The top foil of a hydrodynamic fluid film thrust bearing is formed from a single flat annular disk with radial depressions extending from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the disk that protrude toward the foil plate and define between adjacent depressions a working surface that is configured to complement the foil bumpers attached to the foil plate. The bump foils of the upper foil plate and the bump foils of the lower foil plates can be either in axial alignment or can be displaced relative to each other. When the two sets of bump foils are displaced, the leading edge of the upper bump foils are disposed upstream (relative to the direction of the air stream entering the bump foils) of the leading edge of the lower bump foils.
An improved foil thrust bearing includes a cooling fluid flow turbulence generating disk placed between other foil thrust bearing elements, such as thrust bearing elements and underspring elements. The inventive turbulence generating disk generally provides improved transfer of heat through the foil and into the cooling fluid of foil thrust bearings that may be used for high rotor speed applications. It accomplishes this by improving the transfer of heat through the foil and into the cooling fluid by generating turbulent cooling flow adjacent to the back of the top foil. The turbulent flow is generated primarily by a series of turns or protrusions introduced into the cooling flow stream. Alternate embodiments are disclosed that provide the turbulence generating elements as part of the underside of thrust bearing elements.
A thrust bearing for a rotating member that is subject to axial forces causing movement in an axial direction of a rotating member. A sealing surface is positioned on at least a portion of the rotating member. A bearing is positioned adjacent the rotating member. A sealing face is positioned on the bearing. The sealing face is disposed to be in opposed relationship with the sealing surface on the rotating member. A bearing space is located between the sealing face and the sealing surface. A fluid reservoir is positioned in the bearing and is in communication with the bearing space. A passageway extends through the bearing to a discharge region adjacent the rotating member to supply a fluid to the fluid reservoir. A plurality of pockets are positioned on the sealing surface of the rotating member.
A thrust bearing for a rotating member that is subject to axial forces causing movement in an axial direction of a rotating member. A sealing surface is positioned on at least a portion of the rotating member. A bearing is positioned adjacent the rotating member. A sealing face is positioned on the bearing. The sealing face is disposed to be in opposed relationship with the sealing surface on the rotating member. A bearing space is located between the sealing face and the sealing surface. A fluid reservoir is positioned in the bearing and is in communication with the bearing space. A passageway extends through the bearing to a volute adjacent the rotating member to supply a fluid to the fluid reservoir. A plurality of pockets are positioned on the sealing face of the bearing. The pockets are positioned to be in communication with the fluid reservoir. A plurality of wedge shaped depressions are positioned on the sealing face of the bearing. The depressions are disposed to be positioned adjacent and in communication with the pockets and the fluid reservoir. Fluid from the reservoir enters the pockets. As the rotating member rotates, the fluid in the pockets is dragged by the rotating member in the wedge shaped depressions. The pressure on the fluid increases as the fluid is forced, due to the rotation of the rotating member, into a decreasing clearance formed by the wedge shaped depressions. The increased fluid pressure in the depressions also acts on the sealing face of the bearing to counteract axial forces placed on the rotating member.
