Patent ID: 6499883
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A thrust bearing tilting pad pivotally supported and adapted to cooperate with one or more other pads and a fluid within a housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support a moving surface of a runner attached to a shaft, said tilting pad comprising:a leading portion adapted to be positioned upstream relative to a direction of movement of the moving surface; a trailing portion adapted to be positioned downstream relative to the direction of movement of the moving surface; a face including a border region and extending generally longitudinally between said leading and said trailing portions, said border region including an engagement surface and defining a pocket for hydrodynamically increasing pressure on the moving surface during movement of the moving surface, said pocket having generally longitudinal sidebars and a bottom; and wherein said pocket extends at least one of a) adjacent to a location about which said thrust bearing tilting pad is pivotable, and b) over said location about which said thrust bearing tilting pad is pivotable.