Patent ID: 8206039

Claim:
A support device for a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including a housing, the housing having a central bore and a centerline extending through the bore, and a bearing having a bore for receiving a shaft rotatable about an axis, the support device comprising: a generally annular body disposable within the housing bore and having a central axis, inner and outer surfaces extending generally circumferentially about the axis, the inner surface defining a central bore configured to receive the bearing so as to retain the bearing within the housing bore, at least one first integral spring portion extending generally between the inner and outer surfaces and having stiffness of a first value wherein the at least one first integral spring portion includes a first generally arcuate cantilever portion, and at least one second integral spring portion spaced circumferentially about the axis from the first spring, the second spring extending generally between the inner and outer surfaces and having stiffness of a second value, the second stiffness value being substantially greater than the first stiffness value wherein the at least one second integral spring portion includes a second generally arcuate cantilever portion, wherein each of the first and second generally arcuate cantilever portions extend generally circumferentially with respect to the body axis and are displaceable with respect to the body axis in generally radial directions, each cantilever portion having a radial thickness, the radial thickness of each second spring cantilever portion being substantially greater than the radial thickness of each first spring cantilever portion, the body being adjustably angularly positionable about the body axis to adjust a position of the shaft axis with respect to the housing centerline when the shaft and bearing are disposed within the support bore.