GROOVED THRUST BEARING

摘要

Provided herein is an apparatus, including an inner component, wherein the inner component includes a thrust plate; an outer component, wherein the inner component and the outer component are positioned for relative rotation, and wherein the inner component and the outer component are positioned to form at least one bearing having a groove pattern that imparts a predetermined direction to the rotational motion of the inner component and the outer component; and a gas inlet operable to receive a pressurized gas.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an inner component,
wherein the inner component includes a thrust plate; an outer component,
wherein the inner component and the outer component are positioned for relative rotation; a gas inlet operable to receive a pressurized gas; and a groove pattern in a first thrust surface of the thrust plate,
wherein the groove pattern is operable to provide a first localized region of pressure about the first thrust surface of the thrust plate that has a greater pressure than the pressurized gas.