Abstract: A bearing unit and a rotating apparatus which prevent leakage of lubricating oil to the utmost and which are superior in reliability are disclosed. A radial bearing and a thrust bearing support a shaft for rotation, and a path forming member and a path forming member lid form a communicating path having a function of short-circuiting pressure generated when the shaft and the radial bearing rotate relative to each other. A housing has a function of covering and holding the members mentioned while the housing is open at one end of the shaft with a small void left therebetween. Lubricating oil is filled in the void. The path forming member and the path forming member lid fully cover the members mentioned, except a shaft opening side portion of the radial bearing. The housing is made of a molded resin material.

Abstract: A pod propulsion system comprises a housing defining a fluid duct and an annular drum rotatably mounted to the housing within the fluid duct. The annular drum has a drum interior and a cylindrical outer surface. The system further comprises a rotor mounted to the drum for rotation therewith, the rotor and the drum having a common axis of rotation. A bearing assembly mounted to the housing comprises a first bearing comprising a first plurality of bearing pads disposed circumferentially around the drum. Each pad has a pad bearing surface adapted to contact a first drum portion in a predetermined manner and is pivotably mounted to the housing so as to maintain contact of the pad bearing surface with the first drum portion in the predetermined manner when an orientation of the drum portion relative to the housing changes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention make high-speed rotation of a magnetic disk, suppression of an increase in electric power consumption, and suppression in shaft falling vibration compatible together in a magnetic disk device. In one embodiment, a magnetic disk device comprises a magnetic disk that records information, and a drive unit that rotates the magnetic disk about a shaft. The drive unit comprises a rotary section that holds the magnetic disk, and a stationary section that supports the rotary section through a fluid bearing. The fluid bearing comprises a radial fluid bearing that bears a load in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction, and a thrust fluid bearing that bears a load in the axial direction. The thrust fluid bearing comprises a first thrust fluid bearing having a small diameter and a shallow clearance, and a second thrust fluid bearing positioned outside an outer periphery of a shaft and being larger in diameter and deeper in clearance than the first thrust fluid bearing.

Abstract: Hydrodynamic bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed. Such hydrodynamic bearing assemblies may be employed in bearing apparatuses for use in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, a hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearing segments distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each bearing segment includes a superhard bearing surface. The plurality of bearing segments define a plurality of seams. Each seam is formed between circumferentially-adjacent bearing segments of the plurality of bearing segments. Further embodiments of the present invention include hydrodynamic bearing apparatuses and downhole motors that may utilize any of the disclosed hydrodynamic bearing assemblies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system that has a stationary sleeve, a stationary shaft disposed in the sleeve and bearing disks disposed on the sleeve and shaft which form an annular disk-shaped space between each other in which an annular disk-shaped component is disposed. A bearing gap filled with a bearing fluid is formed between the stationary and the rotating bearing construction.

Abstract: A Spindle motor assembly that utilizes a fluid dynamic bearing electrically grounded to provide a conductive path through the spindle motor assembly. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing includes a liquid metal that is conductive and of low electrical resistance that provides the conductive path between the spindle and the spindle housing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device is provided for use with a spindle motor. The hydrodynamic bearing device has a sleeve made of a sintered metal that is obtained by sintering a sintering material that is iron, an iron alloy, copper, a copper alloy or a mixture thereof. This sintered metal has independent pores, which do not communicate with each other, by selecting conditions for forming a desired sintered body within a predetermined range. The conditions includes a grain size of powdered metal of a material for the sintered metal, a molding pressure when the molded body is formed, sintering temperature and sintering period in the sintering step.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device in a hydrodynamic bearing device in which a sleeve (2) is covered with a cover (5), which is capable of easily confirming that a working fluid is favorably filled between the cover and the sleeve, and easily confirming that an adhesive (21) which bonds the cover and the sleeve is favorably filled, and an inspection method of an amount of the working fluid are provided. By using the cover having translucency, the filled state of the working fluid is visually recognized through the cover, and is confirmed with an image recognition apparatus.

Abstract: A bearing unit (90) for rotatably supporting a shaft (100) comprises a seamless holding member (120) with a gap allowing a shaft to run through and extend to the outside, a bearing (130) arranged in the inside of the holding member to rotatably support the shaft so as to make it radially revolvable, an anti-shaft-release member (115) fitted to the shaft so as to abut the bearing in order to prevent the shaft from slipping away in the thrusting direction and a space-forming member (113) arranged in the inside of the holding member so as to secure a space around the anti-shaft-release member. A bearing unit may further comprise an lubricating oil seal member and the space-forming member may be used to form a passage way for lubricating oil to prevent lubricating oil from leaking.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided having relatively rotatable facing surfaces that are reliably lubricated. A radial gap is defined between the relatively rotatable facing surfaces, wherein a first axial end of a fluid dynamic bearing has a larger radial gap as compared to a central region of the fluid dynamic bearing. In an aspect, a fluid recirculation passageway is established between the first axial end and the central region of the fluid dynamic bearing. In an aspect, a fluid reservoir is formed axially above the first axial end of the fluid dynamic bearing. Robustness of the FDB motor is increased, and sensitivity to external loads or mechanical shock events is reduced. Dry surface-to-surface contact of bearing surfaces and reduced performance or failure of the motor or disc drive components is averted. The use of diamond-like coating on relatively rotatable fluid bearing surfaces may also be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing pattern that is disposed on at least one bearing surface of the two bearing parts of a fluid dynamic bearing that are moveable with respect to each other along a direction of movement. The bearing pattern comprises two related grooved sections, each section extending at an acute angle with respect to the direction of movement and exerting a defined pumping effect on the bearing fluid found in the bearing when the bearing parts move with respect to each other. According to the invention, the first section is disposed at an angle ? and the second section at an angle ? with respect to the direction of movement, the two angles varying in size.

Abstract: A sleeve for a hydrodynamic bearing device, a hydrodynamic bearing device equipped with the sleeve, a spindle motor, information recording and reproducing and processing apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a sleeve for a hydrodynamic bearing device are provided that are capable of reducing costs through appropriate sealing treatment. The sleeve for a hydrodynamic bearing device has an inner layer and a surface layer. The inner layer is formed by sintering metal powder for sintering use. The surface layer is formed on a surface of the inner layer and includes diiron trioxide (Fe2O3). Sealing treatment is carried out by forming a surface layer including diiron trioxide (Fe2O3) on a surface of a sleeve for a hydrodynamic bearing device that is porous.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor including a stationary sleeve, a rotating shaft axially disposed through the sleeve, a journal gap between the shaft and the sleeve, the gap defined by first and second interfacial surfaces of the shaft and sleeve, at least one set of fluid dynamic grooves formed on the first interfacial surface of the journal gap, and at least one step defined on the second interfacial surface of the journal gap.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing device which can exhibit high bearing performance is provided at low costs by forming a highly accurate bearing gap. At least a region in the outer circumferential surface of a shaft 2 which faces the radial bearing gap is constituted of an electroformed part 11, and the region of the shaft 2 excluding the electroformed part 11 is constituted of a resin portion 12.

Abstract: A cylindrical sleeve is rotatably fitted over a fixed shaft erected on a base, the sleeve including an outer collar part at an outer periphery of the lower end portion thereof, a slip-out preventing member for preventing the slip-out from the fixed shaft while allowing the sleeve to rotate is provided on the base, the slip-out preventing member including an inner collar part that engages with the outer collar part in the slip-out direction. A hub is provided on the upper end portion of the sleeve, a pair of upper and lower radial bearings formed with a dynamic pressure generating groove are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve, and a thrust bearing formed with a dynamic pressure generating groove is provided at the lower end face of the sleeve.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device with high reliability, with which reductions in size, weight, and thickness can be achieved, as well as a motor and a disk driving apparatus that make use of this hydrodynamic bearing device. The hydrodynamic bearing device comprises a shaft, a thrust flange, a sleeve, a seal plate, and a retaining plate. A radial dynamic pressure bearing is formed in the radial direction gap between the shaft and the sleeve, and a thrust dynamic pressure bearing is formed in the thrust dynamic bearing gap between the sleeve and the thrust flange. A communicating hole is formed for communicating between the gap between the sleeve and the seal plate and the thrust direction gap between the sleeve and the thrust flange. The radial dynamic pressure bearing and/or the thrust dynamic pressure bearing are formed such that a lubricating oil circulates in the gap between the sleeve and the seal plate from the inner peripheral side of the sleeve toward the outer peripheral side.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamic bearing device which allows production of a smaller housing at low cost and which suppresses ion elution from the resin portion to thereby maintain cleanliness in the dynamic bearing device and exert a desired bearing performance. A dynamic bearing device 1 is equipped with a bearing sleeve 8 fixed to the inner periphery of the housing 7, and a rotary member rotatable relative to the bearing sleeve 8 and the housing 7, in which the rotary member is supported in the radial direction and the thrust direction in a non-contact manner by a dynamic pressure action of a lubricant fluid generated in a bearing clearance. The housing 7 is formed by injection molding of a resin composition containing polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) as the base resin and PAN type carbon fibers as a filler.

Abstract: A bearing system having variably grooved radial and thrust bearing with reduced groove angle near bearing entry is described. In an embodiment, the bearing system includes a housing. The bearing system also includes a shaft centrally located in the housing. The bearing system additionally includes a rotor portion that is adapted to be rotated about the shaft and contained within the housing. The bearing further includes a variably angled groove disposed on an internal surface of the bearing system. The variably angled groove reduces ingestion of air in the bearing system during operation of the bearing system.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes a rotating member, a fixed member opposing the rotating member and an ink-like resin material. Opposing surfaces of the rotating member and the fixed member form a bearing part and the ink-like resin material is applied to at least one of the opposing surfaces by transfer printing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device 30 comprises a sleeve 32 having a bearing hole 32d, a shaft 31, and a flange cover 33. The shaft 31 is disposed in the bearing hole 32d of the sleeve in a state of being capable of relative rotation, and has a large diameter flange portion 31b. The flange cover 33 is disposed opposite the bottom surface of the flange portion 31b. A bubble suppression portion 36, which is formed as a recess on the bottom surface of the shaft 31, communicates with the upper surface of the flange portion 31b through a communicating hole 31e in the flange portion 31b. This provides a hydrodynamic bearing device with which negative pressure is prevented from being generated in the bearing even when it is subjected to impact or vibration, and durability and reliability can be enhanced, as well as a spindle motor and a recording and reproducing apparatus equipped with this hydrodynamic bearing device.

Abstract: To provide a hydrodynamic bearing device with which the generation of negative pressure inside the bearing portion can be prevented, and durability and reliability can be increased, even when the hydrodynamic bearing device is subjected to impact or vibration, and to provide a spindle motor and a recording and reproducing apparatus equipped with this hydrodynamic bearing device. A hydrodynamic bearing device 30 comprises a sleeve 32, a shaft 31, and a flange cover 33. The sleeve has a bearing hole 32d and a communicating hole 32c which communicates between both end faces. The shaft 31 is disposed in a state of being capable of relative rotation in the bearing hole 32d of the sleeve, and has a main portion 31a, a flange 31b that is larger in diameter than the main portion 31a, and a communicating hole 31e that communicates with both end faces of the flange 31b. The flange cover 33 is disposed opposing to the lower face of the flange.

Abstract: A shaft member for hydrodynamic bearing apparatuses which can restore the pressure balance in a thrust bearing gap formed on both axial sides of the flange portion in an early stage is provided at low costs. A shaft material 10 integrally having a shaft portion 11 and a flange portion 12 is formed as a through-hole 19 opening to its both end faces 12a, 12b on the flange portion 12 of the shaft material 10 is formed in a common forging step. As a result, the through-hole 29 is formed to open to the inner diameter side of these bearing gap W1, W2 avoiding thrust bearing gaps W1, W2 formed on both end faces of the flange portion 22 of the shaft member 2 as a finished product.

Abstract: A foil-fluid bearing assembly adapted for supporting a shaft within an outer bearing housing and is adapted for accommodating angular misalignment of the rotating shaft relative to the housing.

Abstract: A bearing unit (90) for rotatably supporting a shaft (100) comprises a seamless holding member (120) with a gap allowing a shaft to run through and extend to the outside, a bearing (130) arranged in the inside of the holding member to rotatably support the shaft so as to make it radially revolvable, an anti-shaft-release member (115) fitted to the shaft so as to abut the bearing in order to prevent the shaft from slipping away in the thrusting direction and a space-forming member (113) arranged in the inside of the holding member so as to secure a space around the anti-shaft-release member. A bearing unit may further comprise an lubricating oil seal member and the space-forming member may be used to form a passage way for lubricating oil to prevent lubricating oil from leaking.

Abstract: The preset invention aims to improve the assembly accuracy and rotation accuracy of a fluid bearing device, and to further reduce the cost thereof. A bearing sleeve is fixed on the inner periphery of a housing. An axial member is supported in a non-contact manner in a radial direction by an oil film formed in a radial bearing gap. The housing made of resin is injection molded with the use of a substrate as an insert part. On the substrate, a control circuit for controlling a polygon scanner motor is mounted.

Abstract: A system, method and means is provided for withstanding mechanical shock for use with fluid dynamic bearings. A sealing system is provided that withstands 1000 G shock events. In an aspect, a grooved pumping seal employed between a thrust plate and a shield, a thrust plate having spiral grooves, a fluid recirculation passageway, and a reservoir creates an asymmetric pressure gradient. In an aspect, fluid is retained and air is purged utilizing an enlarged fluid reservoir, axial channels and an angled fill hole. In an aspect, a shaft is attached to a top cover supplying radial stiffness, and an enlarged single-sided thrust plate improves dynamic parallelism.

Abstract: A mill head assembly apparatus utilizing centrifugal hydrodynamic force to circulate lubrication oil while retaining the lubricant without the need for a replaceable (contact-type) seal, the apparatus comprising a set of stationary components including a trunnion, an oil ring, a bearing-retainer, and a collector ring and rotating components including a housing, a pump ring, and a baffle-ring, front and rear bearing means. The oil ring receives and circulates the lubrication oil to the bearing means, the housing is disposed with a plurality of housing passages to re-circulate the lubrication oil, and the forward and rear rotating interfaces to retain the lubrication oil within the front and rear mill head assembly. Potential lubrication oil leakage is retained and re-circulated back to the collector ring by close-tolerance seal means.

Abstract: A system and method for improving lubrication in a fluid dynamic bearing are disclosed. A fluid dynamic bearing is formed. The fluid dynamic bearing comprises a shaft having an axis of rotation and a surface comprising a first groove at a first depth and a second groove at a second depth, wherein the first and second grooves are for supporting a film of lubricating fluid. The fluid dynamic bearing further includes a hub having an axis coincident to the axis of rotation and a complimentary surface juxtaposed to the shaft which is conducive to supporting the lubricating fluid such that the shaft is rotatably retained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system that comprises at least one stationary part that has a shaft and two bearing plates disposed on the shaft at a mutual spacing, and at least one rotating part that is supported so as to rotate about a rotational axis with respect to the stationary part, and comprises a bearing bush and a sleeve enclosing the bearing bush. A bearing gap filled with bearing fluid is provided between the parts and at least one sealing gap for sealing the bearing gap that extends concentric to the rotational axis. The bearing comprises at least one fluid dynamic radial bearing and two fluid dynamic axial bearings and at least one recirculation channel that connects the two axial bearing regions to each other.

Abstract: A bearing unit comprises a shaft, a radial bearing for supporting the shaft in a peripheral rotation direction of the shaft, a thrust bearing supporting an end of the shaft in a thrust direction of the shaft, a housing made of a molded body of a synthetic resin, inside of which housing the radial bearing and the thrust bearing are arranged, the housing having a sealed configuration except for a shaft insertion hole, through which the shaft is inserted, a slip-out preventing member provided on an end side of the radial bearing at which the thrust bearing is provided, the slip-out preventing member preventing the shaft from slipping out from the radial bearing, and a viscous fluid filled in the housing. The slip-out preventing member is made of a material having a thermal deformation temperature higher than a temperature applied to the slip-out preventing member upon molding of the housing.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device which can improve workability of injecting a lube repellant and effectively prevent leakage of a lubricant, a method for manufacturing the same, a spindle motor, and a recording and reproduction apparatus are provided. A hydrodynamic bearing device 4 includes a lube repellant 11a which is applied in a circular shape by a predetermined distance in a radial direction from a portion of an upper surface of a second thrust flange 41c where it is connected to a shaft 41 and a lube repellant 11b which is applied in a circular shape on an outer peripheral surface of the second thrust flange 41c below from an upper end in the radial direction by a predetermined distance. The lube repellant 11b is applied near the upper end portion in a gap formed between the outer peripheral surface of the second thrust flange 41c and an inner peripheral surface of an outer sleeve 44.

Abstract: A bearing unit comprises a cylindrical oil-impregnated bearing, in which a bearing bore to support a turning shaft is formed so as to enable the turning shaft to turn; a bearing holder, in which the oil-impregnated bearing is fixed by an inner bore; a first groove being formed in an axial direction on an inner circumferential surface of the oil-impregnated bearing; and a second groove being formed in an axial direction on at least one of an outer circumferential surface of the oil-impregnated bearing and an inner circumferential surface of the bearing holder. The second groove is formed so as to have a greater depth than that of the first groove. The second groove is also formed so as to have a larger cross section than that of the first groove.

Abstract: A flange on a shaft of a fluid dynamic bearing unit is to be provided with a hole connecting an outer periphery of the flange and an outer periphery of the shaft. A radial groove is provided on a surface of two flange half pieces, and a vertical groove communicating with the radial groove is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the flange half pieces. Upon combining the two flange half pieces with the grooves facing each other and attaching them to the shaft, a path connecting an outer periphery of the flange and an outer periphery of the shaft is formed. The groove may be formed in a desired cross-sectional shape such as a semicircle, triangle or rectangle. The groove may be formed only on either of the flange half pieces, and the groove can be formed by a simple process such as pressing.

Abstract: A motor includes a support member (40) having a bearing housing (20) defining a bearing hole (21) therein, a stator assembly (50) mounted to an outer periphery of the support member, and a rotor assembly (60) having a rotary shaft (68) extending into the bearing hole and a permanent magnet (66) confronting the stator assembly. A bearing pattern (100) is formed on either of the bearing housing and the rotary shaft. The bearing pattern includes a number of first and second grooves (13, 16) arranged circumferentially in an alternate fashion. Each of the first grooves is in communication with one adjacent second groove at an edge of the bearing pattern. Lubricating oil filled in the bearing pattern to establish dynamic pressure to separate the shaft and the bearing sleeve in radial direction when the shaft rotates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fluid dynamic bearing motor. The fluid dynamic bearing motor having a ring-shaped housing having a coil joined to an edge thereof, a sleeve including a protruded part joined to a central part of the housing and a ring-shaped contact part formed as a single body with the protruded part, a ring-shaped hub having an inner perimeter joined to the contact part and having a magnet attached to an edge thereof, the magnet facing the coil, a stopper positioned between the housing and the contact part and joined to the hub such that the sleeve is not detached from the hub, a storing part formed as a space between the stopper and the sleeve and filled with fluid, for supplying and maintaining the fluid in a gap formed between the contact part and the inner perimeter of the hub, and a penetration hole formed from a center of the sleeve to an edge of the sleeve, the penetration hole being spatially separated from the storing part.

Abstract: As axis direction dimensions become smaller in HDD spindle motors as a result of thinner and more compact designs, there is a demand for hydrodynamic bearings with a long lifespan. As a means of solving this problem, a lubricant reservoir section is formed between a sleeve side surface and a cover side surface with a depth varying in a circumferential direction lubricant is circulated in a bearing gap section, a sleeve end face gap section larger than a bearing gap between a sleeve end face and the cover, and a connecting channel, and the lubricant reservoir section and the sleeve end face gap section are connected via an introducing gap section having a bubble separation function.

Abstract: An active fluid bearing system is provided. In one example, the active fluid bearing system includes an interface region formed between an outer surface of an inner member and an opposing inner surface of an outer member. The inner and outer members are disposed for relative rotation of the inner and outer members, and thereby form an interface region having a hydrodynamic bearing region and an active bearing region. A liquid is disposed in the interface region at the hydrodynamic bearing region, and is further disposed in the active bearing region if the inner and outer members are not relatively rotating. The bearing system is operable for evacuating at least a portion of the liquid from the active bearing region during relative rotation of the inner and outer members. The active bearing region may be a journal bearing or a thrust bearing.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor including a stationary sleeve, a rotating shaft axially disposed through the sleeve, a journal gap between the shaft and the sleeve, the gap defined by first and second interfacial surfaces of the shaft and sleeve, at least one set of fluid dynamic grooves formed on the first interfacial surface of the journal gap, and at least one step defined on the second interfacial surface of the journal gap.

Abstract: An inner space of a housing sealed with a seal member as well as internal pores of a bearing member (pores in a porous structure) are filled with a lubricating oil without the presence of air, so that the oil surface of the lubricating oil is within a seal space. Under a reduced pressure of 100 Torr, no lubricating oil leaks outside of the housing even at any attitude of the fluid lubricated bearing device such as normal, inverted, or horizontal attitude.

Abstract: A bearing unit includes a radial bearing; a thrust bearing; a path forming member; a housing; viscous fluid; and a communicating path. The communicating path has an axial path formed in the axis direction on a circumferential face of the radial bearing and a second end side path formed on the second end side face of the radial bearing. The second end side path is formed by a plurality of projections formed on one of the second end side face of the radial bearing and a face of the housing opposing to the second end side face of the radial bearing. The cross section of the second end side path has a cross sectional area greater than that of the cross section of the axial path.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing system having at least one stationary part and one rotating part that form a bearing gap filled with bearing fluid between the opposing bearing surfaces, at least one end of the bearing gap being open and sealed against the environment by a sealing means, pumping grooves being provided on at least two spatially separated bearing surfaces to generate hydrodynamic pressure and at least one supply volume connected to the bearing gap being available for the bearing fluid. The distinctive feature of the invention is that the sealing means are formed by pumping grooves that are disposed at the open and of the bearing gap on at least one of the bearing parts and designed in such away that they generate a pumping action on the bearing fluid directed towards the interior of the bearing and, as a result, create a dynamic seal for the open end of the bearing. The bearing system itself is designed as a compact unit preferably consisting of only three parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic air bearing system to rotatably support a motor. The bearing system comprises a stationary shaft, a bearing bush partially enclosing the shaft and connected to the shaft, a bearing plate partially enclosing the shaft and connected to the shaft, the shaft, the bearing bush and the bearing plate between them forming a cavity that is rotationally symmetric with respect to a rotational axis. A component partially enclosing the shaft and having a sleeve-shaped section and at least one disk-shaped section is rotatably accommodated in the cavity, a bearing gap filled with air or a gas separating the surface of the rotatable component from the surfaces facing the rotatable component of the shaft, the bearing bush and the bearing plate.

Abstract: In a fluid dynamic pressure bearing, upper herringbone grooves and lower herringbone grooves continuous with the upper herringbone grooves are formed on the inner peripheral surface of a sleeve by plastic deformation. In addition, an annular groove recessed radially inward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft in a location opposing the region where the upper herringbone grooves and the lower herringbone grooves adjoin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a fluid dynamic bearing system that comprises a base (10), a stationary shaft (14) that is connected to the base (10), a bearing bush (16) that is connected to the base (10) and disposed at a spacing about the shaft (14), a hub (18) having a sleeve-shaped part (20) and a cylindrical bore for receiving the shaft (14), a thrust plate (22)) that is disposed at one end of the sleeve-shaped part (20; 120), wherein the sleeve-shaped part and the thrust plate are disposed between an inside circumference of the bearing bush (16) and the outside circumference of the shaft (14).

Abstract: A system, method and means is provided for withstanding mechanical shock for use with fluid dynamic bearings. A sealing system is provided that withstands 1000 G shock events. In an aspect, a grooved pumping seal employed between a thrust plate and a shield, a thrust plate having spiral grooves, a fluid recirculation passageway, and a reservoir creates an asymmetric pressure gradient. In an aspect, fluid is retained and air is purged utilizing an enlarged fluid reservoir, axial channels and an angled fill hole. In an aspect, a shaft is attached to a top cover supplying radial stiffness, and an enlarged single-sided thrust plate improves dynamic parallelism.

Abstract: A bearing mechanism includes a shaft, a bearing portion, and a cover closing a bottom end of the bearing portion. The bearing portion and the cover are preferably connected to one another by laser welding. A surface of a welded portion formed by the laser welding includes an inclined surface which is inclined such that the further from a central axis a portion thereof is, the axially higher the portion is. With this unique structure, contamination of lubricant used inside the bearing mechanism by fumes generated due to the laser welding is minimized, and therefore a reliable and durable bearing mechanism is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrodynamic bearing device having a communicating hole and with a bearing structure such that lubricant tends not to flow out of the bearing openings of the hydrodynamic bearing device even when the hydrodynamic bearing device is subjected to a large impact, as well as a spindle motor in which this hydrodynamic bearing device is installed. A hydrodynamic bearing device has a shaft and a sleeve that rotatably supports the shaft. A thrust flange is formed at one end of the shaft, is equipped with a protrusion that is opposed to a stepped component of the sleeve in the axial direction, and is configured such that the thrust flange does not block a communicating hole when an impact is applied, which suppresses the generation of a cavity near the thrust flange.

Abstract: An oil film bearing (1) for roll pins (4), which or whose pin bush (3) that is placed thereon is surrounded by a bearing bush (3) placed in an insert (2). The bearing bush has at least two inner lying hydrostatic pockets (9, 9?), which are arranged, in essence, in a common axial line and which can be supplied with a pressure medium via a check valve (18) and via boreholes (6, 6?) extending inside the bearing bush (5). Throttles (15, 15?) inside the boreholes (6, 6?) ensure an optimal hydrostatic bearing even when the roll pin (4) or the pin bush (3) is in an oblique position inside the bearing bush (5). The aim of the invention is to improve an oil film bearing of the aforementioned type whereby economically assuring the hydrostatic function of the bearing and in which the inspection of the throttles (15, 15?) is possible without further ado.

Abstract: In a wider flow path 4a surrounded with a shaft 3, a thrust plate 6 and an inner circumferential corner portion 1c of a bearing sleeve 1 in a small clearance 4 between a lower side radial bearing section 13 and an upper surface thrust bearing section 14, chamfering is performed at the inner circumferential corner portion 1c of the bearing sleeve 1, wherein a width of the wider flow path 4a in the radial direction in rotation is formed so as to be wider than a width of a communication hole 16 located below the wider flow path 4a in the radial direction in rotation to thereby render a flow of a lubricating fluid 5 flowing into the wider flow path 4a from the communication hole 16 smooth.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hoisting crane comprising a jib, a jib connection member which is disposed on the column and to which the jib is connected pivotably. The crane further comprises an annular bearing structure extending around the column guiding and carrying the jib connection member rotatable about the column. The annular bearing structure comprises one or more column bearing parts comprising column bearing surfaces associated with the vertical column and one or more jib bearing parts comprising jib bearing surfaces associated with the jib connection member, whereby the column bearing surfaces and the jib bearing surfaces are arranged opposite from each other. A first column bearing surface is oriented substantially vertically and is arranged in a radial direction more inwards than the opposed first jib bearing surface, to support radially inwards directed horizontal loads from the jib connection member to the column.