Pressure balanced bearing

Abstract

A method of pressure balancing across a bearing adjacent to a pressure differential is described. The method primarily includes providing a bypass port around the bearing for allowing a fluid flow from a first pressure side to a second pressure side. A throttle body for an engine is also described. The throttle body primarily includes: (1) a bearing cooperating with the valve body; and (2) a bypass port around the bearing for allowing the fluid flow from a first pressure side to a second pressure side.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
   
   
       38 . A valve body for an engine, wherein a pressure differential is present in proximity to the valve body, the pressure differential including a first pressure side and a second pressure side, comprising:
 a bearing cooperating with a valve body; and   a bypass port around said bearing for allowing a fluid flow from the first pressure side to the second pressure side.   
   
   
       39 . The invention according to  claim 38 , said valve body further comprising a selectively operable valve for metering a fluid flow. 
   
   
       40 . The invention according to  claim 38 , wherein the first pressure side is a high-pressure side. 
   
   
       41 . The invention according to  claim 38 , wherein the second pressure side is a low-pressure side. 
   
   
       42 . The invention according to  claim 38 , further comprising a rotational shaft, said shaft rotationally cooperating with said valve body by way of said bearing. 
   
   
       43 . The invention according to  claim 38 , wherein said bypass port is configured in said shaft and provides a passage around an inner periphery of said bearing. 
   
   
       44 . The invention according to  claim 42 , wherein said passage is milled into said shaft. 
   
   
       45 . The invention according to  claim 42 , wherein said passage is molded into said shaft. 
   
   
       46 . The invention according to  claim 38 , wherein said bypass port is configured in said valve body and provides a passage around an outer periphery of said bearing. 
   
   
       47 . The invention according to  claim 46 , wherein said passage is milled into said valve body. 
   
   
       48 . The invention according to  claim 46 , wherein said passage is molded into said valve body. 
   
   
       49 . The invention according to  claim 38 , wherein said bypass port is configured in said bearing and provides a passage around an outer periphery of said bearing. 
   
   
       50 . The invention according to  claim 49 , wherein said passage is milled into said bearing. 
   
   
       51 . The invention according to  claim 49 , wherein said passage is molded into said bearing. 
   
   
       52 . The invention according to  claim 38 , wherein said bypass port is configured in said bearing and provides a passage around an inner periphery of said bearing. 
   
   
       53 . The invention according to  claim 52 , wherein said passage is milled into said bearing. 
   
   
       53 . The invention according to  claim 52 , wherein said passage is molded into said bearing. 
   
   
       55 . The invention according to  claim 38 , wherein said bearing is selected from the group consisting of a ball bearing, needle bearing, bushing, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       56 . A valve body for an engine, comprising:
 a body portion including an air intake portion;   a butterfly valve configured to meter air through said air intake portion;   said butterfly valve attached to a shaft which is configured to rotate said body portion;   said shaft being rotationally coupled with a bearing in said body portion, said bearing being fit into a cavity in said body portion; and   surfaces for forming a port bypassing said bearing between a differential pressure zone.   
   
   
       57 . The invention according to  claim 56 , wherein the differential pressure is defined axially along said shaft. 
   
   
       58 . The invention according to  claim 56 , wherein the differential pressure is between said air intake portion and a control portion of said body portion. 
   
   
       59 . The invention according to  claim 56 , wherein a passage is formed around an outside periphery of said bearing for allowing flow past said bearing in an axial direction of said shaft. 
   
   
       60 . The invention according to  claim 56 , wherein said body portion includes a high-pressure portion on a first side of said body portion and a low-pressure portion on a second side of said body portion in said air intake portion whereby a passage is provided therebetween, wherein said passage communicates with either said high-pressure side or said low-pressure side of said air intake portion. 
   
   
       61 . The invention according to  claim 56 , wherein said bearing is selected from the group consisting of a ball bearing, needle bearing, bushing, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       62 . A valve body for an engine, comprising:
 a body portion including an air intake portion;   a butterfly valve configured to meter air through said air intake portion;   said butterfly valve attached to a shaft which is configured to rotate said body portion;   said shaft being rotationally coupled with a bearing in said body portion, said bearing being fit into a cavity in said body portion; and   surfaces for forming a port bypassing said bearing between a differential pressure zone;   wherein said body portion includes a high-pressure portion on a first side of said body portion and a low-pressure portion on a second side of said body portion in said air intake portion whereby a passage is provided therebetween, wherein said passage communicates with either said high-pressure side or said low-pressure side of said air intake portion.   
   
   
       63 . The invention according to  claim 62 , wherein the differential pressure is defined axially along said shaft. 
   
   
       64 . The invention according to  claim 62 , wherein the differential pressure is between said air intake portion and a control portion of said body portion. 
   
   
       65 . The invention according to  claim 62 , wherein the passage is formed around an outside periphery of said bearing for allowing flow past said bearing in an axial direction of said shaft. 
   
   
       66 . The invention according to  claim 62 , wherein said bearing is selected from the group consisting of a ball bearing, needle bearing, bushing, and combinations thereof.