Pivoted Pad Patents (Class 384/309)
  • Patent number: 11808278
    Abstract: A vertical rotating system that includes a first vertical shaft that rotates. The first vertical shaft is oriented such that the gravitational force is substantially parallel to the first vertical shaft. A radial bearing extends about a first portion of the first vertical shaft. A first impeller sectioned couples to the first vertical shaft and rotates in a first direction to pump a first fluid. A first stator surrounds the first vertical shaft. The first stator defines a first groove that extends about a second portion of the first vertical shaft. The first groove receives a second fluid. A pressure of the second fluid drives the first vertical shaft away from the first groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Knut Harald Klepsvik, Anders Brunvold
  • Patent number: 11680603
    Abstract: Proposed is a novel coupling mechanism capable of applying a preload to a ball portion and a socket portion which constitute a coupling mechanism of a titling pad bearing, without using a spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DAIDO METAL COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11536317
    Abstract: Load-carrying apparatus, assemblies, and subterranean drilling systems may include a support ring with a plurality of contact elements coupled to the support ring. The plurality of contact elements may have a surface exhibiting a partially cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventor: S. Barrett Peterson
  • Patent number: 11041529
    Abstract: A support of a bearing pad of a sliding bearing is provided. A bearing pad support connection is disclosed, including a bearing pad and a bearing pad support structure whereby the bearing pad is connected to a support structure by a ball joint. The bearing pad includes a ball head, and the support structure includes a ball socket. The bearing pad and the support structure are connected via a spring connection apply a force between the bearing pad and the support structure to force the ball head to rest movable in the ball socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
    Inventors: Niels Karl Frydendal, Kim Thomsen, Morten Thorhauge
  • Patent number: 10968946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tilting-pad bearing (7), comprising: a sleeve (15); a plurality of tilting pads (9); and a frame (8), in which the tilting pads (9) are held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Doehring, Tim Maier
  • Patent number: 10962051
    Abstract: A support part supports a bearing pad from an outer circumferential side so as to be swingable at a pivot position. A radius of curvature of a rotary shaft is Rj, a radius of curvature of a pad surface is Rp, and a radius of curvature of a reference circle centered at an axial line and having a radius equal to a distance between a center and the pivot position on the pad surface is Rb, and a relationship of Rj<Rp<Rb is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI POWER, LTD.
    Inventors: Shimpei Yokoyama, Tadasuke Nishioka, Chihiro Yoshimine, Yuichiro Waki, Yuki Sumi
  • Patent number: 10066671
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement includes a shaft with an outer circumferential supporting surface, and a mounting device with an inner circumferential supporting surface. The mounting device supports the shaft in a rotatable manner using a bearing structure. At least one tiltable sleeve member is arranged between at least one of the supporting surfaces and the bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Frantz
  • Patent number: 9746024
    Abstract: Provided is a tilting pad type journal bearing capable of reducing the amount of oil that has to be supplied to the bearing. A bearing comprises nozzles 5 which are each arranged between pads 2 to supply lubricating oil to sliding surfaces 14 of the pads 2. The sliding surface 14 of each of the pad 2 is formed so that the width of the sliding surface 14 increases as it goes from a front edge part towards a rear edge part thereof. A tip end part of each of the nozzles 5 has a groove part 18 which induces a flow heading from lateral parts towards the center in the width direction, in an oil flow from the rear edge part of the sliding surface 14 of an upstream pad 2 to the front edge part of the sliding surface 14 of a downstream pad 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Motoki Sato, Kenta Suzuki, Makoto Hemmi
  • Patent number: 8992088
    Abstract: A tilting pad radial bearing for a single-shaft turbomachine is provided having a support ring, tilting pad, and tilting pad support with an aligning device rigidly fixed to the inner face of the support ring and which has a convex sliding surface facing inwards and concave sliding surface facing outwards, the concave sliding surface rigidly fixed to the outer lying rear face of the tilting pad. The sliding surfaces lay one above the other, and each surface is a circular arc in each sliding surface longitudinal section. The aligning device keeps the axial position of the tilting pad adjustable relative to the support ring such that an angle of attack of the sliding surface of the tilting pad is adjustable relative to the axis of the tilting pad radial bearing dependent on the axial position of the concave sliding surface relative to the axial position of the convex sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernadette Brahm, Frank Bockel, Diethelm Dettmar, Anna Christina Droschinski, Bernd Luneburg, Umit Mermertas, Jan Soggeberg, Marcel Stranger, Andreas Winkler
  • Patent number: 8967871
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to tilting superhard bearing element bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed assemblies/apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring and distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements includes a bearing surface and a base portion. The base portion of the at least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a tilting feature configured to allow the at least one of the superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a tilt axis. The bearing assembly includes retaining features that secure the superhard bearing elements to the support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: S. Barrett Peterson, Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8967872
    Abstract: Bearing components, bearing assemblies and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a bearing element includes a base layer and a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) layer comprising a plurality of PCD elements coupled with the base layer wherein each PCD element comprising a substrate and a diamond table. The plurality of PCD elements may be fit together to form a substantially continuous bearing surface. For example, the diamond tables may exhibit substantially square or rectangular geometries that are fit together to define the bearing surface. In other embodiments, the bearing elements may be spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the bearing element may include a single PCD element formed from a prefabricated PCD compact or cutting tool blank. Various bearing assemblies may incorporate such a bearing element including, for example, thrust bearings, journal bearings, and tilting pad bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: S. Barrett Peterson, Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8936397
    Abstract: A sliding bearing of a wind turbine and a method to perform a service at a sliding bearing are proposed. The sliding bearing has a first bearing shell and a second bearing shell and a plurality of bearing pads arranged between the first bearing shell and the second bearing shell. The bearing pads are connected to the second bearing shell and the first bearing shell has a sliding surface that is prepared and arranged so that the bearing pads can slide along the sliding surface when the bearing shells are moved in respect to each other. A machining element is arranged between the first bearing shell and the second bearing shell to treat the sliding surface of the first bearing shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bo Pedersen, Kim Thomsen
  • Patent number: 8894286
    Abstract: A damper film bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft includes a bearing housing having a longitudinal opening passing therethrough for receiving the rotatable shaft. The bearing housing also has at least one radial recess formed in an outer surface thereof. At least one resilient element is disposed within the recess in the bearing housing above the floor of the recess, the resilient element biasing the support piston away from the axis of the rotatable shaft. The resilient element in accordance with the disclosure may be a bridge spring or a rod spring as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lufkin Industries, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Nicholas, Thomas P. Shoup, Donald H. Rockefeller
  • Patent number: 8840309
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8770846
    Abstract: An idler arm bracket bearing includes a plurality of inwardly extending fingers to contact the bracket. The fingers deflect toward the bearing body as the fingers contact the bracket, thereby ensuring a full contact fit that provides a tighter joint assembly. Rib members are located between the fingers to center the bracket and limit the resilient deflection of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Ernest E. Martin
  • Patent number: 8727624
    Abstract: A bearing assembly having a cylindrical outer bearing shell. The outer bearing shell including a first annular outer land, a second annular outer land, and a recess therebetween. The outer bearing shell further including a first positioning bore having a first bore diameter and a second positioning bore having a second bore diameter. The second bore diameter may be smaller than the first bore diameter. A diameter of the first annular outer land may be larger than a diameter of the second annular outer land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Carl Brill, Gary Paul Vavrek, Qingxuan Michael Zhang, Paul Edward Pickett
  • Publication number: 20140102810
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to tilting superhard bearing element bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed assemblies/apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring and distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements includes a bearing surface and a base portion. The base portion of the at least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a tilting feature configured to allow the at least one of the superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a tilt axis. The bearing assembly includes retaining features that secure the superhard bearing elements to the support ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: S. Barrett Peterson, Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8651743
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to tilting superhard bearing element bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed assemblies/apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring and distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements includes a bearing surface and a base portion. The base portion of the at least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a tilting feature configured to allow the at least one of the superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a tilt axis. The bearing assembly includes retaining features that secure the superhard bearing elements to the support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: S. Barrett Peterson, Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8646981
    Abstract: Bearing components, bearing assemblies and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a bearing element includes a base layer and a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) layer comprising a plurality of PCD elements coupled with the base layer wherein each PCD element comprising a substrate and a diamond table. The plurality of PCD elements may be fit together to form a substantially continuous bearing surface. For example, the diamond tables may exhibit substantially square or rectangular geometries that are fit together to define the bearing surface. In other embodiments, the bearing elements may be spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the bearing element may include a single PCD element formed from a prefabricated PCD compact or cutting tool blank. Various bearing assemblies may incorporate such a bearing element including, for example, thrust bearings, journal bearings, and tilting pad bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: S. Barrett Peterson, Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8613554
    Abstract: A self-aligning bearing assembly utilizing PDC buttons for forming opposing circumferential arrays of bearing surfaces, is particularly suitable for use in a fluid environment, such as being immersed in flowing water when supporting the rotor of a hydroelectric turbine. One bearing surface is supported for rotation with the rotor. The opposing bearing surface is supported by a spherical joint in a stationary housing. When the rotor is subjected to hydraulic loading, the opposing bearing surface can be tilted to self-align with the rotor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: MSI Machineering Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn P. Tessier, John P. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8545104
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8545103
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Publication number: 20130192899
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed tilting pad bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly or apparatus includes a support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring. In some embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads include a plurality of superhard bearing segments assembled to form a superhard bearing surface. One or more seams may be positioned between adjacent superhard bearing segments of the superhard bearing segments. In other embodiments, one or more of the tilting pads may include at least one or only one superhard bearing segment, such as a polycrystalline diamond bearing segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130028731
    Abstract: In a tilting pad journal bearing device including a plurality of arc-shaped pads 31, 32, . . . , 36 which are incorporated in a bearing inner ring 4 swingably in a circumferential direction of a journal 2, a load applied to each of the pads 31, 32, and 36 disposed in a lower half portion of the bearing inner ring 4 has anisotropy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Yuki MIMURA, Hitoshi SAKAKIDA, Toshio HIRANO, Kazunori IKEDA, Kenichi KASE, Kenichi IMAI
  • Patent number: 8197144
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a rotating shaft comprising: a housing surrounding the shaft; interposed between the housing and the shaft a plurality of tilting pads which extend in contiguous manner circumferentially around the shaft, each tilting pad being able to rock in the rotation of the shaft; and interposed between each pair of adjacent tilting pads retaining means for preventing circumferential movement of the pads around the housing due to rotation of the shaft, wherein the physical relationship between at least one tilting pad and its adjacent retaining means is such that said rocking of the pad takes place without circumferential slippage of the pad around the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andrew Shepherd
  • Patent number: 8182248
    Abstract: A vane pump comprises: a drive shaft that passes through the pump frame; a rotor coupled to the drive shaft that has multiple vanes and rotates within the pump frame in an axial direction about an axis of rotation with an outer rotor surface that has a radius that extends from the axis of rotation; a cam ring within the pump frame that circumscribes the rotor and vanes with a cam ring inner surface; multiple radial tilting pad bearings that support the cam ring; a bearing support ring coupled to the pump frame that generally circumscribes the cam ring and mounts the radial tilting pad bearings; side plates that radially extend from the drive shaft to the pump frame to enclose the rotor and the cam ring with at least one side plate having an inlet port and an outlet port; and means for initiating rotation of the cam ring from rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Cygnor
  • Publication number: 20110142693
    Abstract: A bearing structure between a rotor (4) and a sleeve (2), such as in a screw device, includes at least one axial bearing (9) and one radial bearing (10). Each bearing including a series of tilting pads (11, 11?) extending in the peripheral direction and which are each suspended from a pad suspension area (12) of one of either the rotor (4) or the sleeve (2) by pad fastenings (13) which allow tilting, each tilting pad (11, 11?) having a contact surface (14, 14?). Furthermore, each bearing including a bearing ring (15) which is situated opposite the series of tilting pads (11, 11?) and cooperates with the contact surfaces thereof. The bearing ring is suspended from a bearing ring suspension area (17) of the other of either the rotor or the sleeve by bearing ring fastenings (16). The bearing ring fastenings allow contraction and expansion movements of the bearing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: MARIFIN BEHEER B.V.
    Inventor: Edwin Simon VAN BUREN
  • Publication number: 20110123327
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes a thrust bearing casing surrounding a rotating shaft at a location intermediate ends of the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft including an active side shaft thrust plate and an inactive side shaft thrust plate, each of the active side and the inactive side shaft thrust plate affixed to and extending radially from the rotating shaft, wherein the active side shaft thrust plate receives a substantially larger axial force compared to the inactive side shaft thrust plate during operation of the rotating shaft; a first thrust bearing between the thrust bearing casing and the active side shaft thrust plate; and a second thrust bearing between the thrust bearing casing and the inactive side shaft thrust plate. The first thrust bearing and the second thrust bearing are of a different type, e.g., a tilting pad bearing and a land bearing including a tapered land and/or flat land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Arthur Dewhurst, Srikanth Mathod, Eric Thomas Montrym, Mayank Rajoria
  • Patent number: 7758247
    Abstract: A journal bearing, and a method of using the same, that prohibits relative movement between an aligning ring and the bearing shoes in the axial direction through the use of surface contact instead of retaining plates. In one aspect, the surface contact can be achieved by flanges extending from the bearing shoes. In another aspect, the surface contact can be achieved through the use of dowel pins. In still another embodiment, the surface contact can be achieved by flanges extending from oil feed bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Harry Geiger
  • Patent number: 7497628
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radial tilt pad bearing assembly comprising: an outer carrier; a plurality of tilt pads retained within the outer carrier; and a corresponding plurality of retaining pins to retain the tilt pads in given circumferential positions, each fixed in the bearing assembly outer carrier so as to abut a side face of a cavity in the corresponding tilt pad. At least one retaining pin and the corresponding cavity are respectively shaped such that, when in use, a clearance in a plane transverse to the axes of the bearing assembly and the tilt pad between the retaining pin and the side face is lesser at a first location which lies substantially at the inner surface of the carrier, than at all corresponding locations at radially inner portions of the side face, with respect to the first location. A contact point between the retaining pin and the tilt pad when in use, lies substantially at the inner surface of the outer carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andrew Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20080213086
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a rotating shaft comprising: a housing surrounding the shaft; interposed between the housing and the shaft a plurality of tilting pads which extend in contiguous manner circumferentially around the shaft, each tilting pad being able to rock in the rotation of the shaft; and interposed between each pair of adjacent tilting pads retaining means for preventing circumferential movement of the pads around the housing due to rotation of the shaft, wherein the physical relationship between at least one tilting pad and its adjacent retaining means is such that said rocking of the pad takes place without circumferential slippage of the pad around the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Shepherd
  • Patent number: 7390126
    Abstract: An idler arm bracket bearing includes a plurality of inwardly extending fingers to contact the bracket. The fingers deflect toward the bearing body as the fingers contact the bracket, thereby ensuring a full contact fit that provides a tighter joint assembly. Rib members are located between the fingers to center the bracket and limit the resilient deflection of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Affinia Group Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest E. Martin
  • Patent number: 7337764
    Abstract: A method of pressure balancing across a bearing adjacent to a pressure differential is described. The method primarily includes providing a bypass port around the bearing for allowing a fluid flow from a first pressure side to a second pressure side. A throttle body for an engine is also described. The throttle body primarily includes: (1) a bearing cooperating with the valve body; and (2) a bypass port around the bearing for allowing the fluid flow from a first pressure side to a second pressure side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Hal E. Pringle, Robert D. Keefover, Michael J. Halsig
  • Patent number: 7237957
    Abstract: A journal bearing, and a method of using the same, that utilizes self-retaining bearing shoes that prohibit relative movement between an aligning ring and the bearing shoes in the axial direction. In one aspect, the invention comprises an aligning ring; at least one shoe having a rear surface and a working surface for bearing contact with the rotating shaft, the at least one shoe having a flange extending from the rear surface; and the at least one shoe positioned in the aligning ring so that surface contact between the flange and the aligning ring prohibits the at least one shoe from separating from the aligning ring in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Kingsbury, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Geiger
  • Patent number: 7063465
    Abstract: A thrust bearing 11 for use with a shaft 13 having a collar 15 mounted the shaft 13 and rotatable therewith has a base ring 17, a series of shoes 19 positioned on the base ring 17, and a compressible resilient spacing member 29 positioned between the base ring 17 and a housing 31 for the thrust bearing 11. The spacing member 29 supports the thrust bearing 11 when the shaft 13 is rotating during no-load operating conditions, as well as dampens the forces placed on the thrust bearing 11 by the shaft 13 when the shaft 13 is rotating during no-load conditions. The spacing member 29 is sufficiently stiff that it supports the thrust bearing 11 when the shaft 13 is rotating under no-load conditions, but is sufficiently compressible to be compressed to the extent that the gap 33 between the base ring 17 and the housing 31 is eliminated due to the forces placed on the thrust bearing 11 by the shaft 13 bringing the base ring 17 into contact with the housing 31 during normal load operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Kingsbury, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Wilkes, Ascanio M. DeCamillo
  • Patent number: 7018104
    Abstract: A bearing assembly and method in which a bearing cage is disposed around a rotating member and a housing is disposed around the cage. A first portion of the radial outer surface of the cage extends in a slightly spaced relation to the corresponding portion of the inner surface of the housing, and a second portion of the radial outer surface of the cage projects from the first portion in a radial direction and engages the corresponding portion of the inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Herve H. Dourlens, Dale F. Marshall, Philippe Auber
  • Publication number: 20040240759
    Abstract: A tilting pad journal bearing, an annular housing for an array of arcuate bearing pads resiliently mounted by spring means which biases the pads against heads of restraining bosses that limit radial displacement and cause the bearing pads to define a shaft space. The pads have associated therewith support pegs (60) secured to housing or pad at one end and movable relative to the pad or housing at the other, and the spring means comprises stacks of individually deflectable elements mounted between relatively moving pad, housing or peg and pre-loaded by adjusting the effective gap with the pads against the bosses. Relative movement between springs provide friction damping. The restraining bosses may be displaceable together to eliminate the shaft space clearance if the magnetic suspension fails or shows signs of failing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Michael K. Swann, Nigel Henry New
  • Patent number: 6767133
    Abstract: A tilting pad bearing arrangement (10) (FIG. 1(a)) includes an array of bearing pads (15i) supported on a carrier (16). For each pad, the carrier pad surfaces have cylindrically concave recesses (28i, 29i), respectively formed therein with their axis orthogonal to each other. Linkng means (30) has opposite faces of cylindrically convex form conforming to the recesses to make sliding contact therewith, load is transmitted by way of an area, rather than line or point contact, reducing stress on components, while avoiding the high levels of friction associated with spherical seating of similar curvature and being cheaper to manufacture. The linking means may be manufactured from an assembly of plano-convex parts and shims to define thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Henry New
  • Patent number: 6739756
    Abstract: A thrust bearing tilting pad has face with a border region including an engagement surface and defining a pocket with generally longitudinal sidebars and a bottom. The pad has leading and trailing portions, with the face extending generally longitudinally therebetween. The leading and trailing portions can be positioned upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to a direction of movement of a runner. The pad is pivotally supported by (e.g., mechanical and/or hydrostatic) pivot and can cooperate with one or more other pads and fluid within a housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support the runner in an axial position. In another embodiment, the pad tilts free of mechanical engagement with other pads. The leading portion can define an entrance to the pocket and the sidebars can converge along the direction of motion of the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: WHM Holding Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040032996
    Abstract: A bearing pad for a tilt pad journal bearing assembly includes a pad body having a concave journal surface on one side and a mounting portion on an opposite side adapted to secure the pad to a bearing casing, the journal surface having undercut surfaces extending along opposite marginal edges thereof in a lengthwise dimension of the pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: James N. Hudson
  • Publication number: 20030142890
    Abstract: A thrust bearing tilting pad has face with a border region including an engagement surface and defining a pocket with generally longitudinal sidebars and a bottom. The pad has leading and trailing portions, with the face extending generally longitudinally therebetween. The leading and trailing portions can be positioned upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to a direction of movement of a runner. The pad is pivotally supported by (e.g., mechanical and/or hydrostatic) pivot and can cooperate with one or more other pads and fluid within a housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support the runner in an axial position. In another embodiment, the pad tilts free of mechanical engagement with other pads. The leading portion can define an entrance to the pocket and the sidebars can converge along the direction of motion of the runner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: William H. Miller
  • Publication number: 20030012468
    Abstract: A tilting pad bearing arrangement (10) (FIG. 1(a)) includes an array of bearing pads (15i) supported on a carrier (16). For each pad, the carrier pad surfaces have cylindrically concave recesses (28i, 29i), respectively formed therein with their axis orthogonal to each other. Linkng means (30) has opposite faces of cylindrically convex form conforming to the recesses to make sliding contact therewith, load is transmitted by way of an area, rather than line or point contact, reducing stress on components, while avoiding the high levels of friction associated with spherical seating of similar curvature and being cheaper to manufacture. The linking means may be manufactured from an assembly of plano-convex parts and shims to define thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Nigel Henry New
  • Patent number: 6499883
    Abstract: A thrust bearing tilting pad has face with a border region including an engagement surface and defining a pocket with generally longitudinal sidebars and a bottom. The pad has leading and trailing portions, with the face extending generally longitudinally therebetween. The leading and trailing portions can be positioned upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to a direction of movement of a runner. The pad is pivotally supported by (e.g., mechanical and/or hydrostatic) pivot and can cooperate with one or more other pads and fluid within a housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support the runner in an axial position. In another embodiment, the pad tilts free of mechanical engagement with other pads. The leading portion can define an entrance to the pocket and the sidebars can converge along the direction of motion of the runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: WHM Holding Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020141670
    Abstract: A non-flooded bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a rotating body and selected from tilting pad journal, tilting pad thrust and sleeve bearings, has a body made from Ampcoloy and provided with babbitted bearing and outer surfaces. The bearing assembly has a combination of passages extending between the outer and bearing surfaces for delivering a pressurized liquid lubricant to the bearing surface. A plurality of heat transfer chambers are provided in the body separately from and at a distance from the bearing surface to convey the pressurized liquid lubricant carrying the heat generated by the bearing surface away from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: John C. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 6200034
    Abstract: True-tilting pad of journal bearing has face with border region including engagement surface and defining pocket with generally longitudinal sidebars and a bottom. The pad has leading and trailing portions, with the face extending generally longitudinally therebetween. The leading and trailing portions can be positioned upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to rotation direction of rotatable shaft having convex surface. The pad is pivotally supported by (e.g., mechanical and/or hydrostatic) pivot and can cooperate with one or more other pads and fluid within housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support the shaft. The pad tilts free of mechanical engagement with other pads. The leading portion can define an entrance to the pocket and the sidebars can converge along the rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: WHM Holding Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Miller
  • Patent number: 6099271
    Abstract: A bearing configuration for use in electrical submersible pumps having improved stability. The bearing configurations include multi-lobed bearings, such as lemon bore, tri-lobe bearings, pocket bearings and tilting pad type bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Earl B. Brookbank
  • Patent number: 6079102
    Abstract: True-tilting pad of journal bearing has face with border region including engagement surface and defining pocket with longitudinal sidebars, bottom, and abrupt step. The pad has leading and trailing portions, with the face extending longitudinally therebetween. The portions can be positioned upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to rotation direction of rotatable shaft having convex surface. The pad is pivotally supported by pivot and can cooperate with one or more other pads and fluid within housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support the shaft. The pad tilts free of mechanical engagement with other pads. The leading portion can define an entrance to the pocket and the sidebars can converge along the rotation direction. The pocket hydrodynamically increases pressure on the convex surface of the shaft during rotation, and generates pressure effecting on the face counteraction force about the pivot and upstream relative to the rotation direction in order to counteract spragging force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: WHM Holdings Corporation
    Inventor: William Miller
  • Patent number: 5911511
    Abstract: The present invention provides a foil journal bearing including at least one support pad mounted inside a journal sleeve, and onto which foils are mounted. The support pad is mounted to the journal sleeve in a manner allowing it to tilt in response to foil loading variations and shaft misalignment. The present invention further provides a foil thrust bearing including at least one support pad mounted to a thrust plate and onto which the foils are mounted. The support pad is similarly mounted in a manner allowing it to tilt. The support pads in either configuration may be tapered in thickness to provide an optimized compliant backing for the foils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Saville
  • Patent number: 5772335
    Abstract: True-tilting pad of journal bearing has face with border region including engagement surface and defining pocket with longitudinal sidebars, bottom, and abrupt step. The pad has leading and trailing portions, with the face extending longitudinally therebetween. The portions can be positioned upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to rotation direction of rotatable shaft having convex surface. The pad is pivotally supported by pivot and can cooperate with one or more other pads and fluid within housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support the shaft. The pad tilts free of mechanical engagement with other pads. The leading portion can define an entrance to the pocket and the sidebars can converge along the rotation direction. The pocket hydrodynamically increases pressure on the convex surface of the shaft during rotation, and generates pressure effecting on the face counteraction force about the pivot and upstream relative to the rotation direction in order to counteract spragging force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: WHM Holding Company
    Inventor: William Miller
  • Patent number: 5759011
    Abstract: A journal bearing assembly for mounting within a rotatable shaft that has been hollowed out to form a shaft cavity, said assembly comprising a plurality of bearing pads positioned about a bearing support, said support and bearing pads positioned within the hollowed out shaft end, said bearing pads then positioned between the bearing support and the shaft cavity wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Randall W. Moll