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US 8,941,278 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for hybrid suspension system
OwnerPeter S. Aronstaminventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for suspending a rotating body consisting of a combination of magnetic and engineered materials. The suspension system allows for some axial motion to account for varying system loads.
Claims18
A suspension system for use with rotating machinery, the system comprising:
- a first suspension assembly disposed between an inner structure and an outer structure of the rotating machinery for providing axial support, the first suspension assembly comprising an array of magnets;
- and
- a second suspension assembly disposed between the structures for providing radial support, the second suspension assembly comprising an inner portion in contact with the inner structure, an outer portion in contact with the outer structure, and at least one ceramic, diamond, or other non-metallic bearing member disposed between the inner portion and the outer portion, wherein the outer portion moves between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the inner portion in response to receiving an axial load, wherein the inner portion includes a plurality of bearing members aligned in a row and the outer portion comprises a continuous piece of hardened material, wherein the outer portion includes a plurality of fluid pathways configured to supply fluid to the plurality of bearing members, and wherein the fluid pathways are grooves formed in an inner surface of the continuous piece of hardened material.
A method of supporting an inner structure and an outer structure of rotating machinery, the outer structure being configured to rotate relative to the inner structure, the method comprising:
- providing a first suspension assembly between the inner structure and the outer structure for axially supporting the structures, the first suspension assembly comprising an array of magnets;
- and
- providing a second suspension assembly for radially supporting the structures, the second suspension assembly comprising an inner portion in contact with the inner structure, an outer portion in contact with the outer structure, and a ceramic, diamond, or other non-metallic bearing member, wherein the outer portion moves between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the inner portion in response to receiving an axial load, wherein the inner portion includes a plurality of bearing members aligned in a row and the outer portion comprises a continuous piece of hardened material, wherein the outer portion includes a plurality of fluid pathways configured to supply fluid to the plurality of bearing members, and wherein the fluid pathways are grooves formed in an inner surface of the continuous piece of hardened material.
A rotating assembly comprising:
- an inner structure and an outer structure, wherein the outer structure rotates relative to the inner structure;
- a first suspension assembly comprising an array of magnets for providing axial support to the structures;
- and
- a second suspension assembly comprising an outer portion, an inner portion and at least one ceramic, diamond, or other non-metallic bearing member for providing radial support to the structures, wherein the outer portion moves between a first axial position and a second axial position relative to the inner portion in response to receiving an axial load, wherein the inner portion includes a plurality of bearing members aligned in a row and the outer portion comprises a continuous piece of hardened material, wherein the outer portion includes a plurality of fluid pathways configured to supply fluid to the plurality of bearing members, and wherein the fluid pathways are grooves formed in an inner surface of the continuous piece of hardened material.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.