| 摘要 |
A hydrodynamic thrust, journal or combined radial and thrust bearing which may be mounted within a sealed housing assembly which can be, for example, be used to replace rolling element bearings. The bearing can be designed for mounting to either the shaft or housing. If mounted for rotation with the shaft, the bearing pads move relative to a smooth support surface. The bearing includes a bearing pad structure that may change shape and move in any direction (six degrees of freedom) to optimize formation of a converging wedge for hydrodynamic operation, equalization of load on the bearing pads in thrust bearings and to adjust for any shaft misalignment. The bearing pad may be formed so as to contact the shaft in the installed state and to deflect under fluid film pressure. The pad is separated from the support member by a support structure which includes one or more beam-like members. The support structure preferably includes a primary support portion, a secondary support portion and a tertiary support portion. The beams allow deflection of the pad by either deflecting or twisting in a torsional mode. The bearing pad support structure may include portions which are fluid dampened. Alternatively, discrete pads may be mounted to the static housing portion. The sealed housing assembly includes a static housing portion, a rotatable housing portion and a plurality of seals providing a seal between the static housing portion and the rotating housing portion. The housing assembly can be used as part of a modular sealed bearing construction. One or more piezoelectric elements may be mounted within the support structure or between the support structure and bearing pads to permit selective adjustments of the deflection characteristics of the bearing. |
