Patent · US Expired

Stepped, split, cantilevered compliant bearing support

US4277112A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
6References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 1, 1979
Grant dateJul 7, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 1, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16C17/042
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A compliant hydrodynamic fluid film bearing made of three or more pads, each having a thin, flexible bearing sheet supported by a resilient support element fastened to a mount. A set of split, tiered stiffener sheets is fastened between the bearing sheet and the support element to provide an increasing stiffness gradient to the pad from its leading to trailing edges. The support element includes a plurality of resilient elevations that also increase in stiffness toward the trailing edge for the same purpose. The pad profile changes with changing hydrodynamic loading to present an optimal profile for maximal load carrying over the full speed range of the bearing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.