Abstract: A journal bearing, and a method of using the same, that utilizes self-retaining bearing shoes that prohibit relative movement between an aligning ring and the bearing shoes in the axial direction. In one aspect, the invention comprises an aligning ring; at least one shoe having a rear surface and a working surface for bearing contact with the rotating shaft, the at least one shoe having a flange extending from the rear surface; and the at least one shoe positioned in the aligning ring so that surface contact between the flange and the aligning ring prohibits the at least one shoe from separating from the aligning ring in an axial direction.

Abstract: A thrust bearing 11 for use with a shaft 13 having a collar 15 mounted the shaft 13 and rotatable therewith has a base ring 17, a series of shoes 19 positioned on the base ring 17, and a compressible resilient spacing member 29 positioned between the base ring 17 and a housing 31 for the thrust bearing 11. The spacing member 29 supports the thrust bearing 11 when the shaft 13 is rotating during no-load operating conditions, as well as dampens the forces placed on the thrust bearing 11 by the shaft 13 when the shaft 13 is rotating during no-load conditions. The spacing member 29 is sufficiently stiff that it supports the thrust bearing 11 when the shaft 13 is rotating under no-load conditions, but is sufficiently compressible to be compressed to the extent that the gap 33 between the base ring 17 and the housing 31 is eliminated due to the forces placed on the thrust bearing 11 by the shaft 13 bringing the base ring 17 into contact with the housing 31 during normal load operating conditions.

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 system for sensing a position of a body rotating about an axis, the system including at least one inductive sensor positioned in proximity to the body, each of the at least one inductive sensor providing an output; material forming part of the body for effecting a variation in the output of the at least one inductive sensor as a function of axial movement of the body relative to the axis; circuitry for analyzing the output of the at least one inductive sensor to produce a system output indicative of the axial movement.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for use with a shaft having a collar mounted thereon, comprises a base ring, a series of thrust bearing shoes positioned on the base ring, each shoe having a leading edge connected to a trailing edge by an inner diameter edge and an outer diameter edge, each thrust bearing shoe having a working face with a bearing liner on its surface, a shoe pivot member on each shoe allowing the shoe to pivot in any direction, an oil distribution groove formed in the working face of each shoe near the leading edge of each shoe and extending radially for substantially the entire distance between the inner and outer diameter edges of each shoe, each oil distribution groove having an inner end and an outer end connected by a leading edge and a trailing edge, an oil feed line leading to each oil distribution groove for feeding oil to each oil distribution groove, and a recess formed in the working face of each shoe commencing at the trailing edge of the oil distribution groove and extending rearwardly therefrom

Abstract: A flux position sensor for magnetic bearings applications is provided by creating a secondary, or shunt, flux path in parallel with a main flux path of a magnetic bearing. The secondary flux path is formed such that a small amount of bearing magnetic flux is shunted from the main path into the secondary path. The amount of shunted flux varies in a known relationship with the flux density and/or the position of the element being supported by the bearing. By quantifying the amount of shunted flux, using any number of conventional methods, the position of the supported element can be determined. Therefore, the flux position sensor forms an integral part of a closed loop control system for an active magnetic bearing. The same sensor can be used simply for measuring flux density in a magnetic bearing or other device.

Abstract: A system for sensing an axial and radial position of a body rotating about an axis independent of the rotational position of the body. The system includes at least one inductive sensor positioned in proximity to the body. A material forming part of the body effects a variation in the output of the inductive sensor as a function of axial and/or radial movement of the body relative to the axis. Output circuitry analyzes the output of the inductive sensor to produce a system output indicative of the axial and/or radial movement independent of the rotational position of the body.

Abstract: A shoe journal bearing having a series of shoes with a leading edge distribution groove, and bleed grooves so as to prevent oil starvation of any area of the shoe, and an oil feed tube connected between the outer end of the oil distribution groove and an oil supply hole in a shoe retaining ring. The oil feed tube is provided with O-ring seals to seal the oil supply system against leakage and directs the oil against the working faces of the shoes where it is needed and prevents the oil from leaking into areas where it is not needed or useful.