# US 11,898,599 B2 · Foil bearing

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- Number: US 11,898,599 B2
- Document ID: US11898599B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/637,006
- Filed: 2020-06-12
- Published: 2022-09-15
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-08-28
- Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Inventors: Felix Wiedmann; Felix Foerster
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898599B2

## CPC

- F16C 17/024: {with flexible leaves to create hydrodynamic wedge, e.g. radial foil bearings}
- F16C 33/06: Sliding surface mainly made of metal (F16C33/24 - F16C33/28 take precedence; {casting metal bearing surfaces B22D15/02, B22D19/08})
- F16C 33/043: {Sliding surface consisting mainly of ceramics, cermets or hard carbon, e.g. diamond like carbon [DLC]}
- F16C 33/08: Attachment of brasses, bushes or linings to the bearing housing
- F16C 35/02: in the case of sliding-contact bearings
- F16C 2204/20: Alloys based on aluminium
- F16C 2360/23: Gas turbine engines
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A foil bearing (10) having at least one foil (16, 18) which is arranged and fixed in place inside a bearing bore (14) of a bearing support (12). The bearing support (12) is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the surface of the bearing bore (14) is provided at least in one contact region (20) of the at least one foil (16, 18) with a hard material layer (26). The bearing support (12) can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner, has a low weight and a good thermal conductivity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A foil bearing (10) comprising:
a bearing receptacle (12) defining therein a bearing bore (14); and
at least one foil (16, 18), which is arranged within the bearing bore (14) and fixed therein, wherein the bearing receptacle (12) is produced from aluminum or an aluminum alloy,
wherein a surface of the bearing bore (14) of the bearing receptacle (12) is provided with a hardened layer (26) at least in a region (20) of contact with the at least one foil (16, 18).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hardened layer (26) is formed by anodizing the surface of the bearing bore (14) of the bearing receptacle (12).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hardened layer (26) is formed from titanium nitrite.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bearing receptacle (12) is part of a housing part (28) of a compressor.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bearing receptacle (12) is in a form of a bearing sleeve.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the foil bearing (10) comprises at least one top foil (18) and one bottom foil (16), which is arranged between the at least one top foil (18) and the bearing bore (14), wherein at least the bottom foil (16) bears against the bearing bore (14).

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing receptacle (12) is part of a housing part (28) of a compressor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing receptacle (12) is in a form of a bearing sleeve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foil bearing (10) comprises at least one top foil (18) and one bottom foil (16), which is arranged between the at least one top foil (18) and the bearing bore (14), wherein at least the bottom foil (16) bears against the bearing bore (14).

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing receptacle (12) is produced from aluminum.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The foil bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing receptacle (12) is produced from aluminum alloy.