IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,372,113
Granted Patent B2
US 12,372,113 · App. 17/958,674 · Granted Jul 29, 2025

Hydrodynamic bearing arrangement for pump assembly

Inventors: Arjun Kailassh Magalingam Adithyan (Charlotte, NC); James Brown (Rock Hill, SC); Charles Schwab (Fort Mill, SC)
Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
F16C17/107F16C17/047F16C33/1075F16C2360/44F16C2361/61
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,372,113
App. No.
17/958,674
Granted
Jul 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bearing configuration for an oil pump assembly is disclosed herein. The bearing configuration includes a first radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element configured to directly face a first axial side of a gear, a second radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element configured to directly face a second axial side of the gear, and an axially extending hydrodynamic bearing element configured to directly face a radially inner side of the gear. The bearing configuration is configured to be used to support an idler gear in a transmission assembly, in one example.

Claims (15)

1. A bearing configuration for an oil pump assembly, the bearing configuration comprising:

a first radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element configured to directly face a first axial side of a gear;

a second radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element configured to directly face a second axial side of the gear; and

an axially extending hydrodynamic bearing element configured to directly face a radially inner side of the gear;

wherein the second radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element is formed integrally with a cover; and

wherein the first radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element and the axially extending hydrodynamic bearing element are formed integrally with each other.

2. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein the first radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element is configured to be fixed to a support.

3. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein the axially extending hydrodynamic bearing element is configured to be press fit onto a radially outer surface of a support.

4. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein a clearance (C1) is configured to be provided between the first radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element and the gear, and the clearance (C1) is 50 microns-100 microns.

5. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein a clearance (C2) is configured to be provided between the second radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element and the gear, and the clearance (C2) is 50 microns-100 microns.

6. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein a clearance (C3) is configured to be provided between the axially extending hydrodynamic bearing element and the gear, and the clearance (C3) is 50 microns-150 microns.

7. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein a first clearance (C1) is configured to be provided between the first radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element and the gear, a second clearance (C2) is configured to be provided between the second radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element and the gear, and a third clearance (C3) is configured to be provided between the axially extending hydrodynamic bearing element and the gear.

8. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein the first radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element defines a first axial bearing surface configured to face a first axial side of the gear, the first axial bearing surface including a plurality of flat land sections and ramped sections.

9. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein the second radially extending hydrodynamic bearing element defines a second axial bearing surface configured to face a second axial side of the gear, the second axial bearing surface including a plurality of flat land sections and ramped sections.

10. The bearing configuration according to claim 1 , wherein the axially extending hydrodynamic bearing element defines a radial bearing surface configured to face a radially inner surface of the gear, the radial bearing surface including a first section and a second section that are radially offset from each other with a slanted surface extending therebetween.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2022
From: MAGALINGAM ADITHYAN, ARJUN KAILASSH; BROWN, JAMES; SCHWAB, CHARLES
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 061291/0077 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240110593A1 · Apr 4, 2024
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