Hybrid bearing

Claim 2

A hybrid bearing comprising: a rolling contact bearing element comprising a concentrically arranged inner race and outer race and a plurality of rolling members disposed in rolling contact relation between said inner and outer races; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element, said hydrodynamic foil bearing element comprising a plurality of resilient bearing foils disposed around the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action when said hydrodynamic foil bearing element is activated- has been inserted.

Claim 3

A hybrid bearing comprising: a rolling contact bearing element comprising a concentrically arranged inner race and outer race and a plurality of rolling members disposed in rolling contact relation between said inner and outer races; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element, said hydrodynamic foil bearing element comprising a plurality of resilient bearing foils disposed within the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action when said hydrodynamic foil bearing element is activated- has been inserted.

Claim 4

A hybrid bearing comprising: a rolling contact bearing element comprising a concentrically arranged inner race and outer race and a plurality of rolling members disposed in rolling contact relation between said inner and outer races; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element, said hydrodynamic foil bearing element comprising a plurality of resilient bearing foils disposed within the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action when said hydrodynamic foil bearing element is activated- has been inserted.

Claim 5

A hybrid bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative movement with respect to one another, one of the members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing element positioned between said pair of members; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element including a plurality of resilient bearing foils positioned between said rolling contact bearing element and one of said pair of members and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action above a certain relative movement between said members.

Claim 6

A hybrid bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative movement with respect to one another, one of the members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing element positioned between said pair of members; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element including a plurality of resilient bearing foils positioned between said rolling contact bearing element and one of said pair of members and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action above a certain relative movement between said members.

Claim 7

A hybrid bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative movement with respect to one another, one of the members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing element positioned between said pair of members; a foil bearing element positioned between said rolling contact bearing element and one of said pair of members; and clutch means operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element to deactivate said rolling bearing element and to activate said foil bearing element above a predetermined relative movement between said pair of members.

Claim 8

A hybrid bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative movement with respect to one another, one of the members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing element positioned between said pair of members; a foil bearing element positioned between said rolling contact bearing element and one of said pair of members; and clutch means operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element to deactivate said rolling bearing element and to activate said foil bearing element above a predetermined relative movement between said pair of members.

Claim 9

The hybrid bearing of claim 3 wherein said plurality of resilient bearing foils are preloaded to prevent activation of said hydrodynamic foil bearing below a predetermined relative movement between said pair of members.

Claim 10

The hybrid bearing of claim 3 wherein said pair of members comprise a shaft and a bushing and said rolling contact bearing element comprises a concentrically arranged inner race and outer race and a plurality of rolling members disposed between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation.

Claim 11

The hybrid bearing of claim 6 wherein said shaft is stationary and said bushing is rotatable.

Claim 12

The hybrid bearing of claim 6 wherein said plurality of resilient bearing foils are disposed between the shaft and the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element.

Claim 13

The hybrid bearing of claim 6 wherein said plurality of resilient bearing foils are disposed between the bushing and the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element.

Claim 14

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rolling contact bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element including a plurality of resilient bearing foils mounted within the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action when said hydrodynamic foil bearing element is activated- has been inserted.

Claim 15

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rolling contact bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element including a plurality of resilient bearing foils mounted within the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action when said hydrodynamic foil bearing element is activated- has been inserted.

Claim 16

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rolling contact bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, and inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; a foil bearing element mounted within the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element; and clutch means operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element to prevent relative rotation of the inner race with respect to the outer race above a predetermined shaft rotational speed.

Claim 17

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rolling contact bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, and inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; a foil bearing element mounted within the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element; and clutch means operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element to prevent relative rotation of the inner race with respect to the outer race above a predetermined shaft rotational speed.

Claim 18

THe hybrid bearing of claim 11 wherein said clutch means is centrifugally actuated.

Claim 19

The hybrid bearing of claim 12 wherein said centrifugally actuated clutch means comprises a flexible member mounted upon the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element, a brake pad mounted within the shaft receiving opening, and a weight mounted upon said flexible member to contact said brake pad above a predetermined shaft rotational speed.

Claim 20

The hybrid bearing of claim 13 wherein said clutch means includes means to adjust said clutch means to be actuated at varying predetermined shaft rotational speeds.

Claim 21

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft received within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing element mounted upon said rotatable shaft within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element including a plurality of resilient bearing foils mounted within the shaft receiving opening around the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action above a certain rotation between said rotatable shaft and said bearing support member.

Claim 22

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft received within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing element mounted upon said rotatable shaft within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element including a plurality of resilient bearing foils mounted within the shaft receiving opening around the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action above a certain rotation between said rotatable shaft and said bearing support member.

Claim 23

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft received within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing element mounted upon said rotatable shaft within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; a foil bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening around the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element; and clutch means operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element to prevent relative rotation of the inner race with respect to the outer race above a predetermined shaft rotational speed.

Claim 24

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft received within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing element mounted upon said rotatable shaft within the shaft receiving opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member positioned between said inner race and said outer race in a rolling contact relation; a foil bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening around the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element; and clutch means operably associated with said rolling contact bearing element to prevent relative rotation of the inner race with respect to the outer race above a predetermined shaft rotational speed.

Claim 25

The hybrid bearing of claim 16 wherein said clutch means is centrifugally actuated.

Claim 26

The hybrid bearing of claim 17 wherein said centrifugally actuated clutch means comprises a flexible member mounted upon the inner race of said rolling contact bearing element, a brake pad mounted upon the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element, and a weight mounted upon said flexible member to contact said brake pad above a predetermined shaft rotational speed.

Claim 27

The hybrid bearing of claim 18 wherein said clutch means includes means to adjust said clutch means to be actuated at varying predetermined shaft rotational speeds.

Claim 28

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft received within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing element mounted upon said rotating shaft within the opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member interposed therebetween in a rolling contact relation, said inner race rotating with said shaft and said outer race stationary with said bushing at shaft rotational speeds below a predetermine value; a foil bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening around the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element; and clutch means to prevent relative rotation between the inner race and the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element above a predetermined shaft rotational speed whereby said outer race rotates with said shaft and hydrodynamic bearing films are generated between the outer race and said foil bearing element.

Claim 29

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft received within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing element mounted upon said rotating shaft within the opening in said bearing support member, said rolling contact bearing element including an outer race, an inner race, and a rolling member interposed therebetween in a rolling contact relation, said inner race rotating with said shaft and said outer race stationary with said bushing at shaft rotational speeds below a predetermine value; a foil bearing element mounted within the shaft receiving opening around the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element; and clutch means to prevent relative rotation between the inner race and the outer race of said rolling contact bearing element above a predetermined shaft rotational speed whereby said outer race rotates with said shaft and hydrodynamic bearing films are generated between the outer race and said foil bearing element.

Claim 30

The hybrid bearing of claim 20 wherein said clutch means is centrifugally actuated.

Claim 31

A hybrid bearing comprising: a first member and a second member arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, one of said members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing disposed between said first member and said second member, said rolling contact bearing comprising a first race, a second race, and a rolling member disposed between said first and second races in a rolling contact relation, said first race secured to said first member; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element disposed between said second race and said second member, said foil bearing element fixedly secured to said second race to move with said second member and said second race with respect to said first race and said first member, rollably through said rolling member, below a certain relative movement between said first and second members where the rolling friction between said first and second races is less than the friction between the foil bearing and said second member, said second member to move hydrodynamically with respect to said foil bearing element, said rolling contact bearing and said first member above a certain relative movement between said first and second members where the friction between said foil bearing element and said second member is less than the rolling friction between said first and second races and thus substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action.

Claim 32

A hybrid bearing comprising: a first member and a second member arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, one of said members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing disposed between said first member and said second member, said rolling contact bearing comprising a first race, a second race, and a rolling member disposed between said first and second races in a rolling contact relation, said first race secured to said first member; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element disposed between said second race and said second member, said foil bearing element fixedly secured to said second race to move with said second member and said second race with respect to said first race and said first member, rollably through said rolling member, below a certain relative movement between said first and second members where the rolling friction between said first and second races is less than the friction between the foil bearing and said second member, said second member to move hydrodynamically with respect to said foil bearing element, said rolling contact bearing and said first member above a certain relative movement between said first and second members where the friction between said foil bearing element and said second member is less than the rolling friction between said first and second races and thus substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action.

Claim 33

The hybrid bearing of claim 22 wherein said first member and said second member are a bushing and shaft arranged for relative rotation with respect to each other and said first race and said second race are substantially cylindrical and concentrically arranged around said rolling member.

Claim 34

The hybrid bearing of claim 23 wherein said foil bearing element includes a plurality of resilient bearing foils secured inside the second race of said rolling contact bearing and concentrically arranged about said shaft, said resilient bearing foils preloaded to increase the friction between the resilient bearing foils and said shaft to prevent relative rotation between the resilient bearing foils and said shaft below a preselected relative rotation between said bushing and said shaft.

Claim 35

A hybrid bearing comprising: a first member and a second member arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, one of said members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing disposed between said first member and said second member, said rolling contact bearing comprising a first race, a second race, and a rolling member disposed between said first and second races in a rolling contact relation, said first race secured to said first member; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element disposed between said second race and said second member, said foil bearing element fixedly secured to said second member to move with said second member and said second race with respect to said first race and said first member, rollably through said rolling member, below a certain relative movement between said first and second members where the rolling friction between said first and second races is less than the friction between the foil bearing and said second race, said second member and said foil bearing element to move hydrodynamically with respect to said rolling contact bearing and said first member above a certain relative movement between said first and second members and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action where the friction between said foil bearing element and said second race is less than the rolling friction between said first and second races.

Claim 36

A hybrid bearing comprising: a first member and a second member arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, one of said members being adapted to support the other; a rolling contact bearing disposed between said first member and said second member, said rolling contact bearing comprising a first race, a second race, and a rolling member disposed between said first and second races in a rolling contact relation, said first race secured to said first member; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing element disposed between said second race and said second member, said foil bearing element fixedly secured to said second member to move with said second member and said second race with respect to said first race and said first member, rollably through said rolling member, below a certain relative movement between said first and second members where the rolling friction between said first and second races is less than the friction between the foil bearing and said second race, said second member and said foil bearing element to move hydrodynamically with respect to said rolling contact bearing and said first member above a certain relative movement between said first and second members and substantially preventing rolling contact bearing action where the friction between said foil bearing element and said second race is less than the rolling friction between said first and second races.

Claim 37

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft disposed within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing disposed within the opening in said beAring support member around said rotatable shaft, said rolling contact bearing comprising concentrically arranged inner and outer races disposed around a plurality of rolling elements, and said outer race secured to the bearing support member; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing disposed between the rotatable shaft and the inner race of said rolling contact bearing, said hydrodynamic foil bearing including a plurality of resilient bearing foils fixedly secured to the inner race concentrically around the rotatable shaft; the rolling contact bearing friction between said inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements being less than the friction between the rotatable shaft and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils below a certain relative rotation between the shaft and bearing support member such that the shaft, hydrodynamic foil bearing, and the inner race all rotate together with respect to the outer race and bearing support member below this certain relative rotation, the rolling contact bearing friction between said inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements increasing as the relative rotation between the shaft and bearing support member increases until above the certain relative rotation the rolling contact bearing friction becomes greater than the bearing friction between the rotatable shaft and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils such that the shaft then rotates with respect to the hydrodynamic foil bearing, the rolling contact bearing and the bearing support member, the inner race substantially no longer rotating with respect to the outer race above this certain relative rotation between the shaft and the bearing support member.

Claim 38

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft disposed within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing disposed within the opening in said beAring support member around said rotatable shaft, said rolling contact bearing comprising concentrically arranged inner and outer races disposed around a plurality of rolling elements, and said outer race secured to the bearing support member; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing disposed between the rotatable shaft and the inner race of said rolling contact bearing, said hydrodynamic foil bearing including a plurality of resilient bearing foils fixedly secured to the inner race concentrically around the rotatable shaft; the rolling contact bearing friction between said inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements being less than the friction between the rotatable shaft and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils below a certain relative rotation between the shaft and bearing support member such that the shaft, hydrodynamic foil bearing, and the inner race all rotate together with respect to the outer race and bearing support member below this certain relative rotation, the rolling contact bearing friction between said inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements increasing as the relative rotation between the shaft and bearing support member increases until above the certain relative rotation the rolling contact bearing friction becomes greater than the bearing friction between the rotatable shaft and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils such that the shaft then rotates with respect to the hydrodynamic foil bearing, the rolling contact bearing and the bearing support member, the inner race substantially no longer rotating with respect to the outer race above this certain relative rotation between the shaft and the bearing support member.

Claim 39

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft disposed within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing disposed within the opening in said bearing support member around said rotatable shaft, said rolling contact bearing comprising concentrically arranged inner and outer races disposed around a plurality of rolling elements, said inner race secured around the rotatable shaft; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing disposed between the outer race of said rolling contact bearing and the bearing support member, said hydrodynamic foil bearing including a plurality of resilient bearing foils secured in the opening in said bearing support member concentrically around the outer race of the rolling contact bearing; the rolling contact bearing friction between said inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements being less than the bearing friction between and outer race and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils below a certain relative rotation between the shaft and the bearing support member such that the shaft and the inner race rotate together with respect to the outer race, hydrodynamic foil bearing, and bearing support member below this certain relative rotation, the rolling contact bearing friction between the inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements increasing as the relative rotation between the shaft and bearing support member increases until above the certain relative rotation the rolling contact bearing friction becomes greater than the bearing friction between the outer race and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils such that the shaft and rolling contact bearing then together rotate with respect to the hydrodynamic foil bearing and the bearing support member, the inner race substantially no longer rotating with respect to the outer race above this certain relative rotation between the shaft and the bearing support member.

Claim 40

A hybrid bearing comprising: a bearing support member having an opening to receive a rotating shaft; a rotatable shaft disposed within the opening in said bearing support member; a rolling contact bearing disposed within the opening in said bearing support member around said rotatable shaft, said rolling contact bearing comprising concentrically arranged inner and outer races disposed around a plurality of rolling elements, said inner race secured around the rotatable shaft; and a hydrodynamic foil bearing disposed between the outer race of said rolling contact bearing and the bearing support member, said hydrodynamic foil bearing including a plurality of resilient bearing foils secured in the opening in said bearing support member concentrically around the outer race of the rolling contact bearing; the rolling contact bearing friction between said inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements being less than the bearing friction between and outer race and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils below a certain relative rotation between the shaft and the bearing support member such that the shaft and the inner race rotate together with respect to the outer race, hydrodynamic foil bearing, and bearing support member below this certain relative rotation, the rolling contact bearing friction between the inner and outer races and the plurality of rolling elements increasing as the relative rotation between the shaft and bearing support member increases until above the certain relative rotation the rolling contact bearing friction becomes greater than the bearing friction between the outer race and the hydrodynamic resilient bearing foils such that the shaft and rolling contact bearing then together rotate with respect to the hydrodynamic foil bearing and the bearing support member, the inner race substantially no longer rotating with respect to the outer race above this certain relative rotation between the shaft and the bearing support member.