Air cycle machine (acm) with hybrid airfoil and auxiliary magnetic thrust bearings

A device, comprising:

• a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof;
• a thrust disc disposed along the shaft to rotate with the shaft;
• and
• a hybrid airfoil thrust bearing, comprising:
• airfoil bearing components comprising:
• a first top foil immediately adjacent to a first side of the thrust disc and surrounding the shaft;
• first additional components;
• a second top foil immediately adjacent to a second side of the thrust disc and surrounding the shaft;
• and
• second additional components;
• and
• passive magnetic bearing components integrated into the thrust disc and into the first and second additional components to remove a static load of the thrust disc on the first top foil and on the second top foil.

An air cycle machine (ACM), comprising:

• a motor;
• an impeller;
• a shaft, which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and by which the motor drives impeller rotation;
• a thrust disc disposed along the shaft to rotate with the shaft;
• and
• a hybrid airfoil thrust bearing, comprising:
• airfoil bearing components comprising:
• a first top foil immediately adjacent to a first side of the thrust disc and surrounding the shaft;
• first additional components;
• a second top foil immediately adjacent to a second side of the thrust disc and surrounding the shaft;
• and
• second additional components;
• and
• passive magnetic bearing components integrated into the thrust disc and into the first and second additional components to remove a static load of the thrust disc on the first top foil and on the second top foil.