Abstract: A bearing element includes an inner surface (54) configured to receive a cylindrical shaft (18). The inner surface (54) includes a smooth profile having a plurality of sections (502). Each section (502) having a taper portion (506) between a first arc-span point (512) and a second arc-span point (514), a constant-radius portion (508) between the second arc-span point (514) and a third arc-span point (516), and a transition portion (510) between the third arc-span point (516) and a fourth arc-span point (518). An inner-surface radius dimension (520) changes from an inner-diameter major dimension to an inner-diameter minor dimension at the taper portion (506) and back at the transition portion.

Abstract: A bearing element includes an inner surface (54) configured to receive a cylindrical shaft (18). The inner surface (54) includes a smooth profile having a plurality of sections (502). Each section (502) having a taper portion (506) between a first arc-span point (512) and a second arc-span point (514), a constant-radius portion (508) between the second arc-span point (514) and a third arc-span point (516), and a transition portion (510) between the third arc-span point (516) and a fourth arc-span point (518). An inner-surface radius dimension (520) changes from an inner-diameter major dimension to an inner-diameter minor dimension at the taper portion (506) and back at the transition portion.

Abstract: A thrust bearing, particularly for a turbocharger, having unique configurations on the thrust pad faces, including free-form curvatures or non-linear configurations defined by a geometric equation. The thrust pad faces can be configured by a programmed linear actuator system and cutting tool.

Abstract: A thrust bearing, particularly for a turbocharger, having unique configurations on the thrust pad faces, including free-form curvatures or non-linear configurations defined by a geometric equation. The thrust pad faces can be configured by a programmed linear actuator system and cutting tool.

Abstract: A thrust bearing, particularly for a turbocharger, having unique configurations on the thrust pad faces, including free-form curvatures or non-linear configurations defined by a geometric equation. The thrust pad faces can be configured by a programmed linear actuator system and cutting tool.

Abstract: A thrust bearing, particularly for a turbocharger, having unique configurations on the thrust pad faces, including free-form curvatures or non-linear configurations defined by a geometric equation. The thrust pad faces can be configured by a programmed linear actuator system and cutting tool.

Abstract: A magnetically levitated high-speed spindle assembly (20) is provided for forming non-circular holes (22) in workpieces (24) or non-circular surfaces on pins. The non-circular holes (22) can be formed with dimensionally varying axial trajectories at high speeds and with great accuracy. This is accomplished by supporting a rotating spindle (26) between first (58) and second (60) magnetic bearing clusters and independently controlling these bearing clusters (58, 60) to move a shaping tool (32) at the end of the spindle (26) in a predetermined orbital path (B). A multiple input-multiple output control strategy is used to control spindle (26) movements in the X and Y axes. The tilt angle between the cutting edge (34) of the shaping tool (32) and the orbital path (B) is maintained perpendicular under this multiple input-multiple output control of the magnetic bearing clusters (58, 60) to further improve shaping precision and spindle (26) stability during high-speed operations.