Patent ID: 6997613

Claim:
A foil bearing, comprising: a stationary mount member for surrounding an outer circumferential surface of a journal of a rotating member via an annular gap; and a foil assembly disposed in the gap to support the journal, wherein the foil assembly comprises a top foil having one end secured to a gravity-wise upper portion of the stationary mount member and circumferentially extending in one direction to assume a substantially cylindrical shape and whereby oppose a substantially entire portion of an outer circumferential surface of the journal, and a plurality of spring foils arranged in an annular gap between the top foil and the stationary mount member, wherein each of the spring foils consists of a resilient piece which is bent to have a joint portion attached to the stationary mount member and a slide contact portion for contacting the top foil, and wherein the spring foils are arranged in a circumferential direction such that the slide contact portions of adjoining ones of the spring foils partially overlap each other.