Self-acting self-circulating fluid system without external pressure source and use in bearing system

A self-acting, self-circulating closed fluid system comprising a housing containing at least:

• a) a fluid;
• b) an active space having a movable component disposed therein;
• c) a passive space;
• and
• c) a porous medium disposed between the active space and the passive space, such that (a), (b), (c) and (d) cooperate to circulate the fluid continuously through the closed fluid system, without an external pump or pressure source, in response to movement of the movable component which causes a pressure gradient to be generated between the active space and the passive space.

A self-acting, self-circulating closed bearing system comprising:

• a) an enclosure having a shaft residing therein, the enclosure comprising a porous medium;
• b) an active space defined between that surface of the enclosure facing the shaft and that surface of the shaft facing the enclosure;
• c) a reservoir contiguous to and surrounding the enclosure and defining a passive space;
• and
• d) a lubrication fluid residing in the active space and in the passive space that passes through the porous medium in both directions in response to a pressure gradient between the active space and the passive space;
• the self-acting bearing system being devoid of an external pressure source.