Abstract: The invention concerns an aerodynamic plain bearing for shafts (1) rotating at high speeds, with a bearing housing (4) having a cylindrical bore (3) and with a tangentially attached, elastic and damping structure (2) having segments (2" or 2a), which is supported at a plurality of circumferential points (2') in bearing housing (4) and forms a multiple converging running gap (6) with shaft (1) and damping gap (5) with bearing housing (4). A minimum number of components are used and radial installation space is also minimized. Segments (2" or 2a) of the structure are thin-walled, elastic sleeve sections with a uniform or profiled wall thickness and a low coefficient of friction, as from titanium nitrite, and simultaneously act as damping and spring elements.

Abstract: An aerodynamic slide bearing which uses air as a lubricant. A shaft is supported on substructures distributed about its circumference, which exhibit predetermined elasticity and dampening behavior. A dampening chamber is located between each substructure and an outer casing to give the aerodynamic slide bearing requisite dampening characteristics. Because of the modular design, the aerodynamic slide bearing is relatively insensitive to shifting of the shaft.