Cylindrical type squeeze bearing systems with bearing and driving elements attached in areas of maximum deflection

Claim 1

A squeeze bearing system comprising: a piezoelectric driving element having an operating frequency and antinodes when vibrating at said operating frequency; a first bearing element also having antinodes at said operating frequency, said driving element and said first bearing element being coaxially nested about a longitudinal axis and spaced-apart radially about said axis, the radial spacing varying with angular position about said axis such that the configurations of said driving element and said first bearing element at cross sections perpendicular to said axis have substantially different geometric shapes; a second bearing element coaxial with and radially spaced from said first bearing element; and means, extending across the radial spacing between said driving element and said first bearing element at areas thereon determined by the location of said antinodes, for connecting said driving element to said first bearing element and for supporting said driving element and said first bearing element in their spaced-apart relationship, whereby when said driving element vibrates at said operating frequency said first bearing element changes its cross-sectional configuration cyclically to create a squeeze film between said first and second bearing elements.