A stacked foil thrust bearing assembly provides a compact, lightweight, high load capacity, high temperature, oil-free foil thrust bearing for use in high speed rotating machinery. A stacked foil thrust bearing assembly comprises a plurality of thrust runners in adjacently spaced and parallel relationship. Each thrust runner includes an annular-shaped portion having generally opposite axial sides, and a thrust bearing positioned on each of the generally opposite axial sides. Each thrust bearing includes a thrust bearing plate and a spring plate operatively engaging the thrust bearing plate. A plurality of foils are circumaxially dispersed about one axial side of the thrust bearing plates. A plurality of springs are circumaxially dispersed about one axial side of the spring bearing plates.

A compliant support for an axial thrust air bearing between a shaft and a housing with an annular thrust runner extending radially from the shaft having a runner bearing surface. The housing has a housing bearing surface and an air inlet in communication with a source of pressurized air. An annular foil support sleeve is disposed on the housing bearing surface, having an air foil surface with an array of foils. The foils serve to conduct air from the air inlet forming a pressurized air curtain between the runner bearing surface and foils on the the sleeve and is then disposed of through an air outlet. The sleeve has a compliant surface with at least one compliant annular ring. The compliant surface includes at least one compliant annular ring such as a fluorocarbon O-ring for low temperature service under 300.degree. F.; a fluorosilicon O-ring for mid-range temperature service 300-600.degree. F.; or a metallic mesh ring for high temperature service over 600.degree. F.

A rotor and bearing system for a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a drive shaft, an impeller positioned on the drive shaft, and a turbine positioned on the drive shaft proximate to the impeller. The bearing system comprises one gas journal bearing supporting the drive shaft between the impeller and the turbine. The area between the impeller and the turbine is an area of increased heat along the drive shaft in comparison to other locations along the drive shaft. The section of the drive shaft positioned between impeller and the turbine is also a section of the drive shaft that experiences increased stressed and load in the turbomachine. The inventive bearing machine system positions only one radial bearing in this area of increased stress and load.

The invention provides integrated turbogenerators having a turbine wheel, a compressor impeller, and a motor generator mounted to or mechanically constrained to a common shaft, and improved components and configurations thereof.