Thrust Bearing Patents (Class 384/105)
  • Patent number: 11927214
    Abstract: A thrust foil bearing includes a foil which faces a thrust collar mounted on a shaft in an axial direction, and a case which supports the foil and surrounds the thrust collar, wherein a cooling hole is formed in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naomichi Omori
  • Patent number: 11719126
    Abstract: Each of foils (22) includes: a top foil portion (22a) including a bearing surface (S); and a back foil portion (22b), which is formed on an upstream side of the top foil portion (22a), and is arranged so as to overlap behind the top foil portion (22a) of the adjacent foil (22) (on a side opposite to the bearing surface (S)). An angle (E) covering a radially inner end of an overlapping portion (P) between the adjacent foils (22) is smaller than an angle (D) covering a radially outer end of the overlapping portion (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Harada, Masato Yoshino, Miki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11519457
    Abstract: An air foil bearing and a compressor including the same, may include a beam plate provided in a lower portion thereof; a shim sheet stacked on the beam plate, and partially covering a top surface of the beam plate; and a top foil stacked on the shim sheet, wherein one side of the beam plate is fixed, and the other side of the beam plate is movable in a vertical direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Young Kim, Byung Hwa Oh, Jong Myeong Kim
  • Patent number: 11391291
    Abstract: A foil bearing assembly includes a cylindrical body that defines a cooling fluid passage between a radial outer surface and a radial inner surface of the cylindrical body. The foil bearing assembly includes a foil bearing retained within the cylindrical body and in thermal communication with the radial inner surface of the cylindrical body. The foil bearing assembly is connectable to a bearing housing such that intake and outlet ports of the foil bearing assembly are connected in fluid communication with a coolant inlet passage and a coolant outlet passage defined by the bearing housing. The foil bearing assembly is interchangeable with a second foil bearing assembly having at least one of a cooling fluid passage, a foil bearing, and a cylindrical body inner diameter different than the corresponding cooling fluid passage, the foil bearing, and the cylindrical body inner diameter of the first foil bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Groshek, Michael M. Perevozchikov
  • Patent number: 11193529
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thrust bearing for a turbo compressor, the thrust bearing has a structure that is modified in response to a portion where a deformation amount of a thrust runner is relatively large on the basis of magnitude of a force applied at the time of rotation of a shaft of a turbo compressor, to maintain a thickness of an oil film constantly and to increase a load supporting force of the thrust bearing, thereby ensuring improved durability of the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Changgook Moon, Jun Chul Oh, Seheon Choi
  • Patent number: 11174936
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft that drives a fan that has fan blades. The fan delivers airflow to a bypass duct. A gear system is connected to the fan shaft and is driven through an input defining an input lateral stiffness and an input transverse stiffness. A gear system flex mount arrangement accommodates misalignment of the fan shaft and the input during operation. A frame for supporting the fan shaft defines a frame lateral stiffness and a frame transverse stiffness. The input lateral stiffness is less than 11% of the frame lateral stiffness and the input transverse stiffness is less that 11% of the frame transverse stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Patent number: 11047422
    Abstract: A connection element providing a first ring and a second ring, the two rings rotating relative to one another about a central axis, the first ring having a contact portion with a contact surface interacting with the second ring for the relative rotation, and a fastening portion configured to be rigidly secured to a support. The contact portion is made of a first material and the fastening portion is made of a second material, different to the first material, the first material having a hardness strictly greater than that of the second material, and the second material having a structural fatigue strength strictly greater than that of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SKF Aerospace France S.A.S
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Coudert, Alexandre Mondelin, Arnaud Turmeau
  • Patent number: 10941807
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air foil bearing capable of adjusting stiffness of single bumps by varying widths of the single bumps. Since the bumps have the same height in an initial stage, a wedging effect is implemented only when a load is applied thereto by an oil film. Therefore, the air foil bearing is advantageous in terms of height management thereof. In addition, it is possible to stably dampen shocks applied in the direction of rotation of a rotor, to improve a support capability, and to reduce shocks due to damping. Therefore, it is possible to enhance durability of the air foil bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Chi Yong Park, Gun Woong Park, Hyun Sup Yang, Pil Gon Song, Han Seok Mun, Hwan Myeong Jung
  • Patent number: 10753391
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a bearing compartment includes a pedestal and a damper having a damper surface configured to be positioned adjacent to the pedestal and separated from the pedestal by a gap, the gap receiving a damping fluid to form a damping assembly between the damper and the pedestal. The assembly further includes a first annular spring positioned axially forward or axially aft of the pedestal. The assembly further includes an anti-rotation feature configured to resist rotation of the first annular spring relative to at least one of the pedestal or the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Adam G Smedresman
  • Patent number: 10539222
    Abstract: A geared architecture for a gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft and a frame which supports said fan shaft. The frame defines a frame stiffness. A plurality of gears drives the fan shaft and includes a gear mesh that defines a gear mesh stiffness. A stiffness of a ring gear of the plurality of gears is less than about 20% of the gear mesh stiffness. A flexible support supports the geared architecture and defines a flexible support stiffness. An input coupling to the plurality of gears defines an input coupling stiffness. The flexible support stiffness and the input coupling stiffness are each less than about 11% of the frame stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Patent number: 10428865
    Abstract: A foil bearing (40) includes foils (42) at a plurality of portions in a rotation direction of a shaft member (11). A top foil portion (Tf) including a bearing surface (S2) is formed in a region including a front end (421) of each of the foils (42), and a back foil portion (Bf) is formed in a region including a rear end (422) of each of the foils (42). A gap (C1) is secured between, of two of the foils adjacent to the foil (42) in a rotation direction (R) and a direction opposite to the rotation direction, the rear end (422) of the foil on the rotation direction side and the front end (421) of the foil on the side opposite to the rotation direction side. A width of the gap (C1) is set to be non-uniform in a direction (N) orthogonal to the rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10357748
    Abstract: Magnetically coupled mixer having an impeller magnetically coupled to a drive shaft and thrust bearings that support the impeller. The drive shaft can be moved along its axis, and an upwardly directed axial force is applied to the drive shaft to partially offset downward forces exerted by the impeller and thereby reduce friction between the thrust bearing surfaces while maintaining contact between them. In one disclosed embodiment, the force is applied to the drive shaft by a pair of magnets arranged so that the magnetic fields interact to produce the force, and the magnitude of the force is controlled by adjusting the distance between the magnets. The forces exerted by the impeller can be monitored and utilized in controlling the magnitude of the force applied to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ASEPCO
    Inventors: Yoram Rozy, Mark R. Embury, Joseph Benjamin Morgan
  • Patent number: 10352194
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a case, a bearing spring positioned inside the case, a first seal positioned between the case and the bearing spring, and a second seal. The a second seal is positioned between the case and the bearing spring and is spaced apart from the first seal, wherein the second seal is an adjustable seal that is movable between a closed position and an opened position to inhibit or allow, respectively, a fluid to flow from a cavity that is defined by the case, the bearing spring, the first seal and the second seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Andrew Varney, Jason Husband
  • Patent number: 10309451
    Abstract: A thrust foil bearing (20) includes a foil holder (21) and a plurality of foils (22). Each of the foils (22) includes: a top foil portion (22a); an extending portion (22b); and an underfoil portion (22c). The extending portion (22b) of the each of the foils (22) is arranged behind another of the foils (22) that is adjacent to the each of the foils (22) on the one circumferential side. The underfoil portion (22c) of the each of the foils (22) is arranged between the top foil portion (22a) of the another of the foils (22), which is adjacent to the each of the foils (22) on another circumferential side, and the end surface (21a) of the foil holder (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10245591
    Abstract: A bearing element suitable for supporting a grinding disk in a roller mill, comprising a plate-like or disk-shaped base element, an annular disk and a spacer element, wherein the annular disk is disposed substantially parallel to the base element and at a distance from the base element, and is connected at its bottom using an annular spacer element with the base element, and the annular disk has means on its upper side for receiving the axial bearing segments, whereby the spacer element is designed as an annular strip extending in the axial direction and has a plurality of spaced-apart arches in the circumferential direction, whose openings point towards the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: GEBR. PFEIFFER SE
    Inventors: Dirk Hoffmann, Ralf Frankenberger, Karl-Heinz Schütte
  • Patent number: 10138932
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved air foil thrust bearing having a reduced number of components and an increased load support area. The improved air foil thrust bearing comprises a base plate and a plurality of foils attached to the base plate, wherein each of the foils comprises a top foil section and a bump foil section connected to and integral with the top foil section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyoung-Ku Ha, Chang-Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 9970479
    Abstract: A thrust bearing disposed facing a thrust collar provided on a rotary shaft, the thrust bearing includes: a top foil disposed facing the thrust collar; a back foil disposed on a side of the top foil opposite to another side of the top foil facing the thrust collar; and an annular plate-shaped base plate supporting the back foil. The back foil is formed of a plurality of back foil pieces. The top foil is formed of a plurality of top foil pieces. A vibration-damping foil piece is disposed in each of the positions between the back foil pieces and the top foil pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naomichi Omori
  • Patent number: 9964143
    Abstract: A foil bearing (thrust foil bearing (40)) includes a foil holder (41) and a plurality of foils (42) arrayed in a circumferential direction. Each of the foils (42) includes a body portion (42a) having a thrust bearing surface (S2) and an extended portion (42b) extending from the body portion (42a) to a radially outer side. An end portion (42d) of the body portion (42a) of each of the foils (42) on one circumferential side is arranged so as to be overlapped on the body portion (42a) of adjacent one of the foils (42). The extended portions (42b) of the plurality of foils (42) are fixed onto the same plane of the foil holder (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9933017
    Abstract: A bearing support includes a squirrel cage including a fenestrated portion with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart windows defined therethrough. A bearing support cage inboard of the squirrel cage defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart windows therethrough. The bearing support cage is operatively connected to the squirrel cage to support a bearing from within the squirrel cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wesley Paul Long, Grace E. Szymanski, Julie Marquis
  • Patent number: 9909618
    Abstract: A thrust bearing includes: a thrust plate in a disc shape having an outer diameter and an inner diameter formed by perforating a central portion of the thrust plate; a plurality of bump foils disposed radially on a top surface of the thrust plate; a plurality of top foils in a panel shape covering each of the bump foils, where bottom surfaces of the top foils are in contact with upper ends of the bump foils; and metal blocks radially disposed on the top surface of the thrust plate and formed to be spaced apart from the bump foils. The thrust bearing can be included in an air compressor of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kookmin University Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Kyoung Ku Ha, Chang Ha Lee, Jeong Hee Park, Tae Ho Kim, Moon Sung Park, Jong Sung Lee, Young Min Kim
  • Patent number: 9732790
    Abstract: This aerodynamic foil bearing has a sleeve (4) inside which are arranged: a foil referred to as the top foil (16), and a bump foil (14) arranged between the top foil (16) and the sleeve (4), a foil (12) of viscoelastic material arranged between an inner face of the sleeve (4) and the bump foil (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-AEROSPACE TOULOUSE SAS
    Inventors: Jerome Rocchi, Gregory Grau
  • Patent number: 9689422
    Abstract: A foil bearing unit includes: a first foil holder formed of a single component; a radial bearing foil mounted to an inner peripheral surface of the first foil holder; a thrust bearing foil mounted to an end surface of the first foil holder; and an inner member including: a shaft portion; and a flange portion projecting radially outward from the shaft portion. The inner member is supported in a radial direction by a fluid pressure that is generated in a radial bearing gap between a bearing surface of the radial bearing foil and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion, and the inner member is further supported in a thrust direction by a fluid pressure that is generated in a thrust bearing gap between a bearing surface of the thrust bearing foil and one end surface of the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Mitsuo Kawamura, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9677609
    Abstract: A thrust bearing disposed facing a thrust collar provided on a rotary shaft includes: a top foil disposed facing the thrust collar; a back foil supporting the top foil; and an annular shaped base plate supporting the back foil. The back foil includes back foil pieces, and the top foil includes top foil pieces. An area on the leading side of a top foil piece in the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is provided with a fixed part fixed to the base plate. A fixed edge positioned on the trailing side of the fixed part in the rotation direction linearly extends such that the separation between a straight line extending in the radial direction of the base plate and the fixed edge positioned on the trailing side of the straight line in the rotation direction gradually increases outward from inside in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naomichi Omori
  • Patent number: 9631493
    Abstract: A turbine engine including a casing, a turbine engine shaft extending axially, a guide bearing for guiding the turbine engine shaft in the casing, the guide bearing including an inner circumferential ring rigidly connected to the turbine engine shaft, an outer circumferential ring fitted in a housing of the casing, and gripping rolling members, and a damping cavity configured to receive a damping fluid to form a damping fluid film for damping the guide bearing, the cavity being delimited radially between an outer surface of the outer ring and an inner surface of the housing. The outer surface of the outer ring and the inner surface of the housing are conical surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Serge Rene Morreale, Albert Vial, Fabrice Chevillot
  • Patent number: 9605711
    Abstract: A bearing assembly system adapted for use on a rock crusher having a main frame, a main shaft, an eccentric and a crushing head. The bearing assembly system comprises a first bearing ring which is disposed around the main shaft, a second bearing ring which is disposed adjacent to the first bearing ring, and a means for conveying fluid to at least one of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring. In the preferred bearing assembly system at least one of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring comprises a fluid depression. The preferred method further comprises conveying fluid from the means for conveying fluid to at least one of the first bearing ring and second bearing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Telsmith, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Van Mullem, Matthew Haven, Chuck Dricken, Sean Neitzel
  • Patent number: 9470260
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing has an annular plate, a plurality of bearing foils, and a plurality of bumper foils. The annular plate has a first face and a second face opposite the first face. The bearing foils have an arcuate shape and are joined to the first face of the annular plate. The bumper foils have an arcuate and corrugated shape and are joined to the second face of the annular plate. A method of making a hydrodynamic thrust bearing includes joining the bearing and bumper foils to the annular plate with integrally-formed spacers in which each bumper foil corresponds to a bearing foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald M. Struziak, Murtuza Lokhandwalla, Christopher McAuliffe
  • Patent number: 9410608
    Abstract: A geared architecture for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft, a frame which supports the fan shaft, the frame defines a frame stiffness and a plurality of gears which drives the fan shaft. A flexible support defines a flexible support stiffness that is less than the frame stiffness. The plurality of gears are supported by at least one of a carrier and the flexible support and an input coupling to the plurality of gears, the input coupling defines an input coupling stiffness with respect to the frame stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
  • Patent number: 9394946
    Abstract: The aerodynamic foil bearing in the form of a radial or axial thrust bearing, includes a rotor and a stator including a support designed to support, facing the rotor, a lift device including: a plurality of evenly distributed elastic foils fixed by a fixing edge to a surface of the lift device facing the rotor; rows of ventilation orifices passing through the lift device and opening between a free edge of each elastic foil and the fixing edge of the next foil, wherein the support includes a cavity having grooves extending under the rows of ventilation orifices and at least one circular groove intersecting the grooves and supplied with a stream of pressurized cooling gas to distribute same so as to cool the underside of each foil and provide a supply of fresh gas above the next foil to compensate for gas losses at the ends of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-AEROSPACE TOULOUSE SAS
    Inventors: Jerome Rocchi, Gregory Grau, Jerome Aury
  • Patent number: 9322294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil-free turbocharger assembly using an airfoil bearing that may be useful in high speed conditions. The assembly can be cooled easily. A heat-proof coating can also be easily applied to the turbo charger's rotating shaft. In one embodiment, an oil-free turbocharger assembly has a constant distance between a journal portion and a rotating shaft so that the mass of the rotating body can be minimized and the rotating body assembly can have a small moment of inertia. The turbocharger in some embodiments of the invention may be cooled by a refrigerant which improves cooling efficiency. Each part of the rotating body assembly in some embodiments may be individually treated with a heat-proof process so that productivity can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yong Bok Lee, Chang Ho Kim, Dong Jin Park
  • Patent number: 9181977
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air-foil bearing including a damper body, a front welding plate, and a front top foil for increasing durability, and which has a first bending mode. The damper body includes a front body portion, a rear body portion, and a front protruded portion protruded upward from the front body portion to have a flat protruded surface, and the front welding plate includes a front first contact portion in surface contact with a top surface of the front protruded portion and a front second contact portion which is a portion that is bent from the front first contact portion in surface contact with the front welding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Cheol-hoon Park, Sang-Kyu Choi, Doo Euy Hong, Tae Gwang Yoon, Sung Hwi Lee, Sang-Yong Ham
  • Patent number: 9175722
    Abstract: There is disclosed a top foil for a foil thrust bearing including a main plate, a first hook comprising a first vertical portion bend upwardly from an end of the main plate and a first horizontal portion bend forwardly from an end of the first vertical portion, and a second hook comprising a second vertical portion bend downwardly from a rear end of the main plate and a second horizontal portion bend backwardly from an end of the second vertical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Byung-Sik Park, Si-Woo Lee, Hyung-Kee Lee, Young-Min Yang, Dong-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9157472
    Abstract: A thrust foil air bearing has a bump foil arranged on a thrust plate. A top foil includes a flat surface extending along top bumps of the bump foil, an edge attached to the thrust plate, and a ramp connecting the edge and the flat surface. The ramp forms a curvature. The curvature has a center located in a lower part of the ramp and tangentially contacts the top of a first bump of the bump foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Neuros Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyeong Su Kim
  • Patent number: 9157473
    Abstract: A thrust bearing comprising a damper body including a body part and protrusions axially protruding at predetermined areas on the body part with flat tops, and thrust top foils each having a contact portion that is in surface contact with the tops of the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Cheol-Hoon Park, Sang-Kyu Choi, Doo Euy Hong, Tae Gwang Yoon
  • Patent number: 9062712
    Abstract: Systems and methods for passive thermal management of foil bearing systems are disclosed herein. The flow of the hydrodynamic film across the surface of bearing compliant foils may be disrupted to provide passive cooling and to improve the performance and reliability of the foil bearing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Robert J. Bruckner
  • Patent number: 9033579
    Abstract: A thrust foil bearing includes a thrust member, and a foil member mounted to an end surface of the thrust member and having a thrust bearing surface that forms a thrust bearing gap. The foil member includes a foil that integrally includes a plurality of leaves each having a free end on one side in a circumferential direction and the thrust bearing surface, and a coupling portion for coupling the plurality of leaves to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9016947
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a stationary component and a rotatable component; a fluid between the stationary component and the rotatable component; a limiter shoulder of the stationary component; a flanged limiter bushing of the rotatable component; and a separating means for separating the limiter shoulder and the limiter bushing, wherein the separating means comprises the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Paco Gregor Flores, Troy M. Herndon, Norbert Steven Parsoneault
  • Patent number: 8998493
    Abstract: A split combo bearing including a damper body that has a through-hole through which a rotor shaft passes, a cover that covers both axial sides of the damper body and a predetermined area of the outer circumference of the damper body, a thrust bump that is fixed to the side of the cover, which is in contact with the impeller on a rotor shaft, and is arranged circumferentially around the through-hole, a thrust top foil that is axially fixed to the outermost side of the thrust bump, and a radial top foil that is formed to cover the rotor shaft, and is disposed between the outer side of the rotor shaft and the inner side of the through-hole of the damper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Cheol-hoon Park, Sang-Kyu Choi, Sung Hwi Lee, Sang-Yong Ham, Doo Euy Hong, Tae Gwang Yoon
  • Patent number: 8967866
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing is provided that includes an annular main foil having axially spaced inner and outer surfaces. Bump foils are supported circumferentially on the outer surface. Top foils are supported circumferentially on the inner surface opposite the bump foils. In one example, spacers are arranged between the top foils and the main foils. The spacers can be provided by chemically etching the main foil, in one example. The bump foils include first and second corrugated portions respectively providing first and second axially heights. The first axial height is less than the second axial height and is arranged at a leading edge of the bump foil relative to the direction of airflow across the hydrodynamic bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Struziak, Christopher McAuliffe, Brent Merritt, Seth Rosen
  • Publication number: 20140321779
    Abstract: The present invention provides a split combo bearing including: a damper body that has a through-hole through which a rotor shaft passes and is composed of two or more first separate bodies that are axially separated; a cover that covers both axial sides of the damper body and a predetermined area of the outer circumference of the damper body and is composed of two or more second separate bodies that are radially separated to correspond to the first separate bodies; a thrust bump that is fixed to the side of the cover, which faces an impeller on a rotor shaft, is arranged circumferentially around the through-hole, and is formed by bending a thin plate with a wavy surface; a thrust top foil that is axially fixed to the outermost side of the thrust bump and is formed by bending a thin plate; and a radial top foil that is formed to cover the rotor shaft, is disposed between the outer side of the rotor shaft and the inner side of the through-hole of the damper body, has an insertion of which one end is installed
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Cheol-hoon PARK, Sang-Kyu CHOI, Sung Hwi LEE, Sang-Yong HAM, Doo Euy HONG, Tae Gwang YOON
  • Patent number: 8834028
    Abstract: A rotating assembly adapted for use in turbines and pumps is provided. The rotating assembly includes a shroud that rotates around a central axis and a disk seated in a recess in the shroud so that the disk rotates with the shroud, the disk being oriented perpendicular to the central axis. The rotating assembly also includes a stationary element in which at least one surface of the disk contacts a fluid so that when the fluid flows under pressure, the surface of the disk resists the generation of drag between the surface and the stationary element of the rotating assembly. A shroud is provided that includes a circular recess with a cavity on an outer perimeter extending away from the fixed assembly. A method of manufacturing a rotating assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Winkler, Jeffrey Michael Calkins
  • Patent number: 8827639
    Abstract: A compressor rotor compresses and delivers compressed air across a turbine rotor. The turbine rotor is connected to the compressor rotor such that rotation of the turbine rotor drives the compressor rotor. A shaft is connected to rotate with the turbine rotor and the compressor rotor. A thrust bearing is provided by a member extending perpendicular and radially outwardly of the shaft. The member rotates with the shaft and faces a first housing wall. A hollow chamber is formed on an opposed side of the first housing wall. A cooling air path supplies air across a thrust bearing surface, and between the member and the first housing wall. The first housing wall has a communication hole for communicating cooling air from the cooling air path into the hollow cavity to drive air within the hollow chamber. Also, a housing incorporating the communication hole is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Craig M. Beers, Brent J. Merritt, Victoria S. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8814433
    Abstract: A positive pressure generating mechanism comprising a positive pressure generating groove is provided to a high-pressure side of one of two sliding surfaces that slide relative to each other in a pair of sliding components, and a negative pressure generating mechanism comprising a negative pressure generating groove is provided to a low-pressure side. The positive pressure generating groove and negative pressure generating groove are communicated with a high-pressure fluid side and separated from a low-pressure fluid side by a seal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20140199006
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thrust bearing that includes: a damper body including a body part and protrusions axially protruding at predetermined areas on the body part with flat tops; and thrust top foils each having a contact portion that is in surface contact with the tops of the protrusions. The present disclosure provides a combo bearing that includes: a damper body including a body part having a through-hole at the center through which a rotary shaft passes, and protrusions axially protruding at predetermined areas on the body part with flat tops; thrust top foils each having a contact portion that is in surface contact with the tops of the protrusions; and a radial top foil covering the rotary shaft and disposed along the inner side of the through-hole of the damper body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Korea Institute Of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Cheol-Hoon PARK, Sang-Kyu Choi, Doo Euy Hong, Tae Gwang Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140169707
    Abstract: Provided is a thrust foil bearing (20), including: a thrust member (21); and a foil member (22) mounted to an end surface of the thrust member (21) and having a thrust bearing surface (31c) that forms a thrust bearing gap (T), in which the foil member (22) includes a foil (30) integrally including: a plurality of leaves (31) each including: a free end (31a) on one side in a circumferential direction; and the thrust bearing surface (31c); and a coupling portion (32) for coupling the plurality of leaves (31) to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Masato Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8678654
    Abstract: An axial bearing between a first part and a second part that presses with an axial load against the first part and can rotate around a rotation axis relative to the first part comprising a circular or arc-shaped ridge on the first part centered around the rotation axis, a pressure source for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid on a first side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge, an adjustable gap between the circular or arc shaped ridge and a bearing surface on the second part, wherein the pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through the adjustable gap to a second side of the circular or arc-shaped ridge. In accordance with the invention the circular or arc-shaped ridge or the bearing surface include a ridge chamber for locally creating a larger adjustable gap between the circular or arc-shaped ridge and the bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Innas B.V.
    Inventor: Peter A. J. Achten
  • Patent number: 8629593
    Abstract: There is provided a spindle motor including: a sleeve rotatably supporting a shaft; a sleeve holder supporting the sleeve and formed through a pressing process; a stator core fixedly mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve holder; and a pulling magnet fixedly mounted on an upper surface of the stator core, wherein the stator core includes a burr insertion stepped part formed in a lower portion of an inner diameter portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Sun Yoo, Yun Yeong Park, Ho Jun Yoo
  • Patent number: 8602653
    Abstract: A foil thrust bearing applicable to high speed machining and grinding machines for machining microscopic features. Top foil segments are circumferentially spaced relative to a rotating runner for engagement by the runner when the bearing is mounted to bearingly support runner rotation. Bump foil segments underlie and support and engage the top foil segments respectively. A thrust plate supports and engages the bump foil segments. Each top foil segment and each bump foil segment is secured only along an edge portion which is trailing relative to the runner rotation leaving an edge which is leading relative to runner rotation and a pair of side edges unsecured. Each bump foil segment includes tabs separated by slots extending from the leading edge at least partially to the secured edge portion. Each bump foil tab has substantially parallel ridges separated by flats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mohawk Innovative Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hooshang Heshmat
  • Patent number: 8496432
    Abstract: A compressor rotor compresses and delivers compressed air across a turbine rotor. The turbine rotor is connected to the compressor rotor such that rotation of the turbine rotor drives the compressor rotor. A shaft is connected to rotate with the turbine rotor and the compressor rotor. A thrust bearing is provided by a member extending perpendicular and radially outwardly of the shaft. The member rotates with the shaft and faces a first housing wall. A hollow chamber is formed on an opposed side of the first housing wall. A cooling air path supplies air across a thrust bearing surface, and between the member and the first housing wall. The first housing wall has a communication hole for communicating cooling air from the cooling air path into the hollow cavity to drive air within the hollow chamber. Also, a housing incorporating the communication hole is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Craig M. Beers, Brent J. Merritt, Victoria S. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8360645
    Abstract: A foil bearing supports a cylindrical rotary shaft 2, the foil bearing including: a hollow cylindrical outer ring 4 which is supported by a stationary member, and surrounds the rotary shaft with a predetermined gap therebetween; a thin-film-shaped top foil 3a which surrounds the outer surface of the rotary shaft, and of which one circumferential end is fixed to the inner surface of the outer ring; and a back foil 3b which is formed by a thin film sandwiched between the top foil and the inner surface of the outer ring and elastically supporting the top foil. The back foil 3b includes a support portion which comes into contact with the inner surface of the outer ring and is immovable in the circumferential direction, and an elastic portion which is supported by the support portion and is elastically bent in the radial direction by surface pressure from the top foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Naomichi Omori
  • Publication number: 20120281936
    Abstract: A foil thrust bearing applicable to high speed machining and grinding machines for machining microscopic features. Top foil segments are circumferentially spaced relative to a rotating runner for engagement by the runner when the bearing is mounted to bearingly support runner rotation. Bump foil segments underlie and support and engage the top foil segments respectively. A thrust plate supports and engages the bump foil segments. Each top foil segment and each bump foil segment is secured only along an edge portion which is trailing relative to the runner rotation leaving an edge which is leading relative to runner rotation and a pair of side edges unsecured. Each bump foil segment includes tabs separated by slots extending from the leading edge at least partially to the secured edge portion. Each bump foil tab has substantially parallel ridges separated by flats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Hooshang Heshmat, Michael J. Tomaszewski