Bearing assembly with surface layer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018195551-A1
Application number	US-201715401878-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 9, 2017
Priority date	Jan 9, 2017
Publication date	Jul 12, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A bearing assembly is disclosed that includes a first component with a first bearing surface, and a second component with a second bearing surface. A fluid is disposed between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface supporting the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface in a non-contact rotational relationship. The first bearing surface, or the second bearing surface, or both the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface include a surface layer with solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles in a matrix.

First claim

1 . A bearing assembly comprising:
a first component comprising a first bearing surface; a second component comprising a second bearing surface; a fluid disposed between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface supporting the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface in a non-contact rotational relationship, wherein the first bearing surface, the second bearing surface, or both the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface include a surface layer comprising solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles in a matrix.

2 . The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles have a thickness of 1 to 20 atomic layers.

3 . The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles include a dimension perpendicular to the thickness of 10 nm to 25 μm.

4 . The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles comprise graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide or combinations thereof.

5 . The bearing assembly of claim 4 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles comprise graphene.

6 . The bearing assembly of claim 4 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles comprise hexagonal boron nitride.

7 . The bearing assembly of claim 4 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles comprise molybdenum disulfide.

8 . The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the surface layer further comprises solid lubricant particles or nanoparticles different than the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles.

9 . The bearing assembly of claim 8 , wherein the solid lubricant particles or nanoparticles comprise graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide or combinations thereof.

10 . The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second component comprises a compliant second bearing surface.

11 . The bearing assembly of claim 10 , wherein the compliant second bearing surface is in contact with the first bearing surface if the first and second components are stationary with respect to one another, and is displaced by the fluid out of contact with the first bearing surface at operational speeds.

12 . The bearing assembly of claim 11 , wherein the compliant second bearing surface comprises a top foil in contact with the first bearing surface at rest, and a bump foil disposed between the second component and the top foil.

13 . The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a polyimide or polyamide polymer or copolymer.

14 . The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first component is configured as a rotor and the second component is configured as a stationary support.

15 . The bearing assembly of claim 14 , wherein the rotor comprises a shaft comprising a radially outward-facing journal bearing surface as the first bearing surface.

16 . The bearing assembly of claim 14 , wherein the rotor comprises a shaft comprising an axially-facing thrust bearing surface as the first bearing surface.

17 . The bearing assembly of claim 14 , wherein the rotor and the support are components of an air cycle machine.

18 . A bearing comprising a support, a bump foil over the support, a top foil over the bump foil, and a surface layer over the bump foil comprising solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles in a matrix.

19 . The bearing of claim 18 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles comprise graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide or combinations thereof graphene.

20 . The bearing of claim 18 , wherein the solid lubricant 2D nanoparticles have a thickness of 1 to 20 atomic layers and include an x-y planar dimension of 10 nm to 25 μm.

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Poteet Steven
• Grulke David J

Classifications

• F16C2240/48

  Particle sizes · CPC title

• C10N2020/06

  Particles of special shape or size · CPC title

• F16C17/024

  with flexible leaves to create hydrodynamic wedge, e.g. radial foil bearings · CPC title

• C10M2201/0613

  used as base material · CPC title

• C10N2040/02

  Bearings · CPC title