Patent ID: 8029194

Claim:
A hydrodynamic fluid film bearing assembly comprising: a retaining member having an inner surface defining a central opening within which a rotatable shaft is receivable for rotation and a plurality of longitudinally extending channels formed into the inner surface; and a foil assembly disposed within and generally lining the inner surface of the retaining member, said foil assembly comprising a plurality of foil sub-assemblies, each foil sub-assembly subtending a rotational segment, less than all, of the inner surface and comprising: (i) a first compliant foil; (ii) a second compliant foil disposed radially outwardly of the first compliant foil; and (iii) a spring foil disposed radially outwardly of the first and second compliant foils; a projection extending in a generally radial direction at a proximal end of at least one of the first compliant foil, the second compliant foil and the spring foil and adapted to fit within one of the longitudinally extending channels formed into the retaining member, and a retention tab extending from the projection in a generally non-radial direction; wherein the corresponding channel into which the projection and the retention tab are fit includes a first portion extending from the inner surface of the retaining member in a generally radial direction for restricting rotational slipping of the foil subassembly and a second portion extending in a non-radial direction that receives the retention tab for restraining the foil subassembly from radial deflection; and wherein the first compliant foil, the second compliant foil, and the spring foil of each foil subassembly are mounted within the retaining member with the second compliant foil extending within the central opening in a first rotational direction and the spring foil and the first compliant foil extending within the central opening in a second rotational direction opposing the direction of the second compliant foil, such that sliding travel of the spring foil and the first compliant foil is in the opposite rotational direction of sliding travel of the second compliant foil.