Hydrodynamic bearing
View Patent ↗A self-cleaning filter assembly includes a cylindrical cartridge filter element supported on a coaxially mounted hydrodynamic bearing for rotation of the cartridge filter element about its longitudinal axis. The cylindrical cartridge filter element includes a hollow interior for receiving filtered water. A water spray manifold is provided proximate to the cartridge filter element and includes spray nozzles for providing a water spray capable of rotating the cartridge filter element about its longitudinal axis. A diverter valve receives flow of water to be filtered. With the diverter valve in a first position, the received flow of water submerges the cartridge filter element, with the filtered water received at the hollow interior of the cartridge filter element. With the diverter valve, in a second position, the received flow of water is provided to the water spray manifold causing it to fill under pressure. Water sprays out of the spray nozzles directed at the cartridge filter element causing it to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The water spray cleans the cartridge filter element as it rotates. Additionally, with the diverter valve in its second position, a portion of the water flow to the water spray manifold is tapped off and provided to the hydrodynamic bearing to provide a film of water as the load bearing component allowing rotation of the cartridge filter element thereon.
1. A hydrodynamic bearing comprising:
a stationary manifold having an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid;
a first bearing member received in and attached to the manifold, the first bearing member comprising an inner cylindrical wall having an axis, an outer cylindrical wall radially spaced from and coaxial with the inner cylindrical wall, a bottom member connected between the inner and outer cylindrical walls, and a first disc member extending radially outward from the outer cylindrical wall,
wherein the outer cylindrical wall, the first disc member and the manifold define a channel for the received flow of liquid,
wherein the outer cylindrical wall includes a plurality of radial dynamic pressure generating apertures communicating with the channel, and
wherein the first disc member includes a plurality of axial dynamic pressure generating apertures communicating with the channel; and
a second bearing member designed to support an object for rotation about the axis, the second bearing member comprising a cylindrical portion received between the inner and outer cylindrical walls of the first bearing member, and a second disc member extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion and facing the first disc member,
wherein pressurized liquid provided against (a) the cylindrical portion via the radial dynamic pressure generating apertures, and (b) the second disc member via the axial dynamic pressure generating apertures, allows the second bearing member and an object thereon to rotate about the axis.
2. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid is provided to allow rotation of the second bearing member with the hydrodynamic bearing in an energized state.
3. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 2 , wherein the first and second disc members cooperate to form a seal preventing liquid from flowing into the hydrodynamic bearing with the hydrodynamic bearing in an unenergized state and permitting a minimal amount of liquid to flow out of the hydrodynamic bearing with the hydrodynamic bearing in the energized state.
4. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 3 , wherein the seal comprises cooperating teeth formed on facing surfaces of the first and second disc members at outer circumferential portions thereof.
5. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the outer cylindrical wall of the first bearing member includes a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves cooperating, one each, with the plurality of radial dynamic pressure generating apertures.
6. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves extend axially substantially parallel to the axis.
7. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the first disc member includes a plurality of dynamic pressure generating recessed portions cooperating, one each, with the plurality of axial dynamic pressure generating apertures.
8. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises a toroidal-shaped manifold.
9. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises water.
10. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 9 , employed in a water filter device having a cylindrical cartridge filter element supported on the second bearing member of the hydrodynamic bearing for rotation about the axis.
11. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 10 , wherein the hydrodynamic bearing allows the cylindrical cartridge filter element to rotate about the axis via a water spray from a water spray manifold provided in the water filter device.
12. A hydrodynamic bearing comprising:
a stationary manifold having an inlet for receiving a pressurized flow of liquid;
a stationary first bearing member attached to the manifold and having a stationary shaft member having an axis, the first bearing member and manifold defining a channel for the received pressurized flow of liquid, wherein the first bearing member includes pluralities of radial and axial dynamic pressure generating apertures in communication with the channel; and
a second bearing member received on the stationary shaft member and rotatable about the axis, the second bearing member configured to support an object for rotation about the axis, wherein pressurized liquid is provided against the second bearing member via the radial and axial dynamic pressure generating apertures in the first bearing member providing journal bearing and thrust bearing forces, respectively, against the second bearing member allowing the second bearing member and an object thereon to rotate about the axis.
13. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 12 , wherein the liquid comprises water.
14. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 12 , wherein the first bearing member includes a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves radially facing the second bearing member and cooperating, one each, with the plurality of radial dynamic pressure generating apertures.
15. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 14 , wherein the pluralities of dynamic pressure generating grooves and apertures are equiangularly spaced about the axis.
16. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 12 , wherein the first bearing member includes a plurality of dynamic pressure generating recessed portions axially facing the second bearing member and cooperating, one each, with the plurality of axial dynamic pressure generating apertures.
17. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 16 , wherein the pluralities of dynamic pressure generating recessed portions and apertures are equiangularly spaced about the axis.
18. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 12 , wherein the pressurized liquid is provided to allow rotation of the second bearing member with the hydrodynamic bearing in an energized state.
19. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 18 , wherein the first and second bearing members include first and second disc members, respectively, facing each other and cooperating to form a seal preventing liquid from flowing into the hydrodynamic bearing with the hydrodynamic bearing in an unenergized state and permitting a minimal amount of liquid to flow out of the hydrodynamic bearing with the hydrodynamic bearing in the energized state.
20. The hydrodynamic bearing of claim 19 , wherein the seal comprises cooperating teeth formed on facing surfaces of the first and second disc members at outer circumferential portions thereof.