Bearing system and method of operating the same
AssigneeFrazer-Nash Consultancy Ltd
InventorGregory Michael Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing system and method of operating the same that may include an outer bearing and an inner bearing, and a bearing engagement system configured to control a rotation of the inner bearing relative the outer bearing. In examples, the bearing may include a hybrid bearing having a roller bearing and a gas bearing such as a foil bearing, leaf-type bearing, or a tilt plate bearing. The bearing engagement system may include a displacer configured to linearly translate at least the inner bearing, displace an interface element, or both, and/or an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field to apply a magnetic torque to the inner bearing.
Claims37
A bearing system comprising:
- a dual bearing comprising:
- an inner bearing;
- and
- an outer bearing;
- and
- a bearing engagement system configured to control a rotation of the inner bearing, the bearing engagement system comprising:
- a displacer configured to linearly translate at least the inner bearing, displace an interface element, or both;
- or
- an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field to apply a magnetic torque to the inner bearing.
The bearing system of claim 9, the bearing engagement system further comprising one or more interface elements.
A method of controlling a rotation of an inner bearing relative to an outer bearing in a dual bearing comprising:
- controlling an interaction between the inner bearing and at least one interface element by:
- laterally displacing the inner bearing, an interface element, or both;
- applying a magnetic torque to the inner bearing;
- or
- both.
A system comprising:
- a rotor;
- a stator;
- a bearing comprising:
- an inner bearing;
- and
- an outer bearing, the outer bearing connected to the stator;
- and
- a bearing engagement system configured to control a rotation of the inner bearing, the bearing engagement system comprising:
- a displacer configured to laterally displace at least the inner bearing, displace an interface element, or both;
- or
- an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field to apply a magnetic torque to the inner bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.