Damping and centering system for rotating machinery

A system providing damping and centering for rotating machinery, the system comprising:

• a support;
• a shaft disposed to rotate about an axis and relative to the support;
• and
• a ring encircling the shaft and the axis;
• wherein the ring is configured to receive a bearing element;
• wherein the ring has a first axially directed face and a second axially directed face;
• wherein the ring includes fluid apertures that are axially disposed and radially located outward from the axis, the fluid apertures opening through the first axially directed face and through the second axially directed face;
• wherein the ring includes arcing slits, each arcing slit beginning at one of the fluid apertures and ending at another of the fluid apertures;
• a fluid delivery system configured to deliver a fluid to at least one of the fluid apertures and the arcing slits, at the first axially directed face;
• and
• a fluid supply block disposed adjacent the first axially directed face, the fluid supply block defining fluid passages as part of the fluid delivery system, the fluid passages coupled with the arcing slits and including a port that is open to the arcing slits at the axially directed face,
• wherein the fluid passages of the fluid supply block include a manifold entering the fluid supply block, wherein the port runs from the manifold,
• wherein the fluid passages include a lubrication passage that extends from the manifold to the bearing element,
• wherein the fluid delivery system is configured to deliver fluid into the arcing slits so that the fluid in the arcing slits provides a damping action in the ring.

A system providing damping and centering for rotating machinery, the system comprising:

• a support;
• a shaft disposed to rotate about an axis and relative to the support;
• a ring defining an open center and encircling the axis;
• wherein the ring is configured to receive a bearing element in the open center;
• wherein the ring has a first axially directed face and a second axially directed face;
• wherein the ring includes fluid apertures that are axially disposed and radially located outward from the open center, the fluid apertures opening through the first axially directed face and through the second axially directed face;
• wherein the ring includes arcing slits, each arcing slit beginning at one of the fluid apertures and ending at another of the fluid apertures;
• a fluid delivery system configured to deliver a fluid through a port to the fluid apertures and/or to the arcing slits, at the first axially directed face;
• a fluid supply block disposed adjacent the first axially directed face, the fluid supply block defining fluid passages coupled with the arcing slits, wherein the fluid passages of the fluid supply block include a manifold entering the fluid supply block, wherein the port runs from the manifold, wherein the fluid passages include a lubrication passage that extends from the manifold to the bearing element;
• a spring biasing the fluid supply block toward the ring;
• and
• a metering plate configured to meter the fluid exiting the fluid apertures at the second axially directed face,
• wherein the fluid delivery system is configured to deliver fluid to the arcing slits through the fluid apertures so that the fluid in the arcing slits provides a damping action in the ring.