Patent ID: 7413347

Claim:
A fluid dynamic bearing system having at least one stationary part ( 1 ; 5 ) and one rotating part ( 6 ) that forms a bearing gap ( 7 ) filled with bearing fluid between the opposing bearing surfaces, the bearing gap having two open ends sealed against the environment by sealing means, bearing pumping grooves ( 9 ; 12 ) being provided on at least two spatially separated bearing surfaces to generate hydrodynamic pressure and at least one supply volume ( 18 ; 19 ) connected to the bearing gap being available for the bearing fluid, wherein the sealing means are disposed at the open ends of the bearing gap ( 7 ) on at least one of the bearing parts ( 1 ; 5 ; 6 ) and designed to generate a pumping action on the bearing fluid directed towards the interior of the bearing and, as a result, create a dynamic seal for the open ends of the bearing gap, wherein the sealing means are formed by the bearing pumping grooves ( 9 ; 12 ) or sealing pumping grooves ( 42 ; 43 ) separate to the bearing pumping grooves, wherein during the operation of the bearing system one of the sealing pumping grooves or bearing pumping grooves is only partially filled with bearing fluid, and a supply volume is disposed at each open end beyond the sealing pumping grooves or bearing pumping grooves.