GB969780A - Improvements in or relating to fluid thrust bearings - Google Patents

Abstract

969,780. Bearings. COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE. June 13, 1961 [June 13, 1960], No. 21303/61. Heading F2A. A fluid thrust bearing has a chamber 11 formed between a thrust member 2, which is integral with a rotatable shaft 1, and between a plain surface of a housing comprising portions 4, 4a attached by screws 4b. The static pressure of the fluid in the chamber 11 is regulated so that the axial thrust of the shaft is balanced and the escape of fluid from the chamber 11 is restricted relatively to the axial portion of said shaft. In an embodiment the fluid is supplied to the chamber 11 through conduits 12, an annular nozzle 13, an annular throat 11a and equiangularly spaced pipes 14. Fluid also passes to the chamber 11 from the throat 11a via an annular clearance 15 between the member 2 and the portion 4a of the housing. The member 2 is mounted on the shaft and is held thereto by a nut 5 and ring 6 at one end and a ring 7 at the other end. When the shaft is at rest the ring 7, having a conical outer surface, is supported by a bush 8 which is integral with a ball bearing 9 and is held in the housing by a member 10. When the shaft rotates fluid is supplied to the chamber 11 and the shaft/member 2 assembly is raised until the ring 7 is close enough to the nozzle 13 to produce a throttling effect so that the pressure in the chamber 11 balances the thrust on the shaft. A throttle diaphragm valve 12a in the conduits 12 permits the supply of a predetermined volume of fluid to the nozzle 13. The fluid escaping from the chamber 11 is restricted by baffles 16 on the outer periphery of the member 2 or as described in alternative embodiments, by being passed through a clearance between members 2, 4a which extends radially from the chamber 11 and which may include a labyrinth. The shaft is also mounted radially in a fluid bearing 3 which is supplied with fluid through the conduits 12 and a nozzle 17.