US3851933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrodynamic fluid-film bearings
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-12
•
Granted: 1974-12-03
•
Expires: 1992-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A pair of spin type bearings employing a fluid-film between the bearing surfaces in a journal bearing and a combination journal and thrust bearing which are particularly suitable for gyroscopic applications. Each bearing includes a fluid flow control system comprised of reservoirs disposed proximate the bearing surfaces which automatically supply required quantities of fluid to the bearing surfaces during operation. The control system may be either an open-loop configuration or a closed loop configuration. In the open-loop configuration, a visual indication of the fluid quantity in a reservoir is provided along with means for replenishing the fluid supply without interfering with the operation of the bearings. Alternatively, in the closed loop system, the visual indication and means for replenishing the fluid supply are replaced by means which provide recirculation of the initial quantity of fluid in the reservoir. Both configurations are uninfluenced by acceleration loading and provide bearings having long term operating characteristics which are particularly suitable for operation in the hard vacuum of outer space without loss of fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 P Jacobson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:31
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/106; F16C33/107; F16C17/00; F16C17/10; F16C17/102; F16C17/107; F16C33/103; G; G01; G01C; G01C19/00; G01C19/02; G01C19/04; G01C19/16; G01C19/20; F16C2370/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A hydrodynamic journal bearing having a specified radial load capacity suitable for operation over a prescribed range of temperatures comprising journal means including a selected material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a specific radial dimension, sleeve means including at least two selected materials having second and third coefficients of thermal expansion, which are different from each other and each of which is different than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the journal means, and specific radial dimensions, said sleeve means being positioned relative to said journal means to provide a space therebetween, and fluid means filling said space between said journal means and said sleeve means having a coefficient of viscosity which varies logarithmically with temperature and coacts with said selected materials having respective coefficients of thermal expansion whereby said space between said journal and said sleeve means varies as a linear function of temperature thereby providing a hydrodynamic bearing having a radial load capacity which remains substantially constant over said prescribed range of temperatures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A hydrodynamic journal bearing having a specified radial load capacity suitable for operation over a prescribed range of temperatures comprising journal means including a selected material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a specific radial dimension, sleeve means including at least two selected materials having second and third coefficients of thermal expansion, which are different from each other and each of which is different than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the journal means, and specific radial dimensions, said sleeve means being positioned relative to said journal means to provide a space therebetween, and fluid means filling said space between said journal means and said sleeve means having a coefficient of viscosity which varies logarithmically with temperature and coacts with said selected materials having respective coefficients of thermal expansion whereby said space between said journal and said sleeve means varies as a linear function of temperature thereby providing a hydrodynamic bearing having a radial load capacity which remains substantially constant over said prescribed range of temperatures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A hydrodynamic bearing as recited in claim 1 in which said journal means and said sleeve means include selected materials having coefficients of thermal expansion such that said specific radial dimensions increase linearly with temperature and said fluid means includes a liquid having a coefficient of viscosity which decreases logarithmically with temperature whereby said space between said journal means and said sleeve means decreases linearly with temperature as said viscosity of said liquid decreases logarithmically with temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A hydrodynamic bearing as recited in claim 2 in which said selected material in said journal means includes 303 stainless steel, said sleeve means includes a first material of AISI 52-100 and a second material of brass and said fluid means includes a quantity of lubricant-Plexol 262.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
A hydrodynamic bearing as described in claim 1 in which said journal means includes a rotating reservoir containing a quantity of fluid means and a plurality of ports located at the ends of said journal means for creating a high pressure area midway between said ends of said journal means, said ports allowing said fluid means in said reservoir to automatically replenish any depletion of said fluid means in said space between said journal means and said sleeve means from said reservoir means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A hydrodynamic bearing as described in claim 4 in which said ports are located midway between said ends of said journal member and high pressure areas are created at the ends of said journal member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
185 words
A pair of spaced hydrodynamic bearings for supporting a rotatable device subject to axial displacement under variable operating temperatures comprising first bearing means including a first journal member and a first sleeve member in which said first journal member includes surface configurations for producing areas of low pressure at the ends of said first journal member and areas of high pressure at the center of said first journal member thereby providing radial support only to said rotatable device, and second bearing means including a second journal member and a second sleeve member in which said second journal member includes surface configurations for producing areas of high pressure at the ends of said second journal member and areas of low pressure at the center of said second journal which provides radial support to said rotatable device and axial support surfaces coupled to said second journal member and said second sleeve member having surface configurations for producing areas of high pressure proximate said second journal member and areas of low pressure at the periphery of said axial support surfaces thereby proViding axial support to said rotatable device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
185 words
A pair of spaced hydrodynamic bearings for supporting a rotatable device subject to axial displacement under variable operating temperatures comprising first bearing means including a first journal member and a first sleeve member in which said first journal member includes surface configurations for producing areas of low pressure at the ends of said first journal member and areas of high pressure at the center of said first journal member thereby providing radial support only to said rotatable device, and second bearing means including a second journal member and a second sleeve member in which said second journal member includes surface configurations for producing areas of high pressure at the ends of said second journal member and areas of low pressure at the center of said second journal which provides radial support to said rotatable device and axial support surfaces coupled to said second journal member and said second sleeve member having surface configurations for producing areas of high pressure proximate said second journal member and areas of low pressure at the periphery of said axial support surfaces thereby proViding axial support to said rotatable device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A pair of spaced hydrodynamic bearings as described in claim 6 in which said journal means includes rotating reservoir means disposed within said journal means and ports in the surface of said journal means for connecting said reservoir means with said areas of low pressure between said journal means and said sleeve means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A closed loop fluid system for hydrodynamic bearings which include a rotating member and a stationary member comprising rotating reservoir means including sintered material disposed within said rotating member for storing a quantity of said fluid, stationary reservoir means including sintered material disposed on the interior exposed surfaces of said stationary member for collecting a quantity of said fluid, and pump means including a wick of sintered material connected to said stationary reservoir means and journalled within said rotating member for conducting said fluid from said stationary reservoir means to said rotating reservoir means thereby providing a closed loop circulating flow of fluid within said hydrodynamic bearing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A closed loop fluid system for hydrodynamic bearings which include a rotating member and a stationary member comprising rotating reservoir means including sintered material disposed within said rotating member for storing a quantity of said fluid, stationary reservoir means including sintered material disposed on the interior exposed surfaces of said stationary member for collecting a quantity of said fluid, and pump means including a wick of sintered material connected to said stationary reservoir means and journalled within said rotating member for conducting said fluid from said stationary reservoir means to said rotating reservoir means thereby providing a closed loop circulating flow of fluid within said hydrodynamic bearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
194 words
A combination journal and thrust hydrodynamic bearing having a specified radial load capacity and a specified axial load capacity for operation over a prescribed range of temperatures comprising journal means having radial and axial surfaces including a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and specific radial and axial dimensions, sleeve means having radial and axial surfaces including at least three selected materials having second, third and fourth coefficients of thermal expansion which are different from each other and each of which is different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the journal means, and specific radial and axial dimensions, said sleeve means being positioned relative to said journal means to provide radial and axial spaces therebetween, and fluid means filling said spaces between said journal means and said sleeve means having a coefficient of viscosity which varies logarithmically with temperature and coacts with said selected materials having respective coefficients of thermal expansion whereby said spaces between said journal and said sleeve means vary as a linear function of temperature thereby providing a combination hydrodynamic bearing having respective radial and axial load capacities which remain substantially constant over said prescribed range of temperatures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
194 words
A combination journal and thrust hydrodynamic bearing having a specified radial load capacity and a specified axial load capacity for operation over a prescribed range of temperatures comprising journal means having radial and axial surfaces including a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and specific radial and axial dimensions, sleeve means having radial and axial surfaces including at least three selected materials having second, third and fourth coefficients of thermal expansion which are different from each other and each of which is different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the journal means, and specific radial and axial dimensions, said sleeve means being positioned relative to said journal means to provide radial and axial spaces therebetween, and fluid means filling said spaces between said journal means and said sleeve means having a coefficient of viscosity which varies logarithmically with temperature and coacts with said selected materials having respective coefficients of thermal expansion whereby said spaces between said journal and said sleeve means vary as a linear function of temperature thereby providing a combination hydrodynamic bearing having respective radial and axial load capacities which remain substantially constant over said prescribed range of temperatures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A hydrodynamic bearing as recited in claim 9 in which said journal means and said sleeve means include selected materials having coefficients of thermal expansion such that said specific radial and axial dimensions increase linearly with temperature and said fluid means includes a liquid having a coefficient of viscosity which decreases logarithmically with temperature whereby said spaces between said journal means and said sleeve means decrease linearly with temperature as said viscosity of said liquid decreases logarithmically with temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1176833A
Cited
US1715978A
Cited
US1982937A
Cited
AT200072B
Cited
US2729106A
Cited
US2956841A
Cited
US3517973A
Cited
US3655248A
Cited
US3597026A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |