Centrifugally activated bearing for high-speed rotating machinery

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869156

Post, Richard F ^[1]

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1. Walnut Creek, CA

A centrifugally activated bearing is disclosed. The bearing includes an annular member that extends laterally and radially from a central axis. A rotating member that rotates about the central axis relative to the annular member is also included. The rotating member has an interior chamber that surrounds the central axis and in which the annular member is suspended. Furthermore, the interior chamber has a concave shape for retaining a lubricant therein while the rotating member is at rest and for retaining a lubricant therein while the rotating member is rotating. The concave shape is such that while the rotating member is rotating a centrifugal force causes a lubricant to be forced away from the central axis to form a cylindrical surface having an axis collinear with the central axis. This centrifugally displaced lubricant provides restoring forces to counteract lateral displacement during operation.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of American as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5286113
• OSTI ID: 869156
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

centrifugally
activated
bearing
high-speed
rotating
machinery
disclosed
annular
extends
laterally
radially
central
axis
rotates
relative
included
interior
chamber
surrounds
suspended
furthermore
concave
shape
retaining
lubricant
therein
centrifugal
force
causes
forced
form
cylindrical
surface
collinear
displaced
provides
restoring
forces
counteract
lateral
displacement
operation
centrifugal force
cylindrical surface
central axis
interior chamber
lateral displacement
rotating machinery
rotating machine
centrifugally activated
force causes
extends laterally
restoring force
activated bearing
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