BEARING ASSEMBLY AND DAMPER SPRING COMPOSITE

摘要

A flexible damped bearing assembly for securing a rotating shaft maintained within a bearing is disclosed. An annular damper formed from a resilient material includes an axial bore for receiving the bearing and shaft. The damper is additionally slotted to define damper arms extending outwardly therefrom. Damper pads are used in conjunction with the damper arms to define pivot points about which the damper arms are displaced on the application of force to the damper. A damping fluid is provided between the slots and the exterior surface of the damper and a retainer structure such that numerous damping locations are provided. The damper arms are further defined to provide a spring force which may be tuned as required. This combination provides a compact bearing assembly capable of supporting a shaft while damping vibratory oscillations.