Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing capable of transmitting thrust and radial loads and able to accommodate angular misalignment between an inner load applying or supporting member rotatably connected to the bearing utilizes an outer cylindrical array of bearing pads disposed about a longitudinal axis, the pads having movable face portions with spherically curved bearing surfaces having a common center of curvature located on the longitudinal axis, the curved surfaces mating with a spherically curved periphery on the load supporting member.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing capable of transmitting radial, thrust and moment loads between an inner load applying or supporting member rotatably connected to the bearing utilizes at least a pair of cylindrical groups of bearing pads disposed about a longitudinal axis of rotation, the pads having movable face portions with compound curved bearing surfaces symmetrically disposed about and along the longitudinal axis, the curved surfaces mating with similar curved bearing surfaces on a load applying or supporting member. The face portions of the bearing pads are supported so that they are swingable about "swing points" located between the axis of rotation of the bearing and the face portions thereof under the combined influences of friction and load forces exerted thereagainst by the load applying or supporting member, so that through hydrodynamic action wedge-shaped lubricant films are generated between the relatively moving bearing surfaces to maintain the surfaces apart while the motion is occurring.

Abstract: A fluid seal for sealing against leakage between relatively moving machine elements, capable of establishing a lubricant film between sealing surfaces in sliding contact without affecting sealing and accomplishing pressure balancing of the seal so that the pressure at the sealing surfaces is substantially less than the sealed pressure, includes as its essential elements an elastomer sealing surface with shaped rigid members embedded therein in sliding contact with a rigid sealing surface. The shape of the embedded rigid members enables formation and continued generation of the lubricant film and pressure balancing of the seal by controlling the deformation of the elastomer surface when the latter is subjected to the sealed pressure and friction at the sliding surfaces. The seal can be formed both as a radial type seal with annular sealing surfaces and as an axial type seal with flat sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A novel pad-type fluid wedge sliding surface bearing in which the individual pads have a swing-like motion to produce a lubricating wedge between the face of the pad and the moving surface. The center of swing for each pad is located so that the fluid friction moments and the pressure moments on the pads oppose each other. The moment equilibrium position of the pads will form a wedge converging in the direction of motion of the moving member. In achieving this condition, the pads may be constructed of a metal-elastomer laminate section with the laminal arcuately formed about a center located in the direction of the opposing sliding surface.