Abstract: A pad bearing includes a pad disposed on a radially outer side of a rotary shaft and supporting the rotary shaft so as to be rotatable around an axis, a block-shaped nozzle member disposed on an upstream side with respect to the pad on the radially outer side of the rotary shaft and including a discharge hole for discharging a lubricant toward an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft, and a compressed flow forming unit disposed in at least one of the pad and the nozzle member and configured to compress a flow of the lubricant flowing along the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft as the rotary shaft rotates.

Abstract: A thermal management structure may include a body and a pad. The body extends between a first outer surface and a second outer surface. The pad moves relative to the body. A thermal management channel extends within a portion of the body and extends within a portion of the pad. The thermal management channel directs fluid to one or more locations within the body and to one or more locations within the pad.

Abstract: A journal bearing including a plurality of bearing pads having pad surfaces which configured to slidably come into contact with an outer circumferential surface of a rotating shaft and disposed at intervals, a key member provided a part of a pad rear surface which faces radially outward in the bearing pad, having a curved surface which is curved around an axis parallel to the central axis, configured to extend to have the same cross-sectional shape, and formed of a material having a hardness higher than that of a material forming the pad rear surface of the bearing pad, and a housing having a support surface in contact with a part of the curved surface of the key member in the circumferential direction and configured to support the key member and the bearing pad to be swingable from an outer side in a radial direction.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing may increase heat transfer, bearing load capacity, and bearing life in various applications, including but not limited to radial and axial tilting pad bearings. In the illustrative hybrid bearings, the hybrid bearing may comprise at least one tilt pad that is moveable with respect to a main body and at least one fixed pad that is fixed with respect to the main body. Either the fixed pad or the tilt pad (and/or a surface thereof) may be comprised of a non-metallic material (e.g., a polymer or a ceramic material).

Abstract: A journal bearing includes: a carrier ring; a plurality of bearing pads disposed on a radially inner side of a lower half region of the carrier ring and configured to support a rotor shaft from below; a pair of side plates disposed on both sides of the plurality of bearing pads, with respect to an axial direction of the rotor shaft; and a dam disposed on a radially inner side of the carrier ring, in a downstream section of an upper half region of the carrier ring, and configured to suppress a downstream flow of carried-over oil. A gap is provided between inner peripheral surfaces of the respective side plates and an outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft, for bringing into communication an outside and a bearing interior space surrounded by the pair of side plates.

Abstract: A journal bearing includes a carrier ring, a plurality of bearing pads disposed on a radially inner side of a lower-half region of the carrier ring and configured to support a rotor shaft from below, and a pair of side plates disposed on both sides of the plurality of bearing pads with respect to an axial direction of the rotor shaft. Each of the side plates includes a first region including a circumferential range upstream of a first bearing pad positioned furthest upstream among the plurality of bearing pads, and a second region positioned upstream of the first region and has a larger distance between an inner peripheral surface of the side plate and an outer peripheral surface of the rotor shaft than that of the first region.

Abstract: A tilting pad journal bearing includes a bearing housing, a plurality of pads and a projecting portion. The plurality of pads are arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the bearing housing and support a rotary shaft. The projecting portion is provided on a surface of the pad and has a plurality of projections. The projecting portion is provided on a surface other than a pad bearing surface in surfaces of the pad, the pad bearing surface being a surface that faces the rotary shaft.

Abstract: Tilting segment for a shaft bearing device, with a base body that has a slide bearing face bounded by a segment leading edge extending in axial direction, a segment trailing edge likewise extending in axial direction, and by lateral edges extending in circumferential direction between the segment leading edge and the segment trailing edge. A groove that extends in axial direction and is located nearer to the segment trailing edge than it is to the segment leading edge is incorporated in the slide bearing face.

Abstract: To overcome defects in the supply of pressurized lubricant, a hydrodynamic bearing for guiding a shaft (14) includes a stationary outer annular wall, a rotatable inner annular wall (20), and a space (22) between the walls. The outer annular wall comprises an opening for supplying pressurized lubricant to the space so as to form a film of load-bearing fluid. The bearing includes a cavity (30) externally defined by the inner annular wall (20) and axially defined by two transverse annular walls (31A, 31B) secured to the shaft (14) and arranged on both sides of the cavity. The inner annular wall (20) comprises fluid connection orifices (32) connecting the cavity (30) to the space (22). The cavity (30) is divided into compartments (50, 52) by a partition wall (48) configured such that the cavity forms a lubricant supply for a transient operational phase.

Abstract: On a facing surface (12a) of a pad (12) that faces a rotation shaft, an oil supply unit (24) is provided in an end region downstream of the rotation shaft in the rotation direction, and the oil supply unit (24) is formed along part of an isopleth of the pressure distribution on the facing surface (12a) generated by a lubricant being caught between the rotation shaft and the facing surface (12a), said part of the isopleth being downstream, in the rotation direction, of the pressure maximum of the pressure distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing device (61) provided with: a plurality of bearing pads (72) arranged between the outer peripheral surface of a turbine rotor (30) and the inner peripheral surface of a bearing housing (71) so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotor (30), the bearing housing (71) externally surrounding the rotor (30), the bearing pads (72) being supported on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing housing (71) and rotatably supporting the rotor (30); and a thermometer (75) provided to at least one of the plurality of bearing pads (72). The thermometer-equipped bearing pad (73) provided with the thermometer (75) has: a pad body (90) disposed facing the outer peripheral surface of the rotor (30); and a pair of pad shoulders (91) having different shapes and protruding from the pad body (90) to both sides of the bearing housing (71) in the direction of the center axis (O1) thereof.

Abstract: A fluid bearing for use in turbomachinery including at least one bearing pad configured to be arranged about a rotating member of the turbomachinery. Each bearing pad includes an internal cooling opening defined in the bearing pad and an internal channel network defined in the bearing pad with at least one channel node in fluid communication with the internal cooling opening and at least two passageways in fluid communication with and extending from the channel node through the bearing pad. At least one of the passageways extends to an exterior surface of the bearing pad to define at least one cooling discharge opening.

Abstract: In order to adapt a balance piston unit of a compressor to a high speed, and to extend a service life of the compressor, a screw compressor according to the present invention includes a screw rotor including a rotor shaft, a radial bearing, a thrust plate, a balance mechanism, which is a slide bearing, a lubrication oil supply flow passage for supplying a lubrication oil, and a working fluid supply flow passage for supplying a working fluid for pressing the balance mechanism toward the thrust plate so that a reverse thrust load acts on the thrust plate.

Abstract: A bearing pad and bearing are provided which can inhibit the bearing pad from being deformed without increasing the costs. In a bearing pad (2), a conduit that extends from a first opening (3a) formed in a high temperature zone (2H) on a sliding surface (2a) opposing to a supported surface (1a) towards the direction apart from the supported surface (1a) and that finally reaches a second opening (3d) is formed.

Abstract: A tilt pad bearing may include a support structure having first and second support structure surfaces. A pivot may have first and second pivot surfaces, and the first pivot surface may be coupled to the second support structure surface. A pad may have first and second pad surfaces, and the first pad surface may be coupled to the second pivot surface. A path of fluid communication may extend from the first support structure surface, through the pivot, and to an opening in the second pad surface.

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: There are provided a duplex bearing device that can reduce the temperature of lubricating oil supplied from a journal bearing to a thrust bearing and thereby can reduce the total amount of oil supplied, and a rotating machine equipped with this. A duplex bearing device 1 is equipped with a tilting pad journal bearing 2 that accepts a radial load of a rotating shaft 4, and a thrust bearing 3 that is provided on an axial end of the journal bearing 2 and accepts an axial load of the rotating shaft 4 via a thrust collar 10 provided on the outer peripheral side of the rotating shaft 4, and has a journal bearing oil supply path 17 that supplies the lubricating oil from the outside into between journal pads 5 of the journal bearing 1, a thrust bearing oil supply path 20 that supplies the lubricating oil from the outside to the thrust bearing 3, and a re-used oil supply path 23 that supplies the lubricating oil to the thrust bearing 3 only from between the journal pads 5 of the journal bearing 2.

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 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: 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: An axle assembly for a vehicle including a first gear, and a second gear joined to a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis. The second gear engages the first gear. A bearing is disposed over the shaft distal the second gear. A housing is disposed about at least a portion of the shaft. The housing includes a first lubricant pathway spaced apart from a second lubricant pathway, wherein the first lubricant pathway routes lubricant towards the bearing and the second lubricant pathway routes lubricant away from the bearing. The first and second lubricant pathways are not in a position coplanar with a plane of rotation of the first gear.

Abstract: A tilting pad journal bearing includes a pads disposed on the outer circumferential side of a rotating shaft, pivots supporting pads such that the pads are tiltable, a plurality of guides disposed between pads, and a casing. The pads have an oil passage extending from side to side in the circumferential direction, the guides having first and second guide passages. The first guide passage introduces lubricating oil from an oil-supply hole of the casing and exhaust it to the oil passage of the pad adjacent to the guide on the other side in the circumferential direction. The second guide passage introduces lubricating oil from the oil passage of the pad adjacent to the guide and on one side in the circumferential direction and exhaust it to between the inner circumferential surface of the pad on the other side and the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: In a direct lubrication tilting pad journal bearing, a pad has an oil collection path in a groove shape. The oil collection path is formed so that an inlet may open in an opposite end surface to a rotation direction of a rotation shaft in the pad, an outlet may open in an inner circumferential surface of the pad, and the inlet and the outlet may continuously open. Further, a width dimension of the oil collection path is smaller than a width dimension of the pad, and a depth dimension from an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft to a bottom surface of the oil collection path is larger than a distance from the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft to an end of a nozzle.

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: An oiling nozzle for a thrust bearing improves the following capability of pads and achieves a higher bearing pressure of the thrust bearing. The oiling nozzles are arranged between respective pads disposed in positions facing the thrust surface of a thrust collar that protrudes radially outward from a rotor shaft, along the circumferential direction. Each oiling nozzle has a cylindrical stem and a rectangular-shaped mainframe whose heightwise middle portions of opposite lateral sides are provided with convex parts. Each convex part presents a semicircular disk shape in a plane view to be fitted into concave parts that are formed in lateral sides of the pads. A top portion located on a side opposite to the stem is formed with a plurality of nozzle holes for ejecting lubricating oil that has been supplied from the bottom of the stem toward a space between the thrust collar and the pads.

Abstract: Grease for a slide bearing, which can suppress unusual noise attributable to a slip caused between a shaft and a bearing when a machine is stopped. In slide bearing grease 24 supplied to between a slide bearing 16 formed of a porous sintered alloy-made bushing having pores 30 impregnated with lubricating oil 31 and a shaft 22 inserted in the slide bearing 16 and supported to be slidingly rotatable in the circumferential direction, the slide bearing grease 24 employs base oil having dynamic viscosity of 10-70 mm2/s at 40° C. and exuding under a load of the shaft 22 to form an oil film 35 between the slide bearing 16 and the shaft 22.

Abstract: A journal bearing includes a bearing platform, a cylindrical bearing housing supported by the bearing platform via a plurality of load supporting members, a plurality of pads located swingable in the bearing housing so that a journal of a rotation shaft is supported by the pads, an oil supply mechanism for supplying oil to the bearing surfaces of the pads, and a connecting member which has an oil hole to communicate an oil supply passage in the bearing platform with an oil supply passage in the bearing housing so that oil is supplied from the bearing platform to the bearing surfaces of the pads. The connecting member carries a part of a bearing load exerted from the bearing housing, and is mounted such that the part of the bearing load carried by the connecting member is smaller than a bearing load carried by one of the load supporting members.

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: A rotor support includes a first ring disposed around a first axis, a second ring disposed around the first axis downstream from the first ring, and a plurality of beams extending between the first and the second rings. Each beam is configured to provide an axial stiffness, when an axial force is exerted on the first ring, and a radial stiffness, when a radial force is exerted on the first ring. Each beam has a height extending parallel to a second axis and a width extending parallel to a third axis. The beams are distributed around the first ring to provide a substantially uniform circumferential axial stiffness around the rotor support, and the height of each beam is greater than the width of each beam. Damping can be provided by the placement of a damper between the rotor support and the support housing.

Abstract: Machine with bearing lubrication, including a housing (2) and a rotor (5) which is provided on a shaft (6), provided in a rotatable manner in the above-mentioned housing (2) by way of oil-lubricated bearings (7). Inside the housing (2), lubrication ducts (14) to supply and discharge oil to and from the bearings (7), and cooling channels (21, 15) to supply and discharge a cooling agent, are provided. The cooling channels (21, 15) open opposite to the shaft (6), in a place between the rotor (5) and a bearing (7).

Abstract: A journal bearing having a working surface for contacting a shaft, and channels provided on the working surface and being configured to collect lubricant and redirect lubricant across the bearing working surface. A method for lubricating a bearing assembly is provided where lubricant is delivered to the working surface of the bearing, the lubricant is collected on the surface and directed to areas of the bearing surface which are in need of lubricant to provide an even coverage of lubrication across a bearing working surface.

Abstract: A one piece hydrodynamic bearing which can include hydrostatic support features. The pads are supported on a single thin web for pivoting on a support structure which can include one or more beam-like members. The bearings may have hydrostatic and active control attributes and is very attractive in cryogenic applications where it is very difficult to prevent leakage in conventional hydrostatic tilt pad bearings. The hydrostatic feed through the post eliminates this problem completely and prevents the fretting at the pivots common with conventional tilt pad bearings. A cavity provided under a pad support membrane can be used as an active control device. The pressure can cause the bearing set or assembly clearance to be reduced thus providing better damping and centering capability. The preload in the pad can be actively controlled in this manner. The pad has a limiting device to prevent a negative pre-load condition from occurring.

Abstract: The support structure for a rotatable shaft of a turbomachine includes tilt pad bearings mounted within an outboard seal ring so that the tilt pad bearings urge the outboard seal ring to be concentric with the shaft. A squeeze film damper acts between the outboard seal ring and the wall of a housing cavity in which the outboard seal ring is mounted, to center the outboard seal ring within the housing cavity. The squeeze film damper chamber is defined by two O-rings positioned in two annular grooves eccentrically formed in the outboard seal ring. A high pressure lubricant is delivered to a high pressure chamber to which the smaller inboard end surface of the outboard seal ring is exposed, while a lower pressure lubricant is delivered to an intermediate pressure chamber to which the larger outboard end surface of the outboard seal ring is exposed, for pressure-balancing the outboard seal ring axially.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable member, which includes a bearing casing with an inner surface and a fluid drain outlet, and pads mounted on the inner surface of the casing, is provided. Each pad has a face facing the rotatable member and has a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to the rotation of the rotatable member. A spray bar is positioned adjacent the leading edge of each of the pads, and the spray bar has a fluid ejecting conduit positioned to forcibly eject lubricating fluid toward the leading edge and onto the pad face. The spray bar also includes a fluid blocking segment adjacent the rotatable member for blocking heated fluid from being carried by the rotation of the rotatable member to the leading edge of the next pad in the direction of the rotation, and a fluid removal segment in fluid communication with the fluid drain outlet.

Abstract: A journal bearing is disclosed with shoe segments. Each shoe segment has a supply groove for even distribution of oil across the shoe surface during shaft rotation. The supply grooves have bleed vents that relieve pressure build-up in the supply groove by bleeding oil out of the supply groove in a substantially circumferential direction. Directing oil in this way prevents the pressurized oil from impinging on any nearby seals and provides enhanced temperature profile characteristics.

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 method and bearing construction for inhibiting hot oil carryover in hydrodynamic bearings. The method includes supporting the pads so that they form a hydrodynamic wedge and supplying oil to the entrance of the wedge. The oil flowing through the wedge is pressurized and oil exiting the hydrodynamic wedge is directed away from the adjacent wedge. Oil is then supplied from another source to the adjacent wedge.Various bearing constructions can be used to practice the method of the present invention. These bearing constructions include some form of a scraper to inhibit flow of hot oil. The scraper is located between the trailing edge of one bearing pad and the fluid nozzle passage of an adjacent pad. The scraper may be integrally formed with the bearing pad or it may be separate. The scraper may be pushed toward or away from the shaft using electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or magnetic devices.An alternative form of hydrodynamic bearing including two different types of pads is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tilting pad type bearing device prevents the temperature elevation of the tilting pads, and heat sticking, and generation of unstable vibration concomitant with temperature elevation, and effectively utilizes lubricant oil to ensure a stable high performance. The tilting pad type bearing device is used for supporting a shaft through a plurality of tilting pads (2a to 2e) angularly movably supported at pins (3a to 3e) fixed to an inner circumference of a housing. An outer circumferential surface of each of the tilting pads (2a to 2e) and/or an inner circumferential surface of said housing (6) confronting the outer circumferential surface has a plurality of grooves (14a, 14b) in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of small diameter orifices (11a, 11b) for jetting lubricant oil directly to the grooves or the outer circumferential surface are arranged in said housing (6) or in oil supply pieces (4a to 4c) disposed between the adjacent tilting pads (2a to 2 e) in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A double tilting pad journal bearing includes a substantially cylindrical, open ended beating casing having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, an interior surface of which supports a plurality of beating liner pads for circumferential and axial tilting movement relative to the casing and to the longitudinal axis. The casing is formed with a pair of annular oil feed grooves in the exterior surface thereof communicating with the interior of the bearing casing by a plurality of radially directed feed passages. The interior surface is also formed with at least one oil drain annulus in communication with at least one radially oriented drain port. Annular seals are fitted within grooves at opposite ends of the bearing casing. The bearing liner pads are secured within the casing by a sliding tongue and groove fit which nevertheless permits tilting of the pads both circumferentially and axially.

Abstract: The tilt pad journal bearing assembly includes a conduit within the bearing housing for supplying lubricant hydrostatically to each tilt bearing pad. The conduit includes a flexible segment coupled at respective opposite ends to the tilt pad and to a quick connect/disconnect coupling extending through an aperture in the side wall of the bearing housing. A supply line is coupled to each supply conduit adjacent the side wall by the quick connect/disconnect coupling. The flexible segment within the bearing housing accommodates the rocking motion of the tilt pad and the design and routing of the external supply line is therefore not dependent on any requirements of the bearing assembly. To service the bearing assembly, a set screw is unscrewed, permitting a portion of a coupler, together with a bushing to be withdrawn through the aperture into the interior of the housing for withdrawal with the tilt pad as a discrete sub-assembly.

Abstract: In a tilting pad journal directly lubricated bearing the axially spaced apart sidewalls of the tilting pads are provided with extensions that have an axial space between them and contribute to defining the boundaries of a cool oil infeed well whose other boundaries are radially extending walls of adjacent pads or walls that are defined by slotting the leading ends of the pads. The pads are contained within the circular opening of a supporting ring member which has an oil infeed groove around its periphery. In line with each of the oil infeed wells there is an oil infeed passageway for delivering oil to the shaft surface exposed in the well by means of an interposed row of jets or orifices. Cool oil is fed into the wells, such that the interface between the bearing pad and the shaft, which only has oil from the well available to it, necessarily runs on cooler oil.

Abstract: A tilt pad bearing assembly for use in supporting a rotating shaft is disclosed. The bearing assembly includes lubricant means for effectively cooling separate individual bearing pads, and separate cooling channels for selectively cooling a portion of the bearing pad. The bearing pads each have a specific end treatment to act in combination to provide an anti-spragging effect. Additionally by selectively cooling a portion of the bearing pad, the bearing pad may have separate configurations for low speed and high speed applications such that boundary lubrication is achieved under low speed conditions and dynamic lubrication is achieved under high speed conditions.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has rockable pedestal journal members to support the rotor. The rockable journal members ride on spherical buttons to permit movement. A lower bearing shell supports the rockable members within an outer housing. A key is provided in channels between the lower bearing shell and the outer housing which may be easily removed. Shims may be placed on top of the key as desired to effect positioning of the rotor.

Abstract: Unwanted vibrations in rotating machinery are controlled from an "active" point of view, meaning, that certain parameters, and thereby vibrations, can be controlled while the machine is operating. This is accomplished from the theoretical knowledge known about rotor dynamics, mechanical vibrations, automatic controls, fluid dynamics, and bearing design theory to produce an active remedy to fundamental vibration problems. From the known information about the critical speeds of a machine and while the speed transients are occuring, active controls cause these critical speeds to be made variable and always away from the actual running speed. By this means, the machine does not have to "run through" the critical speeds but rather, the critical speeds are jumped over by control of certain parameters. This approach is novel but may be accomplished by several different techniques, of which a variety are presented herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the flow of liquid lubricant to hydrostatic bearings is disclosed. A cavitating venturi is utilized to regulate the volume flow rate of liquid lubricant supplied to a bearing. The cavitating venturi acts to provide a constant volume flow rate of liquid lubricant relatively independent of system flow resistance and feed pressure to the bearing.

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 self-pumping thrust bearing for electric machines having a vertical shaft is disclosed in which the oil is circulated via radially-extending bores which suck hot oil from an oil space adjacent to the vertical shaft and conduct it to at least one cooler through a stationary ring canal. In order to prevent air bubbles or foamed oil from being circulated with the oil, the oil suction space is enlarged by a recess extending to the radial bores on the inside of the thrust ring and additional radial bores are provided which open toward the oil suction space below the top end of a cylinder wall rotating with the thrust bearing which begins at the thrust ring. The oil contained in the oil suction space rotates together with the thrust ring, and a segregation of air bubbles or oil foam from the oil is obtained during the dwell time of the oil in the oil suction space.