FLUID THRUST ASSEMBLY WITH SELF-ALIGNING THRUST BEARINGS

摘要

A thrust bearing assembly is described that includes a self-aligning thrust bearing used in fluid thrust assemblies where the thrust may become unevenly distributed, e.g. in a water jet propulsion unit. The thrust bearing is designed to be lubricated by water and to be self-aligning against uneven thrust forces applied to it. The self-alignment is achieved by the design of the bearing, which is in the form of an annular multi-layer plate. The bearing plate comprises a metallic central core layer, an interface layer of marine bearing material on one side of the core and a flexible backing layer on the other side of the core. The backing layer supports the thrust flange against a support face and is formed of a high resilience polymer material capable of being deformed under thrust action sufficiently to align the thrust bearing to correct for uneven thrust.