Foil segment bearing, method for setting a gap geometry of a foil segment bearing and corresponding production method

A method for setting a gap geometry of a foil segment bearing, comprising:

• providing the foil segment bearing, including:
• a bearing back with a passage opening configured to receive a shaft such that there is a first gap between the shaft and the bearing back;
• at least one first bearing segment and one second bearing segment, each of the bearing segments having a respective inner surface defining a bearing surface with an adjustable circumference, each of the bearing segments configured to be arranged in the bearing back spaced apart from the shaft such that there is a further gap between the shaft and each of the bearing segments;
• a foil arrangement arranged in the further gap between the inner surfaces of the bearing segments and the shaft;
• and
• at least one setting mechanism configured to set a geometry of the further gap via a radial positioning of the bearing segments, the at least one setting mechanism including a spring and a pin, the spring arranged in the bearing back radially outwardly of the passage opening;
• determining at least one of an operating state and a rotational speed of the shaft mounted in the foil segment bearing;
• determining a suitable gap geometry using the at least one of the determined operating state and rotational speed;
• and
• positioning the at least one setting mechanism using the determined, suitable gap geometry.

A production method for a foil segment bearing, comprising:

• providing a bearing back with a passage opening, the passage opening configured to receive a shaft arranged therein such that there is a gap between the shaft and the bearing back;
• providing a first bearing segment and a second bearing segment, each of the bearing segments having a respective inner surface defining a bearing surface with an adjustable circumference, each of the bearing segments configured to be arranged in the bearing back in a manner spaced apart from the shaft such that there is a further gap between the shaft and each of the bearing segments;
• providing a foil arrangement;
• providing at least one setting mechanism configured to set a geometry of the further gap via a radial positioning of the bearing segments, the at least one setting mechanism including a spring and a pin;
• arranging the first and second bearing segments in the passage opening;
• arranging the setting mechanism within the bearing back such that the spring is arranged radially outwardly of the passage opening;
• connecting the first and the second bearing segments with the setting mechanism;
• and
• arranging the foil arrangement in the further gap between the inner surfaces of the first and second bearing segments and the shaft.