US 12,264,707 B2
Hydrodynamic bearing for supporting a rotating element, gearbox accommodating such a hydrodynamic bearing, and use of such a hydrodynamic bearing
Thomas Gaulier, Illkirch-Graffenstaden (FR); and Thomas Marmagne, Illkirch-Graffenstaden (FR)
Assigned to Flender-Graffenstaden S.A.S., Illkirch-Graffenstaden (FR)
Appl. No. 18/699,817
Filed by Flender-Graffenstaden S.A.S., Illkirch-Graffenstaden (FR)
PCT Filed Oct. 10, 2022, PCT No. PCT/EP2022/078031
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 9, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/066696, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 27, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 21203612 (EP), filed on Oct. 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0328457 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. F16C 33/10 (2006.01); F16C 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 33/1065 (2013.01) [F16C 17/022 (2013.01); F16C 33/1045 (2013.01); F16C 2361/65 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydrodynamic bearing for a rotating element, the hydrodynamic bearing comprising:
an unloaded sliding surface;
a loaded sliding surface downstream of the unloaded sliding surface;
a first injection pocket arranged within the unloaded sliding surface;
a second injection pocket arranged within the loaded sliding surface;
a radial recess arranged within both the unloaded sliding surface and the loaded sliding surface and extending in a circumferential direction such as to overlap both the first injection pocket and the second injection pocket in the circumferential direction, the radial recess defining or delimiting an active area of both the unloaded sliding surface and the loaded sliding surface,
wherein each of the first and second injection pockets has an axial length which is smaller than an axial extension of the active area upstream or downstream in a corresponding circumferential sliding section of the unloaded sliding surface and loaded sliding surface in which the first and second injection pockets respectively are arranged, and
wherein the radial recess provides for fluid communication between an evacuation point and the unloaded sliding surface.
 
17. A gearbox, comprising a hydrodynamic bearing as set forth in claim 1, for use in a turbo application requiring at least 60 m/s of journal velocity.