Hydraulic Or Pneumatic Bearing Support Patents (Class 384/99)
  • Patent number: 7461979
    Abstract: An exemplary housing for a turbocharger includes a substantially cylindrical bore having a longitudinal axis, an inner diameter, a proximate end and a distal end; a counterbore positioned at the distal end, substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter; a plate attachment mechanism at the proximate end for attachment of a plate including an opening substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter wherein the inner diameter of the cylindrical bore exceeds the inner diameter of the counterbore and the inner diameter of the opening of the plate; and a pin opening to the cylindrical bore positioned substantially at the inner diameter of the bore, the pin opening capable of receiving a pin. Various exemplary bearing cartridges, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Mavrosakis
  • Patent number: 7431504
    Abstract: A high temperature damper for a roller bearing having a long shelf life and capable of withstanding temperatures in a gas turbine engine shaft. The damper includes a damping chamber formed between a stator housing and the outer race of the bearing, and is filled with a liquid metal such as Gallium that has a paste-like consistency at room temperature so as not to flow and leak from the damping chamber, and a liquid-like consistency at about 1,500 degrees F. in order to withstand the extreme temperatures of a gas turbine engine. Seals having a U-shape cross section are made of a high temperature metal like Hastalloy or Hynes and enclose the liquid metal within the damping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip C Pelfrey
  • Publication number: 20080240632
    Abstract: A support damper is provided for a bearing assembly to improve the damping capabilities of an uncentered squeeze film damper and to provide a support structure stiffness to minimize rotor to structure unbalance response. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the support damper includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a U-shaped beams. The inner ring is configured to be disposed around the bearing assembly and to extend axially along a portion thereof. The outer ring is spaced apart from the inner ring and extends radially outwardly relative thereto. The U-shaped beams couples the inner ring to the outer ring. Methods of manufacturing the support damper are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. McMurray, Mohsiul Alam, Doug K. Spencer, Simeon A. Ning
  • Patent number: 7419304
    Abstract: An exemplary housing for a rotor of a turbocharger includes a bore, defined at least in part by the housing; a pair of rotor limiting surfaces positioned at a first diameter, one rotor limiting surface positioned proximate to a turbine end of the housing and the other rotor limiting surface positioned proximate to a compressor end of the housing; a rotor damping surface positioned at a second diameter, intermediate the pair of rotor limiting surfaces; and an opening to receive a pin to axially locate a squeeze film bearing cartridge in the bore of the housing. Various exemplary bearing cartridges, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Mavrosakis
  • Publication number: 20080166076
    Abstract: A rotor mount assembly for an electrical machine, such as a high speed aerospace generator, comprises a spring having a simple annular structure together with an oil squeeze film damper (SFD). The spring is engineered to move the rotor critical speeds outside of the extremes of the operating speed range and the SFD damps out the rotor responses as the speed passes through these points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: DAVID E. STOUT, BALWINDER S. BIRDI, EDWARD M. DOWN, WALTER L. MEACHAM
  • Publication number: 20080112306
    Abstract: In order to prevent oil leakage in a hydrodynamic bearing device comprising an opening section in close proximity to a radial bearing and a lubricating fluid reservoir, a shaft 10, thrust flange 16, sleeve 11, seal plate 21, and stopper plate 20 are provided, a radial dynamic pressure bearing is formed in a radial clearance between the shaft 10 and sleeve 11, and a thrust dynamic pressure bearing is formed in a thrust direction clearance between the sleeve 11 and thrust flange 16. A connecting hole 11d is formed that connects a gap between the sleeve 11 and seal plate 21 and a thrust direction gap between the sleeve 11 and thrust flange 16. The relationship A<B<C is satisfied, where A is a radial clearance, B is a clearance between an outer peripheral surface of the shaft 10 and an inner peripheral surface of the seal plate 21, and C is a clearance between a lower surface of the seal plate 21 and an upper end face of the sleeve 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Hiroaki Saito, Takao Yoshitsugu, Hiroyuki Kiriyama
  • Publication number: 20080089624
    Abstract: A dynamic sealing system between two coaxial rotary shafts respectively comprising an inner shaft and an outer shaft. Connected to the inner shaft, the system comprises a sectorized annular assembly of wipers that are movable under the effect of centrifugal force, and an annular receptacle for liquid arranged in the inside surface of the outer shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Laurent GILLE, Serge Rene Morreale
  • Patent number: 7329048
    Abstract: A fluid damping system for damping a shaft within a gas turbine engine component. The fluid damping system including a damping liquid and a pressurized gas in a closed self contained system. In one aspect the damping liquid is cooled by being disposed in a heat transfer relationship with a fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Arlen Klusman, Mark Stephen Henry
  • Patent number: 7214037
    Abstract: An exemplary housing for a turbocharger includes a substantially cylindrical bore having a longitudinal axis, an inner diameter, a proximate end and a distal end; a counterbore positioned at the distal end, substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter; a plate attachment mechanism at the proximate end for attachment of a plate including an opening substantially centered on the longitudinal axis and having an inner diameter wherein the inner diameter of the cylindrical bore exceeds the inner diameter of the counterbore and the inner diameter of the opening of the plate; and a pin opening to the cylindrical bore positioned substantially at the inner diameter of the bore, the pin opening capable of receiving a pin. Various exemplary bearing cartridges, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Mavrosakis
  • Patent number: 7104693
    Abstract: An exemplary squeeze film bearing cartridge for a turbocharger includes a center section, two outer sections having a first outer diameter and two intermediate sections having a second outer diameter, the intermediate sections positioned intermediate the center section and a respective one of the outer sections and wherein the first outer diameter exceeds the second outer diameter. Various exemplary bearing cartridges, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Mavrosakis
  • Patent number: 7066651
    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, the recess having a floor. The assembly further includes at least one support piston slideably disposed within the recess in the bearing housing, the support piston slideable within the recess radially toward and away from a central longitudinal axis of the rotatable shaft. At least one resilient element is disposed within the recess in the bearing housing between the floor of the recess and the support piston, the resilient element biasing the support piston away from the axis of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Rotating Machinery Technology Inc
    Inventors: John C. Nicholas, James M. Byrne, Donald H. Rockefeller, Malcolm E. Leader
  • Patent number: 7051617
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting an appropriate viscous fluid for use in control moment gyroscopes, reaction wheels, momentum wheels and the like. Components such as the housing, the rotor, and the viscous fluid are modeled using a three-parameter isolator system, which allows optimization of the damping action for a given application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis W. Smith, Toren S. Davis
  • Patent number: 7040811
    Abstract: A rolling bearing defines a separation between an oil enclosure and an air enclosure. The bearing includes rolling elements defining a first side opening and a second side opening, and includes an annular junction piece having an annular contact surface with the structural piece. An oil film is disposed at the annular contact surface between the structural piece and the junction piece and is laterally defined by at least two sealing rings. A sealing device covers at least part of the first side opening. A first oil circulation device feeds the oil film with oil and feeds the rolling elements beside the oil enclosure with oil from the oil film. A second oil circulation device, independent of the first, recovers the oil used for lubricating the rolling elements and is arranged in such a manner as to avoid oil flowing towards the air enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Snecma Moteurs
    Inventors: Guy Dusserre-Telmon, Daniel Plona
  • Patent number: 7025579
    Abstract: A bearing system for a turbocharger shaft includes an elongated bearing carrier with two anti-friction ball bearings mounted in its ends and with a radially extending flange at one end that cooperates with stationary housing portions and carries thrust loads of the rotor in both directions. The elongated bearing carrier is supported within the housing by axially spaced elastic supports which permit the rotating assembly to rotate about its mass center and provide a shock and vibration cushion. The elongated bearing carrier and housing cooperate to provide a coolant cavity which communicates with the outside periphery of the elongated bearing carrier between the axially spaced elastic supports, which also act as coolant seals between the elongated bearing cavity and the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Turbo Systems Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Woollenweber, Jon A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7018103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for vibration damping in a machine tool comprising at least one hydrostatic guide 8 including at least one pocket 1 for supporting a first component 9 on a second component 10, through which an oil flow is passed with a predetermined volume flow and at a predetermined pressure and exits through at least one gap 3, characterized in that the oil flow through the gap 3 is regulated in response to the loads arising so as to achieve a constant width of the gap 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: P&L GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Juergen Roeders
  • Patent number: 7018102
    Abstract: A dampening bearing support member having a plurality of bearings disposed between an object and a base with rheological medium disposed around the bearings, with the rheological medium being under the control of the user at times when it is desired to stiffen the rheological medium and limit or prevent movement of the bearings and the object in relation to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Gregory R. Brotz
  • Patent number: 6969289
    Abstract: A marine vessel propulsion assembly has an elastically suspended gearbox with an output drive shaft guided in an axial bearing with a rigidly suspended bearing housing. Free space is provided in the axial bearing for allowing movement of the output drive shaft in the radial direction, wherein the output drive shaft is freely movable radially within the free space. A supporting ring with sliding elements for axial guidance of the output drive shaft is arranged in the axial bearing. The supporting ring is hydraulically supported by a large number of pistons so that the supporting ring can match itself to angular displacements of the output drive shaft and can always completely and uniformly support the sliding elements on the bearing circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: RENK Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Hultsch, Karl-Heinz Merk
  • Patent number: 6883967
    Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A plurality of bladders is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. Each of the bladders is filled with a quantity of a rheological fluid. Fluid communication between adjacent pairs of the bladders is provided by respective control valves. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to each of the control valves so as to vary the ability of the rheological fluid to flow therethrough between the associated pair of bladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Robb, James A. Duggan
  • Patent number: 6877901
    Abstract: A bearing system for a turbocharger shaft includes two angular contact ball bearings mounted in the opposite ends of a lubricated rotatable elongated cylinder, which includes a radially extending flange at one end that cooperates with stationary housing portions and carries the thrust load of the rotor in both directions. The angular contact ball bearing on the turbine end (hot end) of the machine is provided with a radial spring between the outside of its outer race and the elongated cylinder, which prevents rotation of the outer race, but still allows axial movement of the outer race in the elongated cylinder due to axial expansion of the shaft when exposed to high temperature. The inner races of the ball bearings are separated by a spacer, which is clamped in place between the bearings when the rotor assembly lock nut is tightened. Thus, the inner race of the bearings and spacer rotate with the shaft as part of the rotating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: William E. Wollenweber
  • Patent number: 6872003
    Abstract: A rolling bearing for a turbomachine supporting a first shaft to rotate relative to a second shaft, and comprising: a plurality of rolling elements engaged between an inner annular ring mounted on the second shaft and an outer annular ring mounted on the first shaft; an oil film formed at an annular contact surface between said outer ring and said first shaft; at least one duct passing through said inner ring and opening out in an inner race for said rolling elements in order to lubricate them; and at least one additional duct passing through said inner ring and opening out outside the inner race in order to feed oil through said outer ring to said oil film under the effect of the centrifugal force generated by said second shaft rotating, said outer ring having an annular shoulder projecting radially towards the inside of said annular space, said shoulder having at least one channel opening out substantially in register with said additional duct and opening out into said oil film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Guy Dusserre-Telmon, Daniel Plona
  • Patent number: 6846158
    Abstract: A system is provided for changing the critical speed of a shaft that includes: a first shaft supported for relative rotational movement with respect to a stationary structure, a forward bearing disposed at the forward end of the shaft, an aft bearing disposed at the aft end of the shaft, at least one active bearing disposed between the forward bearing and the aft bearing, and means for changing the support stiffness of the active bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Peter Richard Hull
  • Publication number: 20040161180
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Herve H. Dourlens, Dale F. Marshall, Philippe Auber
  • Patent number: 6776530
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extra-roll slide bearing system (20) for a paper/board machine or a finishing machine, surrounding a shaft (2) in a roll (1). The bearing system comprises a body section (5), which is formed with a bearing housing (7) provided with hydrostatic bearing elements (3, 3A) disposed around the shaft (2). The bearing elements are fitted with slide elements (4, 4A), having a sliding surface (16) directed towards the shaft (2). Between the slide elements (4) and the shaft (2) is a bushing (6), which is mounted on the shaft (2) for rotation therewith, said slide elements (4, 4A) being adapted to position themselves around the bushing (6) with the sliding surfaces (16) against the external surface of the bushing directed away from the shaft for supporting said shaft (2), and hence the roll (1), rotatably relative to the body section (5). The bearing housing (7) has its axial ends provided with end caps (8, 9), along with packing elements (12, 14) therefor, for sealing the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Juha Vimpari
  • Publication number: 20040156566
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Herve H. Dourlens, Dale F. Marshall, Philippe Auber
  • Patent number: 6695478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing for maintaining an inner mobile structural component with revolution symmetry, rotating inside an outer structural component, which is itself fixed or mobile, said bearing comprising a set of balls and at least one joining member which provides the mechanical contact between said balls and said outer structural component, said bearing also comprising a pressurized-oil damper known as a “squeeze film” damper, arranged at the annular contact surface between said joining member and the outer structural component, said bearing comprising at least two annular elastic seals, each arranged in a groove, at the edges of said annular contact surface, wherein the annular elastic seals are U-shaped lip seals, the hollow space of which is directed towards the “squeeze film”, or are E-type seals, the hollow spaces of which are directed towards the “squeeze film”, the leakproofing for each seal being ensured by the contact between said seal and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Mathieu Bos, Sébastien Ryhon
  • Publication number: 20040022463
    Abstract: A rolling bearing for supporting a shaft in rotation inside an annular structural piece, said bearing defining a separation between an oil enclosure and an air enclosure, and comprising: a plurality of rolling elements engaged between an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring and defining a first side opening beside said air enclosure and a second side opening beside said oil enclosure; at least one annular junction piece mechanically connected to said outer bearing ring and having an annular contact surface with said structural piece; an oil film disposed at said annular contact surface between said structural piece and said junction piece and laterally defined by at least two sealing rings; sealing means covering at least part of said first side opening beside said air enclosure; first oil circulation means for feeding said oil film with oil and for feeding said rolling elements beside said oil enclosure with oil from said oil film in order to lubricate them; and second oil circulation means, independ
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Guy Dusserre-Telmon, Daniel Plona
  • Patent number: 6682219
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that provides a flexible anisotropic support, which may accommodate open, closed, or re-circulating squeeze film damper in parallel, has improved internal rolling element clearances, limits maneuver and blade loss responses by limiting rotor excursion, and has a rotor centering feature. This is accomplished through the combination of beam and ring arrangement, which provides support anisotropy that produces beneficial cross-coupling stiffness for the support to control synchronous and non-synchronous vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mohsiul Alam, Doug K. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6666108
    Abstract: Undesirable vibrations are controlled in a mechanical structure by confining the vibrations to one or more specified areas of the structure. Vibration confinement is achieved using a confinement device which effectively applies both translational and torsional forces to the structure. The strength of the translational and torsional forces, and the position of the confinement device are chosen by the designer to select a vibrational energy confinement region. Judicious selection of the confinement region permits the structure to avoid the transfer of vibrational energy to particularly sensitive portions of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Quality Research, Development & Consulting, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Alleai
  • Patent number: 6648036
    Abstract: A veneer lathe that can provide a veneer produced by cutting out a log, which is substantially free from surface scratches, and thus can be used as a surface sheet for plywood. A roller bar drives a log while pushing its peripheral surface on the upstream side of a knife fixed to a knife carriage for cutting the rotating log in a log rotating direction. The roller bar 3 has a large number of grooves defined in a peripheral surface thereof. The shape of the grooves 5a in a section crossing the shaft centerline of the roller bar 3 is set so that an angle between a tangent at a corner portion 3e constituted by a line 3d of an outer periphery of the roller bar 3 and a line 3b extending outward from an upstream side face of the grooves 5a is 130 to 160 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenzo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6637942
    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: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Herve H. Dourlens, Dale F. Marshall, Philippe Auber
  • Publication number: 20030190099
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that provides a flexible anisotropic support, which may accommodate open, closed, or re-circulating squeeze film damper in parallel, has improved internal rolling element clearances, limits maneuver and blade loss responses by limiting rotor excursion, and has a rotor centering feature. This is accomplished through the combination of beam and ring arrangement, which provides support anisotropy that produces beneficial cross-coupling stiffness for the support to control synchronous and non-synchronous vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohsiul Alam, Doug K. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6626574
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a bearing for maintaining an inner mobile structural component with a revolution symmetry, rotating inside an outer structural component, which is itself fixed or mobile, said bearing comprising a set of balls or rollers and at least an outer race which provides the mechanical contact between said balls or rollers and said outer structural component, said bearing also comprising a pressurized-oil damper known as a “squeeze film” damper, arranged at the annular contact surface between said outer race and the outer structural component, characterized in that each side surface of the outer race is in contact with a side seal having an annular form, said seals being securely fastened to the outer race by means of a series of anti-rotation fixing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Mathieu Bos, Sébastien Ryhon
  • Patent number: 6585418
    Abstract: In a hydrodynamic axial bearing (10), a rotating body (13) is mounted radially in a radial bearing (17) of a bearing body (18). The rotating body (13) comprises a shaft (16), with its shaft journal (14) mounted in the radial bearing (17), and a bearing collar (20) which is connected fixedly to the shaft (16) and corotates with the shaft (16). A floating disk (12) is arranged in an annular-groove-shaped space (28) between a wall (26) of the fixed bearing body (18) and a projection (22) of the corotating bearing collar (20). The floating disk (12) has a central circular orifice (30) which is designed as an integrated hydrodynamic radial bearing (32). By means of this radial bearing (32), the floating disk (12) is mounted radially on a fixed bearing element (38) concentrically surrounding the rotating body (13) on a portion (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Turbo Systems AG
    Inventors: Bruno Ammann, Jürgen Prossel
  • Patent number: 6558041
    Abstract: The damper assembly includes a centering spring about a bearing for a rotating shaft. The centering spring is fixed to and spaced from a fixed component. One or more annular arrays of brush bristles project from the fixed component and have tips in engagement with the non-rotating, radially and orbitally movable centering spring. With the brush bristles engaging the centering spring, the vibrations and dynamic loadings of the shaft on the bearing and centering spring are damped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hector Emilio Laos
  • Publication number: 20030063822
    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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Herve H. Dourlens, Dale F. Marshall, Philippe Auber
  • Publication number: 20030063821
    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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Herve H. Dourlens, Dale F. Marshall, Philippe Auber
  • Patent number: 6527446
    Abstract: A foil journal bearing which is provided at an interior surface of the bearing housing with a plurality of foils or one foil for supporting a shaft comprises a plurality of dampers embedded in an inside portion of its bearing housing while coming into contact with and supporting the plurality of foils or the one foil to increase stiffness and damping capacity of the bearing during rotation of said shaft, wherein each of said dampers is comprised of a damper pin inserted into one of dimples formed on the interior surface of the bearing housing and an elastic spring interposed between a bottom of the damper pin and a bottom of the dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Yong Bok Lee, Chang Ho Kim, Nam Soo Lee, Tae Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20030007705
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for turbo-machines containing a bearing housing, a rotor mounted on a rotor shaft in an overhung position, and a roller bearing set. The roller bearing set contains at least two roller bearings arranged on a one-part cylindrical bearing carrier with a minimum installed clearance. The bearing carrier is inserted into a bearing bore of the bearing housing leaving a radial installed gap that permits dampened movements of vibration. The carrier is supported on the peripheral side of the bore with initially tensioned, elastic vibration damping elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Werner Bosen, Martin Leonhard
  • Patent number: 6478553
    Abstract: An improved turbocharger for railway locomotive sized engines includes, in a preferred embodiment, first and second axially spaced ball bearings supporting a rotor with the first bearing being a hybrid ceramic ball bearing mounted to accept both radial and axial loads acting on the shaft at the compressor end. The first bearing is mounted on a reduced diameter portion of the shaft, providing reduced bearing diameter to acceptably limit centrifugal loading of ceramic balls in the bearing against a surrounding bearing race. The first bearing has dual rows of ceramic ball bearings mounted to share all axial thrust loads on the shaft. The second bearing is also a ball bearing. Lubrication of the bearings is preferably by direct impingement on the inner race to minimize oil churning causing heating and power loss. Additional features and advantages are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jean B Panos, James William Heilenbach, Eric J Duve
  • Patent number: 6457865
    Abstract: A ball-type anti-friction device which has a housing, a ball cage mounted within the housing for movement relative to the housing between a lower inactive position and an upper active position. The ball cage contains a relatively large ball mounted on relatively small bearing balls so that when the ball cage is in the lower or inactive position, the large ball is below the top surface of the housing and when the ball cage is in the upper or active position, the ball extends above the top surface of the housing. In a first embodiment, the housing contains a double acting fluid drive system. The fluid drive system includes two fluid chambers and a piston connected to the ball cage. The piston is selectively actuated by selective pressurization of the two fluid chambers. In a second embodiment, the ball cage is actuated by a single acting fluid drive system. A piston is connected to the ball cage and is biased downwardly to normally maintain the ball cage and large ball in the lower or inactive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Camillo A. Masciarelli, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020136473
    Abstract: A squeeze-film damper bearing. Squeeze-film damper bearings contain a fluid film captured between two components, typically (1) a bearing race and (2) a housing which supports the race. The fluid film damps vibration of the two components. However, the fluid film also allows movement of the components with respect to each other, which is not always desired. The invention limits the movement, without significantly diminishing the vibration-damping properties of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel Edward Mollmann
  • Patent number: 6439772
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine including a bearing assembly and a damper sub-assembly that facilitate reducing dynamic motion to the rotor assembly is described. The bearing assembly includes rolling elements positioned between a paired race. The rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft supported by the bearing assembly. The damper sub-assembly is radially outward from the bearing assembly adjacent a sump housing, and includes a damper insert. A predetermined preload force is applied to the rolling elements. An outer race of the bearing assembly distorts to substantially match a distortion pattern of the damper insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Carl Ommundson, Robert Burton Brown, Scott Albert Tardanico
  • Patent number: 6431756
    Abstract: A vibration damper comprises a bearing located between two rotatable shafts and an axially extending oil entry surface positioned radially inwardly of the radial outer surface of the bearing outer race and axially adjacent one end of the bearing. The outer surface of the bearing outer race forms a clearance between itself and the bearing housing for the ingress of a film of oil directed from the oil entry surface. A weir is positioned at the axially opposite end of said bearing and radially inward of the bearing outer race and oil entry surface such that in use the radial height difference between oil entry surface and weir provides a pumping force and supplies a film of oil between the bearing outer race and its casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Alan R Maquire, John W Allen
  • Publication number: 20020076124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing for maintaining an inner mobile structural component (2) with revolution symmetry, rotating inside an outer structural component (1), which is itself fixed or mobile, said bearing comprising a set of balls (3) and at least one joining member (4, 4′) which provides the mechanical contact between said balls (3) and said outer structural component (1), said bearing also comprising a pressurized-oil damper known as a “squeeze film” damper, arranged at the annular contact surface (5) between said joining member (4, 4′) and the outer structural component (1), said bearing comprising at least two annular elastic seals (9, 9′, 19, 19′), each arranged in a groove (6, 6′), at the edges of said annular contact surface (5), wherein the annular elastic seals are U-shaped lip seals (9, 9′), the hollow space of which is directed towards the “squeeze film”, or are E-type seals (19, 19′), the hollow spaces of which are
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Mathieu Bos, Sebastien Ryhon
  • Publication number: 20020067870
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine including a bearing assembly and a damper sub-assembly that facilitate reducing dynamic motion to the rotor assembly is described. The bearing assembly includes rolling elements positioned between a paired race. The rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft supported by the bearing assembly. The damper sub-assembly is radially outward from the bearing assembly adjacent a sump housing, and includes a damper insert. A predetermined preload force is applied to the rolling elements. An outer race of the bearing assembly distorts to substantially match a distortion pattern of the damper insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Carl Ommundson, Robert Burton Brown, Scott Albert Tardanico
  • Publication number: 20020067871
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a bearing for maintaining an inner mobile structural component with a revolution symmetry, rotating inside an outer structural component, which is itself fixed or mobile, said bearing comprising a set of balls or rollers and at least an outer race which provides the mechanical contact between said balls or rollers and said outer structural component, said bearing also comprising a pressurized-oil damper known as a “squeeze film” damper, arranged at the annular contact surface between said outer race and the outer structural component, characterized in that each side surface of the outer race is in contact with a side seal having an annular form, said seals being securely fastened to the outer race by means of a series of anti-rotation fixing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Mathieu Bos, Sebastien Ryhon
  • Patent number: 6367977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spindle unit which is able two work both in a low speed powerful roughing regime and medium and high speed precision semi-finishing and finishing. The spindle unit includes a body, a shaft placed into the body, journal bearings between the body and the shaft, and at least one journal-thrust ball bearing assembly placed between the body and the shaft. A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder is used to move the shaft in an axial direction. The spindle unit further has a pad placed on at least one side of the hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. As a result of this construction, the spindle unit can work as a fully restricted spindle unit with and without additional ball bearing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Moore Tool Company Incorporated
    Inventor: Leonid Kashchenevsky
  • Publication number: 20010009592
    Abstract: A vibration damper comprises a bearing located between two rotatable shafts and an axially extending oil entry surface positioned radially inwardly of the radial outer surface of the bearing outer race and axially adjacent one end of the bearing. The outer surface of the bearing outer race forms a clearance between itself and the bearing housing for the ingress of a film of oil directed from the oil entry surface. A weir is positioned at the axially opposite end of said bearing and radially inward of the bearing outer race and oil entry surface such that in use the radial height difference between oil entry surface and weir provides a pumping force and supplies a film of oil between the bearing outer race and its casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Alan R. Maquire, John W. Allen
  • Patent number: 6220829
    Abstract: A combination bearing supporting a shaft interconnecting the turbine and compressor wheels of a turbocharger incorporates a dual film floating journal bearing, a squeeze film damper and ball bearing carrier, and a ball bearing assembly. An angular contact ball bearing with an outer race mounted in the carrier rolls on an inner race mounted against a should on the shaft. The squeeze film damper and ball bearing carrier is pinned to preclude axial or rotational movement. A thrust collar is sandwiched between the ball bearing inner race and the compressor wheel to carry thrust loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Glenn F. Thompson, Robert J. McMullen
  • Patent number: 6196721
    Abstract: A bearing race and ring assembly having an undulating outer surface which mates with an inner surface of the assembly along a mounting interface. The mounting interface includes a plurality of rings packaged to produce inner and outer undulating mating surfaces. A viscous medium for dampening vibrations flows therethrough to reduce bearing vibrations within the race. The undulated surfaces are defined by either sinusoidal or ramped relationship, forming a uniform pitch therethrough and providing a broader effective film layer for vibration attenuation. A hydraulic ball valve system is disposed the housing of the ring assembly for regulating viscous fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen J. Farkaly