US3758177A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bearings
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
•
Filing: 1971-03-09
•
Granted: 1973-09-11
•
Expires: 1991-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A journal gas bearing assembly comprising a shaft and a bearing sleeve rotatable one relative to the other. Longitudinal movement of the shaft and 1 bearing sleeve relative to each other in the direction is limited by a hydrostatic thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped under pressure in a closed volume defined between the shaft and the bearing sleeve. Relative longitudinal movement between the shaft and the bearing sleeve in the reverse direction may be limited by providing for venting the closed volume at the beginning of relative longitudinal movement between the shaft and the bearing sleeve in the reverse direction or by providing a hydrodynamic thrust bearing between the shaft and the bearing sleeve acting in the opposite sense to the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 R Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/06; F16C17/00; F16C17/10; F16C17/102; F16C17/107; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/1065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A journal gas bearing assembly comprising a shaft and a complementary bearing sleeve rotatable one relative to the other, the shaft and the bearing sleeve having co-operating bearing surfaces of a quality such that gas lubrication can be sustained between the shaft and the bearing sleeve, longitudinal movement of the shaft and the bearing sleeve one relative to the other in one direction being limited by a hydrostatic thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped under pressure in a closed volume defined between the shaft and the bearing sleeve, and passage means leading directly into the closed volume for conveying compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A journal gas bearing assembly comprising a shaft and a complementary bearing sleeve rotatable one relative to the other, the shaft and the bearing sleeve having co-operating bearing surfaces of a quality such that gas lubrication can be sustained between the shaft and the bearing sleeve, longitudinal movement of the shaft and the bearing sleeve one relative to the other in one direction being limited by a hydrostatic thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped under pressure in a closed volume defined between the shaft and the bearing sleeve, and passage means leading directly into the closed volume for conveying compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein means are provided for limiting longitudinal movement of the shaft and the bearing sleeve one relative to the other in the reverse direction to the direction in which the hydrostatic thrust bearing limits relative longitudinal movement between the shaft and the bearing sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for limiting longitudinal movement of the shaft and the bearing sleeve one relative to the other in the reverse direction comprises means for venting the cushion of gas in the hydrostatic thrust bearing at the beginning of relative longitudinal movement between the shaft and the bearing sleeve in the reverse direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for limiting longitudinal movement of the shaft and the bearing sleeve one relative to the other in the reverse direction comprises a hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing acting between the shaft and the bearing sleeve in the opposite sense to which the hydrostatic thrust bearing acts between the shaft and the bearing sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for feeding compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing comprises an external source of compressed gas and means for supplying compressed gas from the source to the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for feeding compRessed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing comprises means for supplying compressed gas from the interspace between the bearing surfaces of the shaft and the bearing sleeve to the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A journal gas bearing assembly comprising a fixed shaft a bearing sleeve rotatable on the shaft the surface of the shaft and the bore of the bearing sleeve having co-operating bearing surfaces of a quality such that gas lubrication can be sustained between the shaft and the bearing sleeve wherein the bearing sleeve is supported against longitudinal movement on the shaft in one direction by a hydrostatic thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped in a closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve between a transverse face on the shaft and a transverse face in the bore of the bearing sleeve, and passage means leading directly into the closed volume for conveying compressed gas to the hyddrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A journal gas bearing assembly comprising a fixed shaft a bearing sleeve rotatable on the shaft the surface of the shaft and the bore of the bearing sleeve having co-operating bearing surfaces of a quality such that gas lubrication can be sustained between the shaft and the bearing sleeve wherein the bearing sleeve is supported against longitudinal movement on the shaft in one direction by a hydrostatic thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped in a closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve between a transverse face on the shaft and a transverse face in the bore of the bearing sleeve, and passage means leading directly into the closed volume for conveying compressed gas to the hyddrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bearing sleeve has a blind ended bore and the closed volume is defined between the blind end of the bore of the bearing sleeve and the end face of the shaft in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the means for feeding compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing comprises a passageway in the shaft leading to the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve, compressed gas being fed from an external source of gas under pressure through the passageway in the shaft into the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for feeding compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing comprises a passageway in the shaft leading from the bearing interspace between the surface of the shaft and the bore of the bearing sleeve to the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein pumping grooves are provided on a region of the surface of the shaft or in the corresponding region of the bore of the bearing sleeve, said passageway leading from the region of the pumping grooves to the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the passageway connects with the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve through an orifice of restricted cross section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein means are provided for limiting longitudinal movement of the bearing sleeve on the shaft in the opposite direction to the direction in which the bearing sleeve is supported against longitudinal movement on the shaft by the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein a vent hole is provided in the wall of the bearing sleeve positioned so as to be obstructed by the surface of the shaft when the bearing sleeve is in its normal running position on the shaft supported against longitudinal movement, in the one direction, on the shaft by the hydrostatic thrust bearing and such that on initial longitudinal movement of the bearing sleeve on the shaft in the opposite direction, the vent hole in the bearing sleeve is uncovered by the shaft so that the closed volume in the bore of the bearing sleeve defining the hydrostatic thrust bearing is vented to atmosphere.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein a hydrodynamic thrust bearing is provided defined between a transferse annular bearing surface of the bearing sleeve and a corresponding transverse annular gearing surface on the shaft, said hydrodynamic thrust bearing supporting the bearing sleeve longitudinally on the shaft in the opposite direction to which the hydrostatic thrust bearing supports the bearing sleeve longitudinally on the shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the bore of the beAring sleeve has a blind end and leads through a step into a part of larger diameter at the blind end of the bore, the annular end face of the step forming one bearing surface of the hydrodynamic thrust bearing, the shaft having an end flange in the part of larger diameter at the blind end of the bore of the bearing sleeve, the annular end face of the flange facing the annular end face of the step in the bore of the bearing sleeve forming the other bearing surface of the hydrodynamic thrust bearing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the shaft is flexibly mounted and has a low transverse moment of inertia.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bearing sleeve is driven by a friction drive member engaging the bearing sleeve tangentially within the region between the ends of the shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
125 words
A journal gas bearing assembly comprising a fixed bearing sleeve, a shaft rotatable in the bearing sleeve, the surface of the shaft and the bore of the bearing sleeve having cooperating bearing surfaces of a quality such that gas lubrication can be sustained between the shaft and the bearing sleeve wherein the shaft is supported against longitudinal movement in the bearing sleeve in one direction by a hydrostatic thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped in a closed colume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve between a transverse face on the shaft and a transferse face in the bore of the bearing sleeve, and passage means leading directly into the closed volume for conveying compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
125 words
A journal gas bearing assembly comprising a fixed bearing sleeve, a shaft rotatable in the bearing sleeve, the surface of the shaft and the bore of the bearing sleeve having cooperating bearing surfaces of a quality such that gas lubrication can be sustained between the shaft and the bearing sleeve wherein the shaft is supported against longitudinal movement in the bearing sleeve in one direction by a hydrostatic thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped in a closed colume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve between a transverse face on the shaft and a transferse face in the bore of the bearing sleeve, and passage means leading directly into the closed volume for conveying compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claiemd in claim 19 wherein the bearing sleeve has a blind ended bore and the closed volume is defined between the blind end of the bore of the bearing sleeve and the end face of the shaft in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
A journal gas bearing as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for feeding compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing comprises an inlet port in the bearing sleeve connecting an external source of gas under pressure with the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein said means for feeding compressed gas to the hydrostatic thrust bearing comprises a passageway in the shaft leading from the bearing interspace between the surface of the shaft and the bore of the bearing sleeve to the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein pumping grooves are provided on a region of the surface of the shaft or in the corresponding region of the bore of the bearing sleeve, said passageway leading from the region of the pumping grooves to the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the passageway connects with the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve through an orifice of restricted cross section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein means are provided for limiting longitudinal movement of the shaft in the bearing sleeve in the opposite direction to the direction in which the shaft is supported against longitudinal movement in the bearing sleeve by the hydrostatic thrust bearing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
115 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein a vent hole is provided in the wall of the bearing sleeve, positioned so as to be obstructed by the surface of the shaft when it is in its normal running position in the bearing sleeve, supported against longitudinal movement, in the one direction, in the bearing sleeve by the hydrostatic thrust bearing and such that on initial longitudinal movement of the shaft in the bearing sleeve in the opposite direction the vent hole in the bearing sleeve is uncovered by the shaft so that the closed volume in the bore of the bearing sleeve defining the hydrostatic thrust bearing is vented to atmosphere.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein a hydroynamic thrust bearing is provided defined between a transverse annular bearing surface of the bearing sleeve and a corresponding transverse annular bearing surface on the shaft, said hydrodynamic thrust bearing supporting the shaft longitudinally in the bearing sleeve in the opposite direction to which the hydrostatic thrust bearing supports the shaft longitudinally in the bearing sleeve.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
110 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 27 wherein the bore of the bearing sleeve has a blind end and leads through a step into a part of larger diameter at the blind end of the bore, the annular end face of the step forming one bearing surface of the hydrodynamic thrust bearing, the shaft having an end flange in the part of larger diameter at the blind end of the bore of the bearing sleeve, the annular end face of the flange facing the annular end face of the step in the bore of the bearing sleeve forming the other bearing surface of the hydrodynamic thrust bearing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the bearing sleeve is flexibly mounted and has a low transverse moment of inertia.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
Ajournal gas varying assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the passageway connects with the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve through an orifice of restricted cross section.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
A journal gas bearing assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein the passageway connects with the closed volume defined in the bore of the bearing sleeve through an orifice of restricted cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |