Combination clamping and bearing system

Claim 2

In a system for selectively either movably supporting a first member relative to a second member or clamping said first and second members to constrain said relative movement, the combination comprising: a. an elastomeric layer forming the confronting bearing surface of one of said members and disposed under compression with the confronting bearing surface of the other of said members to constrain relative movement of saiD first and second members; and b. fluid passage means in one of said members for delivering a supply of pressurized fluid directly to the interface of said compressively contacting confronting bearing surfaces operative to deform said elastomeric layer in a direction away from the confronting bearing surface of the said other member to release the constraining action while at the same time establishing a bearing profile so that said first and second members are supported for relative movement on a film of said fluid.

Claim 3

The system recited in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric layer forms the confronting bearing surface of said first member and said fluid passage means is provided in said second member.

Claim 4

The system recited in claim 2 wherein said fluid passage means includes an axial fluid supply passage and a plurality of radial distribution passages communicating with said axial fluid supply passage and terminating in the same radial plane around the perimeter of the confronting bearing surface of said second member.

Claim 5

The system recited in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric layer extends beyond the edges of the mating confronting surface of said other member.

Claim 6

The system recited in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric layer exhibits a Poisson''s ratio of greater than 0.45.

Claim 7

The system recited in claim 5 wherein said elastomeric layer exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness in the range of about 20 to 60.

Claim 8

The system recited in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric layer exhibits a shear modulus in the range of about 50 to 100 psi, a Poisson''s ratio in the range of about 0.45 to 0.48, a Shore A durometer hardness in the range of about 20 to 60 and a thickness in the range of about 0.02 to 0.10 inches per inch diameter of member.

Claim 9

The combination comprising: a. a hollow housing; b. a rotor support member, said member having a spherical bearing surface portion with portions extending therefrom secured to said housing so that the spherical bearing surface portion of said member is disposed within said housing; c. a rotor having a spherical contour opening therein including an elastomeric layer to provide a bearing surface, said rotor adapted to fit about said rotor support member with said bearing surfaces of said rotor and rotor support member in self-opposed confronting relationship and with said elastomeric layer disposed under compression with the spherical bearing surface portion of said rotor support member so that said rotor and rotor support members are disposed in a clamped relationship; and d. fluid passage means operatively associated with said rotor support member for feeding a fluid lubricant under pressure directly to the interface of the self-opposed, confronting and compressively contacting bearing surfaces operative to elastically deform said elastomeric material in a direction away from the spherical bearing surface portion of said rotor support member and destroy the compressively contacting relationship and at the same time establish a bearing profile so that said rotor is supported for rotation about the rotor support member on a film of fluid lubricant.

Claim 10

The combination comprising: a. a hollow housing; b. a rotor support member, said member having a spherical bearing surface portion with portions extending therefrom secured to said housing so that the spherical bearing surface portion of said member is disposed within said housing; c. a rotor having a spherical contour opening therein including an elastomeric layer to provide a bearing surface, said rotor adapted to fit about said rotor support member with said bearing surfaces of said rotor and rotor support member in self-opposed confronting relationship and with said elastomeric layer disposed under compression with the spherical bearing surface portion of said rotor support member so that said rotor and rotor support members are disposed in a clamped relationship; and d. fluid passage means operatively associated with said rotor support member for feeding a fluid lubricant under pressure directly to the interface of the self-opposed, confronting and compressively contacting bearing surfaces operative to elastically deform said elastomeric material in a direction away from the spherical bearing surface portion of said rotor support member and destroy the compressively contacting relationship and at the same time establish a bearing profile so that said rotor is supported for rotation about the rotor support member on a film of fluid lubricant.

Claim 11

The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said rotor includes a plurality of reaction surfaces disposed at the equatorial latitude of said rotor and nozzle means secured to said housing at the equatorial latitude thereof operative to provide for an impulse-turbine driving means to effect the desired rotation of said rotor.

Claim 12

The combination recited in claim 8 wherein said elastomeric material exhibits a shear modulus in the range of about 50 to 100 psi, a Poisson''s ratio in the range of about 0.45 to 0.48, a Shore A durometer hardness in the range of about 20 to 60 and a thickness in the range of about 0.02 to 0.10 inches per inch diameter of said rotor.