Thrust bearing assembly
US8118117B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2352/00
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thrust bearing assembly comprising a bearing runner and a bearing carrier, the carrier defining thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier limiting movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The pads can tilt under load to form a hydrodynamic wedge. A runner may have a wear resistant face. In one implementation, at each site, a deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is at least partially disposed within a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier. Another embodiment attaches pads to a bearing carrier using pad holder assemblies.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.