Pad type hydrodynamic thrust bearings having a modular construction

A bearing for supporting a rotating shaft part, the bearing comprising:

• a unitary carrier, the carrier having an axis, the carrier further comprising a plurality of openings spaced about the axis;
• a plurality of bearing pads, each bearing pad being mounted in one of the openings formed in the carrier, each bearing pad comprising a pad portion which is circular and has a pad center about which the pad portion is symmetrical and a support portion which is circular in section and symmetrical about an axis extending transverse to the pad portion, the support portion including a double curved section having a large portion at each end and a narrow center region, one large end being secured to the pad portion, the support portion being shaped such that any section thereof which is transverse to the axis of symmetry is circular.

A modular hydrodynamic bearing adapted to support a rotating shaft, the bearing comprising:

• a carrier member, the carrier member having a plurality of openings formed therein, the openings being spaced about a predetermined axis;
• a plurality of bearing pads secured in the openings of the carrier, each of the bearing pads comprising a pad portion having a pad surface, a supported surface and at least one edge extending between the pad surface and the supported surface a support portion supporting the pad portion at a location on the supported surface that is spaced from every edge of the pad, the support portion having a first end attached to the pad portion and a second end Spaced from the pad portion and a central region between the first and second ends wherein the support portion has a radial width and a circumferential width and where the support structure is curved so as to flare outward toward the first end so that the support portion is both radially and circumferentially wider proximate the first end than it is in the central region.