Abstract: A discrete fluid dynamic bearing comprising a fluid dynamic bearing including a bearing cone mounted on a sleeve and defining in cooperation with a bearing seat having a surface facing an outer surface of the bearing cone across a fluid bearing gap, a first seal establishing a pressure gradient from a distal end of the sleeve toward the gap of the fluid dynamic bearing and a second seal on an opposite side of the fluid dynamic bearing from the first seal for establishing a positive, higher pressure toward the fluid bearing gap, the press established by the first and second seals maintain the fluid in the gap during relative rotation of the surfaces of the fluid dynamic bearing.

Abstract: A fluid bearing motor having sufficient room for securing an air chamber for use in quickly discharging bubbles that have entered a thrust fluid bearing and a reservoir for supplying a lubricating fluid to the thrust fluid bearing. Moreover, the fluid bearing motor can easily be fabricated. The fluid bearing motor includes a shaft member 1, a sleeve 2 cooperating with the shaft member and a thrust collar 3 which is fixed to the shaft member 1 and extended in the diametric direction. The circumferentially-directed contour of the outer peripheral face of the thrust collar 3 is made elliptic, so that a reservoir 8 and an air chamber 9 are formed between the outer peripheral face of the thrust collar 3 and the face 4a of the mating member (sleeve).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydrodynamic bearing which is highly reliable and capable of preventing a lubricant contained therein from flowing out of the bearing. In the hydrodynamic bearing, lower and upper end portions of a stationary shaft are properly spaced from a sleeve and a thrust plate, respectively, and an air channel is provided inside the stationary shaft with one end thereof opening to a space defined between an outer circumferential portion of the stationary shaft and the sleeve and with the other end thereof communicating with the outside. Thus, the hydrodynamic bearing has a highly reliable construction which can assuredly prevent the flow-out of the lubricant.

Abstract: A hydraulic axial bearing for a radially-mounted axle (1), which has a flange (1a) incorporating an outer, substantially axial sealing gap (7) formed between the flange and a sealing ring (3), and an inner, substantially radial sealing gap (9), formed between the axle and a sealing ring (5a) confined in the bearing housing (5). A hydraulic pressure medium is supplied, through the line (D) to the cavity (11) formed between the sealing gaps, whereupon the medium is evacuated through the gaps, under a considerable drop in pressure, to absorb axial loadings applied to the axle. The outer axial gap can be controlled by an additional pressure medium that is supplied to the pressure chamber (5b) via the line (D). This permits the pressure in the cavity (11) and consequently the axial loadings absorbed, to be regulated.

Abstract: A machine tool assembly, and particularly a spindle unit therefor, is provided wherein the spindle unit is relatively small and is designed to run at rotary speeds of between 30,000 rpm's and 40,000 rpm's utilizing hydrodynamic bearings for the spindle shaft. The hydrodynamic bearings are effective to take increased loads versus similarly sized conventional metal-to-metal contacting bearings to provide a very stiff machining system even with the higher loads generated by the increased rotary operating speeds for high speed machining contemplated for the spindle unit herein. The bearings are also designed to use a water-based fluid which is compatible with the cutting fluid. Non-contacting fluid barrier seals limit and control the amount of bearing fluid leaked to the cutting fluid. Due to the compatible nature of the two fluids, small fluid leakage from the bearings will not hurt the cutting fluid. The cutting fluid circulated at an ambient inlet temperature, e.g., 70.degree. F.

Abstract: A product lubricated thrust bearing includes an annular bearing disc made from a hard bearing material such as silicon carbide and having a plurality of radial lubrication grooves in at least one of a front and rear face thereof to define a plurality of bearing segments. A polymeric layer is bonded to the rear face of the annular bearing disc, and provision is made for preventing the bearing disc from slipping relative to the bore of the bearing carrier in which the thrust bearing is mounted. The bearing disc may be cracked along the radial lubrication grooves to allow the bearing segments to axially float. A metal disc may also be bonded to the polymeric layer opposite the bearing disc to reinforce the polymeric layer and to facilitate prevention of slippage of the bearing disc.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a simple and cost-effective solution for reducing the wear and consequently for increasing the life of axial sliding bearings. For this purpose, the profiled annular surface (24, 24') of the lubricating gap (25, 25') arranged between the fixed bearing body (20) and the rotating bearing collar (19) is designed to rotate about or with the shaft (14). Said annular surface has a plurality of radially arranged lubricating oil grooves (26, 26') and, in each case, a wedge surface (27, 27') connected to these in the circumferential direction. A catch surface (28, 28') is designed between each wedge surface (27, 27') and the lubricating oil groove (26, 26') adjacent to the latter. The lubricating oil grooves (26, 26') and the wedge surfaces (27, 27') are delimited radially outward by a sealing web (29, 29').

Abstract: An undersea telescopic joint for a riser system is connected to a drilling vessel with a plurality of tensioners. The joint has a bearing with inner and outer annular mating members. A cap seals the outer member to the joint. The outer member closely receives and is axially movable relative to the inner member. A flat thrust bearing is located in a chamber between the two members. The members are sealed to one another with upper and lower swivel seals. A passage communicates hydraulic fluid to the chamber. The bearing has a pressure gage which registers with a passage that extends between the swivel seals. The chamber is filled with hydraulic fluid so that the two members are separated and the drilling vessel may rotate easily. The gage is used to detect whether the primary swivel seal is leaking.

Abstract: A bearing structure for a spindle motor is disclosed. The bearing structure provides a fluid bearing seal and support structure that may simultaneously addresses the problems of preventing oil leakage, of maintaining the bearing integrity under shock, of reducing oil evaporation and of minimizing distortion of the active bearing surface. The bearing structure includes a thrust plate coupled to a shaft and a bearing plate and load plate coupled to a sleeve, wherein the load plate urges the bearing plate towards the thrust plate, and wherein an adhesive is interposed between the load plate and the thrust plate. The adhesive may be an UV epoxy. The sleeve is operatively coupled to a stator, and the stator rotates the sleeve upon receiving a drive signal. The bearing further includes a diffusion barrier disposed between the sleeve and the stator. A second diffusion barrier is disposed between the load plate and the shaft.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a hydrodynamic bearing which can be easily worked and assembled and in which a liquid is prevented from leaking.

Abstract: In a deflecting/scanning apparatus, a rotating polygon mirror is rotatably supported by an air bearing constituted by a stationary shaft and a rotating sleeve which are made of a ceramic material. An upper portion of an end face of the rotating sleeve is covered with a lid as a separate member. A vent hole formed in the lid is sealed with an adhesive to form an air damper chamber.

Abstract: A self-contained hydrodynamic bearing unit with improved sealing and performance is disclosed. Centrifugal capillary seals are angularly defined between an outwardly tapered outer surface of a top screw and an inwardly tapered inner surface of an annular clamp ring at the top of the bearing unit as well as between an outwardly tapered outer surface of a seal plate and an inwardly tapered inner surface of an annular clamp ring at the bottom of the bearing unit. During operation, bearing lubricant is pumped away from the seal opening and toward the bearings by centrifugal force at the seals, providing dynamic sealing. When the bearing unit is not rotating, capillary forces retain the lubricant within the seal, preventing the lubricant from leaking. The tapered configuration of the seals also shortens the vertical seal length for a given effective seal length, thereby maximizing the journal bearing length/span and improving dynamic performance of the bearing unit.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic pressure bearing has a shaft member, a sleeve member which is relatively rotatable to this shaft member and radial and thrust fluid dynamic pressure bearings. A lubricating oil retaining channel is provided to retain lubricating oil by the capillarity, a part of the retaining channel is open to the atmosphere and the other part is communicated with the fluid dynamic pressure bearings. The retaining channel can be formed on the shaft member. Further, a fluid dynamic pressure bearing in such the construction is favorably used in a motor and a disk driving apparatus.

Abstract: An aerostatic bearing is provided for the thrust bearing arrangement of the shaft of an open-end spinning rotor. This aerostatic bearing comprises a bearing plate, which forms a bearing gap with the end of the shaft. An axial thrust, directed against the bearing, is exerted on the shaft. The bearing plate is provided with bore holes for releasing air into the bearing gap. An adjustable ball cup is arranged at the bearing plate for adjusting the bearing gap. This ball cup preferably takes the form of a sliding body which has a spherically shaped surface and is held in a corresponding spherically shaped bearing support. After the open-end spinning rotor has been adjustable cup adjusts automatically so that the surfaces which form the bearing gap are disposed parallel to one another.

Abstract: An axial plain bearing comprising a plurality of slide shoes (2) which are arranged annularly about a bearing axis of rotation, each slide shoe (2) being provided with an annular peripheral recess (52) on an outer circumference thereof, the annular peripheral recess (52) dividing the slide shoe (2) into a sliding pad (4) provided with a sliding surface (10), and, on an end of the slide shoe (2) opposite the sliding pad (4), a saucerlike compression spring (8) having a diameter greater than the diameter of the sliding pad (4) to protrude radially beyond the sliding pad (4), the sliding pad (4), the saucerlike compression spring (8) and a connecting part (6) connecting the sliding pad (4) and compression spring (8) in the center of the recess (52) together consisting essentially of an integral piece of plastic, the slide shoes (2) being arranged side by side such that the radially protruding compression springs (8) of adjacent slide shoes (2) maintain clearance between sliding pads (4) of said adjacent slide sh

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing apparatus comprises at least two hydrodynamic bearing units which rotatably support a rotation member against a fixed member by hydrodynamic pressure of a lubricant filled in a bearing space. A thrust plate is adhesively bonded on one of the rotation member and fixed member to support the rotation member in an axial direction. The thrust plate and rotation member or fixed member form a junction. A mechanical bonding device bonds the thrust plate onto one of the rotation member and fixed member. A sealing agent prevents the lubricant from leaking from the junction between the thrust plate and the rotation member or fixed member. The sealing agent fills a space that communicates with the junction.

Abstract: An axial bearing includes a ring, pads and a base. Multiple, independent pads are orientated in a curved or circular configuration with respect to one another. The pads are retained by recesses in the base. If the pump is installed in a centrifugal pump, the base is preferably integrated into a front impeller shroud. Each pad conforms in shape and size to a corresponding recess's shape and size. Each pad has a side which faces a face of the ring. Axial clearances between the base and the pads may be controlled by varying the pad heights. Fractured pads can potentially be retained in the recesses. The user may remove individual pads during repair and inspection of the axial bearing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing which may be mounted within a sealed housing assembly which can be, for example, be used to replace rolling element bearings. The bearing can be designed for mounting to either the shaft or housing. If mounted for rotation with the shaft, the bearing pads move relative to a smooth support surface. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion.

Abstract: A self-contained hydrodynamic bearing unit includes a shaft having a threaded axial opening at one end thereof and a shaft shoulder adjacent the opening and perpendicular with a longitudinal axis of the shaft, a sleeve defining an opening for receiving the shaft for relative rotation, a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart radial hydrodynamic journal bearings defined between the shaft and the sleeve, a shaft-bolt including a threaded end region for mating with the threaded axial opening of the shaft and defining a bolt shoulder, an annular thrust plate having two parallel radial faces and adapted to fit upon the shaft-bolt for mounting between the shaft shoulder and the shaft bolt shoulder when the shaft-bolt is mated with the threaded axial opening of the shaft, the sleeve defining a radial thrust bearing surface portion extending radially outwardly at one end and positioned to confront one radial face of the thrust plate, an annular thrust bushing mounted to the sleeve and defining a radial thrust bearing su

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing which includes a carrier and a plurality of bearing pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier. The carrier is formed with a series of circumferentially spaced groups of pad support openings. Each group of pad support openings includes two or more pad support openings each of which is capable of supporting a pad, but only one of which supports a pad at any one time. The carrier is designed such that the openings formed therein are supported as sets of supports such that each group of openings includes one opening of each set of openings. The carrier supports the openings such that the support of each opening within each set is substantially identical to that of the other openings in its set, but different than the support of the openings of other sets such that each set of bearing pad openings is adapted to support bearing pads for a distinct characteristic deflection.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing (16) for a cutter cone assembly (12) that rotates around a journal (14). The bearing (16) comprises a plurality of grooves (88) on an outer surface (90) to produce undulations (82) on an inner surface (84) upon insertion of the bearing (16) into a bearing recess (94). Undulations (82) act as pockets to collect lubricant which is forced upon rotation of the bearing (16) between the outer journal surface (86) and the inner bearing surface (84) to produce a hydrodynamic film.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing and methods of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The shape of the pads may be altered to achieve desired deformations under load. The pads are supported by a support structure which can include one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion.

Abstract: A flanged half bearing (10;50) comprises a shell portion (12;52) which provides a bearing surface (14;54) against which a shaft can rotate. A flange portion (16,18;56,58) of the bearing provides a thrust surface (20,22;60,62) to resist axial movement of the bearing. The thrust surface (20,22;60,62) is formed from injection moulded plastics material either integrally with the shell portion (12;52) or a layer thereof, or the flange portion is injection moulded as a separate piece and secured to the shell portion.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing and method of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes spaced planar pads supported on radially extending beams. The beams are connected to a base ring which is preferably circular. The radial beams support a circumferentially central region of the pads, but permit deflection of the circumferential edges of the pads for wedge formation.

Abstract: A construction for a fluid bearing in a rotary spindle apparatus includes a spindle having first and second ends, and at least one thrust plate coupled to a shaft which is surrounded by a hub having an enclosing sleeve. The sleeve surrounding the thrust plate and shaft defines several gap regions where bearing fluid resides. A first radial gap region is defined between the shaft and sleeve and a second radial gap region is defined between the outer diameter of the thrust plate and the sleeve. A first axial gap region is defined by an upper surface of the thrust plate and the sleeve, and a second axial gap region exists between the lower surface of the thrust plate and the sleeve. A bearing fluid is disposed within these gap regions and forms capillary seals at first and second ends of the spindle. The thrust plate includes holes or pressure compensation ports which connect the first and second axial gap regions.

Abstract: A face seal with hydrodynamic thrust pads assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a ring structure with a front side facing in an axial direction that has a seal face continuous about the ring structure and a plurality of cut-outs with concave surfaces spaced concentrically around the seal face. A plurality of elastomeric laminates having a convex side are disposed in the concave surfaces. A plurality of thrust pads are bonded to the laminates such that one side of the thrust pads are all in a plane parallel to the plane of the seal face. When a closing load is transmitted against an opposing member by the sealing pressure against the back face of the assembly while the opposing member rotates relative to the assembly, friction and pressure forces cause the thrust pads to swing about a pivot point located towards the opposing member such that the fluid film converges in the direction of movement of the opposing member. Simultaneously, the seal face seals against the opposing member.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing which includes a carrier and a plurality of bearing pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier. The pads may have a modular construction whereby pad portions are secured to support portions. The pads may also be releasably secured to the carrier. Various bearing pad constructions are contemplated. This includes constructions in which the secondary support portion includes a membrane and the primary support portion includes a cylindrical member extending between the membrane and the bearing pads, relatively rigid constructions in which the necessary deflections are achieved through pad shape and center post configurations and positioning, pads having a wear surface formed therein, and a continuous bearing pad ring may be substituted for the discrete bearing pads. The carrier may be provided with locator pins in the pad receiving bores to orient the pads properly.

Abstract: A rotary mechanical face seal for preventing leakage of a fluid, either liquid or gas, across two relatively rotating surfaces. The seal is of the non-contacting mechanical type in which a predetermined spacing is maintained between the relatively rotatable sealing washers by formation of a pressurized fluid film between the relatively rotating surfaces. The opposed faces are constructed to provide a separation of the faces at startup and thereby prevent damage or destruction to the faces before design pressures are achieved. This is achieved by providing at least one of the opposed faces with a deflection bearing portion which causes the necessary deflections under load. The bearing portion comprises a spaced series of lift pad sections. A variety of lift pad constructions can be used. The seal also includes a hydrodynamic radial bearing which centers the shaft in the static state to avoid shaft runout.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing which includes a carrier and a plurality of bearing pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier. The carrier is formed with a series of circumferentially spaced groups of pad support openings. Each group of pad support openings includes two or more pad support openings each of which is capable of supporting a pad, but only one of which supports a pad at any one time. The carrier is designed such that the openings formed therein are supported as sets of supports such that each group of openings includes one opening of each set of openings. The carrier supports the openings such that the support of each opening within each set is substantially identical to that of the other openings in its set, but different than the support of the openings of other sets such that each set of bearing pad openings is adapted to support bearing pads for a distinct characteristic deflection.

Abstract: A spring cluster disc (14) for a foil thrust bearing (10) is provided with a plurality of sets (52) of springs (62,64,66). The springs are configured to provide varying spring force and thus varying stiffness in radial and circumferential directions.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing which includes a carrier and a plurality of bearing pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier. The carrier is formed with a series of circumferentially spaced groups of pad support openings. Each group of pad support openings includes two or more pad support openings each of which is capable of supporting a pad, but only one of which supports a pad at any one time. The carrier is designed such that the openings formed therein are supported as sets of supports such that each group of openings includes one opening of each set of openings. The carrier supports the openings such that the support of each opening within each set is substantially identical to that of the other openings in its set, but different than the support of the openings of other sets such that each set of bearing pad openings is adapted to support bearing pads for a distinct characteristic deflection.

Abstract: A spring cluster disc (14) for a foil thrust bearing (10) is provided with a plurality of sets (52) of springs (62,64,66). The springs are configured to provide varying spring force and thus varying stiffness in radial and circumferential directions.

Abstract: A rotary mechanical face seal for preventing leakage of a fluid, either liquid or gas, across two relatively rotating surfaces. The seal is of the non-contacting mechanical type in which a predetermined spacing is maintained between the relatively rotatable sealing washers by formation of a pressurized fluid film between the relatively rotating surfaces. The opposed faces are constructed to provide a separation of the faces at start-up and thereby prevent damage or destruction to the faces before design pressures are achieved. This is achieved by providing at least one of the opposed faces with a deflection bearing portion which causes the necessary deflections under load. The bearing portion comprises a spaced series of lift pad sections. A variety of lift pad constructions can be used. The seal also includes a hydrodynamic radial bearing which centers the shaft in the static state to avoid shaft runout.

Abstract: A saw guide system having a high pressure gas lubricated bearing surface, an elastic bearing block support, a contoured bearing surface, and sonic regulated flow. The velocity of the gas gradually increases as it traverses the bearing surface. At the exterior edge of the bearing surface, where the gas exits, the velocity of the flow is Mach one, sonic velocity.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing and methods of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a conversion wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion. The beams allow deflection of the pad by either deflecting or twisting in a torsional mode. The bearing pad support structure may include portions which are fluid dampened.

Abstract: A bearing system comprised of a base made of a magnetic material. The bearing system is also comprised of an element disposed adjacent the base. The element is comprised of a device for creating a separation force and a positive stiffness between the element and the base such that a gap is formed therebetween. The element is also comprised of a device for generating magnetic flux such that a closed magnetic flux circuit is formed through the element, the base and the gap creating a preload force and a negative stiffness between the element and the base. The positive stiffness is greater than a negative stiffness, and the preload force essentially balances the separation force. In a preferred embodiment, the creating device includes a device for flowing fluid through the element such that a fluid pressure is formed between the element and the base, resulting in the presence of the gap and the positive stiffness.

Abstract: An open-end spinning device with a spinning rotor (1) which is supported via its shaft (11) by support disks (4) and upon which an axially acting force is exerted is provided for its axial support with an aerostatic thrust bearing (6) with a bearing plate which interacts with the end of the shaft. The escape of air into the bearing gap takes place through the bearing plate (63) which together with the end of the rotor shaft (11) constitutes a low-friction pairing of materials.

Abstract: A thrust bearing including a ring-like form plate body, and a plurality of rib members provided on the ring-like form plate body of the thrust bearing. Such a plurality of rib members may be provided on a thrust runner. The rib members cause a difference in load deformation amount in a circumferential direction according to thrust load and generate a wedge-shaped form clearance between a sliding face of the thrust bearing and a sliding face of the thrust runner. Since the wedge-shaped form clearance is formed by utilizing the load deformation, even when the thrust load becomes large, the wedge-shaped form clearance does not become narrow. The occurrence of dynamic pressure by the wedge effect and the formation of a water film can be assured, and the temperature increase between the sliding face of the thrust runner and the sliding face of the thrust bearing can be restrained.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for use with an automobile thrust-strut type suspension comprises a lower casing made of resin, an upper casing made of resin, and a bearing piece made of resin. The bearing piece is disposed rotatably within the upper and lower casings upon snap-fitting a hook portion of an annular suspended portion of the upper casing with an engaging portion of an annular protruded portion of the lower casing. The thrust bearing is so adapted that two annular inner labyrinth portions and two annular outer labyrinth portions are respectively formed at inner and outer peripheral portions of the thrust bearing to thereby prevent sufficiently dust from intruding into a sliding surface of the bearing piece.

Abstract: A thrust bearing made of synthetic resin assembled into a strut-thrust type suspension for use in four wheel cars, comprising a casing made of synthetic resin and a bearing body made of synthetic resin, the bearing body being fitted rotatably to the casing by snap-fitting a hook portion of a suspended portion with an engaging portion of a protruded portion, the suspended portion being formed integrally with an outer circumferential edge of the casing, the protruded portion being formed integrally with an outer circumferential edge of the bearing body.

Abstract: An essentially completely and automatically self-adjusting fluid bearing assembly includes at least a front and rear bearing cone mounted for rotation with a driven shaft. Associated with each cone is a shell, such that a fluid gap exists between the shell and the associated cone. One of the shells, usually the rear shell, is held in place and biased by a spring or the like to urge the shell towards the associated cone to form the proper fluid gap while the other shell is provided with a differential diameter. Due to the differential diameter, the fluid pressure operates to urge the front shell towards the front cone thus keeping the fluid gaps in the proper fluid gap dimensions. Various structures are described.

Abstract: A thrust bearing made of synthetic resin assembled into a strut-thrust type suspension for use in four wheel cars, comprising a casing made of synthetic resin and a bearing body made of synthetic resin, the bearing body being fitted rotatably to the casing by snap-fitting a hook portion of a suspended portion with an engaging portion of a protruded portion, the suspended portion being formed integrally with an outer circumferential edge of the casing, the protruded portion being formed integrally with an outer circumferential edge of the bearing body.

Abstract: An elastomeric mount for a thrust bearing shoe comprising a piston fluidly operative in a platform cavity, the piston isolated and sealed from the cavity by an elongated elastomeric bearing-seal. The piston lockingly engages a thrust shoe with a compound dovetail connection whereby the shoe may be installed and removed after the piston and elastomeric bearing-seal are bonded into the platform cavity.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device which includes a shaft, a ring-shaped member and a thrust bearing member, with a lubricating material being held in a space defined in the thrust bearing member and the inner peripheral face of the ring-shaped member. The ring-shaped member is formed, in its inner peripheral face, with a taper for feeding the lubricating material into the thrust bearing member based on centrifugal force, by which the lubricating material is prevented from flowing out.

Abstract: A thrust bearing device is constructed to comprise a sliding disk; anda sliding shoe member;both having a sliding surface respectively adapted to slidably contact with each other and one of which is arranged to be the rotary side of the bearing device and the other arranged to be the stationary side, the sliding shoe member being a unitary member formed in a special configuration in that it is provided with plural sliding shoes supported on a common base through ribs, each shoe having a flat surface coplanar with the flat surfaces of the other shoes to constitute a common sliding surface of the shoe member. The stationary side of the device is fixed on a motor bracket with an elastic sheet interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A fluid bearing assembly, e.g., air or gas, of the hydrostatic or hydrodynamic type, for use as a spindle and the like, includes spaced journals mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith. The housing includes spaced support bearings cooperating with the journals to form a gas gap therebetween. The support bearings are resiliently mounted in the housing for axial, radial and angular movement through the use of continuous resilient support elements positioned between the housing and the support bearings and continuously in contact with each. The resilient support elements are preferably self-energizing and comprised of relatively low coefficient of friction materials to reduce the friction of the system thus allowing rapid adjustment of the bearing in response to loads on the shaft. Various details are described with respect to the various structures illustrated, including the details of an air bearing spindle assembly of relatively light weight and capable of operating at speeds in excess of 100,000 RPM.

Abstract: A thrust bearing made of synthetic resin assembled into a strut-thrust type suspension for use in four wheel cars, comprising a casing made of synthetic resin and a bearing body made of synthetic resin, the bearing body being fitted rotatably to the casing by snap-fitting a hook portion of a suspended portion with an engaging portion of a protruded portion, the suspended portion being formed integrally with an outer circumferential edge of the casing, the protruded portion being formed integrally with an outer circumferential edge of the bearing body.

Abstract: A fluid bearing assembly, e.g., air or gas, of the hydrostatic or hydrodynamic type, for use as a spindle and the like, includes spaced journals mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith. The housing includes spaced support bearings cooperating with the journals to form a gas gap therebetween. The support bearings are resiliently mounted in the housing for axial, radial and angular movement through the use of continuous resilient support elements positioned between the housing and the support bearings and continuously in contact with each. The resilient support elements are preferably self-energizing and comprised of relatively low coefficient of friction materials to reduce the friction of the system thus allowing rapid adjustment of the bearing in response to loads on the shaft. Various details are described with respect to the various structures illustrated, including the details of an air bearing spindle assembly of relatively light weight and capable of operating at speeds in excess of 100,000 RPM.

Abstract: Fluid comsumption is dramatically reduced in hydrostatic support devices by texturing the supporting surface and/or the surface of the object being supported so that a series or constrictions or lossy orifices are provided along the flow path of the supporting fluid. Further, the stability of the supported object is enhanced by the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic pressure gas bearing device in a rotational unit in which a rotational member put on a cantilevered fixed shaft is designed such that an operating gas generated by a dynamic pressure groove formed between the fixed shaft and the rotational member is directed into a pressure chamber between the fixed shaft and the rotational member and supports the rotational member in the thrust direction and that the pressure in the pressure chamber is adjusted by a hole formed in the fixed shaft or the rotational member.