Abstract: A foil thrust bearing having an underspring with alternating upper ridges and lower ridges.

Abstract: A foil thrust bearing having a thrust disk with integral compliant bearing pads or foils. A number of alternative thrust bearing disks are disclosed, each of which provides a plurality of integral, converging, bearing pads or foils having diverging ramps and/or openings therebetween.

Abstract: Cooling is provided for a foil thrust bearing by means of flow openings in the thrust bearing disk or restrictions in the flow underneath the thrust bearing disk or the combination of both.

Abstract: A leaf-type foil thrust bearing, such as may be employed in a high-speed, light-load application, particularly, as a thrust bearing for a turbo charger, having a significantly reduced manufacturing cost. A plurality of recesses are formed in a thrust surface of a seat member disposed opposite the bearing surface of a rotating bearing member. The recesses gradually become shallower from their forward edges to the rearward edges in the direction of rotation of the rotating members. Corrugated foils are disposed in each of the recesses, with the corrugation height of each of the foils being constant. Top foils cover the respective corrugated foils, and each of the top foils has a forward edge attached to the thrust surface adjacent the forward edges of each of the recesses.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic fluid film thrust bearing including a stationary thrust plate 15, a rotating thrust runner 20 spaced therefrom, and at least one foil 50 disposed therebetween, is provided with first and second sets 25 and 45 of overlying resilient backing members in axial alignment with the foil. One of the backing members 25, having a lower relative spring constant, provides the bearing with compliance for adequate load capacity and damping characteristics. The other backing member 45, having a higher relative spring constant, establishes and maintains an optimum fluid film geometry under all loading, speed and other operating conditions.

Abstract: A perforated foil bearing surface having dry lubricant reservoirs dispersed throughout and a method of producing such perforated foil bearing surfaces.