Hydrostatically supported pivoted pad slider bearing with very high load-bearing capacity

摘要

A pivoted slider bearing supported on a hydrostatic film. The pressurized oil which supports the hydrostatic film is supplied from the wedge film of the bearing. The geometry of the pressure transfer passages between the wedge film and the hydrostatic film arrange the film pressures so that bending moments (and hence deformations) on the pivoting pad are minimized. The hydrostatic film is very thin, so the effective bending stiffness of the pad is the bending stiffness of the hydrostatic film supporting structure. This supporting structure can be very stiff. With the hydrostatically supported pivoted pad, the high load bearing capacity theoretically available with pivoting pads is made available in practice. The hydrostatically supported pivoted pad slider bearing is disclosed for applications in engine connecting rod big-end bearings and engine main bearing caps. A geometry which eliminates yaw instability is disclosed for applications where load is continuous on the pad. A hydrostatically supported pivoted pad slider bearing wherein the lubricant is grease rather oil is also disclosed.