Patent ID: 6588933
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A thrust bearing for a rotating machine having a shaft, the thrust bearing comprising:an oil collecting chamber; a rotating ring for mounting to the shaft of the rotating machine, the rotating ring having a first bearing surface; and, a plurality of segmented bearing shoes mounted in the oil collecting chamber and the oil collecting chamber filled with oil to a level below the rotor and bearing shoes, each of the segmented bearing shoes comprising a second bearing surface over which the first bearing surface of the rotating ring slides, a leading edge and a trailing edge in a direction of shaft rotation, an oil inlet located adjacent one of the leading edge and the trailing edge, oil filled passages extending within the bearing shoe from the oil inlet towards the leading edge of the shoe, and a recessed groove extending across the bearing shoe adjacent the leading edge in fluid communication with the passages for directing oil from the passages along the groove towards the rotating ring whereby oil passes in the oil inlet, along the passages to regulate bearing shoe temperature and out the groove to spread a lubricating oil film to the leading edge of the bearing segments and between the first and second bearing surfaces; and, each of the bearing shoes comprising a secondary oil inlet adjacent the other of the leading edge and trailing edge of the bearing shoe, the secondary oil inlet being in fluid communication with the oil filled passages and the recessed groove for providing a safety back-up lubrication and cooling source.