US3913989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bearings
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
•
Filing: 1973-01-22
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns gas lubricated bearing assemblies having a sleeve and a shaft one of which is rotatable relative to the other. The sleeve and the shaft are longitudinally located with respect to one another firstly by a hydrostatic gas end thrust bearing formed by a cushion of gas trapped in an enclosed volume at an end of the shaft and secondly by an oppositely acting grooved hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing defined between a radially extending face on the shaft and a co-operating radially extending face on the sleeve. Pressurised gas is fed from the inner to the outer ends of the radially extending faces to enter the trapped volume from where it is vented to atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/1065; F16C17/00; F16C17/04; F16C17/045; F16C17/26; F16C27/00; F16C27/06; F16C27/063; F16C32/00; F16C32/06; F16C32/0603; F16C32/0614; F16C33/1005; F16C33/101; F16C33/1015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly having a sleeve and a shaft the one rotatable relative to the other and having complementary surfaces capable of sustaining self-acting gas lubrication therebetween upon roatation, said sleeve and shaft being longitudinally located with respect to one another firstly by a hydrostatic gas end thrust bearing formed by a cushino of gas maintained in a trapped volume at an cushion of the shaft and secondly by an oppositely acting grooved hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing defined between a radially extending face on the shaft and a co-operating radially extending face associated with the sleeve, means for supplying pressurised gas to the inner end of the co-operating radially extending faces of the hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing, the gas supplied passing radially outwards between the faces of the hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing to feed into the trapped volume and a restricted outlet orifice being provided for venting of gas from the trapped volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly having a sleeve and a shaft the one rotatable relative to the other and having complementary surfaces capable of sustaining self-acting gas lubrication therebetween upon roatation, said sleeve and shaft being longitudinally located with respect to one another firstly by a hydrostatic gas end thrust bearing formed by a cushino of gas maintained in a trapped volume at an cushion of the shaft and secondly by an oppositely acting grooved hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing defined between a radially extending face on the shaft and a co-operating radially extending face associated with the sleeve, means for supplying pressurised gas to the inner end of the co-operating radially extending faces of the hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing, the gas supplied passing radially outwards between the faces of the hydrodynamic thrust gas bearing to feed into the trapped volume and a restricted outlet orifice being provided for venting of gas from the trapped volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A gas lubricated bearing assesmbly according to claim 1 in which the shaft is fixed and the sleeve is rotatably mounted on the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly according to claim 2 in which pressurised gas is supplied to the inner end of said co-operating radially extending faces by way of a longitudinal duct extending through the shaft and terminating in a radial passageway communicating with an annular recess situated at the inner end of the co-operating faces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly according to claim 1 in which the trapped volume is defined by an end cover member secured to a housing for the shaft and sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly according to claiM 4 in which the sleeve is fixed and the shaft is rotatable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly according to claim 5 in which the periphery of the radially extending face on the sleeve which co-operates with the radially extending face on the shaft is in sealing engagement with the interior of the end cover member whereby to isolate the trapped volume about the radially extending face on the shaft from an annular chamber at the opposite side of the radially extending face on the sleeve and in communication with the pressurised gas supply.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly according to claim 6 in which the annular chamber communicates with the radially inner ends of the co-operating surfaces through an aperture in the sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A gas lubricated bearing assembly according to claim 4 in which the radially extending face co-operating with the radially extending face on the shaft is provided by an annular thrust plate supported about its internal periphery by a resilient ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3799630A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |