Thrust bearing assembly

摘要

A thrust bearing assembly for supporting an end surface against an axial load, includes a first part with a chamber; a second part disposed in the chamber and having a load surface facing the end surface; and a third part fixed with the first part and spaced from the second part. A reservoir for storing lubricant is formed in the chamber between the second part and third part. A narrow passage communicates the reservoir with the load surface to allow the lubricant to flow from the reservoir to the load surface to lubricate the interface between the load surface and the end surface when the axial load rotates.

主权项

1. A thrust bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft against an axial load, the shaft being associated with an end surface arranged to bear against the thrust bearing assembly, the thrust bearing assembly comprising:
a first part defining a chamber, the first part being cylindrical and having an inner surface; a second part entirely disposed inside the chamber, the second part contacting the inner surface of the first part; a third part fixed with the inner surface of the first part and spaced from the second part; a load surface arrange to face the end surface, the load surface being formed by at least one of the second part and the third part; a reservoir, for accommodating lubricant, formed in the chamber between the second part and the third part, the reservoir being formed and enclosed by the inner surface of the first part, the second part and the third part; and a passage formed between the second and third parts and communicating having a first end directly connected to the reservoir and a second end directly connected to the load surface to allow the lubricant to flow from the reservoir to the load surface, wherein the first, second and third parts are made of material with low porosity, and wherein the passage has an L-shape in a cross section.