Abstract: A shaft support assembly particularly well suited for supporting the high speed rotor in a laser polygon mirror drive motor assembly. The rotor has conically tapered ends. These ends are supported by conical plain bearings. At least one of the bearings is adjustable with respect to the shaft and the bearing so that the gap between the shaft and bearing can be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A rotary mechanical face seal for preventing leakage of a fluid, either liquid or gas, across two relatively rotating surfaces. The seal is of the non-contacting mechanical type in which a predetermined spacing is maintained between the relatively rotatable sealing washers by formation of a pressurized fluid film between the relatively rotating surfaces. The opposed faces are constructed to provide a separation of the faces at start-up and thereby prevent damage or destruction to the faces before design pressures are achieved. This is achieved by providing at least one of the opposed faces with a deflection bearing portion which causes the necessary deflections under load. The bearing portion comprises a spaced series of lift pad sections. A variety of lift pad constructions can be used. The seal also includes a hydrodynamic radial bearing which centers the shaft in the static state to avoid shaft runout.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing and methods of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion. The beams allow deflection of the pad by either deflecting or twisting in a torsional mode. The bearing pad support structure may include portions which are fluid dampened.

Abstract: A disk drive motor having a low profile construction and a gas-lubricated deflecting pad support usable in the disk drive motor and elsewhere.The motor includes a cup-shaped rotor having an integral cylindrical portion extending from the base of the cup; the cylindrical extension may be a shaft or a large hollow extension which encloses the stator windings. The stator can be conventional or can have a closed end and/or a cup-like portion to simplify construction and eliminate the need for a seal. A support mounted on the stator or the rotor supports the rotor for rotation relative to the stator. The support can be a deflecting pad support such as a deflecting pad hydrodynamic bearing or the plane or gas-lubricated deflecting pad support disclosed herein.The gas-lubricated deflecting pad support member includes bearing pads and a support structure which supports the bearings for strictly radial movement. A contoured surface is formed on the pad surfaces or a support surface opposing the pad surfaces or both.

Abstract: A coupling for coupling two shafts. The coupling is well suited for use as the inboard plunging coupling for a front wheel drive vehicle. The coupling includes a drive canister, a trunnion received within the drive canister and bearing assemblies which mount the trunnion for plunging and pivoting motion within the drive canister. The bearing assembly can include a series of radially spaced bearing surfaces so as to distribute load about a greater area thereby increasing the torque carrying capacity of the assembly.

Abstract: A belt drive train particularly useful for driving the beater bar of a vacuum cleaner. The drive train includes a driven shaft preferably driven by a motor, a drive shaft preferably connected to a beater bar and including a driven pulley, and an inelastic belt coupling the drive shaft to the driven shaft. Both the drive shaft and the driven shaft are supported on bearings. At least one of the bearing is mounted in a deflecting bearing mount so that the shaft supported by the bearing can be moved relative to the housing. As a result of this construction, the drive shaft and the driven shaft can be moved closer to one another to allow the inelastic belt to be passed over the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The elasticity of the deflecting bearing mount then causes a belt tension sufficient to allow the drive shaft to drive the driven shaft through the belt. The drive train can also include one or more self aligning sleeve bearings to compensate for the unbalanced belt tension force.

Abstract: A water bed having a built-in drain pipe. The water bed includes a water tight bladder penetrated by a pump assembly connected to the bladder by a bell shaped insert. The pump assembly includes an inlet port and an outlet port and a jet pump connected between the inlet port and the outlet port. The contents of the water tight bladder can be sucked out by providing a motive liquid at the inlet port and attaching drain tubing at the outlet port. The jet pump includes a jet nozzle and a diffuser aligned with the jet nozzle. A filter may be provided to allow filtering of fluid drawn into the diffuser. The jet pump and fluid passages leading into and out of the pump can be formed as a single piece.

Abstract: A friction pad for use in a friction element used in a friction engagement device such as a brake or clutch. The friction element includes a carrier and a plurality of friction pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier. The pads may have a modular construction whereby pad portions are releasably secured to support portions. The pads may also be releasably secured to the carrier. Various friction pad constructions are contemplated including constructions in which the secondary support portion includes a membrane and the primary support portion includes a cylindrical member extending between the membrane and the friction pads. A continuous friction pad ring may be substituted for the discrete friction pads. The carrier may be provided with locator pins in the pad receiving bores to orient the pads properly. The carrier may have cuts and grooves formed therein to provide a flexible or even beam mounted support for the friction pads.

Abstract: A belt drive train particularly useful for driving the beater bar of a vacuum cleaner. The drive train includes a driven shaft preferably driven by a motor, a drive shaft preferably connected to a beater bar and including a driven pulley, and an inelastic belt coupling the drive shaft to the driven shaft. Both the drive shaft and the driven shaft are supported on bearings. At least one of the bearing is mounted in a deflecting bearing mount so that the shaft supported by the bearing can be moved relative to the housing. As a result of this construction, the drive shaft and the driven shaft can be moved closer to one another to allow the inelastic belt to be passed over the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The elasticity of the deflecting bearing mount then causes a belt tension sufficient to allow the drive shaft to drive the driven shaft through the belt. The drive train can also include one or more self aligning sleeve bearings to compensate for the unbalanced belt tension force.

Abstract: A lubricated roller assembly which can be constructed entirely of non-metallic components. The roller assembly includes a shaft and roller body secured to one another and enclosed by a housing. The roller body is adapted to roll against an inner peripheral surface of the housing. A supply of lubricant sufficient to lubricate the roller body is contained within the housing. A lubricant containment reservoir is formed in either the housing or the shaft such that regardless of the orientation of the roller assembly, lubricant will not reach the interface between the shaft and the housing. The roller body may be provided with a drip edge to further direct lubricant away from the interface between the housing and the shaft.

Abstract: A disk drive motor having a low profile construction and a gas-lubricated deflecting pad support usable in the disk drive motor and elsewhere includes a cup-shaped rotor having an integral cylindrical portion extending from the base of the cup; the cylindrical extension may be a shaft or a large, hollow extension which encloses the stator windings. The stator can be conventional or can have a closed end and/or a cup-like portion to simplify construction and eliminate the need for a seal. A support mounted on the stator or the rotor supports the rotor for rotation relative to the stator. The support can be a deflecting pad support such as a deflecting pad hydrodynamic bearing or the plane or gas-lubricated deflecting pad support disclosed herein.The gas-lubricated deflecting pad support member includes bearing pads and a support structure which supports the bearings for strictly radial movement. A contoured surface is formed on the pad surfaces, or a support surface opposing the pad surfaces, or both.

Abstract: A progressive cavity drive train which includes a progressive cavity device and a coupling for converting the complex motion of the rotor into simple rotation. The coupling includes two offset shafts coupled to one another by offset lug members. The drive train can be used to convert fluid pressure into rotation of a drill bit in a drilling apparatus. Alternatively, the drive train can be used to convert driving rotation from a motor or engine into fluid pumping action of the progressive cavity device.

Abstract: A water bed having a built-in drain pipe. The water bed includes a water tight bladder which has an inlet port and an outlet port formed therein. A jet pump is connected between the inlet port and the outlet port and located in the interior of the water tight bladder such that the contents of the water tight bladder can be sucked out by providing a motive liquid at the inlet port and attaching drain tubing at the outlet port. The jet pump includes a jet nozzle, a diffuser and a spacer for aligning the jet nozzle and the diffuser. A chamber can be provided around the jet nozzle and diffuser to allow filtering of fluid drawn into the diffuser. The pump can be formed as a one-piece venturi pump element.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing and methods of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a conversion wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion. The beams allow deflection of the pad by either deflecting or twisting in a torsional mode. The bearing pad support structure may include portions which are fluid dampened.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus which includes a drive train having a downhole motor device and a coupling for permitting bending of the drive shaft to accommodate directional drilling. The coupling includes two distinct portions. The first portion transmits torque only and the second portion transmits thrust only. Thus, the coupling transmits torque and thrust through different portions. This makes it possible to optimize the coupling design to allow bending while still being able to transmit the loads experienced downhole. The downhole motor may be a progressive cavity device, a turbine-type downhole motor or another type of downhole motor such as an electric motor.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing which includes a carrier and a plurality of bearing pads circumferentially spaced about the carrier. The pads may have a modular construction whereby pad portions are releasable secured to support portions. The pads may also be releasably secured to the carrier. Various bearing pad construction, are contemplated including constructions in which the secondary support includes a membrane and the primary support portion includes a cylindrical member extending between the membrane and the bearing pads. A continuous bearing pad ring may be substituted for the discrete bearing pads. The carrier may be provided with locator pins in the pad receiving bores to orient the pads properly. The carrier may have cuts and grooves formed therein to provide a flexible or even beam mounted support for the bearing pads. The bearing may also have a multimode configuration and may include smart structures.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing and methods of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to form a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The pad is separated from the support member by one or more beam-like members the beams extend substantially parallel to the plane of the face of the pad. The beams allow deflection of the pad by either deflecting or twisting in a torsional mode. The bearings may be made of a wide variety of materials including, plastics, ceramics, powdered metals, composites and metals. The bearings may be manufactured by injection molding, casting, powdered metal die casting, extrusion, electric discharge or laser cutting.

Abstract: A bearing and a shaft bearing combination for replacing conventional rolling element bearing, washer and lock ring assemblies. The bearing is constructed to the shaft in the housing. Additionally, the bearing provides both radial and thrust support so that the need for separate bearings is eliminated. The assembly is ideally suited for use in small high speed low load cooling fans used in computers, peripherals and other office equipment.The shaft includes a radially outward extending runner, preferably conically tapered. The bearing includes a base member, which can include a beam mounted radial bearing, and a number of longitudinal beams extending axially away from the base member. Each of the longitudinal beams supports a bearing pad in a cantilever fashion. The bearing pads can include a groove having a shape which is complementary to the shape of the runner, such that the runner can be supported on the groove faces.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing and methods of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes a continuous bearing surface and support structure which supports the surface such that the surface may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load across the bearing surface in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The support structure can include a repeating series of support structure portions each including a fully rigid portion a partially rigid portion and connecting portions connecting the spaced portions. Alternatively, the support structure can include a spaced series of deflectable ears which are arranged such that the continuous surface deforms when the ear portions are deflected. The bearing may also include an additional support portion which includes one or more beam-like or membrane members.

Abstract: A progressive cavity drilling apparatus which includes a drill bit, a drill bit driving shaft have a hollow bore formed therein and a progressive cavity drive train for driving the drilling shaft. A flow restrictor is provided to cause fluid leaving the progressive cavity drive train to enter the interior of the hollow drilling shaft and then to be exited therefrom through nozzles formed in the drill bit. The flow restrictor includes a groove to allow a small amount of fluid to flow in a path winding around the circumference of the flow restrictor and into a bearing assembly located below the flow restrictor. Because the flow path winds around the circumference of the flow restrictor, it is significantly longer than a straight longitudinal flow path. Consequently, the velocity of the high pressure fliud through the flow path is significantly reduced thus minimizing erosion and wear of the flow restrictor.