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Title: Load responsive hydrodynamic bearing

Abstract

A load responsive hydrodynamic bearing is provided in the form of a thrust bearing or journal bearing for supporting, guiding and lubricating a relatively rotatable member to minimize wear thereof responsive to relative rotation under severe load. In the space between spaced relatively rotatable members and in the presence of a liquid or grease lubricant, one or more continuous ring shaped integral generally circular bearing bodies each define at least one dynamic surface and a plurality of support regions. Each of the support regions defines a static surface which is oriented in generally opposed relation with the dynamic surface for contact with one of the relatively rotatable members. A plurality of flexing regions are defined by the generally circular body of the bearing and are integral with and located between adjacent support regions. Each of the flexing regions has a first beam-like element being connected by an integral flexible hinge with one of the support regions and a second beam-like element having an integral flexible hinge connection with an adjacent support region. A least one local weakening geometry of the flexing region is located intermediate the first and second beam-like elements. In response to application of load from one ofmore » the relatively rotatable elements to the bearing, the beam-like elements and the local weakening geometry become flexed, causing the dynamic surface to deform and establish a hydrodynamic geometry for wedging lubricant into the dynamic interface.« less

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Houston, TX
  2. Sugar Land, TX
  3. Stafford, TX
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Kalsi Engineering, Inc. (Sugar Land, TX)
OSTI Identifier:
874790
Patent Number(s):
US 6460635
Assignee:
Kalsi Engineering, Inc. (Sugar Land, TX)
DOE Contract Number:  
FG03-96ER82199
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
load; responsive; hydrodynamic; bearing; provided; form; thrust; journal; supporting; guiding; lubricating; rotatable; minimize; wear; rotation; severe; space; spaced; presence; liquid; grease; lubricant; continuous; shaped; integral; circular; bodies; define; dynamic; surface; plurality; support; regions; defines; static; oriented; opposed; relation; contact; flexing; defined; located; adjacent; beam-like; element; connected; flexible; hinge; connection; region; local; weakening; geometry; intermediate; elements; response; application; flexed; causing; deform; establish; wedging; interface; thrust bearing; journal bearing; /175/277/384/

Citation Formats

Kalsi, Manmohan S, Somogyi, Dezso, and Dietle, Lannie L. Load responsive hydrodynamic bearing. United States: N. p., 2002. Web.
Kalsi, Manmohan S, Somogyi, Dezso, & Dietle, Lannie L. Load responsive hydrodynamic bearing. United States.
Kalsi, Manmohan S, Somogyi, Dezso, and Dietle, Lannie L. 2002. "Load responsive hydrodynamic bearing". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/874790.
@article{osti_874790,
title = {Load responsive hydrodynamic bearing},
author = {Kalsi, Manmohan S and Somogyi, Dezso and Dietle, Lannie L},
abstractNote = {A load responsive hydrodynamic bearing is provided in the form of a thrust bearing or journal bearing for supporting, guiding and lubricating a relatively rotatable member to minimize wear thereof responsive to relative rotation under severe load. In the space between spaced relatively rotatable members and in the presence of a liquid or grease lubricant, one or more continuous ring shaped integral generally circular bearing bodies each define at least one dynamic surface and a plurality of support regions. Each of the support regions defines a static surface which is oriented in generally opposed relation with the dynamic surface for contact with one of the relatively rotatable members. A plurality of flexing regions are defined by the generally circular body of the bearing and are integral with and located between adjacent support regions. Each of the flexing regions has a first beam-like element being connected by an integral flexible hinge with one of the support regions and a second beam-like element having an integral flexible hinge connection with an adjacent support region. A least one local weakening geometry of the flexing region is located intermediate the first and second beam-like elements. In response to application of load from one of the relatively rotatable elements to the bearing, the beam-like elements and the local weakening geometry become flexed, causing the dynamic surface to deform and establish a hydrodynamic geometry for wedging lubricant into the dynamic interface.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/874790}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002}
}