Abstract: A hydraulic axial bearing for a radially-mounted axle (1), which has a flange (1a) incorporating an outer, substantially axial sealing gap (7) formed between the flange and a sealing ring (3), and an inner, substantially radial sealing gap (9), formed between the axle and a sealing ring (5a) confined in the bearing housing (5). A hydraulic pressure medium is supplied, through the line (D) to the cavity (11) formed between the sealing gaps, whereupon the medium is evacuated through the gaps, under a considerable drop in pressure, to absorb axial loadings applied to the axle. The outer axial gap can be controlled by an additional pressure medium that is supplied to the pressure chamber (5b) via the line (D). This permits the pressure in the cavity (11) and consequently the axial loadings absorbed, to be regulated.

Abstract: A supercharger thrust bearing for use in a machine rotatable at a high speed includes radial oil grooves formed in a pad surface. Gradients are formed at the outward radial ends of the oil supply grooves such that the groove depth sequentially diminishes as the outside in the radial direction is approached. The machine rotatable at a high speed is, for example, a boat or a ship. The lubricating oil inside the oil supply grooves is forced out by the gradients and creates a dam. The lubrication oil flowing in a circumferential direction on the pad surface, which is heated on the pad surface, is stopped by this dam and turned to a radially outward direction. The heated oil is pushed out from the pad surface and the new cold oil is caused to flow onto the pad surface from the radial grooves.

Abstract: A motor having a shaft body, a generally disk-like thrust plate extending outwardly in a radial direction from an outer periphery surface of the shaft body, a cylindrical sleeve structure which forms a fine clearance between itself on one hand and the shaft body and the thrust plate on the other, with an amount of lubricant fluid maintained in at least a part of the fine clearance.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus has a stationary shaft and a rotary sleeve rotatably fitting to each other. The apparatus is arranged to deflection-scan a light beam by rotating a rotary polygon mirror attached to the rotary sleeve. In the apparatus a second permanent magnet, which is repulsive to a first permanent magnet mounted on the stationary shaft, is disposed on a lower end side of the rotary sleeve. Further, a third permanent magnet is placed on a base to which the stationary shaft is fixed so that the third magnet can provide a repulsive force in a direction to urge the second permanent magnet toward the first permanent magnet.

Abstract: An externally pressurized gas bearing assembly including a bearing sleeve fixed in contact with an inner peripheral surface of a housing provided with a gas supply passage communicated with fine feed ports of thrust bearings and opening at an outer peripheral surface of the bearing sleeve through an interior of the bearing sleeve. The bearing sleeve supports a main shaft in an axial direction through an externally pressurized gas by a thrust bearing surface having a plurality of fine feed ports of the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A sliding bearing, particularly for slippers of hydrostatic piston machines, with a support having a supporting surface on which slides a sliding piece having a sliding and sealing surface. Between the supporting surface and the sealing part of the sliding and sealing surface is a bearing gap height (h.sub.2) and in the sliding and sealing surface at least one shallow recess with a depth (h) bordered by the sealing part of the sliding and sealing surface. At least one connecting channel is connected to a pressure source of the lubricating fluid so that a lubrication gap with a height (h.sub.2 +h) is formed. The lubrication gap is in accordance with the invention designed in such a way that a self-adjusting load bearing capacity dependent on the gap height (h.sub.2) is achieved, whereby in the gap such a flow is created, under the influence of which the velocity of the lubricating fluid is positive (greater than zero) in all directions and the pressure gradient is declining in the flow direction.

Abstract: For an aerostatic bearing (6) of an open-end spinning rotor, in which the bearing material consists of a wearable material, a wear indicator (9) is provided on the bearing plate (601) of the axial bearing (6) so that the state of wear of the axial bearing (6) can be checked by simple optical inspection. The wear indicator (9) can be integrated into the running surface (610) and be made e.g. in the form of a blind bore (91), so that the presence of the bore indicates that the wear lies still within the admissible limits.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a single-piece unidirectional tapered land thrust bearing cluster for use in high-pressure positive-displacement swashplate piston pumps and the like. The bearing cluster has a plurality of identical bearing pads integral to the bearing cluster. Each bearing pad includes a tapered section, a flat section and a fluid communicating slot integral therewith. During operation of the pump the swashplate camming surface rotates relative to the bearing cluster which develops a pressurized load-carrying hydrodynamic film of decreasing thickness and increasing strength between a back plate of the rotating swashplate and the bearing cluster.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly of shaft and static pressure bearing including a static pressure bearing mechanism formed in a shaft. The bearing mechanism includes an air supply chamber, a plurality of air conduits, a plurality of porous bodies each secured in a respective one of the plurality of air conduits, a glass layer applied on outer surfaces of the porous bodies as well as on an end face of the shaft, a plurality of pockets formed in the glass layer at positions corresponding to the air conduits, and a plurality of orifices formed in each of the plurality of pockets such that a gap formed between the glass layer and a bearing main body is communicated with the air supply chamber by the pockets, orifices and porous bodies. The pockets and orifices can be formed simultaneously by a laser machining. A distribution in pressure within a gap formed between the glass layer and a bearing main body can be uniform.

Abstract: Two thrust bearing surfaces are separated by bearing fluid and are rotatable relative to one another. One of the bearing surfaces defines a plurality of continuous lands extending from an inner to an outer radius of the bearing surface. Adjacent lands define between them a continuous groove which has an undivided portion in an inner annulus and a divided portion in an outer annulus of the bearing surface. The continuous groove is divided in the divided portion by an intermediate land located between the adjacent continuous lands. The divided portion of the continuous groove communicates in unbroken fashion with the divided portion.

Abstract: A compact electric motor construction employing fluid bearings for use in a disk drive apparatus includes a spindle having a shaft and a thrust plate and a hub assembly including a hub having an outer disk support portion with an inner thrust bearing surface located axially above the upper thrust bearing surface of the thrust plate. The hub also includes an inner sleeve which substantially surrounds the shaft and provides an air gap between its inner diameter and the outer diameter of the thrust plate. The air gap is vented to the interior of the motor cavity by vent passages. Transition grooves are provided on bearing surfaces adjacent all fluid seal zones for controlling the migration of bearing fluid in a radial direction and for providing a low fluid pressure region adjacent capillary seals at the ends of the shaft to contain the seal and prevent leakage.

Abstract: A governor arrangement for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which comprises a plurality of weights rotatable with a rotatable drive shaft and pivotable with respect to the shaft. The weights are engageable with a washer which, in turn, engages a sleeve. The sleeve engages a lever the position of which is used to control the setting of a metering valve. A hydrodynamic bearing arrangement is provided between the sleeve and washer. A drive arrangement may be provided to drive the washer when the rotational speed of the shaft is insufficient to cause the weights to move the sleeve.

Abstract: An open-end spinning device with a spinning rotor is supported by a shaft in a bearing arrangement. An axially rearwardly directed force is exerted on the rotor shaft in operation of the spinning device. The end of the rotor shaft bears against an aerostatic bearing which includes a bearing surface oppositely facing the end of the rotor shaft made of a carbon material. The rotor shaft has a bearing surface defined on the end thereof opposite the aerostatic bearing which is made at least in part of a carbide material.

Abstract: In a dynamic pressure bearing, a dynamic pressure-generating groove is provided to one of a thrust bearing surface and a part of a rotator facing the thrust bearing surface on one of a first and second thrust bearings, and a thrust bearing surface and a part of the rotator on the other one of the first and second thrust bearings which is not provided with the dynamic pressure-generating groove are smoothed so that the smoothed surfaces are formed.

Abstract: An improved rotating basket extractor is provided having improved discharge means comprising a hopper section having a solid material entry and solid material exit end. The cross sectional area of the solid material entry end is smaller than the exit end so as to help prevent the agglomeration of solid material in the discharge hopper as it exits from the rotating baskets to a dual screw conveyor for subsequent travel to a discharge chute. The discharge hopper and the housing for the dual screw conveyor comprise slot means to provide for additional drainage of miscella therethrough. Additionally, the axially disposed rotatable shaft, supporting the rotating baskets, is journalled in upper and lower bearings located outside the outer housing member for ease of maintenance. The lower thrust bearing is mounted for direct support by the flooring substrate below the outer housing of the extractor to help minimize bearing contamination and corrosion.

Abstract: In a swashplate style pump a cam follower that interfaces the pump pistons and the swashplate cam is a ring of material. This ring of material will be provided with a bearing surface and a piston contacting surface having the piston contacting surface provided with piston receiving elements.

Abstract: A spindle motor includes a rotating hub for supporting one or more discs in a disc drive, and a hydrodynamic bearing system for supporting a hub for rotation, the bearing system includes a sleeve and a shaft fitted into an axial bore of the sleeve. The shaft and the sleeve rotate freely relative to one another, and together, define a journal bearing. The shaft supports an annular thrust plate. The thrust plate extends into a recess formed by an axial face stepped into the sleeve and a counterplate parallel to the axial face and the thrust plate and attached to the sleeve. A first surface of the thrust plate faces the axial face of the sleeve which has a groove pattern formed on it. A surface of the counterplate faces an opposed, second surface of the thrust plate which has a groove pattern formed on it, to form an effective fluid pumping system in the hydrodynamic bearing.

Abstract: An improved rotating basket extractor is provided having improved discharge means comprising a hopper section having a solid material entry and solid material exit end. The cross sectional area of the solid material entry end is smaller than the exit end so as to help prevent the agglomeration of solid material in the discharge hopper as it exits from the rotating baskets to a dual screw conveyor for subsequent travel to a discharge chute. The discharge hopper and the housing for the dual screw conveyor comprise slot means to provide for additional drainage of miscella therethrough. Additionally, the axially disposed rotatable shaft, supporting the rotating baskets, is journalled in a thrust bearing provided contiguous to the flooring substrate. Location of the thrust bearing there helps to minimize bearing contamination and corrosion.

Abstract: A damping arrangement 25 (FIG. 1) for damping axial vibrations in a shaft suspended (optionally) by a magnetic bearing has a radially extending thrust face 24 mounted on the shaft and separated by a small face gap 29 from a housing 30 and through which gap a stream of gas is forced by way of a flow restrictor 31 at the entrance to the gap. The flow restrictor acts with thrust face 26 to define a gap entrance related to the axial position/displacement of the shaft. A chamber 33, defined downstream of the restrictor and having exhaust passage 35, opens at neck 34 to face the thrust face and the gas pressure therein exerts axial thrust on the shaft. Axial vibration of the shaft modulates gas supply to the face gap and the chamber is dimensioned to create a phase lead of 90.degree. for the instantaneous pressure therein and axial thrust on the shaft, thus damping the shaft vibrations causing its displacement.

Abstract: A spindle motor for use in a disc drive comprises a shaft, bearings located on either end of said shaft, said bearings having inner and outer races, a hub supported on the outer race of said bearings, for rotation therewith, said inner race of said bearings being welded to said shaft, said outer race of said bearings being laser welded to said hub whereby the components of said motor are permanently fixed relative to one another.

Abstract: In a light deflecting apparatus including a rotary polygon mirror in which a disc rotary polygon mirror is fixed to a shaft supported by a gas of a predetermined pressure. The rotary polygon mirror is fixed to the circumferential side of a shaft by direct engagement therewith, and compressed air is supplied to the thrust end surface of the rotary polygon mirror, to use the thrust end surface as a thrust bearing. Thereby, the rotary polygon mirror can be rotated with higher running accuracy.

Abstract: An open-end spinning machine having a spinning rotor attached to a shaft is provided wherein the shaft of the spinning rotor is driven by a driving device. The shaft of the spinning rotor is held in the nips of pairs of rearward and forward supporting disks. During spinning operations, an axial force is generated in the axial direction of the free end of the rotor shaft. The open-end spinning device further comprises a radial support surrounding at least a portion of the circumference of the rotor shaft and disposed at least in part in the area between the free end of the shaft and the area of the shaft acted upon by the rearward pair of disks.

Abstract: In a vacuum coating apparatus with a rotary-driven substrate carrier, the bearing of the substrate carrier is implemented as a quasi-hydrostatic rotary transmission feedthrough. For receiving the parts to be coated, a mounting is provided which is operationally connected to a drive shaft. The drive shaft has a bearing disk. In operation this bearing disk is hydrostatically supported wherein the bearing can take place on both sides of the bearing disk via at least one annular channel for each side. The drive shaft is carried radially in the wall of the apparatus and the annular channels are disposed in a spring-supported housing. The bearing disk, in turn, is provided with radial channels which are operationally connected with axial channels of the shaft portion of the drive shaft. In this way the bearing of rotary-driven substrate carriers in the vacuum coating apparatus is solved.

Abstract: A passive superconductor bearing system and process for supporting a rotating member uses permanent magnets in the bore of the rotating member, stationary permanent magnets which encircle the shaft, superconducting materials at the shaft ends, and a duct and pinhole outlet which directs a flow of gas towards one shaft end. The stationary permanent magnets interact with the permanent magnets in the shaft to radially position the shaft in the center of the stationary permanent magnets due to radial repulsive forces between poles of the same polarity. In order to enhance stability, a gas jet is directed towards one end of the shaft to counteract the unbalancing axial force on the shaft caused by permanent magnet interaction. The superconductor-magnet interaction generates a restoring force as the shaft is transversely displaced in any direction away from its equilibrium position. The interaction does not assist shaft rotation, but adds to the stiffness and damping of the bearing system.

Abstract: A bearing system in a refiner for making pulp, where the raw material is refined in a refining gap between at least one pair of refining members (22, 24) rotating relative to one another, where at least one of said refining members (24) is supported by an axially movable and rotary shaft (26 ). The bearing system comprises a combined hydrostatic/hydrodynamic axial bearing arrangement and consists of a cylindric housing (32) with at least one rotary cylindric piston (30), which is mounted on the rotary shaft (26) for rotating together with the same. At least one outer and one inner concentric ring cylinder (200, 202 and, respectively, 210, 212) are arranged to abut one of the end surfaces of the rotary piston (30), so that a sealing gap is formed.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for a turbocharger includes a main body portion which defines a central bore for receipt of a thrust collar, an oil reservoir in the shape of a blind, oblong slot disposed in the main body portion and an oil passageway connecting the oil reservoir with the central bore. As oil is drained from the turbocharger by a siphoning action as the engine oil level drops, oil which is stored in the oil reservoir will remain and after the engine has completely stopped this stored oil is available to drain into the interface between the thrust collar and central bore of the thrust bearing in order to provide lubricating oil to this interface upon restart of the engine. Oil is also provided by the reservoir to the turbine and compressor journal bearings where it is held in small clearances on the inner and outer surfaces of the journal bearings.

Abstract: A hydrostatic thrust bearing includes several bearing bushings and support bushings with axial spacer sleeves and radial flanges. Pairs of pressure surfaces to which oil can be admitted are arranged one behind the other in load application direction. The pressure surfaces of each pair of pressure surfaces are arranged frontally opposite each other. The thickness of the radial flanges of the bearing bushings is smaller than the radial flanges of the support bushings. The wall thickness of the spacer sleeves of the bearing bushings increases from bearing bushing to bearing bushing. The wall thickness of the spacer sleeves of the support bushings decreases in the same direction from support bushing to support bushing. Oil-conducting bores in the radial flanges of the support bushings ensure a uniform temperature level of the bearing bushings and support bushings.

Abstract: An axial bearing system is provided for a radially mounted shaft having two hydrostatic axial bearings capable of axial movement relative to a surrounding bearing housing. The bearing system comprises a flange having a pressure surface rigidly attached to the shaft at a substantially right angle. An annular chamber bearing has a surface facing towards the pressure surface which surface contains an annular groove and forms together with the pressure surface inner and outer sealing gaps to either side of the annular groove. The annular chamber bearing together with the bearing housing forms a hydraulically pressurized chamber which forces the annular chamber bearing against the pressure surface.

Abstract: An electromagnetic rotary actuator includes a rotor and a stator with two bearings. The rotor, including a plurality of permanent magnets, is arranged between an annular disk of non-permanent magnetic material including a plurality of coils on cores and another annular disk of magnetic material. The rotor includes a central hub arranged between the tow bearings. The actuator includes a resilient washer positioned between one of the bearings and the central hub for eliminating a thrust clearance between the central hub and the other bearing.

Abstract: A turbopump which operates at cryogenic temperatures to pump cryogenic liquid fuels to high pressure, and which includes a rotating group supported on process fluid foil journal bearings and a hydrostatic and hydrodynamic foil thrust bearing. A back-face surface of a pump rotor reacts thrust forces to the foil thrust bearing and receives counter acting hydrostatic fluid forces dynamically moderated to achieve an equilibrium axial position and force balance.

Abstract: A saw guide system having a high pressure gas lubricated bearing surface, an elastic bearing block support, a contoured bearing surface, and sonic regulated flow. The velocity of the gas gradually increases as it traverses the bearing surface. At the exterior edge of the bearing surface, where the gas exits, the velocity of the flow is Mach one, sonic velocity.

Abstract: A floating, self-centering impeller for a turbine pump assembly has a plurality of "D-shaped" recesses arranged in one or more circumferential rows on its end surfaces to induce pressurized film between its end surfaces and adjacent thrust surfaces of side plates to prevent galling or seizing of the pump as the impeller is rotated. A corresponding array of such "D-shaped" recesses may be provided on the opposing surfaces of the side plates.

Abstract: An open-end spinning device with a spinning rotor (1) which is supported via its shaft (11) by support disks (4) and upon which an axially acting force is exerted is provided for its axial support with an aerostatic thrust bearing (6) with a bearing plate which interacts with the end of the shaft. The escape of air into the bearing gap takes place through the bearing plate (63) which together with the end of the rotor shaft (11) constitutes a low-friction pairing of materials.

Abstract: In a rotating shaft machine, the rotating shaft is usually equipped with a thrust collar which cooperates with stationary thrust bearings on either side of the thrust collar to prevent excessive axial movement of the rotating shaft. Lubrication is furnished to each bearing to protect the bearing as the shaft migrates toward that bearing. Prior art lubrication systems provided either equal amounts of lubrication fluid to equal sized bearings or a lesser amount of lubrication fluid to a smaller thrust bearing. It has been discovered that the total flow requirement for lubrication fluid can be reduced by using a lubrication fluid distribution means which tracks the position of the thrust collar and provides lubrication in response to the position of the thrust collar relative to the thrust bearings.

Abstract: A thrust bearing including a ring-like form plate body, and a plurality of rib members provided on the ring-like form plate body of the thrust bearing. Such a plurality of rib members may be provided on a thrust runner. The rib members cause a difference in load deformation amount in a circumferential direction according to thrust load and generate a wedge-shaped form clearance between a sliding face of the thrust bearing and a sliding face of the thrust runner. Since the wedge-shaped form clearance is formed by utilizing the load deformation, even when the thrust load becomes large, the wedge-shaped form clearance does not become narrow. The occurrence of dynamic pressure by the wedge effect and the formation of a water film can be assured, and the temperature increase between the sliding face of the thrust runner and the sliding face of the thrust bearing can be restrained.

Abstract: A bearing part for a gas bearing comprising two bearing parts, said bearing part formed of a granite-like or metal substance with pores or gas leakage channels and means for injecting a gas between the bearing parts (2, 3) for forming a gap (7) therebetween. The pores (10) in the surfaces of the granite material of these bearing parts are sealed by a non-brittle, transparent, mechanically, machinable pore sealing material (9, 12) for forming gas bearing parts having a non-porous surface. Examples of pore sealing materials (9, 12) for sealing the pores of the bearing parts and bearing part material are polyurethanes, acrylic polymers, epoxy resins, silicone resins, polyvinylidenefluoride resins, aramide resins etc. Preferably the pore sealing material consists of a polymer being curable at low temperatures, particularly below 30.degree. C.

Abstract: A scroll-type machine which incorporates a self-pressurizing hydrodynamic thrust bearing to maintain a constant interface of oil between the axial thrust surfaces.

Abstract: An oil-pressure-supplied bearing apparatus which is ideally suited for the support of rotating shafts receiving significantly heavy thrust loads such as the propulsion shaft of a vessel. A plurality of pressurized chambers receiving oil pressure and a plurality of pressurized clearances are formed facing each other on both sides of a plurality of floating discs fixed to the rotating shaft and between a pair of bearing housings supporting the rotating shaft. Oil delivered to the pressurized chambers is fed back to the oil tank via the pressurized clearances. When the pressurized clearance opposite the direction of the thrust load narrows, oil pressure in the pressurized chambers rises and resists the thrust load. Meanwhile, floating discs on the rotating shaft are lubricated by oil passing through those pressurized clearances. When the direction of the thrust load is reversed, the inverted thrust load is supported by the pressurized chamber and the pressurized clearance on the opposite side.

Abstract: A gas bearing part is provided, having gas supply means which open out into a recessed working surface which can be placed opposite a carrier plate to permit formation of a gas bearing relative to the carrier plate.To obtain a friction-free movement, also with application of higher gas pressures the roughness of the working surface is less than 10 ru, preferably less than 4 ru. The working surface is further essentially conically recessed, whereby the tip of the conical recess is essentially in the centre of the surface.

Abstract: A hydrostatic thrust bearing system characterized in that the hydrostatic bearings are axially movable and are held urged against the pressure plate in mutually opposite directions by hydraulic pressure created in a chamber associated with a respective bearing; and in that a servo valve is provided for co-action with an axial-position sensor for controlling the amount of hydraulic fluid fed to a respective chamber and also to control the hydraulic pressure acting on a respective bearing such as to take-up axial loads which vary in magnitude and direction.

Abstract: An intermittently assisted hydrostatic bearing (10) for a hydraulic apparatus having a rotatable surface which is periodically assisted from a pressure balance of less than 100% to a pressure balance greater than 100% pressure balance includes a pressurized fluid supply source (28) for supplying a pressurized fluid, a supply channel (30, 31, 32 and 34) for supplying pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid supply source to a point (36) between cooperating opposed bearing surfaces (24) and a pressure producing device (48) which communicates with the fluid supply channel and in response to a command signal causes the hydrostatic bearing to attain a greater than 100% pressure balance. The invention further includes a check valve (60) positioned in the supply channel (32) to prevent the reverse flow of fluid into the pressurized fluid supply source (28).

Abstract: A dynamic pressure-type fluid bearing usable in a polygon mirror scanner for a laser beam printer includes a sleeve having an inner peripheral surface and a bottom face, and a journal having an outer peripheral surface cooperating with the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve across a predetermined clearance, and an end face cooperating with the bottom face of the sleeve. In an embodiment, the sleeve is rotatable relative to the journal and is held by a magnetic retaining force in such a manner that a predetermined gap is formed between the bottom face of the sleeve and the end face of the journal even when the bearing is at rest. The bottom face of the sleeve includes a porous body so that the gap between the bottom face and end is communicated with the outside of the bearing.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure type fluid bearing device in which a housing and a shaft rotatable relative to each other are opposed to each other to provide inner and outer bearing surfaces for radial load. One of these bearing surfaces is formed with a groove for generating dynamic pressure and the housing and the shaft are opposed to each other in a first and a second bearing surface for thrust load. A circulation path for circulating lubricant is formed in at least one of the housing and the shaft and opens in the first and/or second bearing surface.

Abstract: A bearing structure, preferably for supporting a rotary table (4) in metrological apparatus, includes both a journal bearing (34,36,38) and a thrust bearing (56,66). The journal bearing is made up of three dry pads (34,36,38), one (38) of which is radially adjustable, and the thrust bearing (56,66) comprises first and second air bearings. The axis of rotation of the bearing is vertical, and the lower (66) of the air bearings is less stiff than the upper one (56).

Abstract: A thrust hydrostatic bearing device for use in an axial piston machine includes a bearing sleeve fitted into a housing cover for rotatably supporting a drive shaft through a bearing and having a plurality of hydrostatic pads. The hydrostatic pads are disposed at locations which are symmetrical with respect to an axis lying in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the drive shaft, and these pads increase the performance and durability of the thrust hydrostatic bearing device for use in an axial piston machine.

Abstract: A micro-contoured surface is formed about a substantial portion of the edge of the end bearing face of each gear tooth of a gear having a plurality of circumferential gear teeth each with an end bearing face for carrying an axial thrust load against a flat housing bearing face or the like. The micro-contoured surface forms a wedge space between the bearing faces which when filled with a fluid establishes a hydro-dynamic film pressure distribution over the entire end bearing face of the gear tooth upon relative motion between the bearing faces.

Abstract: A gas bearing (1) comprising two bearing parts (2, 3) of granite type material and similar natural stone materials and means for injecting a gas between the bearing parts (2, 3) for forming a gap (7, 11) therebetween. The pores (10) in the surfaces of the granite material of these bearing parts are sealed by a non-brittle, transparent, mechanically, machinable pore sealing material (9, 12) for forming gas bearing parts having a non-porous surface. Examples of pore sealing materials (9, 12) for sealing the pores of the bearing parts and bearing part material are polyurethanes, acrylic polymers, epoxy resins, silicone resins, polyvinylidenefluoride resins, aramide resins etc. Preferably the pore sealing material consists of a polymer being curable at low temperatures, particularly below 30.degree.C.

Abstract: A gas bearing designed for instantaneous 5-10 micro inch separation at startup due to regulated entry and activation of rarefield molecular gas particles. This bearing has two opposing bearing faces with carefully matched geometries. One surface having grooves with lands formed between the grooves that are designed for hydrodynamic operation. The other surface being smooth such as an optically flat plane. The lift-off occurs at startup through the friction-energized gas molecules increasing their volume, and forcing the slowly rotating bearing faces apart.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic thrust bearing adapted for positioning between a fixed base and a moving member spaced from said fixed base, the moving member having a rigid flat face confronting the fixed base, wherein the hydrodynamic thrust bearing includes a thin metal disk having undulations extending radially outward from the center of the disk in a symmetrical manner throughout one entire surface of the metal disk, and a planar face on the other side, the disk is positioned between the fixed base and the rigid flat face of the moving member whereby the undulations of the disk are in contact with the rigid flat face and the planar face is in contact with the fixed base, lubricant is supplied between the disk undulation and the confronting rigid flat face of the moving member whereby thrust movement relative to the disk will produce a very thin film of lubricant between the undulations of the disk and the cooperating rigid flat face of the fixed base.

Abstract: An aerostatic or aerodynamic bearing comprising a stationary part and a movable part with cooperating bearing surfaces between which there is formed a bearing gap which at one area communicates with an air inlet and at another area opens into the atmosphere. The air inlet comprises one or more filters, and at least one of the bearing surfaces is provided with a pressure-equalizing groove near the area at which the bearing gap opens into the atmosphere.