Self-aligning/centering rotating foil thrust bearing (air film type) utilized in a rotating compressor

摘要

A rotating impeller disc of a rotating compressor is utilized as a thrust bearing (air film type) by clamping a compliant foil member on each side of the rotating impeller disc to cause the foil members to rotate with the impeller disc and relative to fixed bearing surfaces on each side of the rotating impeller disc. The fixed bearing surfaces and compressor housing sections enclose the impeller/foil assembly within a compression chamber. The rotating impeller/foil assembly drags along a layer of fluid on each side of the impeller/foil assembly and is caused to be centered within the compression chamber due to the equalized fluid film pressure build up on either side of the impeller/foil assembly with no external axially alignment device required. The impeller/foil assembly is integrated as a component of the motor shaft of the motor driving the compressor. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.