US4213657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compliant hydrodynamic bearing with tubular support element
Assignee: Soluna Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1978-12-29
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1998-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A compliant hydrodynamic fluid film bearing for supporting a rotating motor on a stationary mount, includes a bearing sheet supported by a resilient, compliant support element formed of a series of resilient metal tubular members held in parallel spaced array by a cage. The degree of damping can be selected by filling some or all of the tubes with damping material. The tubular support elements are very strong for their size and weight, and yet produce a support element of only moderate and predictable stiffness.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley Gray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:12
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C17/00; F16C17/04; F16C17/042; F16C17/02; F16C17/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A compliant, hydrodynamic, fluid film bearing, comprising: a stationary member and a relatively rotating rotor having a bearing surface, said stationary member and said bearing surface defining therebetween a gap for receiving a composite bearing assembly a composite bearing assembly received within said gap including a plurality of tubular resilient support elements, a cage member for holding said tubular elements in position, and a bearing sheet overlying and resiliently supported by said tubular support elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A compliant, hydrodynamic, fluid film bearing, comprising: a stationary member and a relatively rotating rotor having a bearing surface, said stationary member and said bearing surface defining therebetween a gap for receiving a composite bearing assembly a composite bearing assembly received within said gap including a plurality of tubular resilient support elements, a cage member for holding said tubular elements in position, and a bearing sheet overlying and resiliently supported by said tubular support elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bearing defined in claim 1, wherein said cage member includes a sheet metal member having openings for receiving and holding said tubular elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bearing defined in claim 2, wherein said openings are defined by the edges of a plurality of elongated slits, said edges being bent upwardly out of the plane of said sheet metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bearing defined in claim 2 wherein said openings are elongated, and said tubular elements in at least some of said openings are divided into a plurality of sections lying along the axis of the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bearing defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular elements include fine needle tubing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bearing defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular elements include a longitudinally split tubular pin filled with damping material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bearing defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular elements include a spiral wrapped sheet metal pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The bearing defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular elements include a helically wrapped ribbon of sheet metal with a core of damping material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bearing defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular elements lie parallel to each other and parallel to the leading edge of said bearing sheet in the sense of the rotation direction of said rotor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The bearing defined in claim 9, wherein said cage member includes a plurality of elongated openings all lying parallel to said leading edge, said openings being arranged in rows extending parallel to said leading edge and staggered in adjacent rows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bearing defined in claim 9, wherein said cage member includes openings having pins extending inwardly from the peripheral edges of said openings, said tubular elements being mounted on said pins in a closely spaced array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |