Patent ID: 7217039
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. An emergency bearing that is insensitive to axial load for a rotary machine having magnetic bearings presenting a mean radial airgap ε r relative to a rotor, the emergency bearing comprising at least one bearing member such that a radial clearance is provided between the bearing member and the rotor, the value ε r /2 of the radial clearance being about half the mean radial airgap ε r of the magnetic bearings, and an axial clearance (ε a ) is provided on either side of the bearing member between the bearing member and first and second axial abutment elements, wherein the bearing further comprises an emergency landing device comprising an intermediate element having a large contact area with a stator element, said intermediate element being interposed between the bearing member and said stator element which is fixed to the stator with a radial clearance relative to said stator element, contact means having a very low coefficient of friction being provided between the intermediate element and the stator element to reduce friction during rotary motion between these two elements and preloading means interposed between the intermediate element and the bearing member and acting axially thereon.