US 12,345,271 B2
Foil bearing assembly including perforated inner foil assembly and compressor including same
Patrick Shawn O'Meara, Tipp City, OH (US); Michael M. Perevozchikov, Tipp City, OH (US); and Zheji Liu, Tipp City, OH (US)
Assigned to Copeland LP, Sidney, OH (US)
Filed by Copeland LP, Sidney, OH (US)
Filed on Nov. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/509,780.
Application 18/509,780 is a continuation of application No. 18/162,396, filed on Jan. 31, 2023, granted, now 11,852,153.
Prior Publication US 2024/0254998 A1, Aug. 1, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16C 17/02 (2006.01); F04D 29/05 (2006.01); F04D 29/057 (2006.01); F16C 1/02 (2006.01); F16C 43/02 (2006.01); F25B 31/02 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 29/057 (2013.01) [F16C 17/024 (2013.01); F16C 43/02 (2013.01); F16C 2360/00 (2013.01); F25B 31/026 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bearing system comprising:
a bearing housing including:
a sleeve defining a cylindrical bore; and
a mounting structure for connecting the bearing system to a compressor housing; and
a foil bearing assembly positioned within the cylindrical bore and including:
an inner foil assembly including a cylindrical inner surface; and
a bump foil assembly positioned radially outward from the inner foil assembly, the bump foil assembly including a plurality of bump foils disposed circumferentially about the inner foil assembly, wherein each of the bump foils is spaced circumferentially from an adjacent bump foil to define a gap therebetween, wherein each of the bump foils comprises a plurality of bump foil strips extending from a first edge to a second edge, wherein each bump foil strip is spaced axially from an adjacent bump foil strip to define an axial gap therebetween;
wherein the cylindrical inner surface of the inner foil assembly defines a plurality of perforations extending radially therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of perforations is radially aligned with one of the gaps between adjacent bump foils and is positioned at a common axial position with one of the axial gaps defined between adjacent bump foil strips.
 
8. A foil bearing assembly comprising:
an inner foil assembly including a cylindrical inner surface; and
a bump foil assembly positioned radially outward from the inner foil assembly, the bump foil assembly including a plurality of bump foils disposed circumferentially about the inner foil assembly, wherein each of the bump foils is spaced circumferentially from an adjacent bump foil to define a gap therebetween, wherein each of the bump foils comprises a plurality of bump foil strips extending from a first edge to a second edge, wherein each bump foil strip is spaced axially from an adjacent bump foil strip to define an axial gap therebetween,
wherein the cylindrical inner surface of the inner foil assembly defines a plurality of perforations extending radially therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of perforations is radially aligned with one of the gaps between adjacent bump foils and is positioned at a common axial position with one of the axial gaps defined between adjacent bump foil strips.
 
14. A compressor comprising:
a compressor housing;
a shaft rotatably supported within the compressor housing;
an impeller connected to the shaft and operable to impart kinetic energy to incoming refrigerant gas upon rotation of the shaft;
a bearing housing mounted to the compressor housing and including a sleeve defining a cylindrical bore; and
a foil bearing assembly rotatably supporting the shaft and positioned within the cylindrical bore, the foil bearing assembly including:
an inner foil assembly including a cylindrical inner surface; and
a bump foil assembly positioned radially outward from the inner foil assembly, the bump foil assembly including a plurality of bump foils disposed circumferentially about the inner foil assembly, wherein each of the bump foils is spaced circumferentially from an adjacent bump foil to define a gap therebetween, wherein each of the bump foils comprises a plurality of bump foil strips extending from a first edge to a second edge, wherein each bump foil strip is spaced axially from an adjacent bump foil strip to define an axial gap therebetween,
wherein the cylindrical inner surface of the inner foil assembly defines a plurality of perforations extending radially therethrough, wherein each of the plurality of perforations is radially aligned with one of the gaps between adjacent bump foils and is positioned at a common axial position with one of the axial gaps defined between adjacent bump foil strips.