Modular bearing with replaceable, pivot-connected pads
AssigneeWaukesha Bearings Corporation
InventorsFilippo Cangioli, Andrea Masala, Michael George Robin Gilmore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydrodynamic bearing for supporting a shaft includes a bearing housing and one or more pad modules. The bearing housing defines an inner surface and one or more axial grooves adjoining the inner surface. Each of at least one of the one or more pad modules includes a pad body, a root portion configured to couple in one of the axial grooves of the bearing housing, and a web portion connecting the pad body and the root portion.
Claims20
A hydrodynamic bearing for supporting a shaft, the hydrodynamic bearing comprising:
- a bearing housing defining an inner surface and one or more axial grooves adjoining the inner surface;
- and
- one or more pad modules, each of at least one of the one or more pad modules comprising:
- a pad body;
- a root portion configured to couple in one of the axial grooves of the bearing housing;
- and
- a web portion connecting the pad body and the root portion.
A method of making a hydrodynamic bearing, the method comprising:
- positioning a pad in a bearing housing;
- and
- securing the pad to the bearing housing such that a web connecting the pad to the housing at least partially resides in a receptacle in the bearing housing.
A hydrodynamic bearing for supporting a shaft, the hydrodynamic bearing comprising:
- a bearing housing defining a first surface and one or more receptacles adjoining the first surface;
- and
- one or more pad modules, each of at least one of the one or more pad modules comprising:
- a pad body;
- a root portion configured to couple in at least one of the receptacles of the bearing housing;
- and
- and an I-beam shaped web portion connecting the pad body and the root portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.