Abstract

A bearing device with first and second bearing surfaces facing each other and which are moveable relative to one another. The first and second bearing surfaces are separated by a bearing gap filled with a lubricant. The lubricant comprises a carrier fluid and particles which respond to magnetic or electric fields. The particles are suspended in the carrier fluid in the absence of magnetic or electric fields. One or more magnetic or electric field generators are embedded in the first or second bearing surface to generate a localized magnetic or electric field which locally removes the particles from suspension by exerting a field force on the particles. This forms a local flow obstruction on at least one of the bearing surfaces in the form of an agglomerate of previously suspended particles. The local flow obstruction locally obstructs a flow of the lubricant.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16C 33/74 - Sealings of sliding-contact bearings
• C10M 171/00 - Lubricating compositions characterised by purely physical criteria, e.g. containing as base-material, thickener or additive, ingredients which are characterised exclusively by their numerically specified physical properties, i.e. containing ingredients which are physically well defined but for which the chemical nature is either unspecified or only very vaguely indicated
• F16C 17/02 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for radial load only
• F16C 32/06 - Bearings not otherwise provided for with moving member supported by a fluid cushion formed, at least to a large extent, otherwise than by movement of the shaft, e.g. hydrostatic air-cushion bearings
• F16C 33/10 - Construction relative to lubrication
• C10N 20/06 - Particles of special shape or size
• C10N 30/00 - Specified physical or chemical property which is improved by the additive characterising the lubricating composition, e.g. multifunctional additives
• C10N 40/02 - Bearings
• C10N 40/14 - Electric or magnetic purposes
• C10N 40/18 - Electric or magnetic purposes in connection with recordings on magnetic tape or disc

Abstract

Bearing device comprising: - a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface which are moveable relative to one another and which face one another, wherein the first bearing surface and second bearing surface are separated by a bearing gap filled with a lubricant, wherein the lubricant comprises a carrier fluid and particles which respond to magnetic or electric fields, wherein said particles are suspended in the carrier fluid in the absence of magnetic or electric fields, - one or more field generators which are embedded in the first or second bearing surface, wherein the field generators are magnetic or electric field generators configured to generate a localized magnetic or electric field which is configured to locally remove the particles from suspension by exerting a field force on the particles, thereby forming a local flow obstruction on at least one of the bearing surfaces in the form of an agglomerate of previously suspended particles, wherein the local flow obstruction is configured to locally obstruct a flow of the lubricant through the bearing gap in an obstruction zone.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16C 17/02 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for radial load only
• F16C 32/06 - Bearings not otherwise provided for with moving member supported by a fluid cushion formed, at least to a large extent, otherwise than by movement of the shaft, e.g. hydrostatic air-cushion bearings
• F16C 33/10 - Construction relative to lubrication
• F16C 33/74 - Sealings of sliding-contact bearings

Abstract

Bearing device comprising: - a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface which are moveable relative to one another and which face one another, wherein the first bearing surface and second bearing surface are separated by a bearing gap filled with a lubricant, wherein the lubricant comprises a carrier fluid and particles which respond to magnetic or electric fields, wherein said particles are suspended in the carrier fluid in the absence of magnetic or electric fields, - one or more field generators which are embedded in the first or second bearing surface, wherein the field generators are magnetic or electric field generators configured to generate a localized magnetic or electric field which is configured to locally remove the particles from suspension by exerting a field force on the particles, thereby forming a local flow obstruction on at least one of the bearing surfaces in the form of an agglomerate of previously suspended particles, wherein the local flow obstruction is configured to locally obstruct a flow of the lubricant through the bearing gap in an obstruction zone.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16C 33/74 - Sealings of sliding-contact bearings

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing device comprising a first surface and a second surface which are moveable relative to one another, wherein the first and second surfaces are separated by a bearing gap filled with a lubricant, which is a magnetorheological or electrorheological liquid, or a lubricant having a temperature dependent viscosity, or a lubricant having a controllable slip velocity. The bearing device further comprising one or more supply inlets in the first or second surface, and one or more activators embedded in the first surface or second surface and configured to locally increase a viscosity or decrease the slip velocity of the lubricant in at least one obstruction zone, thereby inhibiting a flow of the lubricant in the obstruction zone.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16C 33/10 - Construction relative to lubrication
• F16C 17/02 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for radial load only
• F16C 17/04 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for axial load only

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing device (10) comprising a first surface (12) and a second surface (14) which are moveable relative to one another, wherein the first and second surfaces (12, 14) are separated by a bearing gap (16) filled with a lubricant, which is a magnetorheological liquid or an electrorheological liquid or a lubricant having a temperature dependent viscosity, or a lubricant having a controllable slip velocity. The bearing device (10) further comprising one or more supply inlets (18) in the first or second surface (12, 14) and one or more activators (20) embedded in the first or second surface (12, 14) and configured to locally increase a viscosity or decrease the slip velocity of the lubricant in at least one obstruction zone (22), thereby inhibiting a flow of the lubricant in the obstruction zone (22). The bearing gap (16) comprises at least one non-obstruction zone (24) in which the flow of the lubricant is not inhibited, wherein a flow path of the lubricant starts at the at least one supply inlet (18), extends along the at least one non-obstruction zone (24), traverses an obstruction zone (22) and ends at a bearing gap end (26). The first and second surfaces (12, 14) are free of surface texturing and are smooth and continuous. The at least one obstruction zone (22) inhibits the lubricant from flowing out of the bearing gap via the bearing gap end (26). The lubricant having an increased viscosity or decreased slip velocity acts as an obstruction of the flow path and either by itself or in cooperation with lubricant with increased viscosity or decreased slip velocity in other obstruction zones (22) inhibits the lubricant from flowing out of bearing gap end (26).

IPC Classes  ?

• F16C 33/10 - Construction relative to lubrication
• F16C 32/06 - Bearings not otherwise provided for with moving member supported by a fluid cushion formed, at least to a large extent, otherwise than by movement of the shaft, e.g. hydrostatic air-cushion bearings
• F16C 33/74 - Sealings of sliding-contact bearings
• F16C 17/02 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for radial load only
• F16C 17/04 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for axial load only
• F16C 29/02 - Sliding-contact bearings

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing device (10) comprising a first surface (12) and a second surface (14) which are moveable relative to one another, wherein the first and second surfaces (12, 14) are separated by a bearing gap (16) filled with a lubricant, which is a magnetorheological liquid or an electrorheological liquid or a lubricant having a temperature dependent viscosity, or a lubricant having a controllable slip velocity. The bearing device (10) further comprising one or more supply inlets (18) in the first or second surface (12, 14) and one or more activators (20) embedded in the first or second surface (12, 14) and configured to locally increase a viscosity or decrease the slip velocity of the lubricant in at least one obstruction zone (22), thereby inhibiting a flow of the lubricant in the obstruction zone (22). The bearing gap (16) comprises at least one non-obstruction zone (24) in which the flow of the lubricant is not inhibited, wherein a flow path of the lubricant starts at the at least one supply inlet (18), extends along the at least one non-obstruction zone (24), traverses an obstruction zone (22) and ends at a bearing gap end (26). The first and second surfaces (12, 14) are free of surface texturing and are smooth and continuous. The at least one obstruction zone (22) inhibits the lubricant from flowing out of the bearing gap via the bearing gap end (26). The lubricant having an increased viscosity or decreased slip velocity acts as an obstruction of the flow path and either by itself or in cooperation with lubricant with increased viscosity or decreased slip velocity in other obstruction zones (22) inhibits the lubricant from flowing out of bearing gap end (26).

IPC Classes  ?

• F16C 33/10 - Construction relative to lubrication
• F16C 32/06 - Bearings not otherwise provided for with moving member supported by a fluid cushion formed, at least to a large extent, otherwise than by movement of the shaft, e.g. hydrostatic air-cushion bearings
• F16C 33/74 - Sealings of sliding-contact bearings
• F16C 17/02 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for radial load only
• F16C 17/04 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for axial load only
• F16C 29/02 - Sliding-contact bearings