The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 09, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 14, 1995
Ewaryst Z Polch, Monument, CO (US);
Carl D Williams, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Jackie Cordova, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Quantum Corporation, Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
An improved hydrodynamic bearing comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve and an elongated shaft with the shaft being disposed within the sleeve for rotation relative thereto. A first thrust plate is coupled to one end of the shaft and a second thrust plate is coupled to the opposite end. A lubricant is disposed between the shaft and the sleeve as well as between the first and second thrust plates and the sleeve. The first thrust plate extends radially outward adjoining a corresponding first end of the sleeve forming a gap for containing the lubricant therebetween and the first thrust plate further extends axially inward toward a center of the bearing along an outer surface of the sleeve defining a surface tension seal forming gap therebetween. In a particular embodiment, the surface tension seal forming gap may be tapered to grow wider as it extends axially inward toward the center of the bearing to form a surface tension seal. The inverted surface tension seal configuration allows for an increased distance between the centers of force acting at the upper and lower bearing journals, thereby resulting in an enhanced tilt stiffness.