Abstract: A bearing assembly (26) is described. It is suitable for supporting a printing cylinder or an anilox roll in a printing machine and comprises at least one roller bearing (28, 30) being configured for receiving a shaft (12b, 14b, 16b) associated with the printing cylinder or the anilox roll. Additionally, it has a first support part (32) carrying the roller bearing (28, 30) and a second support part (34) being a carrier element of the printing machine or being configured for being mounted to a carrier element of the printing machine. Furthermore, a fluid chamber (36) is provided acting between the roller bearing (28, 30) and the second support part (34). Moreover, a printing machine is presented wherein a shaft (12b, 14b, 16b) associated with a printing cylinder or an anilox roll thereof is supported by such a bearing assembly (26).

Abstract: A hybrid shaft bearing, a wind generator comprising the hybrid shaft bearing, a use of the hybrid shaft bearing, and a method of operating the hybrid shaft bearing is provided. The hybrid shaft bearing comprises a hydrodynamic friction bearing and a rolling bearing. Both the hydrodynamic friction and rolling bearings cooperate with a support structure and rotatably support a shaft. The hydrodynamic friction bearing is a passive hydrodynamic bearing.

Abstract: A device adapted to measure the wear of a ball-and-socket joint. The ball-and-socket joint comprising a first ring, which delimits a spherical housing, a second spherical ring, which is positioned concentrically in the housing of the first ring, and a lining, which is made from an elastically insulating material and is inserted between the second ring and the spherical housing of the first ring. A wear measuring feature includes at least two electrodes provided to be connected to the first ring and the second ring, respectively, or to the lining, so as to form a capacitor structure and a capacitance measuring device for measuring the capacity of the capacitor thus formed. The device further comprises an electronic circuit, which is a resonant circuit including the capacitor, an inductance and a resistance positioned in series.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torque limiter having driver mandrel and driven axially aligned mandrels, a piston movable into and out of an engaged position wherein the driver and driven mandrels are coupled together to transmit torque there between. Hydraulically locking the movable piston in an engaged position. Disengaging the hydraulic lock when during rotation when a specified torque magnitude is exceeded to allow relative rotation between the mandrels. Resetting the torque limiter by hydraulically locking the piston in the engaging position when relative rotation ceases or is reduced.

Abstract: A cable transportation system with at least one haul cable has a supporting structure with a tubular portion defining an axis of rotation; a pulley extending about the axis of rotation; and a bearing assembly, which is connected to the pulley and the tubular portion to enable the pulley to rotate about the axis of rotation with respect to the supporting structure, and has a first and second bearing arranged concentrically and in series, so as to ensure rotation of the pulley about the axis of rotation and with respect to the supporting structure utilizing at least the first or second bearing.

Abstract: A wave generator of a strain wave gearing has a rigid plug and a needle roller bearing mounted on the plug external peripheral surface. The plug external peripheral surface has a retainer engaging part for engaging with a retainer that would move in an axis line direction and for restricting the movement thereof along the axis line direction. The retainer has an outer ring engaging part for engaging with an outer ring that would move in the axis line direction and for restricting the movement thereof along the axis line direction. The movements of the retainer and the outer ring can be restricted without providing a separate member. A wave generator of a strain way gearing can be realized, which is provided with a roller bearing capable of restricting the movement of the outer ring with a simple structure.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system may include an auxiliary bearing receiver housing and an inertia ring. The auxiliary bearing receiver housing may include an axial inner surface, a first radially extending surface, and a first arcuate surface extending therebetween. The inertia ring may include an axial outer surface, a second radially extending surface, and a second arcuate surface extending therebetween. The second arcuate surface may have a radial outer end adjacent the second radially extending surface and a radial inner end adjacent the axial outer surface. The inertia ring may define a first angle between the axis of rotation of the shaft and a first tangent at a first point on the second arcuate surface adjacent the radial outer end, and a second angle between the axis of rotation of the shaft and a second tangent at a second point on the second arcuate surface adjacent the radial inner end.

Abstract: There is provided a spindle motor including: a sleeve supporting a shaft; and a rotor hub coupled to an upper portion of the shaft to thereby form a bearing clearance with the sleeve, wherein the sleeve and the rotor hub are provided with a plurality of sealing parts for preventing a leakage of a lubricating fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump is disclosed. The hydraulic pump may have a first fluid section (12), a second fluid section (14), and an input shaft (16) extending through the first fluid section and the second fluid section. The input shaft may have a first end (44), a second end (46), and a mid-portion (48) located between the first and second ends. The hydraulic pump may also have a first bearing (30) configured to continuously support the first end of the input shaft, and a second bearing (32) configured to continuously support the second end of the input shaft. The hydraulic pump may further have a third bearing (56) configured to intermittently support the mid-portion (58) of the input shaft.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system for a magnetically supported rotor system according to which the auxiliary bearing system includes at least two mounting pad assemblies having compliantly mounted body members.

Abstract: An auxiliary bearing system for supporting a rotating shaft including a first auxiliary bearing coupled to the rotating shaft. A first inertia ring is coupled to and circumscribes the first auxiliary bearing. A second inertia ring circumscribes the first inertia ring. A radial clearance is defined between the first and second inertia rings when the rotating shaft is supported by a primary bearing system, and the first inertia ring engages the second inertia ring when the rotating shaft is not supported by the primary bearing system. A second auxiliary bearing is engaged with an outer surface of the second inertia ring.

Abstract: A cryogenic submerged turbomachine equipped with one or more combinations of hydrostatic bearings, touchdown ball bearings, thrust bearings, and bushings. The pressurized fluid or gas introduced to the hydrostatic bearing creates a film of lubrication around at least one shaft of the turbomachine. A first combination includes at least a hydrostatic bearing or a pressurized journal bearing. A second combination includes a ball bearing and a thrust disk type bearing acting as a touchdown bearing. This second combination supports the rotor system of the turbine during transient periods when the Thrust Equalizing Mechanism device is not active, and decreases the axial thrust load during operation. A third combination uses a hydrostatic bearing with a sleeve that is joined as a unit with one or more ball bearings acting as touchdown ball bearings on the hydrostatic bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A touchdown bearing and actuator ring assembly for selectively biasing a ball bearing into direct engagement with a rotating shaft subject to significant axial thrust forces. The Actuator ring assembly includes a pair of relatively rotatable ring members abutting the bearing assembly. Confronting faces of the ring members include protuberances. As the ring members undergo relative rotation, the protuberances come into alignment, wedging-apart the ring members and biasing the bearing assembly into contact with the rotating shaft. A disengagement actuator selectively rotates the ring members in the opposite direction until the protuberances are out of alignment, allowing a restraining spring to bias the bearing assembly away from the rotating shaft. The present invention provides an assembly capable of quickly and repeatedly engaging and disengaging the touchdown bearing with the rotating shaft, using a minimum of envelop space and weight.

Abstract: An arrangement for limiting the whirl speed of a shaft after failure of a magnetic bearing supporting the shaft. The arrangement includes a surface extending essentially radially from the shaft axis and a machine element is provided with a projecting element extending from the machine element in a direction towards the surface. The surface is provided with a circular element that is concentric with the axis of the shaft. The arrangement also includes a disk-like element provided with an outer perimeter surface, a hole and an inner perimeter surface. One of the perimeter surfaces is designed so that it provides a varying distance along the circumferential direction with respect to the rotational center of the disk-like element. The element is arranged between the shaft and the circular element. The circular element and the projecting element are positioned in a common plane perpendicular to the shaft so that the circular element and the projecting element overlap one another.

Abstract: A scroll-type machine is disclosed which incorporates a lubricant impregnated drive bushing. The lubricant utilized for the impregnation process will preferably be of a type which is insoluble in the fluid being handled by the scroll-type machine, will remain trapped in the pores of the drive bushing under normal operating temperatures as well as any temperatures encountered during manufacturing processes to which the assembled compressor may be subjected yet will wick out of the bushing when its temperature increases such as may occur when insufficient lubricant is being supplied thereto by the normal lubrication system.

Abstract: A vacuum pump is provided with back-up bearings in addition to magnetic bearings for supporting its rotor with respect to the pump housing. The rotor has a hollow rotary shaft extending backwards enclosing in its inner space a forwardly protruding tubular shaft affixed to the pump housing, and another cylindrical member affixed to the rotor protrudes backward inside this fixed tubular shaft. One set of back-up bearings is provided on the outer surface of the fixed tubular shaft spaced from the inner surface of the rotor shaft and another set of back-up bearings is provided on the inner surface of the fixed tubular shaft, spaced from the protruding cylindrical member. The back-up bearings thus positioned can be made smaller for improved dynamic emergency capabilities.

Abstract: A vacuum pump has a back-up bearing assembly for allowing its rotor to spin down safely without damaging the pump if the primary bearing system becomes disabled. The drive shaft of the rotor is tubular and contains the back-up bearing assembly in its hollow interior. Back-up bearings are mounted onto a tubular center shaft which is coaxial with and inside the drive shaft. An axial position sensor is nested inside the center shaft and light emitted from its light emitter is reflected by a reflective target inside the drive shaft to detect the relative axial position of the drive shaft with respect to the center shaft. A polymer sleeve is attached to the end of the drive shaft as a thermal compensator, which restricts the axial movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Undesirably high stresses are minimized in a magnetic thrust bearing (15) having a disc (52) mounted on a shaft (54). The disc (52) is flanked on both sides (60,62) by respective armatures (68,70) which act to apply a magnetic field to the disc (52) to locate the same at a desired location along the axis (66) of the rotor (14) of the machine in which the thrust bearing (15) is employed. A peripheral, radially outwardly opening, annular groove (76) is disposed in the outer periphery (64) of the thrust bearing disc (52) to relieve stresses during operation.

Abstract: A submerged motor pump (4) has an auxiliary bearing assembly (19, 20) for supporting a rotatable main shaft (9) when the submerged motor pump is not in an operating condition or operates in a transient condition. The submerged motor pump includes a pump casing (6), at least one impeller (12), a motor (10,11), and a thrust balancing mechanism (15) for balancing thrust forces. The submerged motor pump further includes hydrostatic bearings (16, 17, 18) for supporting the main shaft at axially spaced locations by a pressurized fluid pumped by the submerged motor pump. The auxiliary bearing assembly has tapered support surfaces (FL, FU) for supporting the main shaft at the axially spaced locations.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a combination bearing for supporting a rotating rotor within a gas turbine engine. The combination bearing including a magnetic bearing system and dry solid lubricated rolling element auxiliary bearings units for sharing the shaft load. The rotating central shaft being normally supported by the active electromagnetic bearing system. The auxiliary bearing unit being soft mounted to the shaft and engine housing and rotatable with the shaft. Soft mounting of the bearings between the housing and the shaft allows a substantially stable transition from the all magnetic bearing support to a physically contacting mechanically assisted support of the shaft.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a bearing system for a rotating element, and more particularly directed toward an bearing system which provides an auxiliary bearing system if the primary bearing fails. Transfer of load from the failing primary bearing to one or more auxiliary bearings is initiated by conditions generated by the failing primary bearing such as abnormal heat generation or abnormal torque impulses. Alternately, the invention can be used to prevent primary bearing failure by transferring load to the secondary bearing system if the primary bearing is overloaded. The transfer of load is completely automatic requiring no human intervention. A signal or warning is, however, emitted by the bearing system to notify that loading has been transferred to one or more auxiliary bearings. The invention is directed toward an auxiliary bearing system for tapered roller bearings used in rail cars.

Abstract: Bearing systems, such as magnetic bearings, are widely used today in a variety of applications. All bearing systems are, however, subject to failure. Therefore, backup bearing systems are often utilized in conjunction with a main bearing system in order to provide backup to the main bearings if they should fail. The backup bearing system for the re-centering of magnetic bearings includes a first conical member disposed about an axis and having at least one bearing disposed substantially therein; a second conical member spaced from the first conical member and disposed about the axis, the second conical member having at least one bearing disposed substantially therein; and an actuator assembly spaced from the second conical member and bearing in a first or operative position.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a bearing system for a rotating element, and more particularly directed toward an bearing system which provides an auxiliary bearing system if the primary bearing fails. Transfer of load from the failing primary bearing to one or more auxiliary bearings is initiated by conditions generated by the failing primary bearing such as abnormal heat generation or abnormal torque impulses. Alternately, the invention can be used to prevent primary bearing failure by transferring load to the secondary bearing system if the primary bearing is overloaded. The transfer of load is completely automatic requiring no human intervention. A signal or warning is, however, emitted by the bearing system to notify that loading has been transferred to one or more auxiliary bearings. The invention is directed toward an auxiliary bearing system for tapered roller bearings used in rail cars.

Abstract: A backup bearing for supplying backup to magnetic bearings is provided, the backup bearing comprising: an outer race disposed about the axis of a stationary shaft, the outer race mounted to a flywheel assembly for rotational movement about the axis; an inner race spaced from the outer race and disposed about the axis, the inner race being substantially stationary with respect to the axis; and a plurality of rolling elements each having a central axis with each element being spaced from the inner race and disposed between the inner and outer race for rotational movement therebetween.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing arrangement for a rotatable shaft 11 including electromagnetic journal bearings 20, 21 and electromagnetic thrust bearings 22, 23, is provided with back-up bearings provided as hydrostatic journal bearings 50, 51 and thrust bearings 52, 53. The hydrostatic bearings are energized by controls 63 responsive to detected failure of the magnetic bearing to support the shaft in any particular direction within a permitted range of displacements and supplied with fluid at such pressure to support the shaft on a fluid film at all speeds down to rest. Preferably the fluid is a gas.

Abstract: A centrifugally activated bearing is disclosed. The bearing includes an annular member that extends laterally and radially from a central axis. A rotating member that rotates about the central axis relative to the annular member is also included. The rotating member has an interior chamber that surrounds the central axis and in which the annular member is suspended. Furthermore, the interior chamber has a concave shape for retaining a lubricant therein while the rotating member is at rest and for retaining a lubricant therein while the rotating member is rotating. The concave shape is such that while the rotating member is rotating a centrifugal force causes a lubricant to be forced away from the central axis to form a cylindrical surface having an axis collinear with the central axis. This centrifugally displaced lubricant provides restoring forces to counteract lateral displacement during operation.

Abstract: An assembly in which a rotating shaft is supported by a magnetic bearing has a back-up bearing to support the shaft in the event of failure of the magnetic bearing, the back-up bearing comprising one or more coaxial bearing parts each including cylindrical rolling elements supported on a single raceway, or each part comprising a ball race with radially inner and outer raceways. If a radially outer raceway is provided it is secured to an anchorage, such as a housing. A layer of dry bearing material is secured to rotate with each raceway to be rotated by the shaft, the dry bearing material having a surface opposite to the shaft. After any failure of the magnetic bearing the shaft is contacted by the layer of dry bearing material, and the rolling elements are brought up to speed at a slower rate than otherwise would be the case, because of slipping of the shaft relative to the dry bearing material.

Abstract: The rotary machine includes an automatically-retracting axial abutment system mounted between the rotary shaft of the machine and its case, the abutment system having a displaceable abutment portion that is prevented from rotating, a rotary abutment portion mounted on the displaceable abutment portion by means of a bearing suitable for transmitting axial forces to the displaceable abutment portion, a very stiff flexible device connecting the displaceable abutment portion to the case in such a manner as to enable the displaceable abutment portion to move through a small amplitude in translation along the axis of the rotary shaft, and an axial thrust transmission member for transmitting thrust from the rotary shaft to the rotary abutment portion, the thrust transmission member being shaped to be in contact between the rotary shaft and the displaceable abutment portion when the machine is at rest, and to drive the rotary abutment portion via purely static friction when the machine is rotating and is exerting axi

Abstract: A fishing reel is formed of a reel body, a spool, a support shaft for supporting the spool for rotating in unison therewith, a sleeve loosely fitted on the support shaft for free rotation, and a bearing. The bearing includes an inner race fitted on the sleeve. The support shaft is supported by the reel body through the bearing.

Abstract: A compound journal airbearing having a sleeve concentric with a rotor and having an inner surface forming an airbearing space with the surface of the rotor so as to maintain the rotor surface and inner sleeve surface out of contact. The sleeve is supported at each end by the inner race of a bearing whose outer periphery is supported by contact with the interior surface of the stator housing. Pressurized air is supplied to the airbearing space by a passage leading from an air supply through the wall of the stator and sleeve to the airbearing space. The airbearing surface can be shaped to provide both radial and axial support. For this purpose, the airbearing surfaces may be either concave or convex toward the axis of the rotor. Catastrophic failure that would occur with construction of the prior art due to inadvertent contact of rotor and stator surfaces (collapse of the airbearing film) is avoided because the sleeve is able to turn when inadvertent touchdown occurs.

Abstract: A turbopump assembly 10 including a pump section 12 and a turbine section 14 is provided with forward and aft shaft centerline containment assemblies 20,84 in combination with radial hydrostatic bearings 28,72, and seals 26 to support transient loads and center the shaft 22 within the housing at startup and shutdown.

Abstract: A wheel-mounting arrangement for trailer axles, including tapered-roller bearings that are disposed on an axle spindle, and a hub that is rotatably mounted on the axle spindle via these tapered-roller bearings. A brake drum and a wheel or TRILEX star can be secured to the hub, which comprises an inner hub and an outer hub that is fixedly secured to the inner hub. In order to provide the wheel-mounting arrangement with emergency operation characteristics, the axle spindle has a tapered configuration in the region between the tapered-roller bearings, and the inner hub has a corresponding, inwardly projecting, tapered configuration between these same roller bearings. The tapered portions of the axle spindle and the inner hub together form a friction or sliding bearing for emergency operation.

Abstract: A motor unit has a stationary member, a rotatable member rotatable relative to the stationary member, a stator provided on the stationary member, a rotor provided on the rotatable member, and at least two bearings disposed between the stationary member and the rotatable member. The rotor and stator are constructed so that the rotor is electromagnetically attracted toward the stator during the energization of the motor. One of the bearings is a ball bearing having an outer race with preload applied by the electromagnetic attraction of the rotor and an inner race formed on the rotatable member, and the other bearing is a hydrodynamic pressure type radial bearing.

Abstract: Serial safety bearing assembly includes two concentric bearing sets and an actuatable device for selectively switching to engage either the inner or the outer of the two concentric bearing sets upon failure of one set or to alternate to first one set and then the other set thus to prolong the working life of the two concentric bearings.

Abstract: A bearing system includes backup bearings for supporting a rotating shaft upon failure of primary bearings. In the preferred embodiment, the backup bearings are rolling element bearings having their rolling elements disposed out of contact with their associated respective inner races during normal functioning of the primary bearings. Displacement detection sensors are provided for detecting displacement of the shaft upon failure of the primary bearings. Upon detection of the failure of the primary bearings, the rolling elements and inner races of the backup bearings are brought into mutual contact by axial displacement of the shaft.

Abstract: A safety and centering device for rotors suspended in contactless magnetic bearings, which provides almost instantaneous centering support for the rotor if the bearing magnets loose power. In a preferred embodiment, the rotor shaft has a collar with a conical friction surface, and a sleeve controlled by an electro magnet with counter-acting springs and also having a conical friction surface. In case of power failure the springs force the two surfaces together and provide centering support for the rotor. In another embodiment having a vertical rotor, the bearing magnets lift the rotor with the friction collar out of engagement with the matching stationary friction surface when the rotor is operating; but if the rotor bearings become de-energized the rotor drops with the collar falling into engagement with the matching friction surface.

Abstract: This invention provides in centrifugal motor pumps and the like a safety structure embodying a bearing bushing coaxially mounted with respect to the pump shaft in a space between the shaft and the body of the pump, with the bushing designed to act as a hydrodynamic bearing in the case of decentering of the pump shaft or similar disfunction only.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing assembly includes a shaft rotatably supportable within a shaft housing by a hydrodynamic foil bearing acting in parallel with an antifriction bearing. The shaft is supported solely by the antifriction bearing at zero and low shaft speeds, and is supported solely by the foil bearing at the running speed. As the shaft accelerates from low speeds through running speed, support of the shaft is shared between the antifriction bearing and the foil bearing which act in parallel.