Patent ID: 6623164
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A tilting pad journal bearing comprisinga bearing shell having a substantially cylindrical inner surface and at least three bearing pads extending around the inner surface of the bearing shell in a substantially circumferential direction, each of the pads being arranged for pivotal movement relative to the bearing shell about at least two mutually orthogonal axes by means of a single substantially spherically-extending surface on the pad engaging a complementary substantially spherically-extending surface associated with the bearing shell, the bearing being a self-generating bearing in which gas films between the pads and a journal are self-generated in use when the journal is rotated above a threshold rate, wherein at least one of the said substantially spherically-extending surfaces associated with the shell is provided on a member so mounted in or on the bearing shell as to be capable of radial movement relative to the shell and wherein the bearing further comprises a spring for resiliently urging the said member radially inwardly and a gas supply for supplying pressurized gas to the interface between the journal and the pad associated with the said member to create in use a separating film aerostatically at said interface to urge the said member radially outwardly, the spring and the gas supply being arranged in use to separate the pad associated with the said member from the journal when the journal is stationary and at least up to said threshold rate of journal rotation.