Hydrodynamic bearing assemblies, and hydrodynamic bearing apparatuses and motor assemblies using same

A hydrodynamic bearing assembly, comprising:

• a support ring;
• a plurality of bearing segments carried by the support ring, the plurality of bearing segments distributed circumferentially about an axis, each of the bearing segments including a superhard bearing surface, the plurality of bearing segments defining a plurality of seams, each of the seams formed between circumferentially-adjacent bearing segments of the plurality of bearing segments and comprising a gap of about 0.0051 mm to about 2.54 mm, each of the bearing segments further including,
• a first end region and a second end region, with one of the superhard bearing surfaces extending between the first end region and the second end region, the first end region of each of the bearing segments at least partially interlocking with the second end region of another circumferentially-adjacent one of the bearing segments;
• and
• sealant material substantially filling the seams.