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A gas bearing including a support having a longitudinally extending cylindrical bore, of a predetermined diameter and an elongated generally cylindrical shaft rotatable within the bore of the shaft being of a predetermined diameter less than the diameter of the bore in the support. The outer surface

A gas bearing including a support having a longitudinally extending cylindrical bore, of a predetermined diameter and an elongated generally cylindrical shaft rotatable within the bore of the shaft being of a predetermined diameter less than the diameter of the bore in the support. The outer surface of the shaft is uniquely provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending recesses of a predetermined depth, each of which defines an elongated, generally radially outwardly extending step of a predetermined height. The outer surface of the shaft is also provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves of a predetermined depth disposed proximate the steps. At least one end of each of the grooves is in communication with a source of gas at a predetermined pressure so that as the shaft rotates the gas will be drawn into the space between the inner walls of the cylindrical bore and the outer surfaces of the shaft and will function to maintain concentricity of the shaft.

대표청구항 ▼

A bearing comprising: (a) a support having a longitudinally extending bore, generally circular in cross-section at any point, said bore being of a predetermined diameter and defining an inner surface, said support being disposed within a gaseous atmosphere and including longitudinally spaced faces;

A bearing comprising: (a) a support having a longitudinally extending bore, generally circular in cross-section at any point, said bore being of a predetermined diameter and defining an inner surface, said support being disposed within a gaseous atmosphere and including longitudinally spaced faces; (b) an elongated generally cylindrical shaft rotatable within said bore of the support, said shaft being of a predetermined diameter less than the diameter of said bore in said support and defining an outer surface, said outer surface of said shaft having: (i) a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending recesses of a predetermined depth, each said recess defining an elongated, generally radially outwardly extending step of a predetermined height; and (ii) a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves of a predetermined depth disposed proximate said steps, said grooves including an end portion extending beyond one of said longitudinally spaced faces of said support into said gaseous atmosphere whereby gas will be drawn into said recesses upon rotation of said shaft relative to said support, at least one end of each of said grooves being in communication with a source of fluid at a predetermined pressure.