Patent ID: 6471404
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A bearing assembly for supporting or locating a rotary shaft in a frame, the assembly comprising an outer shell for fixing relative to the frame, the outer shell providing a pair of coaxial annular surfaces spaced apart and facing inwardly towards each other, and an inner shell arranged to provide a journal bearing or a thrust bearing for the rotary shaft, the inner shell being prevented from substantial rotation relative to the outer shell and being positioned within the outer shell and providing a pair of coaxial annular surfaces, each of which faces outwardly towards one of the inwardly-facing annular surfaces of the outer shell and is arranged substantially coaxially with, and adjacent to, its associated inwardly-facing annular surface, the inner shell being able to move axially relative to and to tilt relative to the outer shell and to move axially relative to and to tilt relative to the shaft, and each of said inwardly-facing annular surfaces and/or its associated outwardly-facing annular surface having one or more channels arranged to extend around the surface, the bearing assembly also comprising means for supplying a fluid from a high pressure source to each of the said channels through flow resistance means, said channels being so constructed and arranged that, in use, the pressure distribution around said annular surfaces at a given radius is substantially uniform.