Patent ID: 9121447
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. A rotational gas bearing for allowing rotation about a single axis while supplying pressurized gas through the bearing, the gas bearing being configured for fluid communication with a pressurized gas supply and a gas sink, the gas bearing comprising: a) a gas supply member defining a gas supply bearing surface; b) a gas sink member defining a gas sink bearing surface; c) a depression in one of the gas supply member and the gas sink member, the depression being shaped as a first surface of revolution, the depression defining one of the gas supply bearing surface and the gas sink bearing surface; d) a protrusion protruding from the other of the gas supply member and the gas sink member, the protrusion shaped as a second surface of revolution, the protrusion sized to fit within the depression with a predetermined clearance, the protrusion defining the other one of the gas supply bearing surface and the gas sink bearing surface; e) at least one opening in the gas supply bearing surface, the opening adapted for fluid communication with the pressurized gas supply at a feed pressure via the gas supply member; f) a porous coating covering a portion of the gas supply bearing surface, the porous coating adapted for fluid communication with the pressurized gas supply via the gas supply member for maintaining a bearing pressure between the porous coating and the gas sink bearing surface, the bearing pressure being greater than the feed pressure; g) an annular channel in the gas sink bearing surface aligned with and located opposite the opening, the channel adapted for fluid communication with the gas sink via the gas sink member.