Diverted flow thrust bearing

Abstract

A hydrodynamic thrust bearing having a series arrangement of three differently configured land sections across the bearing axial surface that are separated by an oil supply groove (on one side) and an oil return or collection grove (on an opposite side). Configured in this manner, oil is provided onto the series of land sections by the oil supply groove and is collected after passing over the series of land sections by the separate oil collection groove. The use of separate oil supply and collection grooves acts to minimize mixing, of input oil with the heated return oil, thereby reducing oil film temperature and increasing bearing thrust load capacity.

1 . A hydrodynamic thrust bearing comprising: 
 an annular bearing body having central shaft opening and an axially-directed face at one of the body axial ends, the face comprising: 
 an oil supply channel disposed adjacent a body inside diameter;  
 an oil return channel disposed adjacent a body outside diameter;  
 a number of thrust pads defined along one end surface by an oil supply groove extending radially a partial distance across the face from the oil supply channel, and defined along another end surface by an oil return groove extending radially a partial distance across the face from the oil return channel, the oil supply groove and the oil return groove separated from one another by a separator rib that prevents oil migration therebetween.  
   
     
     
         2 . A hydrodynamic thrust bearing as defined in  claim 1  wherein 
 a leading edge of each of the thrust pads is adjacent the oil supply groove and the trailing edge of each pad is adjacent the oil return groove.