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:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
May. 16, 1997
Robert H Nadjafi, San Pedro, CA (US);
AlliedSignal Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
A cylindrical shaft including a rotor rotates within a housing. A foil bearing comprised of flexible foil segments encircles the rotor, and is located in between the rotor and the housing. The foil segments are attached to the housing, and are installed with a flexion to press against the rotor. A split ring is situated near each end of the foil bearing. Each ring is suspended in an circumferential groove in the rotor by springs which also apply a force tending to keep the ring closed. When the rings are closed, the foil segments can press against and support the rotor. The rings can be opened by respective solenoid-operated plungers to press against the foil segments and force them apart from the rotor.