Patent ID: 6274875
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: F16C,F16J,H01J,Y10S

Abstract:
A fluid bearing vacuum seal assembly comprising:an annular stator having first and second opposed surfaces, at least part of said first surface defining a first bearing surface, said stator also defining an aperture having a wall extending between the first and second opposed surfaces;a rotor having first and second opposed surfaces, said second surface defining in part a second bearing surface supported relative to said first bearing surface in use so that the rotor is rotatable relative to said stator;a cylindrical wall projecting axially from said second surface of said rotor through said aperture of said stator; andan annular flange projecting radially outwardly from said cylindrical wall adjacent said second surface of said stator; andat least one annular differential pumping channel defined in each of said first and second surfaces of said stator and said wall of said stator.