Self-cleaning air bearing comprising a flow equalizing groove at the bearing periphery

Claim 2

A self-cleaning air bearing comprising a first part which rotates about an axis, and a second part, each of said parts having cooperating bearing surfaces dimensioned and configured to define at least one bearing gap, said gap having at least one circular periphery having an area at which the bearing gap opens into the atmosphere, an air inlet communicating with said bearing gap at a location spaced from said periphery, and with the atmosphere, at least one filter disposed in said air inlet, at least one pattern of grooves formed on one of said surfaces for causing air to flow through said at least one filter into said gap, and at least one continuous circular flow equalizing groove formed in one of said bearing surfaces, and disposed at least adjacent said area, arranged such that a flow of air is maintained outward to the atmosphere along all of said area; said bearing comprising a thrust bearing having an outer circumference and an inner circular periphery, said flow equalizing groove being an annular groove disposed adjacent said outer circumference of said bearing, said gap extending between said groove and said inner circular periphery, and said air inlet being spaced intermediately between said groove and said inner circular periphery, said thrust bearing being arranged so as to pump air from said air inlet to said annular groove.

Claim 3

A self-cleaning air bearing comprising a first part which rotates about an axis, and a second part, each of said parts having cooperating bearing surfaces dimensioned and configured to define at least one bearing gap, said gap having at least one circular periphery having an area at which the bearing gap opens into the atmosphere, an air inlet communicating with said bearing gap at a location spaced from said periphery, and with the atmosphere, at least one filter disposed in said air inlet, at least one pattern of grooves formed on one of said surfaces for causing air to flow through said at least one filter into said gap, and at least one continuous circular flow equalizing groove formed in one of said bearing surfaces, and disposed at least adjacent said area, arranged such that a flow of air is maintained outward to the atmosphere along all of said area; said bearing comprising a thrust bearing and a cylindrical bearing; said thrust bearing having an outer circumference and an inner circular periphery, said flow equalizing groove being an annular groove disposed adjacent said outer circumference of said bearing, said gap extending between said groove and said inner circular periphery, and said air inlet being spaced intermediately between said groove and said inner circular periphery; said cylindrical bearing having a cylindrical bearing surface concentric about said axis, having a cylindrical gap arranged to communicate with said inner circular periphery and to extend axially to an outer cylindrical area communicating with the atmosphere; and a second continuous circular groove at least adjacent said outer cylindrical area, said thrust bearing being arranged so as to pump air from said air inlet to said annular groove and to said inner periphery, and said cylindrical bearing being arranged such that air flows through said cylindrical gap from said inner periphery to said second groove, whereby air outflow through the entire outer cylindrical area prevents dust from entering said bearing.

Claim 4

A self-cleaning air bearing comprising a first part which rotates about an axis, and a second part, each of said parts having cooperating bearing surfaces dimensioned and configured to define at least one bearing gap, said gap having at least one circular periphery having an area at which the bearing gap opens into the atmosphere, an air inlet communicating with said bearing gap at a location spaced from said periphery, and with the atmosphere, at least one filter disposed in said air inlet, at least one pattern of grooves formed on one of said surfaces for causing air to flow through said at least one filter into said gap, and at least one continuous circular flow equalizing groove formed in one of said bearing surfaces, and disposed at least adjacent said area, arranged such that a flow of air is maintained outward to the atmosphere along all of said area; said bearing comprising a thrust bearing and a cylindrical bearing; said thrust bearing having an outer circumference and an inner circular periphery, said flow equalizing groove being an annular groove disposed adjacent said outer circumference of said bearing, said gap extending between said groove and said inner circular periphery, and said air inlet being spaced intermediately between said groove and said inner circular periphery; said cylindrical bearing having a cylindrical bearing surface concentric about said axis, having a cylindrical gap arranged to communicate with said inner circular periphery and to extend axially to an outer cylindrical area communicating with the atmosphere; and a second continuous circular groove at least adjacent said outer cylindrical area, said thrust bearing being arranged so as to pump air from said air inlet to said annular groove and to said inner periphery, and said cylindrical bearing being arranged such that air flows through said cylindrical gap from said inner periphery to said second groove, whereby air outflow through the entire outer cylindrical area prevents dust from entering said bearing.