US 12,259,002 B2
Thrust air bearing
Koji Sakota, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by IHI Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/308,677.
Application 18/308,677 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2021/038633, filed on Oct. 19, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-191066 (JP), filed on Nov. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0258230 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
Int. Cl. F16C 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 17/042 (2013.01) [F16C 2360/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thrust air bearing comprising:
a plurality of foil units arranged adjacent to each other in a circle; and
an annular base plate to which the plurality of foil units are fixed, a foil fixing portion configured to removably fix the foil unit to the base plate,
wherein each foil unit includes:
a top foil portion;
a bump foil portion integrally provided with the top foil portion and disposed opposite the top foil portion in a circumferential direction of the circle; and
wherein the top foil portion of each foil unit lies on top of the bump foil portion of an adjacent foil unit.
 
3. A thrust air bearing comprising:
a plurality of foil units arranged adjacent to each other in a circle;
an annular base plate to which the plurality of foil units are fixed; and
a foil fixing portion fixing each foil unit to the base plate,
wherein each foil unit includes a top foil portion, and a bump foil portion integrally provided with the top foil portion and disposed opposite the top foil portion in a circumferential direction of the circle,
wherein the top foil portion of each foil unit lies on top of the bump foil portion of an adjacent foil unit,
wherein each foil unit includes a fix receiving portion provided between the top foil portion and the bump foil portion,
wherein the base plate includes a positioning groove in which the fix receiving portion fits,
wherein the positioning groove extends in a radial direction of the annular base plate, and
wherein the fix receiving portion includes an engaging projection portion engaging with the positioning groove, and a receiving recess portion with which the foil fixing portion engages on a side opposite the engaging projection portion.
 
9. A thrust air bearing comprising:
a base plate including an inner circumferential surface located around a shaft, wherein the base plate includes a positioning groove;
a plurality of foil units facing the base plate in an axial direction of the shaft and annularly located around the inner circumferential surface of the base plate, wherein each of the foil units includes a top foil portion, a bump foil portion and a fix receiving portion located between the top foil portion and the bump foil portion; and
a foil fixing portion that faces the fix receiving portion in the axial direction and attaches the fix receiving portion to the base plate,
wherein the fix receiving portion includes a projection portion protruding from the top foil portion and the bump foil portion, and
wherein the projection portion is fitted in and pressure bonded to the positioning groove of the base plate by the foil fixing portion.
 
14. A thrust air bearing comprising:
an annular-shaped base plate including an inner circumferential surface located around a shaft; and
a plurality of foil units facing the base plate in an axial direction of the shaft and annularly located around the inner circumferential surface of the base plate,
wherein each of the foil units includes a top foil portion, a bump foil portion and a fix receiving portion located between the top foil portion and the bump foil portion,
wherein the base plate includes a positioning groove in which the fix receiving portion is fitted to connect the top foil portion and the bump foil portion to the base plate, and
wherein the positioning groove extends from the inner circumferential surface in a radial direction of the base plate.
 
18. A foil unit of a thrust air bearing comprising:
a top foil portion;
a bump foil portion; and
a connecting portion located between and integrally connecting the top foil portion and the bump foil portion,
wherein the connecting portion includes a projection portion protruding from both the top foil portion and the bump foil portion, and a recess portion located on a side of the connecting portion opposite the projection portion.