Patent ID: 8740461
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: D21G,F16C

Abstract:
1. A fluid bearing assembly, comprising: (a) an outer component having a main longitudinal axis, the outer component being shaped to define an interior cavity; (b) an inner component disposed within the interior cavity and extending in a coaxial relationship relative to the outer component, the inner and outer components together defining a first air gap; and (c) a thrust plate axially coupled to the inner component, the thrust plate and the outer component together defining a second air gap, the thrust plate being adapted to be axially displaced along the inner component and retained at multiple fixed positions relative thereto in order to modify the size of the second air gap; (d) wherein each of the first and second air gaps is adapted to receive a fluid, the delivery of the fluid into the first air gap creating a tapered fluid bearing between the inner and outer components, the delivery of the fluid into the second air gap creating a fluid thrust bearing between the thrust plate and the outer component.