swivel universally over a spherical sector surface (16) in a cylindrical bore (18) of a surrounding housing. Between the bearing surfaces of both bearings (2, 3) there is provided in the bearing bore (6) a flowing fluid medium passage shared by the bearings, such as an annular groove (10). Through this passage the outlet flow area for the flowing fluid medium is doubled and length of the flow path in the bearing bore (6) reduced by one-half. Concurrently, a more perfect load pressure equalization is achieved on both bearings (2, 3) owing to the ball-joint-type universal bearing arrangement between the inner bearing member (1) and the housing (20).

Abstract: In an externally pressurized gas bearing used as a thrust or a journal bearing, the shape of a gap formed therein is selected so that the gas flowing velocity reaches the sound velocity in a predetermined position within the gap and a supersonic gas flow is maintained at the outer edge of the bearing, whereby an increase in supply gas pressure gives rise to a corresponding increase in load capacity and rigidity.

Abstract: In a hydrostatic bearing apparatus, a bearing bushing is formed at its internal surface with a plurality of circumferentially separate fluid pockets, into which pressurized fluid is conducted via respective throttle elements for rotatably supporting a spindle received in the internal surface, by means of static pressure generated in each of the fluid pockets. The bearing surface is further formed with a plurality of exhaust grooves, each of which extends in the axial direction of the bearing bushing between contiguous two of the fluid pockets. Pressurized fluid cooled by a cooler device is supplied to flow along the exhaust grooves in the axial direction of the bearing bushing, so that heated pressurized fluid in each fluid pocket is prevented from being carried by rotation of the spindle into another fluid pocket circumferentially next thereto.

Abstract: A lens assembly is positionally adjusted for precisely focusing a light beam upon a video information disc in a video recorder-playback machine. The lens assembly includes a focusing lens supported on an air bearing within an assembly housing for movement toward and away from the disc. A current conducting coil is movable with the focusing lens and is adapted to receive an electrical current indicative of instantaneous focusing error of the light beam upon the disc. A fixed magnetic field formed by a permanent magnet mounted on the housing between opposite pole pieces comprising portions of the housing is magnetically coupled with the coil whereby variations in the current result in adjustment of the position of the focusing lens with respect to the disc to correct the focusing error.

Abstract: A radial bearing for high-speed turbo-machinery, which is constructed as an aerodynamic or spontaneously-acting bearing, wherein a spirally-wound foil is inserted in an annular space formed between the inner bearing journal and the outer bearing sleeve.

Abstract: The invention concerns hydrostatic bearings supplied with fluid under pressure for a shaft rotating at high speed in a fixed bed, with the goal of reducing the power dissipated by shear of the fluid in the said bearings.According to the invention, a sleeve (5) is disposed coaxially to the shaft (1) in a chamber arranged for this purpose between the bed (3) and the shaft (1), with apertures being arranged respectively in the shaft and in the bed, opposite the sleeve on one side and the other, in such a way that a movement in rotation can be imparted to the sleeve (5), the structure being particularly applicable to fluid pumps.