Thrust Patents (Class 384/121)
  • Patent number: 7134791
    Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing device and a spindle motor used for a magnetic disk drive device capable of increasing an impact resistance, reducing A-PRO (oscillating motion of shaft), reducing a variation in rigidity of bearings against a variation in temperature, suppressing a current loss, and reducing a size and a thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Yoshinari Yokoo
  • Patent number: 7090401
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing is provided having two surfaces rotatable with respect to each other, a lubricating medium located in a gap between the two surfaces during rotation of the bearing, and an interrupted and offset groove pattern formed on one of the two surfaces to distribute the lubricating medium over the surface of the bearing. The groove design is intended to be useable in either a journal, thrust or other fluid bearing design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Mizanur Rahman, Gunter K. Heine, Hans L. Leuthold, Anthony Joseph Aiello
  • Patent number: 6982510
    Abstract: The design comprises a shaft and sleeve supported for relative rotation by a journal type fluid dynamic bearing utilizing grooves on one of the shaft or sleeve surfaces. A grooved pattern of a design similar to that usually found on a thrust plate is defined on an axial end surface of the shaft or the counterplate facing the axial end of the shaft, so that thrust is created to maintain separation of the end of the shaft and the facing thrust plate during relative rotation. In one embodiment, to establish and maintain the gap between the shaft end and the facing counterplate, the journal bearing has an asymmetry to pump toward the shaft end having the bearing. In a further refinement, to maintain the shaft and gap within an optimum spacing, a magnet is mounted to provide an axially directed magnetic force on the shaft which works against the axial force created by shaft end thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Joseph Ajello, Klaus Dieter Kloeppel, Gregor Paco Flores
  • Patent number: 6979923
    Abstract: A motor (100) having a dynamic pressure fluid bearing is composed of a hub (2), a rotor (4) provided with a shaft (7) of which one end portion is securely fastened by the hub (2) and another end portion is formed with a flange (8), and a stator (3) composed of a sleeve section (9) for axially sustaining the shaft (7) so as to be rotatable freely and a thrust plate (10) secured on the sleeve section (9) so as to confront with the flange (8), wherein the dynamic pressure fluid bearing is composed of a thrust dynamic pressure fluid bearing constituted by the flange (8) and the thrust plate (10), and wherein the shaft (7) is provided with a through hole (17) bored through the shaft (7) from the one end surface to the other end surface, and wherein the through hole (17) is formed in a shape having an opening to the other end surface of the shaft (7) by way of a funnel shaped section (17c) of which diameter gradually increases toward the other end surface of the shaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Nishio
  • Patent number: 6966699
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a miniaturized, high-precision, easy, and low-cost dynamic pressure bearing device and a manufacturing method thereof. In manufacturing a dynamic pressure bearing device, a first and a second ring-shaped member are fixedly fitted to an outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft member to constitute a rotating portion, an intermediate member is disposed between these members to constitute a fixed portion, a thrust bearing portion is formed in gaps between the first and second ring-shaped members and the intermediate member, and a journal bearing portion is formed in a gap between the rotating shaft member of the rotating portion and the intermediate member, the first and second ring-shaped members being fixed only with an adhesive applied on surfaces thereof which is to be fitted to the rotating shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Relial Corporation
    Inventor: Kimio Satoh
  • Patent number: 6957917
    Abstract: Hydrodynamic plane thrust bearing (26) for a generator (10), preferably operable with a water turbine, with a rotor (12), a track ring (30) rotating with the shaft (20) of the rotor (12), and a bearing segment (32) not rotating with the shaft (20) of the rotor (12) and supported on a bearing housing (24), characterized in that the track ring (30) substantially consists of a plastic matrix with reinforcing fibers embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Celine Mahieux, Axel Guenter Albert Fuerst
  • Patent number: 6945697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic gas mounting of a motor spindle, with a rotating shaft 2 which is gas-mounted in a housing 3 in the radial and axial direction, at least one radial gas bearing 4 being present for radial mounting along the shaft 2 and at least two axial gas bearings 5, 6 being present for the axial mounting of the shaft 2, and the two axial gas bearings 5, 6 having different surface profiles 12 for generating a flow of the bearing gas in the axial direction 14 of the shaft 2 in order to vent the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Paul Muller GmbH & Co. KG. Unternehmensbeteiligungen
    Inventor: Johann Schuster
  • Patent number: 6939048
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing, forming a part of a bearing system for a rotary bearing of spindle motors utilized to power hard disk drives, which includes at least one annular thrust plate and a counter bearing corresponding to the thrust plate. The thrust plate is firmly connected to a shaft rotatably supported by a radial bearing system. The shaft features an axial bore extends from one shaft end located outside the bearing system until the area where the thrust plate is to be positioned. A fixing element is inserted into the axial bore, an outer diameter of the fixing element being greater than the smallest inner diameter of the bore. This enables the thrust plate to be easily mounted in a press fit even in the area around the middle of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Juergen Oelsch
  • Patent number: 6939046
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing having a shaft, which is fixedly connected at one end to a rotating component, and a bearing sleeve, which encompasses the shaft at its other free end with a slight clearance. The sleeve and the shaft form a concentric bearing gap. The shaft and/or the bearing sleeve is provided with at least one groove pattern which forms at least one radial hydrodynamic bearing. A volume equalizing cavity and at least one connecting passage connecting the bearing gap with the volume equalizing cavity extend radially outwards at an angle to the bearing gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juergen Oelsch
  • Patent number: 6851862
    Abstract: A gas lubricated axial thrust bearing for resisting axial forces acting on a machine rotor, comprises at least one pad mounted on a stationary machine surface and axially spaced from a surface of the rotor by a lubricating gas film. The bearing further includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the pad to provide an output signal indicative of the axial load on the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Corac Group PLC
    Inventor: Richard Julius Gozdawa
  • Patent number: 6827494
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing of this invention comprises a body having a load-bearing surface comprising an oil supply channel and an oil return channel positioned along respective inside and outside body diameters. A number of thrust pads are positioned along the surface that each include an oil supply groove, positioned adjacent a leading edge/upstream portion of each thrust pad and extending radially a distance from the oil supply channel, and an oil return groove, positioned adjacent a trailing edge/downstream portion of each thrust pad and extending radially a distance from the oil return channel. The oil supply grooves are separate from the oil return grooves, and the thrust pads each comprise a series arrangement of three differently configured land or pad sections. Configured in this manner, oil is provided onto the series of land sections by the oil supply groove and is collected after passing over the series of land sections by the separate oil collection groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Grover Aguilar
  • Patent number: 6827493
    Abstract: The invention is a bearing unit and bearing system for supporting a large rotatable element, such as a mooring turret. The bearing unit includes a hydrostatic suspension system which enables the bearing unit to accommodate fabrication tolerances and also enables the bearing unit to conform to relative movements between the ship and the turret, thereby providing a compliant bearing system. The system includes multiple bearing units of the invention which serve as thrust and/or radial bearings for supporting the turret. By manifolding a plurality of bearing units together in a fluidly-isolated group, the pressure applied to the bearing units in that group is self-equalizing so that all the bearing units act in unison to equally support the load, while also allowing some degree of self-alignment and tilting of the load. As a result, the bearing system emulates a self-aligning bearing system and is able to compensate for axial and angular misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Prosafe Production PTE LTD
    Inventor: Alan Gregory Hooper
  • Patent number: 6799891
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a cylindrical side wall is provided in a housing so as to surround an outer periphery of a stopper member. Further, an end surface of the side wall is higher than a top surface of outermost periphery of the stopper member. Oil otherwise scattered is received by the side wall for collection. Oil is thus prevented from scattering even if during manufacturing, the amount of oil dripped between the shaft and the oil-impregnated bearing is not strictly controlled, so that a slightly excessive amount of oil is dripped. Therefore, the present motor device enables manufacturing operations to be favorably performed, and is reliable having a long lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kisaburo Kurobe, Masashi Omura, Eisaku Sakoda
  • Patent number: 6789992
    Abstract: A washer in accordance with the present invention comprises an axial hole and a plurality of oil-bearing portions. The oil-bearing portions are located on an inner surface opposite to an outer surface and surround the axial hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Yin-Rong Hong, Ching-Sheng Hong
  • Patent number: 6729767
    Abstract: To improve the known step bearings for the support of open-end spinning rotors, it is proposed to design the bearing body with a machine-side support and a rest for the spinning rotor. According to the invention, a flat bearing surface constituting one end of the bearing body is provided as the rest for the spinning rotor. The flat bearing surface is preferably designed as a bearing plate of an aerostatic step bearing capable of being subjected to compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Edmund Schuller, Manfred Knabel
  • Patent number: 6722992
    Abstract: A torque limiter of the present invention includes: a first rotor and a second rotor, the first and second rotors rotatable about a single center of rotation; a yoke board integrally formed with the first rotor; a magnet which is provided so as to be in contact with the yoke board; and a hysteresis board provided so as to be opposed to the magnet with a space therebetween, the hysteresis board is integrally formed with the second rotor and a washer having depression portions, protrusion portions, holes, or a combination thereof is provided between the first and second rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Hirabayashi, Akio Konishi, Kazuo Shibukawa
  • Publication number: 20040057641
    Abstract: A washer in accordance with the present invention mainly comprises an axial hole and a plurality of oil-bearing holes. The oil-bearing holes are connected an outer surface of the washer to an inner surface, and surround the axial hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Yin-Rong Hong, Ching-Sheng Hong
  • Patent number: 6694617
    Abstract: A method of assembling a motor comprising assembling the shaft and thrust plate to be used in the fluid dynamic bearing assembly, and at least partially inserting the combined shaft and thrust plate into a sleeve which is adapted to support a hub which in turn may support one or more disks for rotation in a disc drive or similar environment. A counterplate cup of a generally U shaped or cup shaped design including a base which is substantially parallel to a top surface of the thrust plate, and sides of a diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the thrust plate and which are parallel to the thrust plate is provided, filled with oil, and having its open end facing the thrust plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Gredinberg, Jerry Joseph Weingord
  • Patent number: 6663287
    Abstract: A thrust dynamic pressure bearing apparatus includes a shaft member and a thrust plate having a fixing hole that is provided with chamfered sections Ca and Cb at the fixing hole. The shaft member is shrink fitted or pressure inserted in the fixing hole of the thrust plate. The chamfered sections Ca and Cb have axial lengths La and Lb in the axial direction. Dimensional relations of the axial lengths La and Lb in the chamfered sections Ca and Cb are set to be within a specified range to evenly distribute the bonding force of the thrust plate applied to the shaft member along the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Gomyo, Masayoshi Saichi, Takayuki Narita, Kazushi Miura, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 6657341
    Abstract: It is disclosed a device for axial stopping of a rotor, in particular an armature of an electric motor, for balancing machines, the device comprising a thrust unit having an abutment surface (8) adjacent to an end face (4b) of the support shaft (4) of the rotor (5) and adapted to exert on the end face (4b), a repulsive force which is able to keep an interstice (1a) between the abutment surface (8) and the end face (4b), the thrust unit comprising fluid-emitting means (9) suitable to form a layer of fluid between the abutment surface (8) and the end face (4b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Balance Systems S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Trionfetti
  • Patent number: 6592490
    Abstract: A hydraulic washer or spacer is used to reduce friction between a planet gear and the planet carrier. The washer has a top side and a bottom side, an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A mating profile extends from the inner diameter to the outer diameter along the bottom side adjacent the planet gear. The top side has a pumping land, pressure pocket, and bearing surface arranged from the inner diameter to the outer diameter respectively. The pumping land extends from the inner diameter outward radially to the pressure pocket. The pressure pocket is recessed relative to the pumping land and extends from the pumping land outward radially to a containment edge. The containment edge is raised relative to the pressure pocket and pumping land. Extending from the containment edge to the outer diameter is a bearing surface that is also raised relative to the pressure pocket and pumping land. As the washer rotates, the surrounding fluid is subject to centrifugal forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: David L. Olson
  • Patent number: 6543937
    Abstract: A sliding bearing axial fitting of a roll mantle of a roll in a paper or board machine for preventing a relative axial movement of the roll mantle with respect to a stationary roll axial, the roll mantle being fitted with a bearing to permit revolution of the roll mantle about the stationary roll axle. The sliding bearing axial fitting includes a ring portion attached to the roll mantle, a backing ring attached to the stationary roll axle, a first set of hydrostatic axial sliding bearing members arranged between a first side of the ring portion and a shoulder of the roll, and a second set of hydrostatic axial sliding bearing members arranged between a second side of the ring portion and the backing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Jori Onnela
  • Publication number: 20030039417
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing of this invention comprises a body having a load-bearing surface comprising an oil supply channel and an oil return channel positioned along respective inside and outside body diameters. A number of thrust pads are positioned along the surface that each include an oil supply groove, positioned adjacent a leading edge/upstream portion of each thrust pad and extending radially a distance from the oil supply channel, and an oil return groove, positioned adjacent a trailing edge/downstream portion of each thrust pad and extending radially a distance from the oil return channel. The oil supply grooves are separate from the oil return grooves, and the thrust pads each comprise a series arrangement of three differently configured land or pad sections. Configured in this manner, oil is provided onto the series of land sections by the oil supply groove and is collected after passing over the series of land sections by the separate oil collection groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Grover Aguilar
  • Patent number: 6524004
    Abstract: A compact externally pressurized gas bearing spindle assembly can increase the degree of vacuum in a vacuum chamber. In a spindle assembly wherein a rotary shaft is provided in a housing through a bearing gap, and compressed gas is introduced into the bearing gap to support the rotary shaft in a non-contact manner relative to the housing, an exhaust gas suction device for sucking gas discharged from the bearing gap is provided inside the housing or the rotary shaft. The bearing gap near the outside of the housing is smaller than the other bearing gap. Near the bearing gap near the outside of the housing, a non-contact seal gap is formed to prevent leakage of compressed gas into the vacuum chamber in a non-contact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fujikawa, Takayuki Itoh
  • Publication number: 20030016891
    Abstract: A pair of thrust hydrodynamic bearing portions are made to communicate with each other to form fluid circulating passages for equalizing a pressure imbalance between both thrust hydrodynamic bearing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SANKYO SEIKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Masato Gomyo, Kazushi Miura
  • Patent number: 6505968
    Abstract: A bearing assembly having a shaft member having a bearing race and a piezoelectric member opposing the bearing race is situated so that when a voltage is applied to it, it expands against the bearing race so that a preload of the bearing is varied. The assembly includes a rotor having two outer bearing races opposing the shaft's inner bearing races. The contact angle for the upper bearing races is different than for the lower bearing races. In one embodiment of the present system, the piezoelectric member is disposed between the shaft member and the bearing race for varying the radial position of the bearing race. In another embodiment, the piezoelectric member is disposed for varying the axial position of the bearing race. In one embodiment, the system includes a hydrodynamic bearing assembly having a stator member having a hydrodynamic surface and a rotor member having a surface facing the stator member hydrodynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: JPMorgan Chase Bank
    Inventors: Christian Fleury, Pierre Descombaz, Gunter K. Heine, Hans Leuthold, Zine Eddine Boutaghou
  • Patent number: 6499882
    Abstract: The improved sliding bearing provides fitting of a cap into a sleeve with steadily fixation of adhesive, and prevention of the remained adhesive outside of the desired area. The sliding bearing comprises a sleeve, a shaft enclosed in said sleeve, and, a cap fitted into the sleeve, the sleeve having a shouldered hole with a first shoulder on which the cap is held, wherein the internal circumferential surface of the sleeve or the external circumferential surface of the cap includes a second shoulder circumferentially formed thereon. The second shoulder of the sleeve is of an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the cap, and an inner diameter approximately same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cap, while the second shoulder of the cap is of an inner diameter smaller than that of the sleeve, and an outer diameter approximately same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takahashi, Yasuo Takamura
  • Publication number: 20020196988
    Abstract: A support assembly has two support devices. Each support device has a base, a bearing seat with a thrust bearing and a thrust journal. The two support devices can support the shaft together. The force applied to the structure of each support device is reduced, and the friction between each thrust journal and the corresponding thrust bearing is also reduced. The useful life of the support assembly is prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Shu-Chen Tsui
  • Patent number: 6494620
    Abstract: A fluid bearing includes a rotary body with a rotor having a cylindrical surface to be borne and a thrust plate arranged at least at an end of the rotor, and a housing including a radial bearing section arranged vis-a-vis the surface of the rotor and a thrust bearing section arranged vis-a-vis the thrust plate. The thrust plate has a hole bored around the axis of rotation of the rotary body and the inner diameter of the hole is greater at the rotor side than at the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Sawaguchi, Michio Horikoshi
  • Publication number: 20020164097
    Abstract: A hydraulic washer or spacer is used to reduce friction between a planet gear and the planet carrier. The washer has a top side and a bottom side, an inner diameter and an outer diameter. A mating profile extends from the inner diameter to the outer diameter along the bottom side adjacent the planet gear. The top side has a pumping land, pressure pocket, and bearing surface arranged from the inner diameter to the outer diameter respectively. The pumping land extends from the inner diameter outward radially to the pressure pocket. The pressure pocket is recessed relative to the pumping land and extends from the pumping land outward radially to a containment edge. The containment edge is raised relative to the pressure pocket and pumping land. Extending from the containment edge to the outer diameter is a bearing surface that is also raised relative to the pressure pocket and pumping land. As the washer rotates, the surrounding fluid is subject to centrifugal forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: David L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20020136474
    Abstract: In a hydrodynamic axial bearing (10), a rotating body (13) is mounted radially in a radial bearing (17) of a bearing body (18). The rotating body (13) comprises a shaft (16), with its shaft journal (14) mounted in the radial bearing (17), and a bearing collar (20) which is connected fixedly to the shaft (16) and corotates with the shaft (16). A floating disk (12) is arranged in an annular-groove-shaped space (28) between a wall (26) of the fixed bearing body (18) and a projection (22) of the corotating bearing collar (20). The floating disk (12) has a central circular orifice (30) which is designed as an integrated hydrodynamic radial bearing (32). By means of this radial bearing (32), the floating disk (12) is mounted radially on a fixed bearing element (38) concentrically surrounding the rotating body (13) on a portion (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Bruno Ammann, Jurgen Prossel
  • Patent number: 6439773
    Abstract: A compact externally pressurized gas bearing spindle assembly can increase the degree of vacuum in a vacuum chamber. In a spindle assembly wherein a rotary shaft is provided in a housing through a bearing gap, and compressed gas is introduced into the bearing gap to support the rotary shaft in a non-contact manner relative to the housing, an exhaust gas suction device for sucking gas discharged from the bearing gap is provided inside the housing or the rotary shaft. The bearing gap near the outside of the housing is smaller than the other bearing gap. Near the bearing gap near the outside of the housing, a non-contact seal gap is formed to prevent leakage of compressed gas into the vacuum chamber in a non-contact manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fujikawa, Takayuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 6401444
    Abstract: An open-end spinning apparatus has a spin rotor (1) which, by means of its shaft (11) is supported by support plates (4), wherein as an abutment for the axially directed force on the spin rotor (1), an aerostatic axial bearing (6) is provided. The bearing surface (115) of the spin rotor (1) operates together with a bearing plate (63) of the axial bearing (6). The bearing surface (115) or the bearing plate (63) are comprised of a construction material of polyimide. Advantageously, the polyimide is combined with an additive, namely graphite, for instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Manfred Knabel, Edmund Schuller, Erich Bock
  • Publication number: 20020057855
    Abstract: A system for keeping the imperfectly machined surfaces of bearings apart at rest. The system includes a first bearing surface which moves facing a second bearing surface, the first surface having a distribution of discrete diamond-like carbon (DLC) pads deposited upon an adhesion layer. The DLC pads are at a height which is approximately the height of the roughness or imperfections of the surfaces. The pads are distributed over the surface at approximately three pads to forty pads or more per square inch. The pads keep the bearing surfaces from coming in contact. Also disclosed is a hydrodynamic bearing having a thrust plate having hydrodynamic grooves and DLC pads on a thrust surface, and a rotor member having an end facing the thrust plate, and a ball and socket bearing having DLC pads deposited on either the socket surface or ball surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth P A Richard E Billion
    Inventors: ZINE EDDINE BOUTAGHOU, PETER R. SEGAR
  • Publication number: 20020053845
    Abstract: A method for setting a gap in a hydrodynamic bearing of a disc drive spindle motors and a motor having such a bearing gap. The method comprises mounting a rotor hub having a central journal sleeve onto a shaft that has been secured to a support after having had a lower thrust bearing pressed onto the shaft in communication with said support, adding an amount of hydrodynamic fluid into the rotor hub's journal sleeve, pressing an upper thrust bearing onto the rotor shaft until contact is made with the rotor hub, and rotating the hub until axial forces balance and set the bearing gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Troy M. Herndon, Klaus D. Kloeppel
  • Patent number: 6371651
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a thrust dynamic pressure bearing in which an unsymmetrical contact during rotation is prevented from occurring, and a dynamic pressure space is prevented from being clogged with abrasion powder generated by a contact at starting and stopping. In the thrust dynamic pressure bearing of the invention, a flange disposed on a shaft is tapered as moving form toward the outer circumference thereof, so that a dynamic pressure space between a thrust bearing face of a housing and a thrust receiving face of the shaft during rotation becomes wider toward the outer circumference thereof. Even if the shaft is tilted with respect the housing during rotation, therefore, it is possible to prevent an unsymmetrical contact of the thrust receiving face of the shaft in the vicinity of the circumference against the thrust bearing face of the housing, from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Fujii, Takeshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6361217
    Abstract: A high capacity thrust bearing is disclosed for use in a tubular drilling string to support axial loads resulting from upward or downward jarring forces. The thrust bearing comprises an inner mandrel and an outer housing. A mandrel pressure chamber string and a housing pressure chamber string are journalled between the mandrel and the housing. The mandrel pressure chamber string and the housing chamber string are arranged to form a number of individual pressure chambers. Alternating pressure chambers contain high pressure fluid or low pressure fluid, thereby forming a repeating pressure differential between adjacent chambers. As loads are applied axially to the drill string, such as jarring loads, the pressure differential over the surface area of the pressure chambers provides a thrust bearing. The thrust bearing is rotatable by its connection to the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas R. Beasley
  • Patent number: 6328475
    Abstract: An air bearing (1) for a shaft (2), adapted to rotate at high peripheral speed, of a motor spindle for driving a machining tool includes a shaft (2) having bearing surfaces (3, 5, 6) and mating bearing surfaces (9, 11) of bearing elements (8, 10) which are equipped with several bearing pockets (13). The bearing pockets (13) communicate, via bores (14, 15) in the bearing elements (8, 10), with a source of compressed air. The bearing elements (8, 10) are made of graphite whereby the air bearing's (1) function is not adversely affected by temporary overloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Alfred Jäger
  • Patent number: 6323496
    Abstract: A vacuum seal and fluid bearing apparatus for reducing the distortion of the bearing surfaces of a gas bearing is described. The apparatus includes a stator attached around an aperture in a vacuum housing and having a first planar fluid bearing surface. A movable member for closing the vacuum housing aperture having a second fluid bearing surface extending parallel to the first bearing surface is adapted to be supported spaced from the first bearing surface by a bearing fluid. A vacuum seal is provided between the movable member and the stator. In use, a force due to atmospheric pressure acts on the movable member in a direction normal to the bearing surfaces and a movable member includes a pressure relief structure to reduce any bending moment produced in the movable member by the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Sakase, Theodore H. Smick, Geoffrey Ryding
  • Publication number: 20010043766
    Abstract: Deflection adjustment roll and process for supporting a roll jacket on a crosspiece of the deflection compensation roll. The deflection compensation roll includes a crosspiece, roll bearings composed of radial bearings and at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement, and a roll jacket, which is rotatably supported on the crosspiece by the roll bearings. The at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement acts in the axial direction. The process includes positioning radial roll bearings each bearing end of the deflection compensation roll and between the crosspiece and the roll jacket, wherein the radial roll bearings absorb radial forces, and positioning at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement between the crosspiece and the roll jacket, wherein the at least one hydrostatic bearing arrangement absorbs axial forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Neil F. Greenblum
    Inventors: ROLF VAN HAAG, REINHARD WENZEL
  • Publication number: 20010038725
    Abstract: The improved sliding bearing provides fitting of a cap into a sleeve with steadily fixation of adhesive, and prevention of the remained adhesive outside of the desired area. The sliding bearing comprises a sleeve, a shaft enclosed in said sleeve, and, a cap fitted into the sleeve, the sleeve having a shouldered hole with a first shoulder on which the cap is held, wherein the internal circumferential surface of the sleeve or the external circumferential surface of the cap includes a second shoulder circumferentially formed thereon. The second shoulder of the sleeve is of an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the cap, and an inner diameter approximately same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cap, while the second shoulder of the cap is of an inner diameter smaller than that of the sleeve, and an outer diameter approximately same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Takeshi Takahashi, Yasuo Takamura
  • Publication number: 20010036327
    Abstract: In order to manufacture a dynamic pressure bearing device, there are provided a shaft member, and a thrust plate formed with a press-fitting portion into which the shaft member is press-fitted. At least two relief portions are formed in at least one of the press-fitting portion of the thrust plate and a part of the shaft member which corresponds to the press-fitting portion. The shaft member is press-fitted with the press-fitting portion such that the thrust plate extends perpendicular to an axial direction of the shaft member, while making the relief portions absorb press-fitting stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishikawa, Hiromasa Marumo, Hiroshi Zenisawa
  • Publication number: 20010022870
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a thrust dynamic pressure bearing in which complex small holes or the like are not disposed so that the production cost is not increased, and negative-pressure suction which may be caused at start of rotation is prevented from occurring, thereby enabling the bearing to correctly function as a thrust dynamic pressure bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Takeshi Takahashi, Takeharu Ogimoto
  • Publication number: 20010006565
    Abstract: A thrust dynamic pressure bearing apparatus includes a shaft member and a thrust plate having a fixing hole that is provided with chamfered sections Ca and Cb at the fixing hole. The shaft member is shrink fitted or pressure inserted in the fixing hole of the thrust plate. The chamfered sections Ca and Cb have axial lengths La and Lb in the axial direction. Dimensional relations of the axial lengths La and Lb in the chamfered sections Ca and Cb are set to be within a specified range to evenly distribute the bonding force of the thrust plate applied to the shaft member along the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Masato Gomyo, Masayoshi Saichi, Takayuki Narita, Kazushi Miura, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 6190049
    Abstract: The present invention is a novel fluid thrust bearing system and method for assembling the same. When used in an indicating instrument, the fluid thrust bearing of the present invention reduces the number of necessary parts and simplifies assembly when compared to the prior art. A rotatable element is disposed in a close-fitting cavity so as to define a small gap between the element and the cavity walls, and a fluid is disposed in that gap to the substantial exclusion of air. The fluid damps the rotational movement of the rotatable element. In addition, adhesive forces among the fluid, rotatable element, and cavity walls and cohesive forces within the fluid help maintain the rotatable element in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Vincent H. Rose
  • Patent number: 6179554
    Abstract: A low friction bearing comprises a first element having a first surface. A second element having a second surface is rotatable about a centerline relative to the first element. A flow passage extends radially outward between the first surface and the second surface. The first surface and the second surface are separated by a fluid flow. The two surfaces are complementary and positioned in close proximity. The bearing finds a preferred application in a fluid cooled turbine to create a high temperature, high efficiency turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventors: Elvin A. Stafford, Steven R. Stafford
  • Patent number: 6132094
    Abstract: A thrust bearing having a radial taper in its top (land) surface provides improved load distribution when used in high-pressure positive displacement swashplate piston pumps. The thrust bearing includes a plurality of grooves in its land surface which carry and distribute fluid on the top surface during operation of the pump. The fluid is distributed so as to form a hydrodynamic fluid buffer between the thrust bearing and an adjacent pump cam surface, so that the thickness of the fluid buffer is larger in radial regions corresponding to regions of increased load and stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Dean Cornelison, Daryle Don Weaver, Rondall Bailey McKelroy
  • Patent number: 6126414
    Abstract: A thrust bearing arrangement for a turbocharger including a thrust bearing unit having separate normal and reverse thrust bearings, and a thrust member provided on a turbine shaft and interposed between the normal and reverse thrust bearings. Both the normal and reverse thrust bearings are spaced from the turbine shaft in a radial direction of the turbine shaft and a lubrication oil is supplied to a first contact area between the normal thrust bearing and the thrust member. An oil guide portion is formed on a bearing housing for further supplying the lubrication oil to a second contact area between the thrust member and the reverse thrust bearing. A seal member is provided on the turbine shaft in slidable contact with an inner peripheral face of the normal thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Koike
  • Patent number: 6121703
    Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing including a sleeve and a counterplate captured within a shoulder on the sleeve and including a threaded mounting extension for mounting the assembly from a base or the like. A rotating shaft is incorporated within the sleeve; the shaft includes a thrust plate which rotates in a recess defined between the counterplate and the sleeve. To incorporate this assembly into a disc drive or the like, the threaded mounting extension only needs to be mounted within a base, with a nut screwed over the threaded mounting. The base typically includes a raised portion; the sleeve is cantilevered from this base for further stability and eliminate the possibility of vibration of the shaft and sleeve with rotation of the shaft. The end of the shaft distal from the threaded mounting supports a hub which in turn supports a backiron and magnet. The base supports a stator aligned with the magnet; energization of the stator will cause rotation of the hub and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus D. Kloeppel, Anthony J. Aiello, Steven C. Knoche
  • Patent number: 6082239
    Abstract: A saw having a self-pumped hydrodynamic blade guide or bearing for retaining the saw blade in a centered position in the saw kerf (width of cut made by the saw). The hydrodynamic blade guide or bearing utilizes pockets or grooves incorporated into the sides of the blade. The saw kerf in the workpiece provides the guide or bearing stator surface. Both sides of the blade entrain cutting fluid as the blade enters the kerf in the workpiece, and the trapped fluid provides pressure between the blade and the workpiece as an inverse function of the gap between the blade surface and the workpiece surface. If the blade wanders from the center of the kerf, then one gap will increase and one gap will decrease and the consequent pressure difference between the two sides of the blade will cause the blade to re-center itself in the kerf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Blaedel, Pete J. Davis, Charles S. Landram