GB785554A - Thrust-bearing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

785,554. Bearings. SOC. ALSACIENNE DE CONSTRUCTIONS MECANIQUES. April 12, 1955 [April 14, 1954], No. 10507/55. Class 12 (1). A fluid thrust bearing for a rotary shaft 2 subjected to end thrust F is provided by liquid supplied from a reservoir through a pipe 52 and passage 48 in a fixed plate 22 to the inner ends of radial ducts 54 provided in a rotor 28 keyed to the shaft 2, the ducts at their outer ends having ports 58 leading to an annular chamber 32 formed by the fixed plate 22 and the rotor 28. As the shaft 2 rotates centrifugal force on the liquid in the radial ducts transmits pressure through the ports 58 against the fixed plate 22 to resist the thrust F. Means as for example fins or blades may be provided in the chamber 32 to prevent the liquid therein from rotating. As shown, the shaft 2 is journalled on ball bearings 4, 6 and is provided with a thrust bearing 44 housed in a bore 66 in a fixed block 20, the bearing 44 serving during the starting period as a mechanical thrust bearing. Instead of using a bearing 44, liquid under pressure may be fed momentarily into the pipe 52 to help in resisting the thrust F. The chamber 32 may be formed by recessing the rotor 28, as shown in Fig. 1, by recessing the fixed plate 22, or as shown in Fig. 3 by recessing both the rotor 28 and the plate 22. The plate 22, Fig. 3, is provided with an annular recess 71 opposite the ports 58 the recess communicating with passages 72 leading to the inner peripheral zone of the annular chamber.