Abstract: The invention relates to a plain bearing device, in particular for supporting a rotor hub of a wind turbine, comprising an inner ring element (1), which in particular forms a part of the rotating rotor shaft, and an outer ring element (2), which in particular forms a part of the rotor stator, wherein two plain bearings (3a, 3b) axially spaced apart are formed between the inner and outer ring elements (1, 2), the plain bearing surfaces (3c) of which plain bearings, in particular as viewed in a cross-section parallel through the axis of rotation (4), are arranged nonparallel to each other and each at an angle not equal to zero and/or not equal to 90 degrees to the axis of rotation (4), and wherein in each of the two plain bearings (3a, 3b) one of the interacting plain bearing surfaces (3c), in particular the plain bearing surface on the inner ring element (1), forms a surface that is continuous in the circumferential direction and the other of the interacting plain bearing surfaces (3c), in particular the plain

Abstract: A porous gas bearing is disclosed. The porous gas bearing includes a housing having a fluid inlet and an aperture. A porous surface layer is disposed within the housing surrounding the aperture in a circumferential direction. The porous surface layer is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. A damping system includes a damping system including a biasing member, the biasing member being disposed in a passageway that extends along the longitudinal direction of the aperture and circumferentially about the aperture, wherein the biasing member is arranged radially outward from the porous surface layer.

Abstract: A bearing device includes: a rotary shaft being rotatable around an axis; a bearing pad that supports an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft; a nozzle that is disposed on an upstream side of the bearing pad in a rotational direction of the rotation shaft and has a supply hole; a pair of side plates that face the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft on an upstream side of the nozzle in the rotational direction and are disposed on both sides of the nozzle in the axial direction, the pair of side plates having a discharge hole; and a guide surface that faces the upstream side in the rotation direction and extends in the axial direction over an entire length of the bearing pad in the axial direction, wherein the guide surface is circumferentially positioned between the supply hole and the discharge hole.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid film bearing, for a rotor hub in a wind turbine, including a first and second part rotatably connected to each other, wherein the first part forms a first annular sliding surface that extends in the circumferential direction of the bearing along the first part, wherein the second part includes a support structure and first pads distributed along the circumference of the support structure, wherein a respective pad sliding surface of each of the first pads or of a first subgroup of the first pads supports the first annular sliding surface, wherein each first pad includes a mounting section that is mounted to a backside of the support structure, a contact section that is either forming the respective pad sliding surface or carrying a coating that forms the respective pad sliding surface and a connecting section that connects the contact section with the mounting section.

Abstract: A multiphase pump for conveying a multiphase process fluid includes a pump housing, a rotor and a radial bearing. The rotor is arranged in the pump housing and is configured to rotate about an axial direction. The radial bearing has a support carrier and a support structure to support the rotor with respect to a radial direction. The rotor includes a pump shaft and an impeller fixedly mounted on the pump shaft to convey the process fluid from a pump inlet to a pump outlet. A squeeze film damper is provided to reduce vibrations of the rotor, the squeeze film damper arranged around the support structure of the radial bearing, and having an radially outer surface. A damping gap is arranged between the support structure of the radial bearing and the radially outer surface of the squeeze film damper. The damping gap is configured to receive a damping fluid.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a bearing (100) for supporting a shaft (200) rotating around an axis A is provided. The bearing (100) comprises: a bearing housing (120); and a plurality of tilting pads (130), wherein each tilting pad is connected to the housing (120) via a flexible web support (135) and comprises a bearing surface (136) directed toward a shaft receiving space (125) configured for supporting a shaft. The bearing surface (136) of at least one tilting pad (130) of the plurality of tilting pads is provided with a plurality of lubricant feed openings (140). According to a further aspect, a method of operating a bearing (100) as well as a method of manufacturing a bearing (100) are provided.

Abstract: A tilting-pad-type journal bearing includes a rotary shaft, a plurality of tilting pads, a housing, a fixing structure, an oil inlet, and side plates. The plurality of tilting pads support the rotary shaft in a radial direction. The housing accommodates the plurality of tilting pads inside. The fixing structure fixes a circumferential relative position with respect to the housing while allowing the tilting pads to swing. The oil inlet supplies lubricating oil between the tilting pads and the rotary shaft. The side plates are provided on both sides of the housing in a rotational-axis direction.

Abstract: A turbine assembly includes an axial turbine with an axially arranged series of rotor sections and an external sheath providing structural support for the axial turbine, wherein the sheath is made from dense silicon nitride. Each rotor section includes an outer ring and rotor blades and the outer rings of the rotor sections connect to form a rotating outer casing, wherein the rotor sections are made from reaction bonded silicon nitride.

Abstract: A bearing damper element includes a ring mounted between a rotating object and a supporting object which supports the ring. The ring includes at least three slits through the thickness of the ring in the axial direction and at a distance of the radial inner and outer surface of the ring. At least half of the slits have one or more damping parts with a maximum width of 0.5 millimeters, whereby the damping parts are concentric and do not overlap.

Abstract: A rotary shaft support structure supports each of both ends of a rotary shaft passing through a center of a gas turbine and includes a main body arranged around a circumference of the rotary shaft and mounted to each of a compressor casing and a turbine casing of the gas turbine; a pad member disposed between the main body and the circumferential surface of the rotary shaft and biased against the circumferential surface of the rotary shaft for supporting the rotary shaft; a pivot protrusion protruding from the pad member toward the main body; and a pivot housing for receiving the pivot protrusion to rotatably support the pad member. The mechanical bias is supplied by a spring member seated in the mounting groove to bias the pivot housing against the pivot protrusion. The rotary shaft support structure exhibits performance as a bearing by absorbing some of an applied load.

Abstract: A tilting-pad bearing includes: a tilting pad having a tilting surface; and a housing comprising a supporting surface supporting the tilting surface. One of the tilting surface and the supporting surface is configured as a cam profile surface so that the tilting pad is tilted smoothly in response to the rotor rotating.

Abstract: A support assembly for a bearing of a gas turbine engine including a spring finger ring positioned radially exterior to an outer race of the bearing. The spring finger ring includes an outer ring positioned radially exterior to the outer ring, an inner ring positioned radially interior to the outer ring, and a plurality of spring fingers extending between the inner and outer rings. One or more spring fingers configured as two-sided spring fingers including a first ligament coupled to the outer ring and extending at a first circumferential angle to a first radial bumper proximate to the inner ring and a second ligament coupled to the inner ring and extending at a different second circumferential angle to a second radial bumper proximate to the outer ring. The first and second radial bumpers define first and second radial gaps between the bumpers and the inner and outer rings, respectively.

Abstract: An axial thrust load sensor for an axial thrust foil bearing used in a small gas turbine engine, the axial thrust load sensor having a axial thrust foil bearing plate and an intermediate washer plate and a load sensor plate arranged face to face to form the load sensor. The load sensor plate has three pedestals on a front side and three pedestals on a back side so that all six pedestals alternate at equal spacing. Next to each pedestal is a strain gauge connected to a controller. The controller regulates a supply of cooling air to the axial thrust bearing in order to control a thrust balance.

Abstract: A bearing device includes: a carrier ring; a first bearing portion disposed along an outer periphery of a rotor shaft on a radially inner side of the carrier ring; a second bearing portion disposed along the outer periphery of the rotor shaft and downstream of the first bearing portion, with respect to a rotational direction of the rotor shaft, on the radially inner side of the carrier ring; and a pair of side plates disposed along the outer periphery of the rotor shaft, on both sides of the carrier ring with respect to an axial direction. In a carrier-ring side region of an inner peripheral surface of each of the side plates, a groove extending in a circumferential direction along a side surface of the first bearing portion is formed at least in a part of an extending range of the first bearing portion.

Abstract: A machine has first and second members. A bearing has an inner race mounted to the second member and an outer race rotatable relative to the inner race about an axis. A ring holds the outer race. A radial spring extends radially between the ring and the first member. First and second damper rings extending radially between the ring and the first member at first and second axial sides of the radial spring. First and second damping chambers are radially between an outer diameter surface portion of the respective damper rings and an inner diameter surface portion of the first member.

Abstract: A bearing includes a bearing sleeve with a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion. A bump foil extends along an inner face of the first portion of the bearing sleeve and a metal mesh extends along an inner face of the second portion of the bearing sleeve. A top foil extends along an inner face of the bump foil of the first portion and the metal mesh of the second portion.

Abstract: A foil segment bearing comprises a bearing backing with a through opening. A shaft is arranged in the through opening such that a gap exists between the shaft and the bearing backing. The foil segment bearing also has at least one first bearing segment and one second bearing segment with respective inner surfaces. Each of the respective inner surfaces defines a bearing surface with an adjustable circumference. The bearing segments are arranged in the bearing backing at a distance from the shaft such that a gap exists between the shaft and the bearing segments. The foil segment bearing also has a foil arrangement arranged in the gap between the inner surfaces of the bearing segments and the shaft. The foil segment bearing also has an adjustment mechanism configured to set a geometry of the gap.

Abstract: A journal bearing includes: a rotation shaft which is rotatable about an axis; a bearing lower half portion which slidably supports an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft; a bearing upper half portion which supports an upper side half portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft; and a lubricating oil supply device which supplies lubricating oil between the bearing lower half portion and the bearing upper half portion, and the rotation shaft, wherein the bearing upper half portion includes a bearing body which faces the outer circumferential surface of the upper half portion of the rotation shaft, a land portion which protrudes inward in a radial direction from an inner circumferential surface of the bearing body, and a guide portion which guides lubricating oil to the sliding surface of the land portion.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to tilting pad bearing assemblies and bearing apparatuses using the same. As will be discussed in more detail below, the tilting pad bearing assemblies include a plurality of tilting pads. The tilting pads include at least one or more first tilting pads and one or more second tilting pads. Each of the first tilting pads includes a first superhard bearing surface having a first material. Each of the second tilting pads includes a second bearing surface having a second material. The first material includes a superhard material and the second material includes a material that is different than the first material.

Abstract: A spacer for use in a hub and blade assembly of a gas turbine engine including a first layer of a first material forming the spacer body having an elongate shape. The first material has a first stiffness. A second layer of a second material is mechanically attached to the first layer. The second material has a second stiffness different from the first stiffness.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement of an electrical machine is provided that includes a drive shaft extending through a housing, the bearing arrangement including a front-end bearing arranged about a front end of the drive shaft, and a back-end bearing arranged about an opposite end of the drive shaft, wherein a bearing includes a plurality of bearing pads arranged in an annular space between the drive shaft and the housing, and wherein at least one bearing includes an uneven distribution of bearing pads about the drive shaft. Furthermore, a wind turbine including such a bearing arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems for mitigating brake vibration. In various embodiments, a brake force distribution arrangement may comprise: a member in operable communication with an actuator having at least two contact surfaces such that as one of the at least two contact surfaces moves in a direction of actuation of the actuator the other moves in a direction opposite to the direction of actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: A tilting-pad bearing for rotatably supporting a rotor includes: a casing; and a plurality of bearing pads each mounted to the casing pivotably about a pivot. Each of the plurality of bearing pads has a bearing pad surface facing the rotor, the bearing pad surface including a first region disposed on an upstream side in a rotational direction of the rotor and having a first curvature radius, and a second region disposed on a downstream side of the first region in the rotational direction and having a second curvature radius smaller than the first curvature radius.

Abstract: A gas-dynamic air bearing for radially mounting a shaft may include a plurality of bearing segments arranged in a recess of a housing. The bearing segments may radially enclose the shaft. Each bearing segment may be held with play on the housing via a respective bolt arranged radially to a predetermined bearing axis. Each bearing segment may include an associated stop spring device supported between the housing and the bearing segments. The respective stop spring device may be resilient to stroke movements of the bearing segment effective radially outwardly relative to the bearing axis. The respective bolts may be adjustably screwed to the housing. The bolts may have an end on a segment side that delimits a spring travel of the stop spring device radially inwardly towards the bearing axis and may position the respective bearing segment.

Abstract: An object is to provide a tilting-pad bearing device whereby it is possible to levitate a rotation shaft with a low supply-oil pressure. A tilting-pad bearing device includes a plurality of bearing pads disposed around a rotation shaft so as to support the rotation shaft rotatably, a support member interposed between the plurality of bearing pads and a bearing housing supporting the plurality of bearing pads, the support member supporting each of the plurality of bearing pads pivotably, and an oil-supply mechanism configured to supply a lubricant oil to at least one oil groove formed on a bearing surface of at least one of the plurality of bearing pads. The at least one oil groove is disposed inside and outside a contact area of the bearing surface which is in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft when the rotation shaft is stopped.

Abstract: A wind turbine main bearing realized to bear a shaft of a wind turbine, which shaft is caused to rotate by a number of blades connected to the shaft is disclosed. The wind turbine main bearing includes a fluid bearing with a plurality of bearing pads arranged about the shaft. Also disclosed is a wind turbine with a number of blades connected to a shaft and realized to rotate the shaft, which wind turbine includes as main bearing a wind turbine main bearing. Further described is a method of performing maintenance on a wind turbine, including the steps of halting a rotation of the shaft, operating a lifting arrangement to raise the shaft, and removing a bearing pad of the wind turbine main bearing from the bearing housing of the wind turbine main bearing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic journal pad bearing is provided having several pads circumferentially distributed around the rotor of a large steam turbine with each pad mounted onto a platform separating the pad from a cylindrical cage in turn connected to the floor of a hall housing the turbine and having an interface between at least one of the several pads and the platform on which the at least one of the several pads is mounted is formed such as to include at least two areas with different curvatures to increase the stiffness of the interface in the event of a relative movement between the pad and the platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radial bearing, comprising a housing, a housing bore extending along a bearing axis, several tilting segments that are arranged around the bearing axis in order to support a shaft and each have a radially outer bearing surface, by means of which the tilting segments are supported on a supporting surface on the housing. The radially outer bearing surface of each tilting segment and the supporting surface are arranged facing each other. Each tilting segment is movably arranged relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radial bearing for mounting a shaft, comprising the following features: several bearing shells which are curved according to the radius of the shaft and whose inner surface forms the plain bearing surfaces; a housing enclosing the bearing shells; at least one of the end regions of the respective bearing shell as seen in the circumferential direction is held in an interlocking manner on the housing in such a way that expansion and/or displacement of the end region or the entire bearing shell is possible; means for setting the curvature of the individual bearing shell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.

Abstract: A trailing edge cooled bearing provides an illustrative embodiment of an apparatus for increasing heat transfer in various bearings, including but not limited to radial and axial tilting pad bearings. In the illustrative embodiment, the trailing edge cooled bearing may comprise at least one journal pad having a leading and trailing edge. The trailing edge may include a trailing edge face having one or more grooves formed therein. A spray bar may having one or more apertures formed therein may be positioned adjacent the trailing edge face to deliver fluid thereto.

Abstract: A module flexible ligament damper includes an cylindrical inner structure with a central axis and an outer cylindrical surface. An outer casing with an inner cylindrical surface is positioned around the inner structure. A modular ligament with an inner flange and an outer flange connected by a web is positioned between the inner structure and the casing. The inner flange is connected to the inner structure and the outer flange is connected to the casing to support the inner structure within the casing, and to permit free orbital movement of the inner structure on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the inner structure. In one embodiment, the web is straight but does not intersect the axis of the inner structure for flexing in a radial direction. In other embodiments, the web is curved for radial flexing.

Abstract: A tilting pad radial bearing for a single-shaft turbomachine is provided having a support ring, tilting pad, and tilting pad support with an aligning device rigidly fixed to the inner face of the support ring and which has a convex sliding surface facing inwards and concave sliding surface facing outwards, the concave sliding surface rigidly fixed to the outer lying rear face of the tilting pad. The sliding surfaces lay one above the other, and each surface is a circular arc in each sliding surface longitudinal section. The aligning device keeps the axial position of the tilting pad adjustable relative to the support ring such that an angle of attack of the sliding surface of the tilting pad is adjustable relative to the axis of the tilting pad radial bearing dependent on the axial position of the concave sliding surface relative to the axial position of the convex sliding surface.

Abstract: Method, retention mechanism and bearing device for retaining at least one pad inside the bearing device. The bearing device includes a ring having at least a retaining head, at least one pad disposed inside the ring and having a bottom recess portion configured to receive the at least a retaining head, the at least one pad being configured to pivot on the at least a retaining head, and a retention mechanism configured to retain the at least one pad within a predetermined volume inside the ring. The retention mechanism is configured to apply a retaining force on the at least one pad, in addition to a force between the retaining head and the at least one pad, where the retaining force acts substantially along a radial direction of the ring, away from a center of the ring.

Abstract: Method, pad and bearing device for oil redistribution. The bearing device includes a ring having at least one retaining head, at least one pad disposed inside the ring and having a bottom recess portion configured to receive the at least one retaining head, an oil distribution mechanism configured to inject oil at a leading edge of the at least one pad to flow towards a trailing edge of the at least one pad, and an oil redistribution mechanism on the at least one pad configured to redistribute the oil from the trailing edge of the at least one pad to the leading edge of the at least one pad. The leading edge is a first edge and the trailing edge is a second edge of the at least one pad encountered when traveling along a circumference of the ring in a direction of rotation of a rotor supported by the at least one pad.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.

Abstract: A rotation shaft supporting structure has radial clearance between a bearing surface of an upper tilting pad and a rotating surface of the journal that can be adjusted so that a high pressure oil film is formed in the clearance and carryover of lubrication oil from an upstream pad to its adjacent downstream pad is prevented. Oil supply nozzles are mounted to the bearing housing to be located adjacent to the upstream and downstream side end of each bearing pad. An upstream side nozzle supplies lubrication oil to the bearing surface of the pad and a downstream side nozzle injects oil toward the journal surface to prevent carryover of lubrication oil from the bearing surface of the upstream pad to that of the downstream pad dragged by the rotating surface of the journal. The nozzles also serve as stoppers to prevent rotational movement of the pad.

Abstract: An oil film bearing for rotatably supporting a shaft comprises a spherical housing having a bore in which the shaft is rotatably supported, and an outer spherical surface. A chock contains the spherical housing. The chock is internally configured with an inner spherical surface coacting with the outer spherical surface of the spherical housing to define a raceway configured to accommodate angular rotation of the shaft about a central point.

Abstract: The bearing device has a bearing housing which is supported by a bearing base mounted on a body of a rotary machine equipped with a rotating shaft and through which the rotating shaft penetrates at the center and a plurality of pads which are arranged inside the bearing housing so as to circumferentially surround the rotating shaft and rotatably support the rotating shaft. A contact surface between an outer circumference of the bearing housing and an inner circumference of the bearing base extends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft and forms a convex curved surface protruding outward, and the bearing housing is slidably supported by the bearing base via the contact surface of the convex curved surface.

Abstract: A wind turbine main bearing realized to bear a shaft of a wind turbine, which shaft is caused to rotate by a number of blades connected to the shaft is disclosed. The wind turbine main bearing includes a fluid bearing with a plurality of bearing pads arranged about the shaft. Also disclosed is a wind turbine with a number of blades connected to a shaft and realized to rotate the shaft, which wind turbine includes as main bearing a wind turbine main bearing. Further described is a method of performing maintenance on a wind turbine, including the steps of halting a rotation of the shaft, operating a lifting arrangement to raise the shaft, and removing a bearing pad of the wind turbine main bearing from the bearing housing of the wind turbine main bearing.

Abstract: A compliant hybrid gas journal bearing includes compliant hybrid bearing pads having a hydrostatic recess and a capillary restrictor for providing a flow of pressurized gas to the bearing. The bearing also includes an inner rim adjacent the bearing pads, an outer rim and a damper bridge between the inner and outer rims. The damper bridge has an axial length that is less than an axial length of the bearing pads and the outer rim to form a damper cavity on each side of the damper bridge. An integral wire mesh damper is situated within the damper cavity on each side of the damper bridge. Integral centering springs are located between the inner and outer rims to provide radial and rotational compliance to the bearing pads. The oil-free bearing design addresses the low damping and low load capacity characteristics that are inherent in present day compliant air foil bearing designs, while retaining the compliance to changes in rotor geometry.

Abstract: A hydrostatic gas bearing capable of easily adjusting a clearance between a rotor and a radial bearing pad is provided. This hydrostatic gas bearing comprises a radial bearing pad radially supporting a rotor, a linear motion guide moving the radial bearing pad and a ball stud swingably coupling the radial bearing pad to the linear motion guide. The linear motion guide moves the radial bearing pad in a direction intersecting with a direction connecting the center of rotation of the rotor and the ball stud with each other. The quantity of adjustment in movement of the radial bearing pad caused by the linear motion guide is larger than the quantity of change in the clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the rotor and the radial bearing pad, whereby a small quantity of the bearing clearance can be precisely adjusted.

Abstract: A tilting pad thrust bearing is described including a substantially solid flat carrier body, a plurality of bearing pads, and an intermediate component which is disposed in the assembled bearing between the bearing pads and the carrier body, the intermediate component providing a plurality of fulcrum means corresponding in number to the bearing pads and being angularly orientated such that the fulcrum means are disposed beneath the bearing pads. The arrangement is designed such that the intermediate component includes at least one of an annular hub portion and an annular rim portion from which a plurality of ribs project outwardly or inwardly thereof and on which individual bearing pads are arranged to be seated to pivot thereon, the ribs thus providing the fulcrum means, and in that a locating component is provided which also includes at least one of a hub portion and a rim portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bearing to support a rotating shaft. The bearing includes a cylindrical housing defining a central opening. A plurality of bearing pads integrally coupled to the housing with each bearing pad having a circumferential surface defining a portion of the central opening. A plurality of pins disposed in a bore defined in the housing, with each pin aligned as a pivot for each corresponding pad. Each pad can tilt about the pin in relation to the rotating shaft. Each pad is coupled to the housing by a pair of webs defined by a plurality of cuts forming a plurality of openings in the housing substantially parallel to a line tangent with the circumferential surface of the pad. Each pin is aligned parallel with the rotating pad.

Abstract: A method of controlling the instability in fluid film bearings by using a magnetic bearing in combination with a fluid film bearing (whether it is a cylindrical journal bearing, an elliptic bearing, an offset-half bearing, a multi-lobe bearing, foil bearing or a tilting-pad bearing, does not really matter), wherein the fluid film bearing serves as the primary load carrying bearing and the magnetic bearing controls the instability of the fluid film bearing. This efficient combination results in bearings that can be used at high speeds without having neither stability nor reliability problems. An alternative method of controlling the instability in fluid film bearings is to disturb the flow in the axial direction, for example, a sleeve journal) bearing can be manufactured such that the bearing axis is skewed with the shaft axis or a variable geometry bearing can be manufactured to allow for bearing angular misalignment.

Abstract: An inertial navigation system is provided. The system includes a sensor block, an outer shell that substantially surrounds the sensor block and a plurality of gas pads connected to the outer shell that float the sensor block in gas creating a near frictionless environment to allow the sensor block to rotate in all directions. Each of the plurality of gas pads is adapted to receive pressurized gas. The outer shell and the sensor block are separated by a gap created by the pressurized gas at each pad.

Abstract: The bearing assembly includes an annular bearing in which the shaft is disposed and a support structure for supporting the bearing. The bearing support is mounted about and radially supports the bearing. The bearing support at least in part defines a squeeze film annulus of the bearing assembly. A plurality of centering elements is associated with the bearing and bearing support and act to center the bearing within the squeeze film annulus. The centering elements are provided at radially spaced locations around the bearing. The centering elements may also be cylinder springs provided at uniformly spaced locations around the bearing. The centering elements may additionally be load cell springs provided at uniformly spaced locations around the bearing. In an alternative embodiment, a singular annular wave spring may be provided in place of the plurality of centering elements.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a bearing (10) with at least an end thereof being opened and a shaft (38) rotatably disposed in the bearing. A bearing clearance is formed between an outer surface of the shaft and an inner surface of the bearing and is filled with lubricant. A plurality of lubricant pressure generating grooves (14) are axially set on at least one of the inner surface of the bearing and the outer surface of the shaft. Each of the lubricant pressure generating grooves includes two symmetrical branches (141, 142) and has a V-shaped cross section.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bearing to support a rotating shaft. The bearing includes a cylindrical housing defining a central opening. A plurality of bearing pads integrally coupled to the housing with each bearing pad having a circumferential surface defining a portion of the central opening. A plurality of pins disposed in a bore defined in the housing, with each pin aligned as a pivot for each corresponding pad. Each pad can tilt about the pin in relation to the rotating shaft. Each pad is coupled to the housing by a pair of webs defined by a plurality of cuts forming a plurality of openings in the housing substantially parallel to a line tangent with the circumferential surface of the pad. Each pin is aligned parallel with the rotating pad.

Abstract: A tilting pad journal bearing, an annular housing for an array of arcuate bearing pads resiliently mounted by spring means which biases the pads against heads of restraining bosses that limit radial displacement and cause the bearing pads to define a shaft space. The pads have associated therewith support pegs (60) secured to housing or pad at one end and movable relative to the pad or housing at the other, and the spring means comprises stacks of individually deflectable elements mounted between relatively moving pad, housing or peg and pre-loaded by adjusting the effective gap with the pads against the bosses. Relative movement between springs provide friction damping. The restraining bosses may be displaceable together to eliminate the shaft space clearance if the magnetic suspension fails or shows signs of failing.