Patent ID: 7547143

Claim:
A fluid dynamic bearing capsule having an integral lubricant recirculation path, comprising: a bearing capsule casing, comprising, a hollow cylindrical sleeve comprising inner and outer surfaces, and first and second faces; a first seal cap insert, comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second faces; and a first journal insert, comprising a hollow cylindrical sleeve having inner and outer surfaces, first and second faces, and an axial groove formed along the axial length of the outer surface thereof to provide a first axial lubricant recirculation channel; wherein the outer surface of the first seal cap insert is coupled with the inner surface of the bearing capsule casing, proximal to the first face of the bearing capsule; and the outer surface of the first journal insert is coupled with the inner surface of the bearing capsule casing, proximal to, but not in contact with the first seal cap, to provide a radial lubricant recirculation channel in fluid communication with the first axial lubricant recirculation channel, wherein a first thrust bearing pump pattern is formed on the second face of the first seal cap insert and biased to direct lubricant fluid flow to a first journal bearing; a second thrust bearing pump patterned is formed on the first face of a second journal insert, and biased to direct lubricant fluid flow to a second journal bearing; first and second journal bearing pump patterns are formed on the inner surfaces of the first and second journal bearing inserts, respectively, and are biased to direct lubricant fluid flow to a second radial lubricant recirculation channel.