Patent · US Expired

Hydrostatic bearing with compensatory fluid injection

US6053636A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
15References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 10, 1998
Grant dateApr 25, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 10, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF05B2240/53
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydrostatic bearing is uniquely configured for improved operability. A hydrostatic bearing (32) has a collar (42) that circumscribes a shaft (18) to define a fluid film annulus (50) for radially confining a load supportive fluid film. An array of pockets (52) distributed circumferentially along a bearing surface (48) communicate with vent regions (64a, 64b) in which the vent pressures are substantially unequal. Supply passages (76) associated with the pockets (52) are oriented at an angle .theta. for injecting fluid into the annulus with an axial directional component directed toward the higher pressure vent region. The orientation angle .theta. compensates for the propensity of the fluid to preferentially feed the low pressure side of the bearing. Further, a hydrostatic bearing (132) has a collar (142) that circumscribes a shaft (118) to define a fluid film annulus (150) for radially confining a load supportive fluid film. An array of pockets (152) distributed circumferentially along a bearing surface (148) communicate with vent regions (164, 164b) in which the vent pressures are not necessarily substantially unequal. Dual supply passages (176) associated with each pocket are or…

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