Patent ID: 6874641

Claim:
A hydrodynamic bearing comprising: a stationary manifold having an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid; a first bearing member received in and attached to the manifold, the first bearing member comprising an inner cylindrical wall having an axis, an outer cylindrical wall radially spaced from and coaxial with the inner cylindrical wall, a bottom member connected between the inner and outer cylindrical walls, and a first disc member extending radially outward from the outer cylindrical wall, wherein the outer cylindrical wall, the first disc member and the manifold define a channel for the received flow of liquid, wherein the outer cylindrical wall includes a plurality of radial dynamic pressure generating apertures communicating with the channel, and wherein the first disc member includes a plurality of axial dynamic pressure generating apertures communicating with the channel; and a second bearing member designed to support an object for rotation about the axis, the second bearing member comprising a cylindrical portion received between the inner and outer cylindrical walls of the first bearing member, and a second disc member extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion and facing the first disc member, wherein pressurized liquid provided against (a) the cylindrical portion via the radial dynamic pressure generating apertures, and (b) the second disc member via the axial dynamic pressure generating apertures, allows the second bearing member and an object thereon to rotate about the axis.