US 11,835,088 B2 · Thrust bearing for a rotating machine

Abstract

A rotating machine including a thrust bearing configured to receive an axial thrust exerted by a rotor. The thrust bearing may be configured to transfer the axial thrust from the rotor to a housing or other structural component of the rotating machine using a plurality of ball bearings. The rotating machine includes a magnetic apparatus configured to cause the rotating machine to exert an axial force on the thrust bearing in the direction of the axial thrust of the rotor, such that the magnetic apparatus loads the ball bearings in the direction of the axial thrust. The magnetic apparatus may be configured to generate a magnetic field causing a first magnetic component of the magnetic apparatus to repel or attract a second magnetic component of the apparatus. The first magnetic component may be configured to rotate relative to the second magnetic component.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A rotating machine comprising:

a first rotor configured to rotate relative to a second rotor concentric with the first rotor;
a thrust bearing comprising a first race, a second race, and a plurality of ball bearings, wherein:
the first race is configured to receive an axial thrust from the first rotor when the first rotor rotates relative to a structural component of the rotating machine, and
the plurality of ball bearings are configured to transfer the axial thrust to the second race;
and
a magnetic component affixed to at least one of the first rotor or the second rotor, wherein the magnetic component is configured to cause a magnetic force between the first rotor and the second rotor to cause the first race to exert an axial force on the ball bearings in the direction of the axial thrust.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thrust bearing for a rotating machine

Life of this patent

Thrust bearing for a rotating machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20