Abstract: A squeeze film damper covered by a pair of flexible torus shells, wherein the damping fluid is confined. The squeeze film provides the damping. The torus shells provide the stiffness within the clearance of the squeeze film. The torus shells separate the damping fluid from its environment. The torus shells also serve as a damping fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A hydrostatic bearing support for a rotor includes a bearing, and a mounting for the bearing affording a clearance space between the rotor and the bearing. A hydrostatic feed pocket is carried by the mounting for receiving a fluid under pressure and supplying the fluid under pressure into the clearance space to provide a fluid film between the bearing and the mounting. A pump supplies fluid under pressure to the pocket. A pressure fluctuation damper is disposed between the pump and the pocket enabling the fluid to provide a bearing support having simultaneously a low dynamic stiffness for damping rotor vibration and a high static stiffness for locating the bearing relative to mounting.

Abstract: A hydrostatic journal bearing system for a rotor or shaft includes bearing pads which are self-aligned and self-adjusting. The self-adjusting aspect includes providing for radial movement of the bearing pads. The self-aligning feature includes providing for pivoting of the bearing pads. In one embodiment a pressurizable piston area provides a radial load to establish a substantially constant clearance between the bearing pad and the rotor. Spring preload of the bearing pads, if provided, prevents relative motion between the bearing and shaft, e.g., during transportation and storage.

Abstract: A sealed squeeze film damper having double annular wall sealed plenums at the open ends of the damper which seal the damper and prevent air from being sucked into a sealed film damper thereby preventing degradation of damper performance due to air entrainment in the damper fluid. This significantly improves the damper performance by preventing air entrainment in the damper fluid.

Abstract: An air pad comprising a body with two opposite faces, and having a number of supporting orifices on one face and at least one compensating orifice on the other face, each compensating orifice being located on a micropad comprising a plate integral with a shank sliding in a cylindrical chamber communicating with the supply conduits of the orifices; and the plates cooperating with a surface opposite the surface of the slideway and located on a bar fitted to the slideway.

Abstract: Spring ring type seals are substituted for the usual piston ring seals in squeeze film dampers for bearings to provide more available space and location for oil plenums in the squeeze film space and a more constant and continuous circumferential oil seal.

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

Abstract: A linear motion rolling contact guide unit includes a rail having a horizontally extending wing section, a slider slidably mounted on the rail and a plurality of rollers interposed between the top surface of the rail and the slider so as to allow a shift in position in a lateral direction between the rail and the slider as the slider moves along the rail. A first slide member is fixedly attached to the slider to define a first squeeze film damper between the top surface of the rail and the first slide member. A second slide member is fixedly attached to the slider to define a second squeeze film damper between the bottom surface of the wing section and the second slide member. Each of the first and second squeeze film dampers includes an oil film for damping or absorbing any undesired vibratory motion.

Abstract: A linear motion rolling contact guide unit includes a rail, a slider assembly and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the rail and the slider assembly. The slider assembly includes a pair of lower and upper sub-assemblies. The lower sub-assembly is slidably mounted on the rail and the upper sub-assembly is mounted on the lower sub-assembly such that it may move transversely relative to the lower sub-assembly over a limited distance. A low friction intermediate member is provided at a first location in a gap between the opposed surfaces of the upper and lower sub-assemblies so as to provide an enhanced sliding characteristic therebetween. A squeeze film damper mechanism is provided at a second location in the gap between the upper and lower sub-assemblies for damping and/or absorbing undesired motion.

Abstract: A pneumatic coupling for connecting a driven machine member, such as a gantry type carriage of a measuring machine, to a drive member whereby the driven member is moved along a given axis; the coupling substantially comprising a bracket integral with the driven member and defining two facing wallsperpendicular to the aforementioned axis; and a drive element integral with the drive memberand located between the walls of the bracket via the interposition of respective air padsfitted to the walls via respective spherical supports.

Abstract: A ball screw driven linear motion rolling contact guide unit includes a rail having a generally U-shaped cross section and a ball screw shaft and a slider received in the rail and operatively coupled to the ball screw shaft. A plurality of rolling members are interposed between the slider and the rail. The rail has a bottom wall formed with a trench in which a quantity of damping oil is reserved. The slider is provided with a projection which projects into the trench to thereby define a squeeze film damper mechanism. The slider is also provided with an endless circulating path, including a load path section, a return path section and a pair of curved connecting path sections, each connecting the corresponding ends of the load and return path sections, whereby the return path section is located lower in level than the load path section.

Abstract: An exhaust gas turbocharger having rotor runners disposed in roller bearings protects the roller bearings from shocks and vibrations by a pressure-oil-filled oil film damper. By a shut-off device arranged in the main lubricating oil duct, the lubricating oil supply of the roller bearings is shut off when the rotor runners are stopped. However, the pressure oil supply of the oil film damper remains operative so that the oil film damper retains its operability.

Abstract: A conical spring ring oil seal at the ends of a squeeze film shaft damper replaces conventional internal piston ring seals to provide circumferential oil sealing of an annular squeeze film space in the damper.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided with a supporting system for supporting a shaft. The supporting system includes at least one outer bearing and at least one inner bearing. The outer bearing is fitted in the housing so as to form a small clearance between its outer circumferential surface and the housing. The inner bearing is fitted in the outer bearing so as to form a small clearance between its outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the outer bearing. In the inner bearing, the shaft is inserted so as to form a small clearance between its outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the inner bearing. At least one outer oil supply hole and at least one inner oil supply hole are formed in the outer and inner bearings, respectively and oil is supplied from the oil supply passage to each small clearance through the oil supply holes.

Abstract: Squeeze film damper with a viscous damping agent between two concentric cylindrical surfaces (5) on the internal (3) and external (6) parts, respectively, of the damper. The clearance between these two surfaces (5) is supplied with a viscous damping agent, usually oil, from a groove (4) in the cylindrical surface on the internal part (3) of the damper. This groove (4) does not extend all around. In the lower part of the internal part (3) of the damper there are instead two pockets (7) which are separated from each other and from the long damper oil groove (4). When these two pockets (7) are supplied through channels (8) with oil of an adjusted pressure, a lifting force arises which acts on the internal part (3) of the damper so that this part and the associated shaft (1) are lifted and centered, whereupon during operation a damper clearance, extending all around, is obtained without mechanical means. (FIG.

Abstract: A piston type ring which includes a continuous synthetic material O-ring concentrically mounted thereon in a groove in the outer circumference of the ring is utilized as a piston ring seal in a squeeze film damper.

Abstract: A force applicator comprises a ram operable by fluid under pressure. A pressure pad (7) is located between one movable part of the ram (3) and the load (9) and means are provided which enable relative movement to take place between the pressure pad and the ram in a direction at right angles to the direction of operation of the ram. The means may take the form of a fluid chamber (15) between the pressure pad and the ram or a disc of PTFE between them.

Abstract: A vibration damper of a rotating shaft includes a floating housing attached to the shaft for radial vibratory displacement as a unit therewith, a plurality of cylindrical bores in the floating housing parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft, and a plurality of smaller cylindrical impactors in the cylindrical bores. Each impactor is a metal sleeve having a smaller cylindrical tungsten rod therein with a damping medium around the rod. When the shaft experiences radial vibratory displacement, the sleeves impact the bores. When the sleeves impact the bores, the damping medium is squeezed from between the tungsten rods and the sleeves for vibration damping energy absorption in one mode. In addition, the tungsten rods impact the bores through the sleeves and initiate local plastic deformation of the bores the sleeves and the rods for energy absorption in another mode.

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

Abstract: A squeeze film damper bearing (100) has the means of automatically centering itself from the force associated with lateral shaft vibration. It utilizes a floating ring (108) positioned between a housing (102) and a cage (106) with O-rings (115, 116, 130, 131) positioned between adjacent parts to maintain proper clearances. Oil is introduced into the clearances to serve as a damping medium. Squeeze film damping action occurs in the clearances when the force associated with lateral shaft vibration is transmitted from the shaft (120) through the radial bearing (114) to the damper oil films. The mating cylindrical surfaces between the flowing ring (108) and housing (102) have a common longitudinal axis 100a which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal shaft centerline 120a by an angle (122) which provides the means for the floating ring (108) to reposition itself so that it can assume a centered position with respect to the housing (102) and the cage (106) when subjected to lateral forces.

Abstract: A damper bearing assembly and method for damper oil conservation and recirculation. The assembly includes opposed channels enclosing a squeeze film space and open to direct flow from the damper squeeze film space. The channels can isolate the squeeze film space from leakage points in the assembly, and can be profiled to direct fluid exiting from the high pressure region away from leakage points. The channels isolate the low pressure region in the squeeze film from leakage points to prevent air entrainment.

Abstract: The damper arrangement is operated in high temperature applications, such as load and speed environments such as found in turboengines. The damper arrangement includes damper pads which are laterally urged against damping elements forming a shearing zone therebetween. The shearing zone is lubricated with solid dry powder lubricant. The damper pads include a circumferential wave or a multi-partial arc configuration formed by radial slots with inwardly tapering radial bevels and lateral bevels adjacent to the radial slots to enhance the circulation of the powder lubricant in response to nutating motion between the damper pad and the damper element.

Abstract: An improved fluid film bearing having a squeeze film damper tailored to the dynamic vibration characteristics of a turbomachine. Compact cantilevered spring bars support the squeeze film damper and thin fluid film bearing surface against the rotor shaft. The spring bars fit compactly within the bearing. The squeeze film damper includes oil plenums that provide a reservoir of fluid and prevent air from entering the damper and thin fluid film.

Abstract: A piston ring type seal for squeeze film dampers comprises a hollow oil filled ring structure with transverse inlet and exit orifices to control the flow of squeeze film oil past the ring.

Abstract: A force limiter for limiting the force between two articles getting into contact with each other, which force limiter comprises a control member (11) displaceable with respect to a holder (5), which member is pneumatically pre-stressed with a force which is substantially independent of the relative position between the holder (5) and the control member (11). The force limiter can be used in devices, in which after stopping a drive the contact force between the driven first article and the second article in contact therewith must not exceed a given threshold value. More particularly the use in ultrasonic deformation devices is considered.

Abstract: A piston ring seal for squeeze film dampers includes radial fluid vent passages through the ring section leading from the outer circumferential face of the ring through the inner circumference of the ring to the ring groove. A combination step ring and step groove prevents incorrect assembly.

Abstract: An improved shaft damper bearing utilizing spaced apart piston ring seals to seal off an annular squeeze film space between the rings, includes diagonal surface cross-section ring grooves in the bearing housing with diagonal cross-section rings in the housing grooves adapted to engage a bearing support undergoing radial motion in the housing.

Abstract: An engine turbocharger, particularly of the two cycle diesel type for railway locomotives and other applications, has a rotor with an overhung compressor supported by a compressor journal bearing and thrust flange combination. The bearing combines a multi (two) lobed offset cylindrical wedge film inner surface with a close clearance squeeze film outer surface that causes the bearing to float laterally in a support member to damp shaft runout while supporting the rotor on load controlling oil wedges. The fixed flange provides thrust control and provides a loose pin connection with the bearing that prevents rotation while permitting its squeeze film damping lateral motion. Particular pressure lubrication provides oil to the bearing interior and exterior adequate for the oil wedge supporting and squeeze film damping functions.

Abstract: A non-symmetrical circular row of oil inlets are located in a circular manifold surrounding a squeeze film space in a squeeze film damper. The oil inlets are directed radially inwardly from said manifold to open into the squeeze film space. Certain cluster of inlets provide higher oil pressure to the squeeze film space than other inlets. All inlets are equipped with automatically closing synthetic rubber check valves.

Abstract: A ball screw assembly includes a screw shaft hving a peripheral surface formed with a spiral groove, an outer sleeve fitted onto the screw shaft with a predetermined gap therebetween and a plurality of balls interposed between the screw shaft and the outer sleeve. A ball holder is provided in a radial hole formed in the outer sleeve and a ball is rotatably held in position and in engagement with the spiral groove by the ball holder. A fluid line is formed in the outer sleeve and the ball holder so that a pressuerized fluid may be supplied to establish a fluidic cushion between the ball holder and the ball. Also provided is a plurality of solid lubricants which are preferably arranged alternately with the balls and normally pressed against the spiral groove to keep the groove lubricated at all times.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper assembly includes a piston ring and groove seal combination. The piston ring is proportioned with respect to its groove to generate a pressure wave in an annular ring space which closely approximates the pressure generate in the annular squeeze film space, thereby improving piston ring sealing. The radial dimension of the ring space is matched to the radial dimension of the squeeze film space. The assembly can include channels interconnecting the squeeze film space and ring space at corresponding angular positions in the annular spaces, with means for restricting circumferential flow between the angular positions.

Abstract: A bearing assembly supporting a support shaft to which a coupling shaft is to be coupled includes a bearing box (4) rotatably supporting a support shaft (5). A receiving part (12) is connected to the support shaft. The receiving part (12) has a profile pocket (15) having an axial access opening (16) and a peripheral access opening (17) for receiving a coupling shaft to be coupled to the support shaft (5). A protective housing (26) is disposed about the receiving part (12), and a locking part (13) is disposed between the receiving part (12) and the protective housing (26). The support shaft (5) has an exchange position to which the support shaft (5) is rotated to provide for exchanging coupling shafts.

Abstract: A bearing, especially for the necks on the work rolls of a rolling mill, with at least one bearing outer ring surrounding the neck, which ring has a cylindrical lateral surface in the bore of a chock, where it is supported in the direction of its radial load by way of an oil film, characterized in that the bearing outer ring has at least one recess with two boundary walls opposite each other in the circumferential direction, between which a projection, held in a fixed position with respect to the chock in the circumferential direction, narrowly engages.

Abstract: The drawroll unit has a heatable galette in which the shaft of the gallette is mounted in bearings which, in turn, are mounted via vibration damping devices in a stationary housing. The vibration damping devices may be in the form of bodies of interlaced wire, O-rings or the like. The vibration damping devices serve to damp vibrations of the shaft in a critical speed range within the normal speed range of the rotor so that the galette can be operated at any speed within the normal speed range.

Abstract: A flow control ring in a concentric groove in the outer surface of an outer rolling element bearing race of a shaft fluid damper has an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the groove and moves in the groove to control discharge of damper fluid through radial fluid flow passages in the groove for fluid pressure control in the damper.

Abstract: A high speed spindle is provided which includes a rotor driven by an electric motor and provided with tapered journals received in tapered rubber bearings. Lubricating water flows to the bearings through metered openings in the journals, flowing from the openings through reverse spiral grooves in the journals which have diminishing cross section. The water flowing through the rotor also cools the rotor, as well as the collet driven by the rotor and a tool held by the collet. Rubber seals around the rotor shaft wear to a zero clearance during run-in for confining the water that exhausts from the bearings. Compressed air is introduced into the spindle to cooperate with the seals in preventing water leakage. The compressed air also reacts against a bladder that is arranged to impose an end load on one of the bearings, which is movable, to urge the bearing toward its journal. The force is varied to increase the bearing end load as rotor speed increases.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper assembly includes a piston ring and groove seal combination. The piston ring is proportioned with respect to its groove to generate a pressure wave in an annular ring space which closely approximates the pressure generate in the annular squeeze film space, thereby improving piston ring sealing. The radial dimension of the ring space is matched to the radial dimension of the squeeze film space. The assembly can include channels interconnecting the squeeze film space and ring space at corresponding angular positions in the annular spaces, with stand-offs for restricting circumferential flow between the angular positions.

Abstract: A flexure-controllable roll includes a hollow roll, a stationary crosshead extending lengthwise therethrough and hydrostatic support elements arranged in the clearance space between the hollow roll and crosshead. The support elements are formed with contact surfaces for abutting the inner circumference of the hollow roll. Hydrostatic bearing pockets are formed in the contact surfaces. The bearing pockets are supplied with a first pressurized fluid via throttling ports from a cylinder chamber of the support element. An additional feed line, provided in the crosshead, has a movable part that follows the movements of the support element for supplying a second pressurized fluid to the bearing pockets for regulating the temperature of the roll.

Abstract: An improved bearing arrangement for a high-speed, preferably vertical, shaft having a bearing body which takes up both the axial and the radial bearing forces. The bearing body is clamped or mounted in a fixed support solely by means of at least one elastic membrane-type element, e.g. a disc-shaped membrane, which extends in the radial direction so as to provide for the elastic return of the bearing body and the shaft to an initial reference position in both radial and axial directions.

Abstract: A damper system for supporting a bearing for a rotating shaft of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced dashpot dampers including either a piston or bellows juxtaposed between the bearing housing and the bearing support spring.

Abstract: Shaft damper bearing utilizing spaced apart piston ring seals to seal off an annular squeeze film space between the rings, includes diagonal surface cross-section ring grooves in the bearing housing with diagonal cross-section rings in the housing grooves adapted to engage a bearing support undergoing radial motion in the housing.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper for the high temperature environments includes a fixed journal on a support, a floating journal on a rotating shaft, a damping ring in an annular chamber between the fixed and floating journals, and a pair of metal bellows straddling annular exposed channels defined at a pair of clearance gaps between the fixed and floating journals. The metal bellows are welded to the fixed and floating journals on opposite sides of the exposed channels and filled with high temperature resistant viscous fluid. The damping fluid flows to the damping chamber through the annular channels and the clearance gap between the fixed and floating journals.

Abstract: This invention discloses a bearing device for a high speed rotary shaft comprising a functional bearing disposed on a shaft which is supported rotatably on a housing by a pair of bearings, and capable of supporting rotatably the shaft, a rotation sensor for detecting the revolution of the shaft and a controller for changing the functional bearing to a shaft supporting state in response to a rotation detection signal from the rotation sensor representing that the number of revolution of the shaft is above a predetermined number of revolution. When the shaft rotates at a low speed, the functional bearing is set to a free state and the shaft is supported at two points on the housing by the pair of bearings alone. When the shaft rotates at a high speed, the functional bearing is operated so that the shaft is supported at three points on the housing to prevent the occurrence of deflection of the shaft.

Abstract: A viscous damper wherein the viscosity of a fluid, such as an oil, is used to generate damping effect when the fluid is passed through a restricted orifice or slit. Electrodes are arranged to face each other across the orifice or slit so that an electric field is created in a direction which is transverse to the direction of the fluid flow in the orifice or slit. The voltage applied to the electrodes is controlled in accordance with a frequency of vibration of a vibrating member to be damped. The viscosity of the fluid is controlled by applying a voltage thereto, so that a desired damping effect is obtained within a wide range of the frequency of the vibrating body.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper having spaced opposite piston rings for damper fluid sealing includes a fluid plenum groove adjacent and inboard of each ring to serve as a lower pressure receiver for damper fluid and as a reservoir to receive and supply fluid during pumping action of the damper.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus of compensating for the axial bearing load forces imposed upon rotary joints conveying a pressurized fluid medium, such as steam, by imposing an axial force on the rotary joint housing proportional to the pressure within the rotary joint by use of a distinctively different pressurized medium than that comveyed by the joint, such as compressed air. An expansible chamber motor capable of imposing an axial force on the rotary joint utilizes compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a sensing and regulating system responsive to the pressure within the rotary joint.

Abstract: An aircraft engine rotor system is provided with a squeeze film damper mechanism that allows axial flow of lubricant in a squeeze film region without creating a gross circumferential distortion of pressure around the damper journal. The outer race of a rolling-element bearing assembly which assembly is disposed in a journal bearing enclosure, is provided with a number of encircling annular slots, these slots providing space for reception of a spaced pair of serrated rings which are fixed to an inner wall surface of the journal bearing enclosure, the serrated peripheries of the rings being in contact with the bearing journal enclosure inner wall space. Oil enters the squeeze film region through the serrations in one of the rings and outflows through those in the other ring.

Abstract: A squeeze film damper employs spaced apart diagonal cross-section piston ring seals in diagonal cross-section grooves in cross-section to cross-section matching and registry relationship with diagonal surfaces directly exposed to the squeeze film space between the rings.

Abstract: A shaft damper bearing utilizing spaced apart piston ring seals to seal off an annular squeeze film space between the rings, includes diagonal cross-section ring grooves in the bearing housing with diagonal cross-section rings in the housing grooves adapted to engage a bearing support undergoing radial motion in the housing.

Abstract: A damper system for supporting a bearing for a rotating shaft of a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of cylinders circumferentially spaced about the outer race of the bearing with a reciprocating piston in each of the cylinders having one face bearing against the outer race and the other face disposed in a fluid-filled chamber with an inlet and restricted outlet that forces the liquid in and out of the chamber in response to the vibratory motion as the outer race orbits about the cylinders exciting the piston to effectuate a pumping action.