Patent US4668106A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4668106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thrust bearing underspring
Assignee: Garrett Corp
•
Filing: 1986-04-11
•
Granted: 1987-05-26
•
Expires: 2006-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A foil thrust bearing having an underspring with alternating upper ridges and lower ridges.
Inventors
- 👤 Alston L. Gu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:57
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C17/00; F16C17/04; F16C17/042; F16C27/00; F16C27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a thrust runner; a thrust plate to rotatably support the thrust runner; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said thrust runner and said thrust plate and mounted on said thrust plate, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of converging surface compliant foils disposed towards said thrust runner, and a foil stiffener disk having a plurality of upper and lower ridges alternately transversely disposed therearound between the thrust disk and the thrust plate, the upper ridges having a height generally between 0.001 and 0.010 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a thrust runner; a thrust plate to rotatably support the thrust runner; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said thrust runner and said thrust plate and mounted on said thrust plate, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of converging surface compliant foils disposed towards said thrust runner, and a foil stiffener disk having a plurality of upper and lower ridges alternately transversely disposed therearound between the thrust disk and the thrust plate, the upper ridges having a height generally between 0.001 and 0.010 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein said converging surface compliant foils are individually mounted upon said thrust disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein said converging surface compliant foils are integral with said thrust disk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein the space between adjacent lower ridges radially converges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein the upper ridges outwardly diverge radially.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 5 wherein the sides of the radially outwardly diverging upper ridges are radial lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein the lower ridges outwardly diverge radially.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein the upper ridges have at least one transverse slot dividing the upper ridges into at least two segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 8 wherein the upper ridges have two transverse slots dividing the upper ridges into three segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein the lower ridges include outwardly extending tabs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 10 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are located near the outer diameter of the lower ridges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 10 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are located near the inner diameter of the lower ridges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 10 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are alternately located near the inner diameter and the outer diameter of adjacent lower ridges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein the upper ridges project inward beyond the inner diameter of the thrust disk.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 1 wherein the upper ridges outwardly diverge radially, the lower ridges outwardly diverge radially, and the space between adjacent lower ridges outwardly converges radially.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
An underspring for a foil thrust bearing comprising: a compliant ring disk; a plurality of upper ridges disposed on one surface of the disk; and a plurality of lower ridges disposed on the other surface of the disk generally between adjacent upper ridges, the upper ridges having a height generally between 0.001 inches and 0.010 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges and at least one transverse slot dividing the upper ridges into at least two segments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
An underspring for a foil thrust bearing comprising: a compliant ring disk; a plurality of upper ridges disposed on one surface of the disk; and a plurality of lower ridges disposed on the other surface of the disk generally between adjacent upper ridges, the upper ridges having a height generally between 0.001 inches and 0.010 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges and at least one transverse slot dividing the upper ridges into at least two segments.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The underspring of claim 16 wherein the upper ridges have two transverse slots dividing the upper ridges into three segments.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
An underspring for a foil thrust bearing comprising: a compliant ring disk; a plurality of upper ridges disposed on one surface of the disk; and a plurality of lower ridges disposed on the other surface of the disk generally between adjacent upper ridges, the upper ridges having a height generally between 0.001 inches and 0.010 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges and the lower ridges including outwardly extending tabs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
An underspring for a foil thrust bearing comprising: a compliant ring disk; a plurality of upper ridges disposed on one surface of the disk; and a plurality of lower ridges disposed on the other surface of the disk generally between adjacent upper ridges, the upper ridges having a height generally between 0.001 inches and 0.010 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges and the lower ridges including outwardly extending tabs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The underspring of claim 18 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are located near the outer diameter of the lower ridges.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The underspring of claim 18 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are located near the inner diameter of the lower ridges.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The underspring of claim 18 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are alternately located near the inner diameter and the outer diameter of adjacent lower ridges.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 22 wherein the height of the upper ridges is at least 0.001 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a generally flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the sides of the upper ridges and lower ridges are generally perpendicular to the generally flat disk.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a generally flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the sides of the upper ridges and lower ridges are generally perpendicular to the generally flat disk.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 24 wherein the upper ridges have a height from the flat disk at least 0.001 inches greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a generally flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the upper ridge having at least one transverse slot dividing the upper ridges into at least two segments.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
132 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a generally flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the upper ridge having at least one transverse slot dividing the upper ridges into at least two segments.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 26 wherein the upper ridges have two transverse slots dividing the upper ridges into three segments.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
121 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a generally flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the lower ridges including outwardly extending tabs.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
121 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a pair of members arranged for relative rotation with respect to one another, one of said pair of members adapted to rotatably support the other; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said pair of relatively rotatable members and mounted to one of said pair of relatively rotatable members, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of compliant foils and an underspring, the underspring comprising a generally flat disk having a plurality of upper ridges and lower ridges alternately disposed thereon, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the lower ridges including outwardly extending tabs.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 28 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are located near the outer diameter of the lower ridges.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 28 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are located near the inner diameter of the lower ridges.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 28 wherein the outwardly extending tabs are alternately located near the inner diameter and the outer diameter of adjacent lower ridges.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
99 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a thrust runner; a thrust plate to rotatably support the thrust runner; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said thrust runner and said thrust plate and mounted on said thrust plate, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of converging surface compliant foils disposed towards said thrust runner, and a foil stiffener flat disks having a plurality of upper and lower ridges alternately transversely disposed therearound between the thrust disk and the thrust plate, the upper ridges having a height greater than the height of the lower ridges.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
99 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a thrust runner; a thrust plate to rotatably support the thrust runner; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said thrust runner and said thrust plate and mounted on said thrust plate, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of converging surface compliant foils disposed towards said thrust runner, and a foil stiffener flat disks having a plurality of upper and lower ridges alternately transversely disposed therearound between the thrust disk and the thrust plate, the upper ridges having a height greater than the height of the lower ridges.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 32 wherein said converging surface compliant foils are individually mounted upon said thrust disk.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 32 wherein said converging surface compliant foils are integral with said thrust disk.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
83 words
A foil thrust bearing underspring comprising: a compliant flat ring disk; a plurality of upper ridges disposed on one surface of the flat disk; and a plurality of lower ridges disposed on the other surface of the flat disk generally between adjacent upper ridges; the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the sides of the upper ridges and lower ridges are generally perpendicular to the flat disk.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
83 words
A foil thrust bearing underspring comprising: a compliant flat ring disk; a plurality of upper ridges disposed on one surface of the flat disk; and a plurality of lower ridges disposed on the other surface of the flat disk generally between adjacent upper ridges; the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the sides of the upper ridges and lower ridges are generally perpendicular to the flat disk.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The underspring of claim 35 wherein the height of the upper ridges from the flat disk is at least 0.001 inches greater than the height of the upper ridges from the flat disk.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The underspring of claim 35 wherein the upper ridges have at least one transverse slot dividing the upper ridges into at least two segments.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The underspring of claim 35 wherein the lower ridges include outwardly extending tabs.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
125 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a thrust runner; a thrust plate to rotatably support the thrust runner; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said thrust runner and said thrust plate and mounted on said thrust plate, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of converging surface compliant foils disposed towards said thrust runner and a foil stiffener, the foil stiffener having a plurality of upper and lower ridges alternately transversely disposed theraround between the thrust disk and the thrust plate, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the sides of the upper ridges and lower ridges are generally perpendicular to the flat disk.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
125 words
A fluid thrust bearing comprising: a thrust runner; a thrust plate to rotatably support the thrust runner; and a compliant foil bearing operably disposed between said thrust runner and said thrust plate and mounted on said thrust plate, said compliant foil bearing including a thrust disk having a plurality of converging surface compliant foils disposed towards said thrust runner and a foil stiffener, the foil stiffener having a plurality of upper and lower ridges alternately transversely disposed theraround between the thrust disk and the thrust plate, the upper ridges having a height from the flat disk greater than the height of the lower ridges from the flat disk and the sides of the upper ridges and lower ridges are generally perpendicular to the flat disk.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluid thrust bearing of claim 39 wherein the height of the upper ridges from the flat disk is at least 0.001 inches greater than the height of the upper ridges from the flat disk.
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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) | 1990-05-25 | 1990-11-24 | 1991-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-11-24 | 1995-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-25 | 1998-11-24 | 1999-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |