High strength foil journal bearing retainer
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsMarshall Saville, Keith Alan Hurley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A journal foil bearing includes a bearing retainer having one slot configured to receive a top foil leading edge tab and another slot configured to receive a top foil trailing edge tab. A backup support structure, integral to the bearing retainer, extends between and is at least partially defined by the slots. The retainer is configured so that, during operation, the trailing edge tab further contacts, at an increased contact pressure, the support structure at a position close to the friction force, thereby minimizing top foil bending stress and improving bearing strength.
Claims6
An apparatus forming a foil journal bearing comprising:
- a retainer member having an inner surface that defines an opening, said opening configured to receive a rotatable member;
- a top foil trailing edge tab slot extending into said retainer member;
- a top foil leading edge tab slot extending into said retainer member;
- a top foil having a trailing edge tab and a leading edge tab;
- wherein the trailing edge tab is disposed in the trailing edge tab slot;
- wherein the leading edge tab is disposed in the leading edge tab slot;
- wherein said leading edge tab slot and said trailing edge tab slot have depths of unequal magnitude
- a backup support structure positioned between and at least partially defined by said top foil trailing edge tab slot and said top foil leading edge tab slot, and said backup support structure integral to said retainer member;
- whereupon, in the absence of rotation of the rotatable member, the trailing edge tab is in contact, at an initial contact pressure, with the backup support;
- whereupon, during rotation of the rotatable member, the trailing edge tab is urged into increased contact, at a subsequent contact pressure higher than the initial contact pressure, with the backup support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.