Single plate hydrodynamic bearing with self-balancing fluid level and fluid circulation

A hydrodynamic fluid bearing for an electric motor comprising:

• a shaft;
• a thrust plate coupled to a first end of the shaft;
• a housing having a journal sleeve for receiving the shaft with a first portion having a diameter slightly larger than the shaft and a second portion having a second larger diameter slightly larger than the thrust plate;
• an end cap inserted into the second diameter portion of the housing sealing the thrust plate off from the outside atmosphere and defining a first closed end for said shaft, a second end of said shaft being open;
• and
• said hydrodynamic bearing comprising at least one set of asymmetric grooves on said shaft or sleeve aligned to pump hydrodynamic fluid along said shaft, and a thrust plate coupled to said shaft at a first end thereof, said thrust plate having an upper and a lower surface;
• said surfaces having grooves thereon to pump fluid toward said shaft and away from said closed end, said one set of asymmetric grooves along said shaft pumping fluid toward said thrust plate so that the fluid level in the gap is balanced and said hydrodynamic fluid remains in the bearing.