초록 ▼

A self-pressurizing gas supported bearing includes a cylindrical bearing sleeve having a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical inner surface forming a first bearing surface with a random surface texture having a first Ra roughness profile. A cylindrical bearing shaft is positioned coaxially within the

A self-pressurizing gas supported bearing includes a cylindrical bearing sleeve having a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical inner surface forming a first bearing surface with a random surface texture having a first Ra roughness profile. A cylindrical bearing shaft is positioned coaxially within the bearing sleeve and includes a cylindrical outer surface forming a second bearing surface with a random surface texture having a second Ra roughness profile. The sum of the first and second Ra roughness profiles falls within the range of from about eighteen to sixty. A drive system establishes a relative rotational velocity between the bearing sleeve and the bearing shaft, generating a bearing stiffness force which causes the overlapping bearing surfaces to lift off and break contact. The bearing sleeve and shaft are dimensioned to maintain a predetermined means spacing between the sleeve and shaft. The bearing may also take the form of a linear bearing or other cylindrical configurations.

대표청구항 ▼

A self-pressurizing gas supported bearing comprising: a. a first bearing element having a longitudinal axis and a curved inner bearing surface with a random surface texture having a first Ra roughness profile; b. a second bearing element positioned coaxially within the first bearing element and havi

A self-pressurizing gas supported bearing comprising: a. a first bearing element having a longitudinal axis and a curved inner bearing surface with a random surface texture having a first Ra roughness profile; b. a second bearing element positioned coaxially within the first bearing element and having a curved outer bearing surface with a random surface texture having a second Ra roughness profile, wherein the sum of the first and second Ra roughness profiles falls within the range of from about eighteen to about sixty and wherein the first and second bearing elements are aligned along the longitudinal axis such that the inner and outer bearing surfaces overlap; c. drive means for establishing a relative rotational velocity between the inner and outer bearing surfaces where the relative rotational velocity generates a bearing stiffness force and causes the overlapping bearing surfaces to lift off and break contact; and d. the inner and outer bearing surfaces having a geometry dimensioned to maintain a predetermined mean spacing between the overlapping surfaces of the first and second bearing elements of from a minimum mean spacing of about seventy-five microinches to a maximum mean spacing where the inner and outer bearing surfaces fail to lift off and break contact.