摘要 |
A foil-fluid bearing assembly (10) adapted for supporting a shaft (12) within an outer bearing housing (14). The foil-fluid bearing assembly (10) comprises a bearing sleeve (16) having an outer surface (20) and an inner circumferential surface (18) diametrically sized to receive the shaft (12) therewithin such that an annular clearance gap (24), radially defined between an outer surface (26) of the shaft (12) and the inner circumferential surface (18), is adapted for accommodating fluid therein and axially extends along a substantial portion of a length of the bearing sleeve (16), and has a foil element (28) disposed therewithin. Compliant bearing supports (30, 32) between the outer surface (20) of the bearing sleeve (16) and the outer bearing housing (14), comprises at least two independent compliant support elements (30, 32) respectively having a first and a second modulus of elasticity, wherein the first modulus of elasticity is less than the second modulus of elasticity. Angular misalignment capability for the foil-fluid bearing (10) is provided by the compliant support elements (30, 32).
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