Foil bearing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A foil journal bearing comprising:
- a housing having an opening to receive the journal of a shaft;
a plurality of foil supports extending longitudinally through the opening, said foil supports being arcuate in transverse cross section, foil support mounting plates positioned on opposite sides of the bearing to support the foil supports to surround a journal;
an endless foil element encircling each foil support in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the element to provide a section that extends between the edges of each foil support in spaced relationship to the foil supports to engage and support the journal; and
means positioned between the outer arcuate surface of each foil support and respective foil element that are movable relative to the foil support for varying the stiffness of each foil element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A foil journal bearing comprising a housing having an opening to receive the journal of a shaft, and a plurality of foil supports extending longitudinally through the opening. The foil supports having arcuate inner and outer surfaces and are positioned to transversely surround the journal. An endless foil element encircles each foil support in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the element to engage and support the journal. Rods are positioned between the outer arcuate surface of each foil support and respective foil element that are movable relative to the foil support for varying the stiffness of each foil element.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A foil journal bearing comprising:
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a housing having an opening to receive the journal of a shaft; a plurality of foil supports extending longitudinally through the opening, said foil supports being arcuate in transverse cross section, foil support mounting plates positioned on opposite sides of the bearing to support the foil supports to surround a journal; an endless foil element encircling each foil support in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis of the element to provide a section that extends between the edges of each foil support in spaced relationship to the foil supports to engage and support the journal; and means positioned between the outer arcuate surface of each foil support and respective foil element that are movable relative to the foil support for varying the stiffness of each foil element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A foil journal bearing comprising:
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a housing having an opening to receive the journal of a shaft; a plurality of foil supports extending longitudinally through the opening, said foil supports being arcuate in transverse cross section with concave inner surfaces and convex outer surfaces and positioned to transversely surround the journal; a plurality of foil elements each having one end attached to a side of each respective foil support and extending across the concave inner surface around the opposite side thereof, the other end of each foil element being anchored to said housing such that said foil elements are placed in tension across the concave inner surfaces of said respective foil supports to engage and support the journal; and a pair of foil support mounting plates each being connected to one end of said foil supports, whereby rotation of said foil support mounting plates rotates said foil supports around their longitudinal axes for varying the stiffness of said foil elements. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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Specification