Dynamically self-adjusted fluid bearing

A self-adjusting fluid operating bearing system for operation at relatively high rotational speeds, comprising:

• housing means containing rotatingly driven shaft means,
• at least first and second spaced bearing elements each having an outer conical surface thus forming an end having a major and a minor diameter and mounted for rotation with said driven shaft means,
• shell means cooperating with each of said first and second conical bearing elements and being mounted within said housing means and each including an outer surface, and an inner conical surface facing the outer conical surface of the associated bearing elements and forming a gap therebetween,
• low friction seal means cooperating with said shell means for resiliently mounting said shell means with respect to said housing means,
• means to effect flow of fluid into said gap between each said bearing element and the associated shell means,
• means biasing one of said shell means towards the major diameter of the associated bearing element,
• the other shell means including at least a portion of the outer surface which has a differential diameter so as to provide an area on which fluid may act to create a force urging said other shell axially in said housing,
• means to flow fluid into contact with said portion of the outer surface of said shell which has said differential diameter, and
• said force operating on the said area of said other shell means being operative to urge the latter in an axial direction towards the major diameter of the cone associated with said associated shell means whereby the said gaps between said shell means and the associated bearings are automatically self-adjusting in gap dimension.