Hydrodynamic shaft bearing with concentric outer hydrostatic bearing

摘要

The bearing assembly (2) has an outer bearing member (4) with a cylindrical bore (6) through it and a cylindrical inner bearing member (8) extending coaxially within the bore in the outer bearing member. The inner bearing member has a cylindrical bore (10) through it for accepting a rotating shaft (12). A conduit is provided for supplying fluid to the bore in the outer bearing member to form a hydrostatic bearing between the inner bearing member and the outer bearing member. The conduit has a passageway through the inner bearing member with four openings into the bore (39) in the outer bearing member. The openings are arranged in pairs in opposing regions of the bore. A second conduit is provided for independently supplying fluid to the bore in the inner bearing member to form a hydrodynamic bearing between the inner bearing member and a shaft located in the bore. The second conduit has a passageway with two openings into the bore (30) in the inner bearing member in opposing regions of the bore.