# US 10,309,450 B2 · Foil bearing, method for setting a gap geometry of a foil bearing, and corresponding production method of a foil bearing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,450 B2 - Document ID: US10309450B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/538,142 - Filed: 2015-12-08 - Published: 2017-11-30 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-22 - Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH - Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH - Inventors: Andreas Vogt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309450B2 ## CPC - F16C 17/024: {with flexible leaves to create hydrodynamic wedge, e.g. radial foil bearings} - F16C 25/02: Sliding-contact bearings - F16C 27/02: Sliding-contact bearings - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract A foil bearing includes a bearing back, a foil arrangement, and a setting mechanism. The bearing back includes a passage opening configured to receive a shaft, such that a gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing back. The foil arrangement defines a first inner circumference and includes a first segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap adjacent to the bearing back, a second segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap adjacent to the first segment-shaped foil, and a third segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap between the shaft and the second segment-shaped foil. The setting mechanism is configured to set the first inner circumference. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A foil bearing, comprising: a bearing back including a passage opening configured to receive a shaft, such that a gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing back; a foil arrangement defining a first inner circumference and including: a first segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap adjacent to the bearing back, a second segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap adjacent to the first segment-shaped foil, and a third segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap between the shaft and the second segment-shaped foil; and a setting mechanism configured to set the first inner circumference. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting mechanism includes a first screw enabling the foil arrangement to be positioned in a radial direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 2, wherein the setting mechanism further includes a second screw. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 3, wherein the setting mechanism further includes a third screw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third segment-shaped foil encloses at least 340° between a first edge at a first end of the third segment-shaped foil and a second edge at a second end of the third segment-shaped foil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting mechanism is at least partially arranged in the bearing back. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting mechanism includes a first end position and a second end position, and is configured to be continually adjusted between the first end position and the second end position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third segment-shaped foil touches the shaft when the setting mechanism is in the second end position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 7, wherein: when the setting mechanism is in the second end position, the setting mechanism forces a second circumference of the foil arrangement; the second circumference is different from the first inner circumference; and the second circumference is reduced by a factor of 0.999 in relation to the first inner circumference when the setting mechanism is in the first end position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second segment-shaped foil is configured as a metal fabric. ### Claim 11 A method for setting a gap geometry of a foil bearing, the foil bearing including a bearing back, a foil arrangement, and a setting mechanism, the method comprising: determining an operating state and/or a rotational speed of a shaft mounted in a passage opening of the bearing back so as to form a gap geometry between the shaft and the bearing back; determining a suitable setting of the gap geometry using the determined operating state and/or the rotational speed; and positioning the setting mechanism so as to adjust the determined gap geometry, wherein the foil arrangement defines a first inner circumference and includes a first segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap geometry adjacent to the bearing back, a second segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap geometry adjacent to the first segment-shaped foil, and a third segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap geometry between the shaft and the second segment-shaped foil. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising: setting the first inner circumference with the setting mechanism. ### Claim 13 A method of forming a foil bearing, comprising: arranging first, second, and third segment-shaped foils within a cavity defined by a bearing back to form a foil arrangement that defines a first inner circumference, the cavity configured to receive a shaft such that a gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing back, the segment-shaped foils arranged in the gap such that: the first segment-shaped foil is adjacent to the bearing back, the second segment-shaped foil is adjacent to the first segment-shaped foil, and the third segment-shaped foil is between the shaft and the second segment-shaped foil; and arranging a setting mechanism within the bearing back, the setting mechanism configured to set the first inner circumference.