THERMISCHE MASCHINE MIT HYDRODYNAMISCHEM LAGER.

摘要

A bearing arrangement particularly useful for supporting the driveshaft of a thermal engine in which the driveshaft is acted upon by a rotating bending load. Since a rotating bending load of such thermal engines generates driveshaft bending deflections which rotate with the driveshaft, the bearings supporting the driveshaft must be capable of accommodating such deflection. Conventional rolling element type bearings can accommodate driveshaft deflection or wobble but have limited operational lifespans. In accordance with this invention, a driveshaft bearing arrangement is provided utilizing plane bearings having spherical surfaces which restrain radial loads while accommodating driveshaft wobble. In one embodiment, the spherical bearing includes a ring member affixed to the driveshaft having a spherical outer surface which closely conforms to a concave bearing surface. In a second embodiment, the driveshaft passes through a ring member having a cylindrical surface interacting with a cylindrical journal surface of the driveshaft to rotatably support the driveshaft. The ring member further has a convex spherical configuration closely conforming to concave spherical surfaces of outer bearing shells which accommodate driveshaft wobble.