Disc spring centering device for squeeze film dampers

A damper film bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft, said damper film bearing assembly comprising:

• a bearing housing having a longitudinal opening passing therethrough for receiving the rotatable shaft;
• a bearing case having a longitudinal opening passing therethrough for receiving said bearing housing, an outer surface of said bearing housing and an inner surface of said bearing case defining a space therebetween adapted to receive a damper oil therein;
• wherein at least one of the outer surface of said bearing housing and the inner surface of said bearing case have at least one radial recess formed therein, the recess having a floor;
• at least one support piston slideably disposed within the recess, said support piston slideable within the recess radially toward and away from the space defined between the outer surface of said bearing housing and the inner surface of said bearing case;
• and
• at least one resilient element disposed within the recess between the floor of the recess and said support piston, said resilient element biasing said support piston toward the space defined between the outer surface of said bearing housing and the inner surface of said bearing case.