Brush Damper Rings for Radial Fluid Bearing

摘要

A bearing assembly for a rotating shaft, with brush rings on both sides of the bearing mechanism for damping bearing motion. In a foil gas bearing embodiment, the bearing itself comprises a hollow sleeve, a compliant layer, and a top foil layer. These bearing elements are arranged in a conventional manner except that the top foil layer extends beyond the sleeve. A sleeve extension extends over the extended portion of the top foil layer. Two opposing brush rings, an inner brush ring and an outer brush ring, are attached to the top foil layer extension and the sleeve extension, respectively. The bristles of an inner brush ring and the bristles of an outer brush ring are interposed and provide damping during operation of the bearing.

主权项

1. A foil gas bearing for a rotating shaft, comprising:
a hollow sleeve; a compliant layer surrounding the inner surface of the sleeve; a top foil layer inside the compliant layer; wherein the compliant layer supports the top foil layer during rotation of the shaft by means of a spring-like structure; wherein the top foil layer extends beyond the sleeve on at least one end of the sleeve; a sleeve extension over the portion of the top foil layer that extends beyond the sleeve; an inner brush ring on the outer surface of the top foil layer and having bristles that extend outwardly from the top foil layer; and an outer brush ring on the inner surface of the sleeve extension and having bristles that extend inwardly from the sleeve extension; wherein the bristles of the inner brush ring and the bristles of the outer brush ring are interposed.