For Thrust Bearing Patents (Class 384/248)
  • Patent number: 10612420
    Abstract: Rotor support structures for industrial machines are disclosed. The support structures may include a rigid base component including a top portion, a slide plate positioned above the rigid base component, and a bearing housing for a rotor, coupled to the slide plate. The bearing housing and the slide plate may be configured to slide or move over the rigid base component. The support structure may also include a plurality of retention blocks coupled to the bearing housing. Each of the plurality of retention blocks may include a moveable retention pin positioned through each of the plurality of retention blocks. The axial movement of the bearing housing and slide plate may compensate for thermal expansion of a turbine shell and/or may reduce vibrations of the rotor and bearing housing during operation of the industrial machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward John Sharrow, Craig Daniel Ivancic, David Montgomery Ritz
  • Publication number: 20130315518
    Abstract: A bearing pad, including a pad body (11) and a tilting element (12), for a support body (2) of a bearing arrangement (3) for taking up an axial thrust, characterized in that the tilting element (12) is provided in an elongated recess (111) of the pad body (11) extending in a radial direction such that a contact body (121) of the tilting element (12) extending in the direction of the recess (111) projecting beyond a surface of the pad body (11) and the pad body (11) has a higher deformability than the tilting element (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Sulzer Pumpen AG
    Inventors: Simon Gassmann, Paul Meuter, Thomas Felix
  • Patent number: 8418666
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a monolithic camshaft body, a journal member and a thrust ring. The monolithic camshaft body may define lobes and journal regions along an axial extent thereof. The journal member may be separate from and fixed to an axial end of the camshaft body adjacent an end lobe of the camshaft body. The thrust ring may be axially secured to the camshaft assembly at the axial end of the camshaft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Dominique T. Lester, Rodney E. Baker, Alan W. Hayman
  • Patent number: 8256963
    Abstract: There is provided a roll machining apparatus for machining the surface of a roll, which can accurately support a roll by hydrostatic bearings while absorbing thermal expansion of the roll in the length direction, thus enhancing the machining precision. The roll machining apparatus can include a first hydrostatic radial bearing for receiving the radial load of a first spindle and rotatably supporting the first spindle, a hydrostatic thrust bearing for receiving the thrust load of the first spindle and limiting axial movement of the first spindle, a second hydrostatic radial bearing for receiving the radial load of a second spindle and rotatably supporting the second spindle, and a floating thrust having a thrust bearing for receiving the thrust load of the second spindle. The floating thrust selectively limits and permits axial movement of the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanobu Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20120002909
    Abstract: The invention concerns a transmission, in particular a compressor transmission, which is installed between a drive machine and a unit to be driven; fitted with a drive shaft and a driven shaft; wherein the drive shaft is in driving connection with the driven shaft for speed/torque conversion; the driven shaft is supported in the transmission by means of at least one primary axial bearing. The invention is characterised by the following features: a starting unit is provided for absorbing the axial loads of the driven shaft; the starting unit comprises a secondary axial bearing; the starting unit is formed in such a way that when said unit is actuated, the axial loads of the driven shaft are substantially completely absorbed by the secondary axial bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Voith Patent GMBH
    Inventors: Clemens Kraus, Ulrich Kempter
  • Publication number: 20090022440
    Abstract: A transmission comprising a housing at least one shaft mounted in the housing such as to be rotatable; and at least one shim by means of which an axial play and an axial biasing of the shaft in the housing or between components arranged on the shaft may be adjusted. Said shim is formed from a wire bent into a ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Rainer Kueck, Torsten Voigt
  • Patent number: 7116025
    Abstract: An endplay adjustment system and method is shown having a slider body that has a thrust surface that lies in a plane that is generally perpendicular to an axis of an armature and that can be driven toward the armature by a plunger body. After the plunger body is driven into a plunger-receiving area of the housing, an angled surface of the plunger engages a mating surface of a slider body which forces the thrust surface into an end of an armature of an electric motor. The plunger body may then be secured, adhered to or welded to the housing and/or the slider body to lock the slider body and plunger into place, thereby reducing or eliminating endplay associated with the armature shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Electric Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Myerly, Clark F Wilson
  • Patent number: 5973429
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the reduction or elimination of end play associated with an armature in an electric motor is disclosed. The system and method utilize an end play assembly which includes a housing having an integrally molded lock for retaining a screw in an unengaged and locked position. The end play assembly also includes a coil spring which urges the screw towards an engaged and unlocked position when the end play assembly is mounted in a housing of the electric motor. The lock includes at least one wing portion which engages a notch on the housing of the electric motor such that when the end play assembly is mounted in the motor housing, the notch forces the lock into the unlocked position which releases the screw so that the spring can urge, rotate or screw the screw to cause a screw end to be forced into engagement with the end of an armature of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Elling Swensgard, Douglas Jan Lehr
  • Patent number: 5713671
    Abstract: An adjustable bearing assembly includes a bearing housing and a bearing body fixed to a carrier and disposed within the housing. Set screws are provided to adjustably position the carrier, hence the bearing body relative to the housing without disassembling the bearing. After the bearing body position has been adjusted, cap screws are employed to fix the carrier against movement relative to the housing and relative to a support surface. In an alternate embodiment, the carrier is in engagement with an inner eccentric ring which, in turn, is engaged by an outer eccentric ring, both rotatably mounted within the housing. The axes of the eccentric rings are spaced from one another and are parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft. Rotation of the eccentric rings relative to one another and to the housing adjusts the position of the bearing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Renk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Egeter
  • Patent number: 5653578
    Abstract: In a vertical-axis waterpower machine, the shaft is mounted in a bearing-supporting star. It has a track ring for a supporting bearing. Supporting-bearing segments are supported via adjusting elements on a supporting ring firmly connected to the bearing-supporting star. To simplify the construction and improve the accessibility of the adjusting elements, the latter are designed as rocking levers. The rocking levers act as single-armed or double-armed levers and are elastic in the lever longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventor: Josef Schwanda
  • Patent number: 5223758
    Abstract: A spindle motor has a rotor supported by a stator through a thrust bearing and a radial bearing. At least the thrust bearing is a hydrodynamic bearing. The spindle motor is provided with a device for adjusting the thrust laod that is applied to the thrust bearing. The load adjusting device has an electromagnet that is provided on the stator and a permanent magnet that is provided on the rotor in opposing relation to the electromagnet. Either the repelling force or the attraction force, which acts between the electromagnet and the permanent magnet, is controlled by changing the current supplied to the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kataoka, Yuji Shirao, Daisuke Konno, Yoshio Sato, Yoichi Kanemitsu, Hideo Tsuboi, Shunichi Aiyoshizawa, Kazuyuki Kasahara
  • Patent number: 5193953
    Abstract: A high-speed drilling or milling spindle (10) comprises a stator (11) that can be attached to a machine tool (12), a rotor (13), and a rotary drive (40, 41) acting between stator (11) and rotor (13). The rotor (13) has a receptacle (15) for a rotating, metal-cutting tool (16). The rotor (13) is supported with respect to the stator (11) by means of at least a first and a second rolling bearing (22, 32) spaced axially away therefrom. The rotor (13) is supported on thrust and radial bearings. The rolling bearings (22, 32) have a very small thrust angle (24, 34). They essentially act as radial bearings. A third bearing is provided as the thrust bearing in the form of a magnetic bearing (50). The magnetic bearing (50) is adjustable in terms of its axial bearing force as a function of the axial forces (F.sub.a) acting on the tool (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Fortuna-Werke Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Jesinger
  • Patent number: 5158525
    Abstract: Box machine forming wheels are individually stabilized with a respective, frame mounted, stationary yoke meshed within the circumferential groove of a head wheel that is rigidly secured to the forming wheel. Lateral space between the stationary yoke finger faces and the rotating groove walls is adjustably filled by cam displaced disc pads confined within yoke finger guide bores. Selective cam rotation expands the disc pad assembly for operational wear accommodation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Willem A. Nikkel
  • Patent number: 5123891
    Abstract: Box machine forming wheels are individually stabilized with a respective, frame mounted, stationary yoke disposed within the circumferential groove of a head wheel that is rigidly secured to the forming wheel. Lateral space between the yoke finger faces and the rotating groove walls is adjustably filled by rub plates mounted on dowel pins confined within yoke finger guide bores. A cone tipped adjustment screw cooperates with conical tips on the dowel pins to selectively expand the rub plate assembly for operational wear accommodation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Zigmunt Nieradka, Robert W. Young
  • Patent number: 5089736
    Abstract: To adjust axial and radial movement of a thrust plug associated with end play of a rotating shaft, the thrust plug receives the shaft on one side and has a shoulder surface extending from the other side of the thrust plug. A housing position supports a retainer cap which receives the thrust plug so the thrust plug can have some axial movement. The thrust plug shoulder is higher than the thickness of the retainer cap, so that predetermined amount of axial play (c) can be accurately and exactly established. Radial movement of the thrust plug within a housing cavity is achieved by having a thrust plug diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the housing cavity, and having an O-ring about the thrust plug which engages the housing cavity and provides a pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Harry H. Oyafuso
  • Patent number: 4829860
    Abstract: A portable lathe tool includes fixed and rotating split rings, the fixed ring arranged to be secured to a pipe workpiece, the rotating ring being relatively rotatable with respect thereto for carrying a tool capable of performing a machining operation on the workpiece as it is driven around the circumference of the latter. A bearing arrangement for supporting the relatively rotating ring on the fixed ring is disclosed as having a plurality of discreet, circumferentially spaced bearing segments, each having converging radial and thrust bearing surfaces for engaging the rear end area of the rotating ring for axially, radially and rotationally locating and guiding the rotating ring relative to the fixed ring. An adjustment system is provided for accurately locating and adjusting the position of each of the bearing segments ring relative to the fixed ring to permit compensation for wear and dimensional variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Tri Tool Inc.
    Inventor: Jerald VanderPol
  • Patent number: 4754672
    Abstract: A portable lathe tool includes fixed and rotating split rings, the fixed ring arranged to be secured to a pipe workpiece, the rotating ring being relatively rotatable with respect thereto for carrying a tool capable of performing a machining operation on the workpiece as it is driven around the circumference of the latter. A bearing arrangement for supporting the relatively rotating ring on the fixed ring is disclosed as having a plurality of discreet, circumferentially spaced bearing segments, each having converging radial and thrust bearing surfaces for engaging the rear end area of the rotating ring for axially, radially and rotationally locating and guiding the rotating ring relative to the fixed ring. An adjustment system is provided for accurately locating and adjusting the position of each of the bearing segments ring relative to the fixed ring to permit compensation for wear and dimensional variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Tri Tool Inc
    Inventor: Jerald VanderPol
  • Patent number: 4649306
    Abstract: A direct drive motor is disclosed comprising a base, an upright housing mounted on the base provided with bearings at the upper and lower end portions, and a capstan spindle held by the bearings, wherein one of the bearings is fitted screw-displaceably in the upper portion of said housing and provided with a hole receiving the upper end portion of the capstan spindle, held rotatably therein in both radial and thrust directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsumaro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4616940
    Abstract: A vertical post is rotatably mounted in a corner cabinet and supports a plurality of rotatable shelves which carry the cabinet door. The lower end of the post is rotatably supported by a lower bearing element which rests on a bearing member on the bottom wall of the cabinet. To enable the post and the door to be adjusted vertically, the lower bearing element is a slide supported for up and down movement in the post and having a downwardly inclined ramp on its upper end. A downwardly inclined screw extends perpendicular to the ramp and may be tightened and loosened to shift the slide downwardly and upwardly relative to the post. The head of the screw is sunk within the post to enable the shelves to be slipped onto the lower end of the post during assembly and to enable one of the shelves to pass upwardly by the location of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Amerock Corporation
    Inventor: William DeBruyn
  • Patent number: 4530144
    Abstract: The end of an axle spindle is provided with right hand and left hand threads to receive respective axle nuts. The inner nut thread diameter is larger than the outer nut thread diameter in order to avoid interference. The wheel, bearings and an inner nonrotatable washer on the axle spindle are secured in place by tightening the inner nut to an initial snug (no clearance) condition against the face of the nonrotatable washer. One of eight holes on the outer face of the inner nut receives a projecting pin of a spacing control device which pin projects a predetermined distance. The outer nut is turned until the spacing control device engages one of the eight recesses. Then the flats of both nuts are tightened by a spanner wrench which causes the inner nut to "back off". The method is to create a space between nuts (e.g. by use of a shim spacer) which converts to an appropriate clearance space between the inner nut and nonrotatable washer in the final condition and to maintain that space in the final condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Inventor: George A. Hagelthorn
  • Patent number: 4486106
    Abstract: A rotary shelf assembly having a plurality of shelves mounted on a vertical post is disposed in a cabinet frame with upper and lower bearing elements supported at opposite ends of the post and coacting with vertically spaced bearing members which are secured to the cabinet frame to support the post for turning about its longitudinal axis. The assembly is adapted to be mounted in the corner of the cabinet frame and, to accommodate this, the shelves have perpendicular edges which generally align with the sides of the cabinet in one angular position of the post and which support a V-shaped door. To adjust the vertical position in the cabinet frame, the lower bearing element is on a slide in the lower end portion of the post and a manual actuator on the post moves a cam which cooperates with a cam follower on the slide to move the slide and hence the lower bearing member downwardly relative to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Amerock Corporation
    Inventor: Gary M. Benting
  • Patent number: 4455498
    Abstract: Means are disclosed for adjusting motor end play such that, despite variation from motor to motor in the distance between front and rear bearings on so-called skeleton motors, the end play can in all cases be brought to a minimum predetermined value. A lockwasher is positioned on the shaft by an arbor press that is referenced to a shoulder of the stator bearing assembly, thus compensating for length variations in stator manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: Richard E. DeSisto