Load responsive hydrodynamic bearing

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874790

Kalsi, Manmohan S ^[1]; Somogyi, Dezso ^[2]; Dietle, Lannie L ^[3]

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1. Houston, TX
2. Sugar Land, TX
3. Stafford, TX

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.

• Research Organization: Kalsi Engineering, Inc. (Sugar Land, TX)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-96ER82199
• Assignee: Kalsi Engineering, Inc. (Sugar Land, TX)
• Patent Number(s): US 6460635
• OSTI ID: 874790
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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
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