Journal bearing apparatus

Abstract

A journal bearing apparatus capable of varying the clearance between a bush which protrudes from the inner surface of a sleeve in which a rotation shaft is inserted and the outer surface of the rotation shaft, in the longitudinal direction of a first dynamic pressure generating groove. Moreover, a journal bearing apparatus is capable of varying the clearance between one end of the rotation shaft and the surface of a thrust bearing, in the diametral direction of a second dynamic pressure generating groove. The clearance becomes wider towards the central part from the ends of the bush, or towards the central part from the edge parts of the surface of the thrust bearing. The shape of the end of the bush or the thrust bearing is preferably a circular arc. Thereby, the fluid pressure on the rotation shaft which faces the first and second dynamic pressure generating grooves is uniform.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.