In-hub spindle motor with separate fluid dynamic bearings
US6118620A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2370/12
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hydrodynamic bearing system where the bearing includes a shaft and two independent bearings, comprising a top cone or bi-sphere and a bottom cone or bi-sphere separated by a segment of the shaft. The bearing includes a hub supported bearing element rotating around the shaft and the shaft supported top cone and bottom cone; complementary surfaces of said bearing element and said cone define a narrow gap between the bearing support element for the bearing fluid. Sealing plates or seal elements define a fluid gap with a radially extending face of the cone; a gap also exists between an interior surface portion of each cone and the shaft. These gaps are connected so that separate flow paths are established, one around the top cone or bi-sphere and one around the bottom cone or bi-sphere. By providing two independent bearings, the stator can be mounted to the shaft, facing magnets supported on the hub to form an in-hub motor. When the load or RPM changes, the fluid pressure or movement in each bearing may change but the function of the bearing and its ability to provide stiffness and stability to the system will not be lessened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.