Hydrostatically supported foil bearing
US5885004A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C32/0666
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A foil bearing is used wherein the support for the foils are hydrostatically rather than mechanical spring supported. The bearing housing has a plurality of orifices for admitting hydrostatic fluid over the foils. The foils are then supported by the hydrostatic fluid. The hydrostatic foil bearing is stiffer, longer lasting, and easier to assemble than foil bearings with mechanical spring backings. Hydrostatically supported foil bearings also have variable spring rates depending on the pressure of the hydrostatic fluid, thus allowing the hydrostatic foil bearing to have adjustable capacity with speed. In addition the hydrostatic foil bearing damping between the rotor and housing is greater than foil bearings with mechanical spring backing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.