Multi-deflection pad-type hydrodynamic bearing

Claim 2

A hydrodynamic bearing for supporting an opposing moving part, comprising a plurality of bearing pad means (12) each having a face member (14, 32, 51, 52) separated from a support member (10, 30) by at least one leg-like ligament - (16, 34, 116) that extends at an angle to the face member, said ligament having a sectional modulus that is small in the direction of motion of the opposing part and at right angles thereto, the face member having a load engaging pad surface and being adapted under the action of friction and pressure on said surface to rock relative' to the support member in two directions to approach the opposing moving part in bearing relationship and to permit the pad means to self-align to compensate for misalignment.

Claim 3

A hydrodynamic bearing for supporting an opposing moving part, said bearing comprising a plurality of bearing pad means, each pad means having a face member separated from a support member by a plurality of leg-like ligaments, the face member having a load engaging pad surface and being adapted under the action of friction and pressure on the said surface to rock to cause the trailing edge to approach the opposing moving part in bearing relationship, each leg-like ligament being disposed at an angle to the said surface of the face member and formed with a dog leg portion to permit movement of the face member in the direction of load to compensate for unequal loads and to permit the face member to rock to accommodate misalignment, said movement providing three degrees of motion.

Claim 4

A hydrodynamic bearing for supporting an opposing moving part, said bearing comprising a plurality of bearing pad means, each pad means having a face member separated from a support member by a plurality of leg-like ligaments, the face member having a load engaging pad surface and being adapted under the action of friction and pressure on the said surface to rock to cause the trailing edge to approach the opposing moving part in bearing relationship, each leg-like ligament being disposed at an angle to the said surface of the face member and formed with a dog leg portion to permit movement of the face member in the direction of load to compensate for unequal loads and to permit the face member to rock to accommodate misalignment, said movement providing three degrees of motion.

Claim 5

A bearing according to claim t or 2, and having a plurality of said leg-like ligaments for each face member, wherein the leg-like ligaments are disposed about the face member in a symmetrical fashion.

Claim 6

A bearing according to claim 1 or 2, and having a plurality of leg-like ligaments for each face member, wherein the leg-like ligaments are disposed about the face member in a non-symmetrical arrangement to provide a bearing in which the pad means may deflect more easily in one direction.