US 12,078,203 B2
Hydrodynamic bearing system and method for operating said hydrodynamic bearing system
Andrew Triscari, Hubertus, WI (US); and Ian Hunt, Sussex, WI (US)
Assigned to GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed by GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Wauwatosa, WI (US)
Filed on Apr. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/301,863.
Application 18/301,863 is a continuation of application No. 17/409,691, filed on Aug. 23, 2021, granted, now 11,655,848.
Application 17/409,691 is a continuation of application No. 16/776,099, filed on Jan. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,098,755, issued on Aug. 24, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0272819 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F16C 17/10 (2006.01); H01J 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 17/107 (2013.01) [H01J 35/104 (2019.05); F16C 2316/10 (2013.01); F16C 2380/16 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydrodynamic bearing system comprising:
a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity;
a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity;
a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity;
a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first shaft and configured to support radial loads;
a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second shaft and configured to support radial loads; and
a first thrust bearing including a first flange in the first shaft positioned axially outward from the first journal bearing.
 
10. A hydrodynamic bearing system comprising:
a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity;
a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity;
a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity;
a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first shaft and configured to support radial loads;
a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second shaft and configured to support radial loads; and
a first rotating seal formed between the first shaft and the first interior cavity and a second rotating seal formed between the second shaft and the second interior cavity.
 
12. A hydrodynamic bearing system comprising:
a sleeve assembly including a cross-member fluidically dividing a first interior cavity from a second interior cavity, where the cross-member includes a first extension fluidly sealing an axial end of the first interior cavity and a second extension fluidly sealing an axial end of the second interior cavity;
a first shaft positioned in the first interior cavity;
a second shaft positioned in the second interior cavity;
a first journal bearing including a first fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the first shaft and configured to support radial loads; and
a second journal bearing including a second fluid interface surrounding at least a portion of the second shaft and configured to support radial.