Aerostatic axial thrust bearing

Claim 1

An aerostatic axial thrust bearing comprising a movable part and a stationary part, one of said parts being constructed as a cup-shaped member having an upright wall, a closure member and a bottom comprising a diaphragm which faces the other bearing part to define therewith a bearing gap, said upright wall and said diaphragm forming an integral unit, said diaphram having a central opening, the side of said diaphragm which faces the other bearing part being shaped so that the bearing gap between the two parts becomes narower from the central opening in the diaphragm towards the outer edge thereof, and the cup-shaped member having an inlet for the admission of a gaseous pressure medium to the space inside the cup-shaped member, characterized in that the diaphragm is connected to the upright wall of the cup-shaped member only at a location (1) between the central opening and the outer edge of the diaphragm and (2) spaced from the outer edge of the diaphragm, the upright wall being provided with a deep circumferential groove so that only a portion of material remains that is substantially thinner than adjacent portions of said upright wall between the diaphragm and the upright wall to connect the diaphragm to the wall.