Patent ID: 7008111

Claim:
Apparatus producing a self-regulating fluid bearing between a rotor and stator wherein said stator is a laminate of platelets, said apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating a signal representative of a pressure change within a first gap between opposing surfaces of said rotor and said stator, said pressure change being one that is indicative of a displacement of said rotor caused by a load imposed on said rotor; second signal generating means for generating a signal representative of a pressure change within a second gap between opposing surfaces of said rotor and said stator, said pressure change being one that is indicative of a displacement of said rotor caused by a load imposed on said rotor; a source of pressurized fluid; a first channel configured to convey fluid from said source of pressurized fluid to said first gap and a second channel configured to convey fluid from said source of pressurized fluid to said second gap, said first and second channels residing in said stator and defined by superimposed openings in adjacent platelets; and fluid flow regulating means for regulating fluid flow through said first and second channels in response to said signals to reduce said displacements.