Compressor with compliant thrust bearing

Abstract

A bearing housing may include a body portion, a hub, and a thrust bearing. The body portion may include a radially inwardly facing first annular surface. A structure may extend radially outward from the body portion. The hub may extend axially from the body portion and may include a radially inwardly facing second annular surface adapted to rotatably support a shaft. The thrust bearing may extend axially from the body portion and may include an outer surface, a thrust surface, an inner surface, and an undercut feature formed in one of the inner and outer surfaces. The undercut feature may define a cantilevered portion of the thrust bearing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thrust bearing for a compressor having first and second working members, the thrust bearing comprising:
 an axially facing thrust surface configured to support one of the first and second working members;   a first surface adjacent said thrust surface;   a second surface adjacent said thrust surface;   an annular undercut feature formed in only one of said first and second surfaces, said one of said first and second surfaces including a first radially facing portion disposed axially between said thrust surface and a first axial end of said undercut feature and a second radially facing portion disposed adjacent a second axial end of said undercut feature, said second radially facing portion being spaced apart from a drive shaft bearing.   
     
     
         2 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second surfaces are annular surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein said undercut feature is formed in said first surface, and wherein said first surface is disposed radially inward relative to said second surface. 
     
     
         4 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein said undercut feature includes an axially extending surface that is substantially parallel to and coaxial with said first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein said undercut feature includes a V-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein said undercut feature includes a U-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is less than or equal to approximately one-fifth an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         8 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is between approximately one-fifth and approximately two times an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         9 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is between approximately two times and approximately eight times an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         10 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is more than or equal to approximately eight times an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         11 . The thrust bearing of  claim 1 , wherein said undercut feature includes an axial dimension of at least approximately 2.5 millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . A bearing housing comprising:
 a body portion including a radially inwardly facing first annular surface;   a hub extending axially from said body portion and including a radially inwardly facing second annular surface adapted to rotatably support a shaft;   a thrust bearing extending axially from said body portion and including an outer surface, an inner surface, a thrust surface between said outer and inner surfaces, and an undercut feature formed in one of said outer and inner surfaces, said undercut feature defining a cantilevered portion of said thrust bearing, said undercut feature being directly adjacent said first annular surface.   
     
     
         13 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein said undercut feature is formed in said outer surface. 
     
     
         14 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein said undercut feature is formed in said inner surface. 
     
     
         15 . The bearing housing of  claim 14 , further comprising another undercut feature formed in said outer surface and defining another cantilevered portion of said thrust bearing. 
     
     
         16 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein said outer and inner surfaces are annular surfaces, and said thrust surface is an axially facing surface. 
     
     
         17 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein said inner surface of said thrust bearing and said first annular surface of said body portion are substantially radially aligned with each other. 
     
     
         18 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is less than or equal to approximately one-fifth an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         19 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is between approximately one-fifth and approximately two times an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         20 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is between approximately two times and approximately eight times an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         21 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein a radial depth of said undercut feature is greater than or equal to approximately eight times an axial distance between said thrust surface and said undercut feature. 
     
     
         22 . The bearing housing of  claim 12 , wherein said hub and said thrust bearing are integrally formed with said body portion. 
     
     
         23 . A scroll machine comprising:
 a non-orbiting scroll;   an orbiting scroll engaging said non-orbiting scroll and configured to orbit relative to said non-orbiting scroll;   a drive shaft drivingly engaging said orbiting scroll;   a bearing housing including a body portion, a hub extending axially from said body portion, and a thrust bearing extending axially from said body portion, said hub and said thrust bearing being integrally formed with said body portion, said hub including a first annular surface supporting said drive shaft, said thrust bearing including a second annular surface, a third annular surface, and a thrust surface, said thrust surface axially supporting said orbiting scroll, said thrust bearing including an annular undercut feature formed in one of said second and third annular surfaces.   
     
     
         24 . The scroll machine of  claim 23 , wherein said second annular surface is disposed radially inward relative to said third annular surface, and wherein said second annular surface includes said undercut feature, but said third annular surface does not include an annular undercut feature. 
     
     
         25 . The scroll machine of  claim 23 , wherein said one of the second and third annular surfaces is substantially radially aligned with an inner annular surface of said body portion. 
     
     
         26 . The scroll machine of  claim 23 , wherein said body portion includes a radially inwardly facing annular surface that is directly adjacent said undercut feature.