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 spindle motor (50) is composed of a base (8), a sleeve (4) in cylindrical shape that is fixed on the base (8), a shaft section (1) inserted into a through hole (4b) of the sleeve (4) that is rotatable with respect to the base (8), a hub (7) that rotates together with the shaft section (1), a radial dynamic pressure bearing section (RB) formed between a bushing (13) and the sleeve (4), a flange section (4a) that protrudes in a radial direction on an outer circumferential section of the sleeve (4), a wall section (7a) in annular shape that protrudes with surrounding the sleeve (4), a thrust ring (3) that is fixed on an inner circumferential section of the wall section (7a) being adjacent to the flange section (4a) and the bushing (13) in an axial direction, and a seal plate (17 fixed on an outer circumferential section of the sleeve (4) with sandwiching the thrust ring (3) between the flange section (4a) of the sleeve (4) and the seal plate (17) in an axial direction.

Abstract: A hydrostatic bearing design employing inherently compensated orifices whose geometric design is such that the use of multiple orifices is substantially simplified. In normal cylindrical hydrostatic bearings, the orifices are usually employed in rows. There can be from three to 120 orifices per row, and usually from one to six rows in most designs. In these designs, the orifice is usually a separate component, which is pressed into the surface that constitutes the bearing. Inherently compensated orifices are comprised of three sections, i.e. the entrance section, the restricting orifice section, and the exit section. The first two of these sections are of circular cross section. This design employs slots versus cylindrical type of construction, thereby giving square or rectangular cross sections. The manufacturing of this type of hydrostatic bearing is greatly simplified since only three or slightly more parts are required, versus a separate part for each orifice.

Abstract: A shaft, a circular plate portion and a cylindrical portion are integrally formed with one another through cutting operations to provide a rotor hub of a motor. An inner region on the lower surface of the circular plate portion is formed continuously with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and a hub thrust portion is provided in the inner portion so as to axially face a sleeve thrust portion on a sleeve main body. A stepped portion on the lower surface of the circular plate portion is disposed on the outer side of thrust dynamic pressure grooves on the sleeve thrust portion. In this manner, the stepped portion is disposed in a region where a thrust bearing portion is not provided, so that the hub thrust portion can be formed at a low cost in manufacturing the rotor hub by cutting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system that comprises a bearing sleeve having a bearing bore and a shaft that is rotatably supported in the bearing bore by means of a fluid dynamic radial bearing. An annular first bearing plate connected to the shaft is provided that, together with a first end face of the bearing sleeve, forms a first fluid dynamic axial bearing, means of producing an axial counterforce to the first axial bearing being available. According to the invention, the axial counterforce is applied by means of a combination of a mechanical spring element and a second fluid dynamic axial bearing. Since the spring force of a preloaded spring does not change significantly over small distances, compensation for tolerances is made possible without the bearing system losing its axial stiffness or being subjected to too much stress.

Abstract: A spindle motor which allows appropriate formation of communicating hole for compensating a pressure difference due to an error in working of dynamic pressure generating grooves and other components, easy formation of dynamic pressure generating grooves and readily prevention of leakage of a lubrication fluid is provided. An outer cylindrical member is attached to a shaft, a radial hydrodynamic bearing and a thrust hydrodynamic bearing are provided between the outer cylindrical member and the sleeve, and communicating holes are formed between the shaft and the outer cylindrical member, and between the hub and the outer cylindrical member. Since the collared outer cylindrical member is attached to the shaft, the communicating holes can be readily formed. Also, since a thrust hydrodynamic bearing is formed between an opening of a communicating hole and a seal, a lubrication fluid is unlikely to leak from the seal portion.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device which can enhance operating efficiency of a step of filling a lubricant and also effectively suppress leakage of the lubricant to an outer peripheral portion of the hydrodynamic bearing device; a spindle motor including the same; and an information recording and reproducing apparatus are provided A hydrodynamic bearing device includes a sleeve, a shaft, a lubricant, a plurality of lube repellent application areas, and a lube repellent non-application area. The sleeve has an insertion hole as a bearing hole on at least one end. The shaft is inserted into the insertion hole of the sleeve and is supported so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the sleeve. The lubricant is interposed in a clearance between the sleeve and the shaft. The plurality of lube repellent application areas are formed into a circular pattern with the shaft being a substantial center on at positions outside the insertion hole of an open upper surface of the sleeve in a radial direction of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing arrangement for an electric motor, particularly for a spindle motor to drive the platters of a hard disk drive. The bearing arrangement comprises a shaft, a bearing bush and a thrust plate disposed fixedly on the shaft, the shaft and the thrust plate rotating with respect to the bearing bush, grooved patterns to generate fluid-dynamic pressure being provided on the thrust plate and/or the surfaces located opposite the thrust plate of the bearing sleeve and/or the cover plate. The grooved pattern comprises a number g of grooves distributed over the surface of the bearing sleeve, the thrust plate or the cover plate, wherein in the shaft and/or in the thrust plate, a number h of holes and/or recesses are provided at the inner edge of the thrust plate and/or at the outer edge of the shaft. According to the invention, the number g of grooves cannot be integrally divided by the number h of holes and likewise that h cannot be integrally divided by g.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic-pressure bearing includes a thrust dynamic-pressure bearing between a bearing member and a rotor hub and a tapered sealing portion continuous with the thrust dynamic-pressure bearing and defining a radial gap whose width gradually increases in the axial direction. A neck is formed in a passageway between the thrust dynamic-pressure bearing and a lubricating fluid/air interface maintained in the tapered sealing portion for increasing flow resistance of the lubricating fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bushing used in bearings. The bushing of the present invention is cylindrical with grooves on its inner face, and more particularly grooves which form a grid-like arrangement. Holes are located within the groove such that when lubricant is poured through the holes, it flows into the grooves. The grooves allow the flow of lubricant throughout the inner face, allowing the bushing and shaft assembly to stay lubricated longer and increasing its life.

Abstract: A shaft is rotatably inserted through a bearing hole of a sleeve, a screw hole for fastening a clamp to the shaft is formed along a direction of an axis from an upper end portion of the shaft, an operating fluid is charged in a gap between an inner peripheral surface of the sleeve and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft, and radial bearing parts constituted of dynamic pressure generating grooves are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve. As for an inside diameter of the sleeve, an inside diameter in a predetermined range from the opening upper end part is formed to be larger by an expected deformation amount in a diameter direction of the shaft than an inside diameter in a range at a lower end side from the predetermined range. The predetermined range corresponds to a range including a radial bearing part located at the upper end side.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device, comprising a shaft structure, a sleeve, a dynamic pressure-generating groove which is formed on surface of at least one of a shaft structure and a sleeve, and a lubricant present in a gap between the shaft structure and the sleeve; wherein the lubricant contains a diester with a total carbon number of 20 to 28 obtainable by a divalent alcohol that has three ether bond, and one or more types of a saturated monovalent fatty acid with carbon number of 6 to 10.

Abstract: An improved air fan bearing structure includes a bearing on an air fan and a spindle located in the bearing. The bearing has an inner periphery in contact with the spindle that forms a first air chamber and a second air chamber of different cross section areas. The first air chamber contains a lubricant which has an oil film tension greater than the internal static pressure of the second air chamber. Thus the spindle can be positioned by the internal static pressure and the oil film tension. When the spindle rotates, according to Bernoulli's Law, there is a pressure difference between the first air chamber and the second air chamber to squeeze the lubricant to the second air chamber to form an oil film. Hence the spindle can be supported and rotated without touching the bearing to reduce run out.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing having a hub, a sleeve, and a sealing arrangement comprising a first capillary seal substantially retaining a first fluid and a second capillary seal comprising a second fluid. The second capillary seal is located between the first capillary seal and an opening between the hub and the sleeve.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing for a hard disk drive device is disclosed. An oil is filled in a clearance between an inner surface of the hub and an outer surface of the shaft, whereby a hydrodynamic radial bearing is formed between the inner periphery of the hub and the outer periphery of the shaft, and a hydrodynamic thrust bearing is formed between the top face of the shaft and the thrust plate. Between an outer peripheral part at the base end of the shaft and an inner peripheral part at the open end of the hub is formed a seal part in which a larger clearance is formed between the shaft and the hub than a clearance in the hydrodynamic radial bearing and in which the oil surface is positioned. An oil surface adjusting hole and a plug for sealing the hole are provided in the case opposite the seal part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing arrangement, particularly for a spindle motor to drive the platters of a hard disk drive, the bearing arrangement having a shaft and a bearing bush, which, supported by a lubricant circulating between their bearing surfaces, are rotatable with respect to each other, a covering cap being provided that covers an end face and regions of the outside diameter of the bearing bush adjoining this end face. A free space is provided between the bearing bush and the covering cap, the free space being connected to the bearing gap and at least partially filled with lubricant. According to the invention, a channel running substantially in the longitudinal direction of the bearing bush is provided on the outside diameter of the bearing bush, one end of the channel leading into the free space and allowing the filling level of the lubricant in the free space to be measured.

Abstract: PROBLEM: To prevent oil film breakage in bearings without expelling of air internally accumulated at the bearing. METHOD FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device in which radial hydrodynamic grooves and thrust hydrodynamic grooves form communicating channels; have communicating holes designed to communicate the groove end of the radial hydrodynamic groove on the side opposite the thrust hydrodynamic grooves with the groove end of the thrust hydrodynamic groove on the side opposite the radial hydrodynamic grooves; have a circulation route composed by the communicating hole, the radial hydrodynamic groove, and the thrust hydrodynamic groove; and circulate lubricating oil by means of a pump force of the hydrodynamic groove.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrodynamic bearing device with a function of circulating the operating fluid by supplying the operating fluid to between the cover and the sleeve by way of a circular communication path, the hydrodynamic bearing device allowing the cover for covering the sleeve to be satisfactorily bonded, preventing the operating fluid from leaking outward, and preventing the adhesive from blocking the opening of the circular communication path; and a spindle motor. An adhesive inflow allowing space for allowing the adhesive from the adhesive setting and bonding part to flow in is formed between the adhesive setting and bonding part for setting the adhesive and bonding the cover and the sleeve, and a space region on the open end side between the cover and the sleeve for circulating and introducing the operating fluid so as to create a space in the cover.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing device includes a shaft and a sleeve, with the shaft or the sleeve having a greater hardness being smoothed to have about 0.02 ?m or less of the arithmetical average of the surface roughness. The hardness of the shaft or the sleeve having a greater hardness is a Vickers hardness of about 100 Hv or greater at a portion that is arranged to come into contact with the other of the shaft or the sleeve. Further, the hardness of the other of the shaft or the sleeve is a Vickers hardness of about 600 HV or smaller at a portion arranged to come into contact with the shaft or the sleeve having a greater hardness. A clearance of a radial gap defined between the shaft and the sleeve S is about 1.3 ?m to about 2.5 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a hydrodynamic bearing system, particularly to drive platters in a hard disk drive, the platters being disposed on a rotor, and the bearing system being formed by a bearing sleeve arranged on a baseplate and a shaft rotatably supported in an opening in the bearing sleeve and at least one thrust plate connected to the shaft. A liquid lubricant is filled into a bearing gap formed between the shaft, the thrust plate and the bearing sleeve. The invention is characterized in that the thrust plate rests directly against the rotor and is accommodated in an annular recess in the bearing sleeve facing the rotor.

Abstract: A method for filling the bearing gap of a hydrodynamic bearing with a lubricant, where drops of lubricant are produced in a defined manner and are applied to a defined region of the bearing to be filled.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a motor with a rotatable hub having fluid dynamic journal and thrust bearings can be assembled from four major components: a spindle, a hub, a thrust washer, and a base. The spindle can integrate journal bearing, axial limiter, and ring seal functions. The hub can integrate journal bearing, thrust bearing, ring seal, axial limiter, capillary seal, and bumper functions. The thrust washer can integrate thrust bearing and lubricant circulation functions. The base can integrate capillary seal and lubricant storage and circulation functions. Each function can be integrated as structural feature in its corresponding component. The spindle, hub, and thrust bearing can be preassembled. The base can be loaded with lubricant prior to assembly with the spindle/hub/thrust bearing combination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing the buffer volume in a fluid dynamic bearing is disclosed. One embodiment provides a thrust washer coupled with a shaft of a fluid dynamic bearing. In addition, at least one groove is provided on an outward facing side of the thrust washer. In so doing, the at least one groove increases a fluid capacity of the capillary buffer of the fluid dynamic bearing without requiring a change in the size or shape of a capillary buffer of the fluid dynamic bearing.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of improving wear resistance of a thrust bearing portion. A pressure is generated by a dynamic pressure effect of a lubricating oil in a thrust bearing gap C between a thrust bearing surface 11a including dynamic pressure generating grooves and a smooth thrust receiving surface 11b so as to rotatably support a shaft member 2 in an axial direction. The thrust receiving surface 11b is formed as a flat surface, whereas an inclined plane 17 is provided on the thrust bearing surface 11a so as to provide a reduced portion 15 having a decreasing axial width in a radially outward direction in the thrust bearing gap C.

Abstract: A typical dynamic bearing design comprises a ring shaped or circular thrust plate mounted at or near the end of a shaft, the shaft defining together with a surrounding sleeve a journal bearing by providing grooves on only one of the two surfaces facing the gap between the shaft and sleeve. On the ring shaped thrust plate supported by the shaft, the traditional upward thrust bearing defined between the lower face of the thrust plate and the facing surface of the sleeve is maintained; but no grooves are on the surface of the thrust plate distant from the shaft and a facing counterplate surface. Further, the journal bearing is defined to have an asymmetry so that a bias force pressure along the surface of the shaft toward the thrust plate is established.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing, a motor including the same, and a recording and reproducing apparatus which can improve vibration resistance property and suppress noises even in a situation where vibration is expected are provided. Radial hydrodynamic grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of a sleeve have a shape which satisfy relational expression L2<L1/2. L1 refers to a length of a hydrodynamic causing portion of a radial bearing portion in an axial direction; and L2 refers to a length in the axial direction from a benchmark point where an end portion of the radial bearing portion on an outward side in the axial direction and center of a predetermined radial hydrodynamic groove cross each other, to a relative rotational direction backward side end portion of a radial hydrodynamic groove adjacent to the predetermined radial hydrodynamic groove on the forward side in a relative rotational direction.

Abstract: A fluid bearing that utilizes a variable width groove is described. The fluid bearing includes two surfaces that are rotatable relative to one another, with a groove on at least one of the surface. The borders of the groove are a non-constant width from one another.

Abstract: A bearing unit includes: a radial bearing for bearing in a circumferential direction of a shaft; a thrust bearing for bearing one end in a thrust direction of the shaft; a housing provided on the outside of the radial bearing and the thrust bearing and filled with a viscous fluid; a seal member united with the housing so as to contain the radial bearing and the thrust bearing in a sealed state, the seal member having a shaft passing hole through which the shaft is passed; and a passage for discharging air present inside the housing, the passage formed between the housing and the radial bearing, and the passage providing communication between the one end side and the other end side in the thrust direction of the shaft projecting from the radial bearing, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the passage is a shape including at least one acute angle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aerodynamic bearing assembly for a spindle motor for hard disk drives, in which a hub of the spindle motor is pivoted in both radial and thrust directions by the ball bearing, which directly contacts the center of the hub, to perform rotation according to the rotational principle of a whirligig, and is subject to the thrust load through the aerodynamic bearing assembly with air groove(s) without being in contact with it, so that the hub maintains a rotational center without mechanical contact resulting in noise and starting failure of the assembly during an initial starting (low-speed rotation). The assembly includes air grooves, the air groove generating aerodynamic pressure between the hub and the aerodynamic bearing while the hub rotates.

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 dynamic pressure gas bearing motor in which a radial dynamic pressure gas bearing and a thrust dynamic pressure gas bearing are ensured to have sufficient length and diameter even though the clamping screw holes for introducing screws to reliably hold a disk are formed in the top wall of the motor rotation body.

Abstract: Small-size, small-height fluid dynamic-pressure bearing device that causes a low shaft loss and is less prone to troubles such as shortage and leakage of lubricating liquid. A thrust dynamic-pressure bearing is formed at an inner position and a region having a slightly-widened gap is provided outside of the thrust dynamic-pressure bearing to retain the lubricating liquid therein. Further, an oil circulating path is communicated with the region having a slightly widened gap. The gap of this region is set to be greater than the gap at the thrust dynamic-pressure bearing portion by the value of the depth of dynamic-pressure generating grooves. The region having a widened gap may be provided with rows of grooves for stirring-up lubricating oil towards the center.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing, particularly for a spindle motor, comprising a shaft, a thrust plate connected to the shaft and a bearing sleeve closed at one end by a cover plate, the bearing sleeve enclosing the shaft and the thrust plate with a slight radial spacing forming a concentric bearing gap filled with a lubricant. As is already known, the surfaces of the bearing sleeve and the shaft facing each other form at least one radial bearing region and the surfaces of the bearing sleeve, the cover plate and the thrust plate facing each other form at least one axial bearing region. In the hydrodynamic bearing according to the invention, at least one connecting channel is provided which connects a section between the bearing sleeve and the shaft abutting the radial bearing region and a section of the bearing gap abutting the axial bearing region to each other.

Abstract: An object of the present invention to provide a hydrodynamic bearing device and a motor having a high performance and reliability which prevents deterioration in a temperature property due to a difference in coefficients of linear expansion of a sleeve and a shaft and prevents abrasion of bearing surfaces of both the sleeve and the shaft. The sleeve is formed of a copper metal material or an iron metal material and is treated with electroless nickel plating at least on the surface which opposes the shaft. The shaft includes 0.2% by weight C, 0.3% by weight Si, 8% by weight Mn, 0.2% by weight S, 2.5% by weight Ni, and 14% by weight Cr, and a main component of the shaft is a manganese alloy steel including Fe.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a motor composed at least of a stator, a rotor, and a dynamic pressure bearing having a thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion and a radial dynamic pressure bearing portion to support the rotor rotatably in relation to the stator, comprising lubrication fluid being filled in a lubrication fluid filled portion connecting said thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion with said radial dynamic pressure bearing portion and being used in common by said thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion and said radial dynamic pressure bearing portion, and a pump-in dynamic pressure generation portion being disposed between said thrust dynamic pressure bearing portion and said radial dynamic pressure bearing portion so as to generate pressure that causes the lubrication fluid to move toward said radial dynamic pressure bearing portion.

Abstract: A spindle motor is provided comprising a fixed shaft capable of being fastened at either end to the base and cover of the disc drive. The hub which rotates around the disc drive is supported for rotation by a journal bearing and thrust bearing, with the thrust bearing grooved surfaces being defined in gaps immediately adjacent the ends of the journal bearing. A fluid recirculation path is provided through the rotating sleeve connecting the surfaces adjacent the thrust bearings, with the asymmetry which provides the fluid circulation either being inherently present due to tolerances in the bearing and groove design, or specifically provided by asymmetry in the bearing groove pattern. An asymmetric sealing system employs a pumping seal adjacent a radial end of the thrust plate near the base of the housing, and a shorter pumping seal defined adjacent a radial end of the thrust plate distal from the base.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing rotary device which can reduce rotation friction, and recording and reproducing apparatus including the same are provided. In the hydrodynamic bearing rotary device such as hard disc devices, a rotary shaft having a hub on one end is provided in a bearing of a sleeve so as to be rotatable. Thrust hydrodynamic grooves are provided on the other end surface of the rotary shaft, to form a thrust bearing with the thrust plate. A communication path is provided in the sleeve. The second gap between the hub and the sleeve end surface is used as a flow channel and is connected to the communication path. In this way, the rotation friction torque of the thrust bearing can be made sufficiently small, and internal pressure in bonded portions of the rotary shaft or the bottom plate can be suppressed. Thus, the oil can be prevented from oozing out from a small space of the bonded surfaces. Furthermore, the hydrodynamic bearing can be made thin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spindle motor having a fluid dynamic bearing system, used particularly for driving the storage disks of hard disk drives, having a baseplate, a stationary bearing bush disposed in an opening in the baseplate, a shaft rotatably supported in an axial bore in the bearing bush by means of the fluid dynamic bearing system, a hub connected to the shaft, and an electromagnetic drive system. The invention is characterized in that the shaft has a flange that is fixed in an opening in the hub and whose outside diameter is significantly larger than the smallest outside diameter of the shaft.

Abstract: A spindle motor includes a rotor section, a stator section, and thrust and radial dynamic pressure fluid bearings. The thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing includes first and second thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing sections each generating a dynamic pressure in a direction opposite to each other. Lubrication fluid is filled in a filling section as a prescribed gap between the rotor and stator sections. The filling section includes a first filling section linking one end section opened to the outside, the second thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing section, the first thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing section and the radial dynamic pressure fluid bearing in order and a second filling section linking a point allocated between the second and first thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing sections and another point allocated between the first thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing section and the radial dynamic pressure fluid bearing in the first filling section.

Abstract: In a hydrodynamic bearing motor which rotatably supports a rotor by forming a hydrodynamic bearing by forming an oil gap between the rotor and a stator, the stator includes a base and a hollow sleeve fixedly coupled to the central portion of the base and having a flange formed at an upper end portion of the sleeve. The rotor includes a shaft forming journal bearings by forming an oil gap in the hollow of the sleeve and rotatably coupled to the hollow of the sleeve 120, a hub having the central portion to which an upper end portion of the shaft is fixedly coupled, having a cylindrical wall extending downward toward the outside of the flange from a lower surface of the hub, and forming an oil gap with an upper surface of the flange, thus forming an upper thrust bearing, and a thrust plate fixedly coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall and forming a lower thrust bearing with a lower surface of the flange.

Abstract: A motor is composed of a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a shaft, a hub having a cylindrical wall and a thrust ring. The stator includes a motor base, an inner seal and a sleeve having a flange section. The rotor is supported in a thrust direction by a first thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing constituted by a top surface of the thrust ring, a surface of the flange section with having a first gap between them, and lubrication fluid filled in the first gap and a second thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing constituted by a bottom surface of the thrust ring, an end surface of the inner seal with having a second gap between them, and the lubrication fluid filled in the second gap, and supported in a radial direction by a radial dynamic pressure fluid bearing constituted by an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve, an outer circumferential surface of the shaft with having a third gap between them, and the lubrication fluid filled in the third gap.

Abstract: An oil dynamic bearing, a motor and a disk drive adapted to be reduced in both size and thickness are disclosed. The oil dynamic bearing (B) includes at least two bearing portions (B1, B2), each having a bearing near end nearer to the rotational axis or the bearing center of the bearing and a bearing far end farther from the rotational axis or the bearing center of the bearing. The near and bearing far ends are each connected to a taper seal portion, which in turn communicates with the atmosphere. The taper seal portion connected to the bearing near end of the bearing portion (B1) and the taper seal portion connected to the bearing near end of the other bearing portion (B2) make up a common taper seal portion.

Abstract: A device for changing the control times of an internal combustion engine (camshaft adjuster (1)) having a pressure medium distributor (21) arranged within a camshaft (11) is provided. The pressure medium distributor (21) is provided at its front end with a radially extending shoulder (42), this shoulder (42) forming part of the camshaft axial mounting.

Abstract: A seal with a primary axis lying in the radial direction so that the fluid bearing is primarily extending in the axial direction between the rotating shaft and surrounding sleeve is disclosed. The capillary seal is positioned with an opening adjacent an end of the fluid bearing gap, and comprises two walls which diverge as they extend radially away from the fluid bearing so that the fluid held in the radial capillary seal is maintained adjacent an end of the gap, while the size of the reservoir defined by the diverging walls provides a large reservoir volume. The seal uses an additional capillary defined by a narrow annulus between the rotating shaft and a seal wall end. The narrow annulus establishes very high shock resistance preventing fluid loss past the outer axial wall of the radially capillary seal, and defines a small surface area from which evaporation can occur.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing device in which an introducing minimum clearance for causing capillary phenomenon is formed from the location in the proximity of the opening of a communicating path to the open end of the bearing hole in between the cover and the end face on the open end of the sleeve so that the operating fluid from the communicating path in the sleeve flows into the bearing hole by the capillary phenomenon; a vent hole leading to the outside air is formed on the cover; a fluid storage space for storing the operating fluid is formed on the inside surface of the cover or the end face on the open end of the sleeve to communicate the introducing minimum clearance and the vent hole in the circumferential direction; and the air bubbles separated at the fluid storage space are exhausted outward from the vent hole.

Abstract: A high-accuracy, long-life hydrodynamic bearing that does not cause oil film breakage in bearing clearances and a disc rotation apparatus using the bearing is disclosed. Oil film breakage is avoided as negative pressure is prevented from generating between the shaft and sleeve of the hydrodynamic bearing. Herringbone shaped dynamic pressure generating grooves, located on the thrust bearing section and the radial bearing section of the hydrodynamic bearing, are oil filled and have optimum shapes. The optimum shapes prevent the generation negative pressure and thus prevents the coagulation of air bubbles that can cause oil film breakage. The disc rotation apparatus, that holds a reproduction/recording disc, is concentrically secured to the hydrodynamic bearing and rotated. The disc is put into contact with magnetic or optical heads while rotating in the disc rotation apparatus. Both the hydrodynamic bearing and the disc rotation apparatus experience high reliability.

Abstract: A high-accuracy, long-life hydrodynamic bearing that does not cause oil film breakage in bearing clearances and a disc rotation apparatus using the bearing is disclosed. Oil film breakage is avoided as negative pressure is prevented from generating between the shaft and sleeve of the hydrodynamic bearing. Herringbone shaped dynamic pressure generating grooves, located on the thrust bearing section and the radial bearing section of the hydrodynamic bearing, are oil filled and have optimum shapes. The optimum shapes prevent the generation negative pressure and thus prevents the coagulation of air bubbles that can cause oil film breakage. The disc rotation apparatus, that holds a reproduction/recording disc, is concentrically secured to the hydrodynamic bearing and rotated. The disc is put into contact with magnetic or optical heads while rotating in the disc rotation apparatus. Both the hydrodynamic bearing and the disc rotation apparatus experience high reliability.

Abstract: An improved rotational motor, such as a spindle motor for a disc drive, is provided. The motor first comprises a hub having a shaft portion and a horizontal body portion. The motor also comprises a sleeve surrounding the shaft portion of the hub. A fine first vertical gap is retained between the shaft and the inner diameter of the surrounding sleeve. In addition, a fine horizontal gap is provided between the upper hub portion and the top of the sleeve. A third gap is preferably provided between the hub and an outer diameter of the sleeve. The first vertical gap is filled with a lubricating liquid, such as a clean oil. A capillary seal is provided in the third gap. In one embodiment, the lubricating liquid extends into the horizontal gap. Oil pumping grooves are machined along the horizontal fluid gap. When the hub is rotated, the oil pumping grooves impel oil towards the shaft. This prevents any portion of the first vertical gap from becoming un-lubricated during rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: System for providing sealing between a rotor and a turbine casing in a hydraulic turbomachine includes a sealing ring arranged in a peripheral region of the rotor. The sealing ring forms at least one hydrostatic bearing with respect to at least one of the rotor and the turbine casing. The at least one hydrostatic bearing includes at least two bearing surfaces which face one another. At least one of the at least two bearing surfaces is arranged on the sealing ring. At least another of the at least two bearing surfaces is arranged on at least one of the rotor and the turbine casing. At least one groove is formed on at least one of the at least two bearing surfaces. At least one pressure-liquid line is coupled to each of the at least one groove and a pressure-liquid supply. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A robust spindle motor is provided having added shock resistance for fluid containment. In an aspect, a high-speed centrifugal capillary seal contains a fluid reservoir extending between similarly rotatable components. Fluid is recirculated through the motor and substantially around a counterplate. Proper axial positioning of motor components and stiffness is maintained in motors supporting heavy loads such as a disk drive memory system having a weighty disc pack. In an aspect, two separate thrust surfaces provide oppositely directed axial forces acting on motor components. In an aspect, a single thrust plate that is comparatively small is utilized, reducing power consumption. Also, a thrust bearing situated inboard of a capillary seal forms a comparatively small diameter thrust plate gap. The comparatively small diameter thrust plate gap increases efficiency and characteristics including surface flatness, run out and perpendicularity are improved.