Low profile thrust bearings having spaced pads and methods of making the same

摘要

A hydrodynamic thrust bearing and method of manufacturing the same. The bearing includes spaced planar pads supported on radially extending beams. The beams are connected to a base ring which is preferably circular. The radial beams support a circumferentially central region of the pads, but permit deflection of the circumferential edges of the pads for wedge formation.