Hydrodynamic bearing for supporting a rotating element, gearbox accommodating such a hydrodynamic bearing, and use of such a hydrodynamic bearing

A hydrodynamic bearing for a rotating element, the hydrodynamic bearing comprising:

• an unloaded sliding surface;
• a loaded sliding surface downstream of the unloaded sliding surface;
• a first injection pocket arranged within the unloaded sliding surface;
• a second injection pocket arranged within the loaded sliding surface;
• a radial recess arranged within both the unloaded sliding surface and the loaded sliding surface and extending in a circumferential direction such as to overlap both the first injection pocket and the second injection pocket in the circumferential direction, the radial recess defining or delimiting an active area of both the unloaded sliding surface and the loaded sliding surface,
• wherein each of the first and second injection pockets has an axial length which is smaller than an axial extension of the active area upstream or downstream in a corresponding circumferential sliding section of the unloaded sliding surface and loaded sliding surface in which the first and second injection pockets respectively are arranged, and
• wherein the radial recess provides for fluid communication between an evacuation point and the unloaded sliding surface.