US3841720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thrust bearing assembly
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1973-04-02
•
Granted: 1974-10-15
•
Expires: 1993-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A thrust bearing assembly having a first spirally grooved bearing face engaging a second ungrooved face. Lubricant is delivered under pressure to an annular groove circumscribing the spiral grooves. A portion of the lubricant is drawn into the spiral grooves to provide a hybrid hydrostatic and hydrodynamic bearing.
Inventors
- 👤 J Kovach
- 👤 A Paluszny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:49
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/107; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/16; F01D25/166; F01D25/168; F16C17/00; F16C17/04; F16C17/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A thrust bearing assembly comprising: a first member rotatable about a given axis and having a first bearing surface, a second member being non-rotatable about said given axis and having a second bearing surface slidingly engageable with said first bearing surface, an annular groove formed in said second bearing surface spaced radially inwardly from the outer periphery thereof, a plurality of curved grooves formed in said second bearing surface extending inwardly from said annular groove and terminating on said second bearing surface at locations radially spaced from said given axis, one or more ports opening on said first bearing surface into said annular groove, said first member having means to supply a viscous fluid lubricant to saId one or more ports for discharge into said annular groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A thrust bearing assembly comprising: a first member rotatable about a given axis and having a first bearing surface, a second member being non-rotatable about said given axis and having a second bearing surface slidingly engageable with said first bearing surface, an annular groove formed in said second bearing surface spaced radially inwardly from the outer periphery thereof, a plurality of curved grooves formed in said second bearing surface extending inwardly from said annular groove and terminating on said second bearing surface at locations radially spaced from said given axis, one or more ports opening on said first bearing surface into said annular groove, said first member having means to supply a viscous fluid lubricant to saId one or more ports for discharge into said annular groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, said first and second members including first passage means extending along said given axis, second passage means formed in said first member interconnecting each said port with said first passage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 1, said second member including a first spherical surface on a side opposite the second bearing surfaces, a third non-rotatable member having a second spherical surface mutually engageable with said first spherical surface, each said spherical surface having its center located on said given axis, said second members being movable relative to said third member about the center of said spherical surfaces to permit said second bearing surface to align with said first bearing surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 2, said one or more ports being spaced radially inwardly from the outer periphery of said first member and radially outwardly from said first passage means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 2, means to provide a viscous fluid under pressure to said second passage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 2, said first passage means comprising a bore having an axis colinear with said given axis, said curved grooves terminating on said second bearing surface at locations spaced from said bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thrust bearing assembly according to claim 3, means interconnecting said second member and said third member to prevent rotation of said second member relative to said third member about said given axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3380040A
Cited
US3376083A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |