Thrust bearing for HVAC compressor

摘要

Embodiments of a thrust bearing that may be used with a crankshaft of a HVAC compressor, particularly a HVAC compressor with a vertical or near-vertical placed crankshaft (e.g. a scroll compressor) are provided. The thrust bearing may generally include a bearing header and an insert. The insert may include an insert surface, which is configured to interact with a shaft surface of the crankshaft. The insert surface of the insert may include surface features that may help create flow behavior of the lubricant by a relative motion between the shaft surface of the crankshaft and the insert surface of the insert. The flow behavior of the lubricant may help separate the insert surface of the insert and the shaft surface of the crankshaft by the lubricant in operation to form the bearing, such as a hydrodynamic bearing.

主权项

1. An insert for a hydrodynamic thrust bearing, comprising:
a ring-like body having a crankshaft contacting surface; and at least one structural configuration on the crankshaft contacting surface, the structural configuration including a lubricant receiving region, a first transitional region having a sloped ramp with a height increasing from the lubricant receiving region to a flat region, and a second transitional region next to the flat region and having a sloped ramp with a height decreasing from the flat region, sequentially arranged along the crankshaft contacting surface; wherein the lubricant receiving region includes a groove configured to receive and direct lubricant when the hydrodynamic thrust bearing is in operation.